Rep. Daniel Pae

Maddy summarySB 1420 updates Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act to require public bodies (like city councils, school boards, and state agencies) to provide 24-hour notice for all meetings using multiple methods. This includes posting meeting details in public locations, on their website, and via a free email distribution system that anyone can join. The bill also clarifies that public bodies may discuss "new business" not reasonably foreseeable before the notice period, while maintaining that only agenda items can be addressed at special meetings. These changes aim to improve public access to meeting information without altering existing public comment procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1912, the "Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act," requires corn masa flour and wet corn masa products sold in Oklahoma to contain specific folic acid levels starting January 1, 2026: 0.7 mg per pound for corn masa flour and 0.4 mg per pound for wet corn masa products. Manufacturers must also label these products to declare folic acid content per federal standards and specify whether they contain corn masa flour or were made via wet corn masa processing. The law exempts cottage food operations, food facilities, and small-volume operators from these requirements, and explicitly excludes snack foods (like chips) from the rules. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2025, with compliance beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4296 removes the requirement for applicants to provide their home address when applying for a notary commission in Oklahoma. This change affects all individuals seeking a notary commission in the state, including both Oklahoma residents and out-of-state applicants who work in Oklahoma. The bill amends the application form to delete the specific address fields previously mandated by law, streamlining the process while maintaining other application requirements like contact information and eligibility statements.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution celebrates Oklahoma's 46-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan and expresses support for strengthening economic ties between Oklahoma and Taiwan. It references Oklahoma's 2025 establishment of a Taiwan Regional Trade Office to facilitate business partnerships and highlights U.S.-Taiwan trade reaching $201.1 billion in 2025. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these economic partnerships and Taiwan's role in global trade.

Maddy summarySB 1829 exempts manufactured home owners in Oklahoma from paying the state's excise tax if they provide proof of current year property tax payment. It directly affects individuals purchasing or owning manufactured homes who already pay ad valorem (property) tax, requiring them to submit a Manufactured Home Certificate (OTC Form 936) or equivalent proof. The bill amends tax law to replace the standard excise tax calculation (based on 50% of retail price for new homes) with this exemption for qualifying homeowners. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4295 changes how Oklahoma courts calculate deadlines for civil legal actions. It removes an exemption that previously excluded holidays and non-business days from short time periods (under 11 days), meaning these days will now count toward deadlines. This affects anyone involved in civil court cases in Oklahoma, including plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys, for actions filed after November 1, 2026. The bill standardizes time computation to align with standard business days, reducing ambiguity in court schedules. It is a procedural change focused on clarity in court deadlines, not substantive policy.

Maddy summaryHB 3637 requires each Oklahoma district attorney to establish a child abuse multidisciplinary review team in their county or neighboring counties, led by a certified child advocacy center or approved agency. The teams must develop joint investigation protocols for child sexual/physical abuse cases, minimize trauma for child victims, eliminate duplicated efforts, and identify community service gaps. The bill creates a Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team Council to oversee teams, approve freestanding teams, conduct annual reviews, and mandate public annual reports on child death/near-death case reviews. It directly affects district attorneys, law enforcement, child welfare staff, medical personnel, and child advocacy centers involved in abuse investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 4297 simplifies proof of death for life insurance claims on policies valued at $15,000 or less. Instead of requiring a standard death certificate, beneficiaries may submit a certified death certificate (showing cause of death) along with a sworn statement from the funeral director who handled burial services confirming the death's authenticity. This change directly affects beneficiaries of small life insurance policies and funeral directors who provide the required statement. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, streamlining claims processing for low-value policies.

Maddy summaryHB 4293, the "Veterans Mental Health Innovation Act," allows Oklahoma universities and affiliated research facilities to conduct clinical trials using ibogaine - a substance derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant - to treat specific medical conditions. It authorizes research for conditions like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, opioid use disorder, and chronic pain, requiring registration with state health and agriculture agencies and annual reporting. Researchers and qualifying patients participating in approved trials receive legal immunity from penalties for ibogaine use, possession, or distribution under strict compliance with the bill’s requirements. The law explicitly states it does not decriminalize ibogaine for general use, focusing solely on regulated research. All activities must follow detailed study protocols and submit final reports to state legislative leaders.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 1060) would create a full homestead exemption for the fair cash value of a primary residence for: - Disabled firefighters (100% service-connected), police officers (100% service-connected), and volunteer police officers (federally certified), along with their surviving spouses. Eligibility requires Oklahoma residency, certification of 100% disability, and prior or current homestead exemption eligibility. The exemption applies starting January 1, 2027, and allows qualifying individuals to transfer to a new homestead within the same calendar year while maintaining the exemption. This is a voter-approved constitutional change, not an existing law.