Sen. George Burns

Maddy summarySB 365 authorizes the Oklahoma State Board of Education to create rules for issuing and revoking certification for head coaches in public schools. This directly affects head coaches, who are defined in the bill as the lead staff supervising school athletic activities. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly include head coaches under the Board’s authority to establish certification requirements for educational staff, alongside roles like teachers and principals. The bill does not set specific certification standards but grants the Board the power to develop them. It becomes effective immediately due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 123 modifies Oklahoma's Self-Defense Act to ban carrying firearms loaded with specific ammunition types: restricted bullets (per Section 1289.19), caliber larger than .45, or other legally prohibited ammunition. It directly affects individuals holding self-defense permits who carry firearms under the Act. The bill adds a $500 administrative fine for violations (in addition to potential criminal penalties), following a hearing by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1189, the Oklahoma Right to Garden Act of 2025, protects Oklahomans' right to grow vegetables for personal use on their home property. It defines a "vegetable garden" as one on residential property for personal consumption (not resale) and states this right cannot be blocked by municipalities. However, cities and towns may still enforce reasonable rules about garden size near roads, water use during droughts, or invasive species control. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 159, originally titled "Veterans; establishing certain center; requiring collaborations," had its title stricken on February 13, 2025, and was later withdrawn from the Appropriations committee. The provided text shows a floor amendment proposing a Commission to review the location of a veterans' center, but the bill's current provisions are unclear due to the title removal and withdrawal. Without a clear, unamended bill text or current status, a factual summary of the bill's policy changes cannot be provided.

Maddy summarySB 120 requires owners and operators of poultry feeding operations in Oklahoma to provide proof of Oklahoma residency for at least two years prior to applying for registration or licensure. This applies directly to individuals or entities operating poultry facilities seeking to comply with state registration rules. To verify residency, applicants must submit documents like an unexpired state driver's license, utility bills (excluding cell/internet), property deeds, or rental agreements. The bill also maintains existing requirements for Nutrient Management Plans, environmental history, and mandatory waste handling training (19 initial hours plus 2 hours every three years). These provisions aim to ensure operators have a sustained local connection to the state before receiving registration.

Maddy summarySB 136 would establish a moratorium on registering new poultry feeding operations and new licenses for certain poultry operations in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025. Existing operations can continue, but the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture can inspect them and revoke registration or licenses for violations of existing rules, with no reissuance allowed for revoked operations. The bill requires the Department to create implementing rules and directly affects new businesses seeking to start poultry operations in the state. It does not change current regulations for existing operations unless violations occur.

Maddy summaryHB 2841 amends Oklahoma's management rules for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund, directly affecting the fund and its Board of Investors. It requires the Board to invest fund assets using "prudent person" standards, diversify investments to minimize risk, and hire investment managers through competitive bidding. The bill mandates that at least 2% of the fund's principal balance or $40 million (whichever is greater) must be spent annually on grant and incentive programs. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 131 requires Oklahoma electric utilities planning to retire coal-fired power plants to prioritize replacing them with advanced nuclear reactors (including small modular reactors). Utilities must submit a cost study and written justification to the Corporation Commission if they choose alternatives to nuclear, and the Commission must approve or disapprove replacement plans. The bill also mandates that any entity building a nuclear plant must construct a secondary facility within the same zip code to store spent nuclear fuel and submit detailed applications to the Department of Environmental Quality. These provisions aim to guide the transition from coal to nuclear energy while establishing regulatory requirements for new nuclear construction. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2831 requires high school students attending physical campuses to take concurrent enrollment college courses in person at their school building or a nearby college campus, eliminating virtual attendance for these classes. It applies directly to Oklahoma public and charter school students enrolled in concurrent enrollment programs. The bill also maintains tuition waivers for eligible seniors (18 credits) and juniors (9 credits) and mandates annual reports tracking participation and outcomes. Key provisions focus on requiring physical attendance for concurrent enrollment classes while preserving existing financial support and reporting requirements. This policy change specifically alters how students access college courses while enrolled in traditional high schools.

Maddy summarySB 121 transfers ownership of Hugo Lake Park to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department by January 1, 2026, including all land, contracts, and responsibilities. The bill requires the department to establish funds for park operations, exempts it from legal claims arising before the transfer date, and assigns existing management contracts to the department. It does not change park services or fees but reorganizes administrative control. The bill failed committee review on February 11, 2025, and has not advanced to a vote.