Sen. Mark Mann

Maddy summarySB 922, the "Commercial Game Fowl Breeders Act," would require anyone breeding game fowl (roosters bred for cockfighting) for commercial sale or exchange to obtain a state license. It mandates inspections by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture before and annually for licensed facilities, including health checks and record reviews, and requires breeders to maintain specific records. The bill also establishes fees, penalties for violations, and a revolving fund for assistance. The measure failed in committee on March 3, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 159 requires the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a veterans resource center in Del City, Oklahoma, serving as a hub to connect veterans with public and private services through information and referral. It mandates all state agencies providing veteran services to collaborate with this center to streamline access to support. The bill creates a centralized point for veterans to find assistance and ensures state agencies coordinate through the Del City location. The center becomes operational starting November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1099 amends Oklahoma's alcoholic beverage laws to allow certain sellers to sell vintage distilled spirits, which were previously restricted under existing regulations. The bill specifically provides an exception for the sale of vintage distilled spirits by eligible sellers, such as licensed distillers or retailers. This change directly affects businesses holding distilled spirits licenses and those selling vintage products. The bill updates definitions and provisions in the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act to accommodate this new exception, without altering broader licensing requirements. The policy change focuses on expanding sales options for vintage distilled spirits within the state's regulatory framework.

Maddy summarySB 1099 amends Oklahoma's Alcoholic Beverage Control Act to provide certain exceptions and allow specific sellers to sell vintage distilled spirits. The bill updates definitions and regulations related to alcoholic beverage licensing, including mixed beverage licenses and the unlawful possession of alcohol without a license. It does not specify the exact exceptions or identify which sellers are permitted to sell vintage distilled spirits. The bill has been reported out of committee and is pending in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 1945 requires landlords, owners, or operators of apartment buildings or hotels with five or more rental units to conduct background checks on all employees. The checks must include criminal history and sex offender registry searches across all states, and disqualify applicants convicted of violent crimes like assault or sexual battery. Landlords must also maintain logs tracking key issuance and returns for each unit and create policies for key storage and access. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, directly affecting commercial lodging businesses with five or more units.

Maddy summaryHB 1945 requires landlords, owners, or operators of apartment buildings or hotels with five or more rental units to conduct background checks on all employees using federal standards, including criminal history and sex offender registry checks across all states. It also mandates that these property managers maintain detailed logs of key issuance and return for each unit and establish clear policies for key storage and access. The bill applies directly to commercial lodging properties meeting the unit threshold and takes effect November 1, 2025. (Note: The bill text does not address hourly rates as referenced in the title.)

Maddy summarySB 158 creates a licensing system for professional severe weather trackers working with Oklahoma media outlets or higher education institutions offering meteorology programs. It requires trackers to obtain licenses from "Service Oklahoma," pass background checks, maintain vehicle displays with license numbers, and provide insurance documentation. The bill establishes a $500 initial annual fee (renewing for $250) deposited into the Severe Weather Tracker Licensure Fund to cover administrative costs. This directly affects media outlets, universities with meteorology programs, and the weather tracking professionals they employ.

Maddy summarySB 158 creates the Oklahoma Emergency Weather Response and Tracking Regulatory Act of 2025, requiring licenses for professional severe weather trackers employed by TV stations (with FCC licenses) or affiliated with Oklahoma universities offering meteorology programs. It mandates that trackers maintain a license on file with their employer, display license numbers on vehicles, pass background checks, provide insurance for vehicles, and obtain a letter from a chief meteorologist verifying their qualifications. The bill establishes a "Severe Weather Tracker Licensure Fund" to support the licensing program and sets fines for violations. This law directly affects media outlets, universities, and individuals conducting severe weather tracking during significant weather events like tornadoes, blizzards, or flash floods as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 2256 creates a revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury to support apprenticeship scholarships for high school graduates. The fund, financed by state appropriations and private donations, will provide grants covering tuition and fees for eligible students entering federally approved technical apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees. Applications for these grants will be reviewed competitively statewide by the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2256 creates a revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury called the "Apprentice Scholarship Program Revolving Fund" to support high school graduates entering approved apprenticeship programs in technical trades. The fund, financed by state appropriations and private donations, will allow the Oklahoma State Board of Career and Technology Education to award annual competitive grants covering tuition and fees for eligible students. These grants are specifically for graduates enrolling in federally approved apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committees. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025, with the Board setting application criteria and rules for distribution.