Sen. David Bullard

Maddy summaryHB 3313 establishes a new defined contribution retirement plan for Oklahoma public employees hired on or after November 1, 2015, replacing the traditional defined benefit pension for these workers. It requires a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (with a 6% employer match), allows higher voluntary contributions up to 7%, and gives participants investment choices through 401(a) and 457(b) plan structures. The bill excludes certain employees, including district attorneys, county/city officials, and some hospital staff, from this new system. Key provisions include customizable benefit forms, employer matching based on contribution rates, and requirements for the Board of Trustees to maintain tax-qualified plan status.

Maddy summarySB 1540 amends Oklahoma law to create new felony classifications for child abuse, neglect, and related offenses. It defines "child abuse" as willful or malicious harm by anyone responsible for a child's welfare, making it a Class A3 felony punishable by up to life in prison or fines up to $5,000. The bill also establishes "enabling child abuse" and "enabling child neglect" as separate Class A3 and Class B1 felonies, respectively, targeting those who facilitate harm to children. Additionally, it requires life without parole for repeat offenders convicted of first-degree rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse of a child. These provisions directly affect caregivers, parents, and institutions responsible for child safety.

Maddy summaryHB 3783 creates a new "Endorsed Plumbing Apprentice" status for individuals who pass the journeyman plumber exam but haven't yet completed the required one year of verifiable experience. It directly affects plumbing apprentices who meet specific eligibility criteria: being at least 17 years old, registered as an apprentice, completing an approved education program with 70%+ grades, and submitting required documentation. The key mechanism allows these apprentices to work toward their full journeyman license without retaking the exam, provided they complete the experience requirement within three years of passing the exam and are at least 18. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026, streamlining the path to licensure for qualified apprentices.

Maddy summarySB 2157 designates four specific rivers in southeastern Oklahoma as scenic rivers: the Glover River (McCurtain County), Kiamichi River (Choctaw, Pushmataha, Le Flore Counties), Little River (McCurtain, Pushmataha, Le Flore Counties), and Mountain Fork River (Le Flore, McCurtain Counties). It creates the Southeast Scenic Rivers Commission, composed of 11 members including local residents, tribal representatives, and state appointees, to manage these areas. The Commission must establish minimum standards protecting the rivers' natural beauty, wildlife, and recreational value while allowing compatible uses. These standards will guide counties and municipalities in planning and development within designated river corridors. The bill requires the Commission to operate under Oklahoma's Open Meeting and Open Records Acts.

Maddy summarySB 1933 prohibits nonlocal municipalities and counties from diverting water in specific river segments (Kiamichi River from Highway 3 bridge to Arkansas line, and Glover River from Little River confluence east/west branches) for commercial, agricultural, or power generation purposes. It bans building dams, impoundments, or diversion structures in these areas and restricts local farming/ranching activities there. The bill defines "nonlocal" as entities outside 10 miles of a river's main channel and exempts pre-existing water uses and structures. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 requires Oklahoma voters to present photo identification meeting specific criteria (name match, photo, valid expiration) at polling places starting November 1, 2025. It mandates Service Oklahoma to provide free photo ID cards to registered voters without qualifying ID by January 1, 2027, and establishes rules for verifying provisional ballots when voters lack ID. The bill specifies acceptable IDs (state, federal, tribal, or military cards) and outlines strict verification steps for provisional ballots, including matching voter registration data. This directly affects all Oklahoma voters participating in in-person elections, with the free ID program aiming to address potential access barriers.

Maddy summarySB 1962 changes how Oklahoma state entities maintain exemptions from the Central Purchasing Act. Currently exempt entities (like state universities, the Veterans Affairs Department, and certain state agencies) must now submit evidence to the State Purchasing Director to keep their exemption status. The director can examine and approve these exemptions, but the full Legislature must also approve any new exemptions through a joint resolution. This bill aims to increase oversight of purchasing exemptions while creating an advisory committee to help exempt entities collaborate on shared purchasing contracts.

Maddy summarySB 1236 creates the Administrative Report Consolidation Board to reduce redundant reporting for Oklahoma public school districts and technology centers. The Board, composed of appointed superintendents representing different county population sizes, must evaluate current reporting requirements and recommend consolidating all required annual reports to no more than ten per district type by August 1, 2027. It will submit findings to state education agencies and lawmakers, with follow-up reports due annually after 2028. This bill directly affects school districts by targeting administrative burden reduction through consolidated reporting requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1356 transfers several state government functions from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to other agencies. It moves the Civil Service Division to the Department of Labor, transfers the Office of Veterans Placement to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and reorganizes fleet management by renaming the Fleet Management Division to Fleet Oversight Division. The bill also returns funds from the State Fleet Management Fund to state agencies and modifies reporting requirements for vehicle acquisitions and disposals. These changes directly affect state agencies managing personnel, veterans services, and vehicle fleets.

Maddy summaryHB 3433 replaces the regular property tax on farm tractors and heavy agricultural equipment with a fixed $15 annual fee. It directly affects Oklahoma farmers who own qualifying equipment used in crop or livestock production. The fee must be paid to county treasurers at the same time as other property taxes, and the revenue will be distributed the same way as the previous tax. The bill repeals the existing law (Section 2809) governing farm tractor taxation.