Sen. David Bullard

Maddy summarySB 92 creates a state-funded program to provide competitive loans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Oklahoma. Eligible entities, such as municipal water systems, can apply for loans to address critical infrastructure needs, with projects ranked based on factors like urgency, conservation efforts, and matching funds. The bill requires loan recipients to repay funds if they fail to complete projects (clawback provision) and mandates public tracking of projects via an interactive map. Funds are allocated specifically: 25% for large cities (over 400,000 people), 25% for mid-sized areas (30,000-400,000), and 50% for smaller communities. The program is funded through a dedicated revolving fund managed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

Maddy summarySB 1006 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies from requiring or implementing programs that mandate preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. It specifically bans agencies from forcing employees or applicants to participate in diversity training, providing diversity statements, or signing loyalty oaths favoring specific groups. Violations trigger a budget penalty: the legislature must reduce the agency's funding by 1% or require a 1% deposit into the General Revenue Fund the following year. The bill directly affects all state agencies, including higher education (via the Oklahoma State Regents), and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 768 authorizes licensed firefighters and emergency medical personnel (EMTs) to carry firearms while performing their official duties in Oklahoma. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these first responders under the exception for "person authorized by law to carry a weapon," requiring them to hold a valid handgun license under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and follow their agency's rules. It also allows local governments to create agreements with tribal nations for first responders to carry firearms on tribal trust land. This change updates Oklahoma's firearms statute to expand the current exception for peace officers to cover licensed first responders during work.

Maddy summarySB 768 authorizes licensed firefighters and emergency medical personnel (EMTs) to carry firearms while performing official duties in Oklahoma. This bill amends Oklahoma law to explicitly include these first responders under existing exceptions for "peace officers," removing current restrictions that prevented them from carrying during work. It specifies that tribal trust land requires separate intergovernmental agreements between local governments and tribes. The law applies only to paid, licensed first responders - excluding volunteers - and updates statutory references to clarify the provision.

Maddy summarySB 1006 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies from requiring or implementing programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. It specifically bans mandates for DEI training, diversity statements in hiring, loyalty oaths favoring specific groups, and programming that compels adherence to particular political or philosophical views. The bill defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion" to exclude practices involving preferential treatment or forced ideological endorsement. Violations trigger a 1% budget reduction for the agency in the following fiscal year, enforced by the Attorney General. This bill directly affects all state agencies, including higher education institutions, by restricting certain DEI-related policies and practices.

Maddy summarySB 33 authorizes Oklahoma's State Treasurer to create, operate, or contract for a bullion depository (holding gold and silver) and issue transaction cards to Oklahoma citizens. Account holders can use these cards for purchases debited against their gold/silver deposits, which the bill defines as legal tender - distinct from commodities. The Treasurer must establish fee structures for depository services and develop procedures for sharing account information with depository partners. This bill directly affects Oklahoma residents who choose to use the depository service, with implementation effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 33 authorizes Oklahoma's State Treasurer to create or contract for a gold and silver bullion depository, allowing eligible Oklahoma citizens to store physical precious metals. The bill establishes transaction cards that debit against stored gold/silver balances for purchases, treating these deposits and transactions as legal tender (not commodities) under state law. It requires the Treasurer to develop a fee structure for account holders and outline procedures for sharing account information with depositories. This directly affects Oklahoma residents who open accounts in the depository system, enabling them to use stored precious metals for everyday transactions.

Maddy summaryHB 1237 increases death benefit payments for families of deceased members in several Oklahoma public retirement systems. For members who died before July 1, 1999, the benefit remains $4,000; for those dying on or after that date, it rises to $5,000 or $10,000. The bill also streamlines probate by allowing direct payments to heirs if they submit required documents (like heirship affidavits and written agreements), bypassing court procedures. This affects families of firefighters, police officers, judges, teachers, and other public employees covered by the specified retirement systems. The changes apply to death benefits paid under the Oklahoma Firefighters, Police, Judges, Teachers', and Public Employees Retirement Systems.

Maddy summarySB 380 requires Oklahoma state and local governments to display replicas of specific historical documents (like the Ten Commandments, Magna Carta, and U.S. Constitution) as monuments on public grounds. It mandates that the Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, and House Speaker must determine monument design, placement, and funding within one year using only donated funds, and prohibits relocation without 3/4 legislative approval plus the Governor's consent. The bill also creates a felony offense for damaging these monuments and authorizes the Attorney General to defend such displays legally if challenged. This bill failed in the Judiciary Committee on February 19, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 1237 increases death benefits for survivors of public employees in Oklahoma's major retirement systems (including firefighters, police, judges, teachers, and state employees). It raises the death benefit from $5,000 to $10,000 for members who die on or after July 1, 1999, while maintaining the $4,000 benefit for those who died before that date. The bill also establishes a streamlined process allowing direct payments to heirs without court probate, provided claimants submit required documents like heirship affidavits and proof of funeral expenses. This change applies uniformly across all specified retirement systems and takes effect upon enactment.