Sen. Kelly Hines

Maddy summaryHB 1578 amends Oklahoma's notary public laws to strengthen identity verification requirements for notarial acts. It requires notaries to confirm a person's identity through personal knowledge, a credible witness, or valid ID before performing acknowledgments, verifications, witnessing signatures, or certifying copies. The bill increases penalties for failing to verify identity, making it a felony punishable by fines up to $5,000 or up to 30 days in jail. This directly affects all Oklahoma notaries who perform official notarial acts. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2387 is a procedural bill that expands Oklahoma's Commission for Rehabilitation Services from three to seven members. It changes the appointment rules: the Senate President Pro Tempore appoints two members (one for a 1-year term, one for a 2-year term), the Governor appoints two members (both for 1-year terms), and the House Speaker appoints two members (one for a 1-year term, one for a 3-year term). The bill also extends current appointees' terms and sets the effective date for November 1, 2025. This change affects the Commission's internal structure but does not alter the department's programs or services.

Maddy summaryHB 1578 amends Oklahoma law to require notaries public to verify a person's identity before performing any notarial act, such as witnessing signatures or certifying documents. It specifies that notaries must confirm identity through personal knowledge, credible witnesses, or valid ID documents. Failure to make this verification results in a misdemeanor charge punishable by fines up to $5,000 or 30 days in jail. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, directly affecting all notaries performing official acts in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 1561, the "Foreign Adversary Divestment Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma's public funds - including state pension systems, university endowments, and local government investment accounts - to stop holding investments tied to countries designated as "foreign adversaries" by the U.S. State Department. It prohibits these funds from owning shares in companies based in such countries, state-owned enterprises of those nations, or banks operating primarily in them. Funds must fully divest from these holdings by January 1, 2028, reducing residual investments to less than 0.05% of total assets. The law applies directly to state-managed financial assets, aiming to align public investments with U.S. national security designations.

Maddy summaryHB 2390 modernizes Oklahoma's Self-Service Storage Facility Lien Act by allowing storage facilities to use electronic rental agreements and clarifying lien rules. It requires facilities to provide written notice before disposing of abandoned property (after 30 days) and caps late fees at $20 or 20% of unpaid rent. The bill also specifies that vehicles/watercraft left unpaid for 60 days may be towed without facility liability. These changes directly affect storage facility owners and tenants using self-storage units, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2264 clarifies how homeowner associations (HOAs) in Oklahoma can enforce payment of dues and fees. It requires HOAs to provide written notice to members about financial obligations when they join, and allows HOAs to place liens covering both past and future unpaid assessments. If a lien is filed, HOAs can foreclose after three years or pursue judgment collection; if no lien exists, they may seek court judgments instead. The bill also specifies that if members win a lawsuit against an HOA, the HOA must pay court costs through member assessments (excluding the winning party).

Maddy summaryHB 2264 clarifies how homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Oklahoma can collect unpaid dues and assessments through liens on properties. It requires HOAs to file governing documents with the county clerk and ensures homeowners are informed about financial obligations before joining. The bill allows HOAs to place liens on properties for unpaid amounts, foreclose after three years (or sooner if a judgment is filed), and recover reasonable attorney fees if they win court cases. Property owners who join an HOA and fail to pay dues may face lien foreclosure, while HOAs must cover fees if they lose a dispute. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1864 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax exemption for tangible vehicle purchases. It amends Section 1357 of the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code to adjust the exemption rules for sales of vehicles, directly affecting dealers and buyers of new or used vehicles. The bill clarifies that the exemption applies to vehicle sales but does not change the existing tax treatment for vehicle purchases. The specific changes to the exemption language are detailed in the amended tax code section, which was passed by committee in March 2025. The bill does not introduce new exemptions or specifically target veterans, as implied in the title but not reflected in the text.

Maddy summaryHB 1627 modifies Oklahoma's process for resolving unfair labor practice disputes involving public employees in cities and towns. It requires written notice of alleged violations within six months and establishes a specific arbitration procedure: each party (employer and union) selects one arbitrator, who then jointly select a third; if they fail, the Federal Mediation Service provides a list for alternating strikes. The bill also changes fee rules, requiring the bargaining agent to cover their selected arbitrator's fees and the employer to cover theirs, while splitting the third arbitrator's fees equally. This applies to interest arbitration, unfair practice disputes, and union representation decisions, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1864 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax code to provide a sales tax exemption for veterans purchasing tangible vehicles (like cars or trucks) in the state. This change directly affects veterans who buy vehicles, eliminating the sales tax on those specific purchases. The bill amends Section 1357 of the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code to add veterans' vehicle purchases to the list of exempt transactions. The exemption applies to sales made to veterans, though the bill does not specify additional eligibility criteria beyond veteran status. The effective date for this change is established within the bill.