Sen. Avery Frix

Maddy summarySB 608 creates the Oklahoma Wrecker and Towing Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety, composed of seven members: five licensed commercial towing operators appointed by the Department and two industry representatives (one from vehicle repossession, one from insurance) appointed by the Corporation Commission. The board serves in an advisory role to state agencies, helping develop rules and policies to improve safety and efficiency in the towing industry. It does not regulate the industry but recommends specific actions to the Department of Public Safety and Corporation Commission. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1379 requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to consult with the State Legislature when updating its Eight-Year Construction Work Plan. Specifically, ODOT must present the plan to relevant legislative committees, allowing lawmakers to provide feedback, recommendations, and district-specific priorities for consideration. This consultation process applies to all plan updates beyond existing information sources. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and would directly affect ODOT's planning process and legislative engagement with transportation priorities.

Maddy summarySB 496 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act by clarifying key definitions in Section 152. It specifically defines "charitable health care provider" as entities offering free care to medically indigent patients and expands "community health care provider" to include those working with federally qualified health centers or pending applications. The bill also broadens "employee" to explicitly include certain healthcare professionals (like administrative physicians, resident doctors, and mental health staff) under state contracts. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, state agencies, and individuals filing tort claims against the state or political subdivisions. The amendment aims to clarify eligibility under the tort claims process without altering core legal procedures.

Maddy summarySB 89 allows Oklahoma state employees to convert unused sick leave into retirement service credit instead of purchasing it. Specifically, it directs the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to create a procedure enabling employees to transfer unused sick leave toward required retirement service credit. This applies to eligible employees who would otherwise need to buy additional service credit for retirement purposes. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes §840-2.20 and §913 to implement this conversion option, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 721 allows wreckers and towing services to legally hold a vehicle until fees for removal, storage, or accident scene remediation are paid. It directly affects vehicle owners, lienholders, and insurers who may need to claim a vehicle. The bill clarifies that a "possessory lien" automatically forms when a wrecker takes possession of a vehicle (after public agency authorization), and requires them to follow standard sale procedures to collect fees. This change applies to vehicles towed under Oklahoma law and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 724, the "Expanding Public Sector Career Opportunities Act," prohibits Oklahoma public employers (state, county, and municipal agencies) from rejecting job applicants solely for lacking a postsecondary degree. Instead, employers must set baseline requirements focused on direct work experience or specific certifications, allowing up to 9 years of experience to substitute for a doctoral degree. The bill requires employers to justify degree requirements in job postings and provides applicants a written notice and appeal process to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services if rejected for lacking a degree. It aims to broaden hiring opportunities by reducing unnecessary educational barriers while maintaining role-specific skill requirements. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 255 creates a 70% state income tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who purchase equipment to control feral swine, directly affecting agricultural landowners (individuals or businesses owning ≥20 acres). The credit covers 70% of qualified equipment costs - such as traps, cameras, or barriers - used to reduce crop damage, habitat destruction, or other harm caused by feral swine. The credit is capped at $15,000 total across all tax years and can be carried over for up to five years if unused. It requires proof of agricultural land ownership and excludes businesses that profit from removing feral swine for hire.

Maddy summaryHB 1023 modifies Oklahoma's vehicle excise tax calculation by requiring the taxable value to be the actual sales price before trade-in discounts, but not exceeding 20% above the average retail price from official automotive references. It mandates that bills of sale include the sales price, number of tires, and tire rim sizes. Service Oklahoma must report the tax's fiscal impact annually starting November 2026. The bill directly affects vehicle buyers, sellers, and Service Oklahoma, effective November 2025.

Maddy summarySB 107 creates a state income tax credit for ambulance service staff in Oklahoma, effective for tax year 2025 and beyond. It provides specific credit amounts based on certification level: $100 for certified emergency medical responders, $200 for emergency medical technicians, $400 for intermediate/advanced EMTs, and $600 for paramedics. To qualify, workers must maintain required licenses/certifications and submit employer documentation verifying employment through the tax year, with only one credit allowed per tax year. The bill also requires the State Commissioner of Health to create an online submission form for this documentation.

Maddy summaryHB 1266 sets maximum fees for towing and wrecker services in Oklahoma based on vehicle weight and distance traveled. It establishes specific per-mile rates (ranging from $2.50 to $6.75) for transporting vehicles, with different tiers for light, medium, and heavy vehicles. Towing companies must charge these set rates when providing services requested by law enforcement or government agencies, and may also use hourly billing as an alternative. This directly affects licensed towing operators and vehicle owners who may be charged for towing services.