Rep. Rick West

Maddy summaryHB 1185 prevents sheriff's offices and campus police agencies in Oklahoma from destroying firearms deemed to have historic military value. Instead, these agencies must donate such weapons to veterans' organizations recognized by Congress (like the American Legion or VFW) rather than disposing of them through sale, destruction, or waste. The bill modifies Oklahoma's property disposal law (22 O.S. §1325) to require agencies to evaluate seized weapons for historical significance before disposal. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unclaimed firearms and ensures historically significant military weapons are preserved for veterans' groups.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma House resolution commemorates the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing and expresses condolences to the victims' families. It thanks first responders and volunteers for their efforts during the attack and directs a copy of the document to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. The resolution also includes statements renouncing terrorism and calling for a future based on hope and love rather than anger.

Maddy summaryHB 2964 allows Oklahoma patients to access their medical records and receive copies for specific, standardized fees. Patients pay 50 cents per page for standard copies, $15 for x-rays, and $20 for digital media, while excluding psychiatric records from these rules (which follow separate state law). Correctional facilities may withhold inmate medical records if release threatens safety or security. The bill also requires waiver of medical privilege in personal injury cases where a patient’s health history is relevant to the claim.

Maddy summaryHB 2967 amends Oklahoma's motor vehicle excise tax rules, affecting vehicle owners during transfers of ownership or first registration. It sets a 4.5% tax on off-road all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and utility vehicles (with a $5 minimum), and establishes tiered rates for used vehicles based on value and registration year. The bill also creates a $10 tax for heavy trucks, trailers, and frac tanks used for highway cargo, while exempting pickup trucks and commercial vehicles from this tax in lieu of sales/use taxes. Additionally, it allows a credit for excise tax paid on new vehicles replaced due to theft or defects within specific timeframes.

Maddy summarySB 2169 creates the "Oklahoma Invasive Woody Species Stewardship for State-Leased Lands Act" to protect trust lands held for school funding from invasive plants like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar. The Oklahoma Land Office Commissioners are authorized to manage these species on trust lands by creating annual removal plans, coordinating with agencies like the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and spending up to $1 million yearly. The bill requires the Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing progress and to prioritize lands harmed by invasive species. This directly affects the management of trust assets that fund Oklahoma's public schools, aiming to prevent further environmental and economic harm to these resources.

Maddy summaryHB 2962 shortens the time limit for most Oklahomans to file tax refund claims from three years to two years after paying a tax. It specifically exempts refunds for federally recognized Indian tribes or the U.S. on behalf of tribal members (including claims for taxes on oil/gas lease payments from tribal lands), requiring the Tax Commission to pay 6% interest on such refunds issued after 1996. The bill also allows direct deposit for electronic tax refunds and extends refund periods if a taxpayer and Tax Commission agree to extend tax assessment deadlines. It takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2108 amends Oklahoma law to regulate feral swine control, directly affecting landowners, hunters, and wildlife managers. It requires landowner permission to remove feral swine on private property and prohibits transporting, importing, or intentionally releasing live swine (with exemptions for scientific research and "Judas pig" tagging systems, where radio-collared swine are released within 24 hours for population control). Violations carry misdemeanor penalties ($500-$1,000 fine or up to 6 months jail) for first offenses, escalating to felony charges ($2,000-$5,000 fine or up to 1 year in prison) for repeat offenses or releasing 10+ swine. The bill also repeals a previous permit requirement for private property owners and updates wildlife control statutes to remove firearm restrictions for nuisance control.

Maddy summaryHB 2963 removes the requirement for a minimum 22 ACT score (or equivalent SAT/CLT score) for Oklahoma students who graduated from a high school not accredited by the State Board of Education to qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. This change directly affects students who attended non-accredited high schools and previously needed to meet the standardized test threshold to receive tuition assistance. The bill amends Section 2603 of the Oklahoma Statutes to eliminate this specific test requirement while maintaining other eligibility criteria like residency, citizenship, GPA, and financial need.

Maddy summarySB 2078, the Oklahoma Diesel Engine Freedom Act, declares federal mandates requiring diesel exhaust fluid for vehicles operating solely within Oklahoma void, asserting the state's authority under the 10th Amendment to regulate intrastate emissions. It allows the manufacture, sale, and use of diesel engines not requiring exhaust fluid within Oklahoma, prohibits state agencies from enforcing federal diesel fluid requirements, and imposes fines up to $2,500 for violations. The bill repeals an existing Oklahoma statute (47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-423) related to emission control systems. It applies specifically to vehicles engaged only in intrastate commerce, not interstate travel.

Maddy summaryHB 2965 increases Oklahoma's minimum required property damage coverage for auto liability insurance from $25,000 to $50,000 per accident. This change directly affects all vehicle owners and insurers in Oklahoma who must carry auto liability insurance, raising the baseline protection for property damage claims. The bill amends Section 7-324 of Oklahoma Statutes to update the coverage limits for property damage while keeping other liability requirements unchanged. The law will take effect on November 1, 2026.