Sen. Warren Hamilton

Maddy summaryHB 4335 allows counties and municipalities to regulate retail pet shops (including inspections) but prohibits banning pet shops selling dogs/cats unless the shop has three or more violations of pet breeding/shelter laws within five years. It also extends the notice period for license renewals from 60 to 90 days before expiration, requiring the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to send written notices to license holders. The bill affects local governments, pet shops, and animal shelter operators by clarifying regulatory authority and renewal procedures. It exempts pre-2026 local ordinances and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1250 requires Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to annually submit a list of all library materials to the State Department of Education, either through their online catalog or a written attestation. The bill prohibits any pornographic materials or sexualized content from being accessible to students under 18 in school libraries and mandates that schools establish a written policy for reviewing materials and handling complaints. Schools failing to comply face a 5% reduction in state funding, with the State Department of Education investigating reported violations, notifying parents, and allowing schools to request a hearing before the State Board of Education. This law aims to ensure age-appropriate library access while establishing clear reporting and enforcement mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 3263 designates the morel mushroom as Oklahoma's official state mushroom through a symbolic legislative act. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes to formally adopt this designation, with no regulatory or financial provisions affecting specific groups or policies. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, and solely serves to recognize the morel mushroom as a cultural symbol of the state. This is a purely ceremonial designation with no practical policy changes or direct impact on residents or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 3759 amends Oklahoma law to change how local governments (counties, cities, school districts, and other municipal subdivisions) access temporary funding through county excise boards. It allows excise boards to approve temporary appropriations for current expenses at any time during the fiscal year, with spending limited to what the local government estimates for the full year. The bill creates an exception: cities/towns with less than 5% ad valorem tax revenue in their general fund can spend based on their own budget estimates without excise board approval. School districts must finalize temporary allocations by June 30 each year. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3131 establishes a statewide framework for homeless services in Oklahoma, administered by the State Department of Health. It requires all homeless service providers receiving public funds (including state, federal, or local money) to meet minimum public health, safety, and financial accountability standards. Providers must submit annual reports on funding, services, and outcomes, while local county boards coordinate with providers and law enforcement on safety protocols. The bill also creates statewide reporting requirements and enforcement procedures for noncompliance, ensuring transparency without disclosing personal client information.

Maddy summaryHB 3430 establishes a court cost compliance program in Oklahoma to collect fines, fees, and costs from misdemeanor cases. It allows defendants to pay in full instead of appearing in court (counting as a guilty plea), adds a 30% administrative fee to all outstanding costs, and creates a system where county sheriffs can contract with third-party liaisons to handle collections. This directly affects people with unpaid misdemeanor warrants, requiring them to pay or set up payment plans to clear their warrants. The bill also sets rules for payment methods, handles returned payments, and requires courts to notify defendants of cost hearings.

Maddy summaryHB 4488 (Insurance Act of 2026) sets new rules for how Oklahoma insurers handle first-party motor vehicle total loss claims. It requires insurers to offer claimants either a replacement vehicle (with all fees paid, minus deductible) or a cash settlement based on specific, verifiable market value sources like local dealer quotes or national guides. The bill mandates clear documentation for any settlement deviations, prohibits insurers from forcing claimants to use specific repair shops, and requires itemized explanations for deductions like salvage or depreciation. These changes directly affect insured drivers and insurers processing vehicle damage claims in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 2936 amends Oklahoma law to regulate gestational agreements (surrogacy arrangements) and adoption placements. It requires all intended parents, gestational carriers, and their spouses to be at least 21 years old, limits intended parents to two married individuals, and prohibits anyone convicted of child sexual abuse, exploitation, or molestation from being an intended parent. The bill also bars adoption placements if petitioners or household members have recent convictions for child abuse, violence, or specific crimes like drug offenses or domestic violence. These provisions apply directly to surrogacy arrangements and prospective adoptive families seeking placement under Oklahoma's adoption code. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2937 amends Oklahoma law to explicitly allow carrying firearms on vessels (boats) on public lakes and waterways for two groups: adults aged 21 or older who are otherwise eligible to carry firearms, and individuals aged 18-21 who are current or former U.S. military members or veterans with an honorable discharge. The bill adds this as a new exception to existing firearm carry rules, meaning it does not change where firearms can generally be carried but specifically permits it on watercraft under these conditions. The law will take effect on November 1, 2026, and requires individuals to meet all other eligibility criteria for firearm possession under state or federal law.

Maddy summarySB 445 raises Oklahoma's age of consent for sexual intercourse in specific legal contexts. It increases the age threshold for certain rape charges from 16 to 18 years for victims in school settings, foster care, or under institutional supervision, and updates the age gap requirement for conviction when a victim is 14-18 years old (requiring the perpetrator to be at least 4 years older). The bill directly affects minors aged 14-18 and adults who engage in sexual activity with them, particularly within schools or foster care systems. It amends two key statutes (21 O.S. §1111 and §1112) to clarify when such acts constitute rape under Oklahoma law. The changes aim to strengthen protections for young people in vulnerable situations.