Sen. Kelly Hines

Maddy summaryHB 3083 updates Oklahoma's burn ban law to define "extreme fire danger" as either a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning or specific conditions: severe drought, low rainfall forecast, high temperatures, or elevated wildfire activity. It allows county commissioners to issue immediate burn bans when these conditions exist, requiring fire department concurrence and public notice. The bill exempts agricultural producers who submit detailed prescribed burn plans to local fire departments, including weather conditions, firebreaks, and notifications. This directly affects residents, landowners, and farmers in counties with active burn bans during extreme fire danger periods.

Maddy summarySB 1532 amends Oklahoma's Open Records Act to require government agencies to collect a requester's full name and contact information when accessing public records. This directly affects individuals or organizations seeking public records, such as meeting minutes, reports, or other government documents. The bill's key provision mandates that agencies may now request and retain this information, while also allowing them to keep timekeeping and badge entrance records confidential. The change updates existing law to clarify these requirements without altering the core principle of public record access.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Oklahoma's Department of Corrections to create a publicly accessible online database listing individuals convicted of or who entered a guilty plea for animal cruelty offenses under existing law. It updates the definition of animal cruelty to include willful deprivation of food, water, shelter, or veterinary care, and specifies that such violations constitute a serious felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The database will include names of offenders, making this information searchable on the Department's website. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and applies directly to convicted offenders and the public accessing the database.

Maddy summarySB 770 expands Oklahoma's Commission for Rehabilitation Services from 3 to 7 members by adding new appointment slots: one member appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore (2-year term), two by the Governor (1-year terms), and one by the House Speaker (3-year term). The bill updates the commission's membership structure, removes outdated language, and specifies appointment timelines and term durations. This directly affects the commission's composition and its ability to oversee state rehabilitation services for Oklahomans with disabilities. The changes aim to provide broader representation on the commission while maintaining its role in setting policies for rehabilitation programs.

Maddy summarySB 770 expands Oklahoma's Commission for Rehabilitation Services from three to seven members. It adds four new positions: one appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore (2025-2027 term), two appointed by the Governor (2025-2026 terms), and one appointed by the House Speaker (2025-2028 term). The bill updates appointment rules, term lengths, and removes outdated language in the existing statute. This change directly affects the Commission's governance structure for administering state rehabilitation services. The bill became law after a veto override (76-5) on May 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1600, now effective as law in Oklahoma since May 22, 2025, establishes 19 specific rights for all patients receiving medical care in the state, including respectful treatment, clear communication about treatment options, advance directive support, privacy, and visitor rights. It also outlines patient responsibilities, such as providing accurate health information and participating in care planning. The law requires hospitals to inform patients of these rights and their complaint processes, replacing prior guidelines with enforceable statutory standards. This bill directly affects every patient in Oklahoma healthcare facilities and all hospitals providing care under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1600, the "Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2025," establishes 19 specific rights for patients receiving care in Oklahoma hospitals and clinics. It guarantees rights like respectful treatment, clear communication about medical options, informed consent, access to medical records, and the ability to refuse treatment (with consequences explained), while also outlining patient responsibilities such as providing accurate health information. The law directly affects all patients in Oklahoma healthcare settings, including minors (with parental responsibilities specified) and Medicare beneficiaries (notifying them about potential non-coverage). It became effective May 22, 2025, after being signed into law without the Governor’s signature.

Maddy summarySB 253 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid agency (the Oklahoma Health Care Authority) to include specific funding details in its annual budget request. It mandates that the budget reflect new state and federal funding needed to cover the most recent audited costs for reimbursing nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. The audited cost must be calculated using the latest cost report submitted to the agency. This change takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 253 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to include specific funding details in its annual Medicaid budget request. It mandates that the budget must reflect new state and federal funding needed to cover additional costs for reimbursing nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. This reimbursement must be based on the most recent audited cost, calculated using the latest cost report submitted to OHCA. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers and the state's budgeting process for Medicaid services, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2047, the Emerson Kate Cole Act, updates Oklahoma school medication policies to improve safety for students with allergies and asthma. It requires school districts to adopt policies allowing students to self-administer prescribed asthma inhalers, epinephrine for allergic reactions, and cystic fibrosis medications, with written parental permission and physician documentation. Key provisions include mandating annual staff training on recognizing allergic reactions and administering epinephrine, requiring schools to notify parents after medication use, and specifying protocols for stocking and using epinephrine injectors (including 911 contact procedures). The bill also creates model policies for districts to follow and clarifies that schools and staff incur no liability for medication administration under these guidelines. This law, effective May 14, 2025, directly affects public school districts, students with chronic conditions, and their families.