Rep. Danny Williams

Maddy summaryHB 3557 prohibits the Oklahoma Agricultural Extension Division and related programs from requiring local funding (generated at the county level) to be centralized or spent outside the county where it was collected. The bill directly affects counties that provide local funding to these agricultural extension services and the division itself. Key provisions require that any local revenue must stay within the originating county for use in that county's programs. This ensures local funding remains locally controlled and cannot be redirected to other areas by the state division.

Maddy summaryHB 3345 requires mandatory mental health, substance abuse, and risk screenings for individuals arrested on felony charges in Oklahoma after their initial court appearance. These screenings, conducted by certified professionals from the Department of Mental Health, must be shared with courts, prosecutors, defendants, and their attorneys. Results cannot be used as evidence in criminal trials unless the defendant waives this right, but may inform sentencing or diversion options. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3342, the "Oklahoma Medicaid Audit Bill of Rights Act," establishes new rules for Medicaid audits of healthcare providers. It requires auditors to provide at least one week's notice before an audit, limits audit scope to 50 claims or 0.25% of a provider's billed claims (whichever is greater), bans the use of extrapolation to calculate overpayments, and mandates that audits involving clinical judgment be conducted by specialists in the same field. The bill also guarantees providers 60 days to respond to audit findings, prohibits recoupment for simple clerical errors, and requires clear appeals processes. These changes directly protect healthcare providers who bill Oklahoma's Medicaid program by making audit procedures more transparent and fair.

Maddy summaryHB 3344 sets new requirements for individuals seeking to become foster parents in Oklahoma, directly affecting prospective foster parents. It mandates applicants be at least 21, meet specific income thresholds (101% of federal poverty level), provide health verification, obtain community recommendation letters, maintain safe homes, and demonstrate key competencies like supporting child-parent relationships and avoiding smoking around children. The bill also imposes felony penalties - including fines up to $5,000 or up to 5 years in prison - for intentionally providing false information on applications or aiding such fraud. The law becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 601 creates an immediate moratorium on all death penalty executions in Oklahoma, halting current and future executions, vacating existing execution dates, and suspending all death penalty statutes until the law is repealed. It directly affects all individuals currently sentenced to death in Oklahoma, as well as courts and the Department of Corrections. The bill also establishes a Death Penalty Reform Task Force to study progress on implementing prior recommendations, requiring a final report by November 2026. The moratorium remains in effect until the legislature repeals the law, after which death penalty statutes would resume.

Maddy summaryHB 3347 would exempt Oklahoma homeowners aged 65 or older from all property taxes on their primary residence (homestead). Currently, homesteads receive a $1,000 tax exemption; this bill replaces that with full exemption for seniors. The change applies to all property taxes based on home value (ad valorem taxes) and takes effect January 1, 2027. It directly affects Oklahoma seniors living in their primary homes, reducing their property tax burden significantly. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes Section 2889 to expand the existing homestead exemption for this age group.

Maddy summaryHB 3346 repeals a tax provision (68 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1357.11) that previously applied to retail sales of food and food ingredients in Oklahoma. This change directly affects grocery stores, restaurants, and other businesses selling food products by removing a specific tax requirement. The repeal takes effect on January 1, 2027, but only if either House Bill 3347 passes or House Joint Resolution 1061 is approved by voters. The bill itself does not create new taxes or alter other tax rules - it solely removes an existing provision.

Maddy summaryHB 3510 establishes dedicated child protection dockets in Oklahoma district courts to handle cases involving child abuse, neglect, or custody disputes. It requires courts to create these specialized dockets, assign judges exclusively to hear such cases, and mandate that those judges receive specific training in child welfare law, trauma, and foster care systems. The bill also directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to implement uniform procedures across all child protection dockets statewide. This change directly affects child protection cases and the judges assigned to them, aiming to improve case handling through specialized expertise and standardized processes.

Maddy summaryHB 3351 increases annual compensation for Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board members and establishes attendance requirements tied to pay. The bill sets the Board Chair's annual pay at $24,800 (split into $400 for meeting prep and $1,667 for monthly meetings) and members' pay at $22,800 (split into $400 prep and $1,500 per meeting). Members who miss meetings without justification lose their monthly compensation, and missing two or more meetings may lead to removal proceedings. This directly affects the Board members, who are appointed to review parole and pardon cases.

Maddy summaryHB 3343 increases the minimum monthly foster care maintenance payment for traditional foster parents to $1,000 per child, requiring the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director to annually review these rates for appropriateness and potential increases. It also raises the annual tax deduction available to foster parents from $5,000 to $7,500 for expenses related to caring for foster children, with eligibility requiring at least six months of continuous care and applying to up to three children per year. The deduction includes specific rules for partial claims if care lasts less than six months and limits for married couples filing separately. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.