Rep. Mark Tedford

Maddy summarySB 1920 increases the threshold for requiring title return from 60% to 70% of a vehicle's fair market value when repair costs exceed that amount. It affects vehicle owners and insurance companies: if repair costs for safe highway operation surpass 70% of fair market value, owners must return the title to Service Oklahoma within 30 days, triggering a salvage title process. The bill requires special title markings for flood-damaged or recovered theft vehicles and outlines procedures for obtaining rebuilt titles after repairs, including visual inspections and documentation requirements. This amendment updates Oklahoma's motor vehicle insurance code (47 O.S. § 1111) to adjust the point at which vehicles are classified as salvage.

Maddy summarySB 1226 updates Oklahoma's accident reporting rules for property damage. It requires drivers involved in accidents causing damage to property (like fences, parked cars, or fixtures) to stop at the scene or as close as possible, stay until they provide their name, address, and vehicle registration, and notify property owners. Drivers who fail to comply face fines up to $500, up to one year in jail, or triple damages for property damage. The bill also makes all language gender-neutral and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1916 creates a new division within Oklahoma's Insurance Department to manage supervisions, conservatorships, and receiverships of insurers. It requires all existing cases to transition to this division by January 1, 2028, and clarifies the Insurance Commissioner's authority to hire contractors, conduct audits, and handle related expenses. The bill updates definitions and procedures for insurer oversight, including rules about record confidentiality and the Commissioner's powers during financial distress. It directly affects the Insurance Department's operations and insurers under supervision or conservatorship. The changes aim to streamline administrative processes for handling troubled insurance companies.

Maddy summarySB 1876 requires foreign and alien insurance companies operating in Oklahoma to appoint a specific agent in the state to receive legal documents (like lawsuits). This agent must be either the Insurance Commissioner, a state resident, or another business authorized to operate in Oklahoma. The appointment must be permanent and cannot be canceled, and insurers must file the address where documents should be forwarded. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1082 modifies Oklahoma's child custody laws to prioritize joint custody arrangements when appropriate. It creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest, requiring parents to submit detailed joint custody plans covering living arrangements, child support, healthcare, and school placement. The bill strengthens protections for children and parents affected by child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment by establishing a rebuttable presumption against shared custody with perpetrators and making safety the primary factor in custody decisions. This law directly affects parents involved in Oklahoma custody disputes and courts handling such cases, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1805 bans juvenile detention facilities (operated by the Office of Juvenile Affairs or counties) and certified adult companion homes from using temporary staffing agencies or "contracting organizations" to hire direct staff. The bill specifically prohibits facilities from contracting with agencies that provide temporary or part-time workers instead of full-time, direct-hire employees. It defines "temporary agency" broadly to include staffing, recruiting, or part-time agencies. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1771 authorizes Oklahoma's Workforce Commission to collect specific workforce data from state agencies, schools, and other entities, including program costs, participant wages before and after training, job openings requiring certifications, and funding details. It requires these entities to share the data and mandates the Commission to create a public dashboard displaying workforce development information. The bill also explicitly permits the Commission to hire outside legal counsel for advice on its duties, with costs covered by its funds. These changes take effect November 1, 2026, aiming to improve data transparency and decision-making for workforce programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2123 is a procedural bill that formally names the "Transportation Reform Act of 2025" without creating new substantive policies. It specifies the act's effective date as November 1, 2025, and clarifies it will not be codified into Oklahoma's statutes. This bill does not directly affect any constituents or alter transportation regulations, as it solely establishes a title and effective date for future legislative action. The bill is currently in committee referral after initial readings.

Maddy summaryHB 2933 requires Oklahoma insurers to submit quarterly reports by March 2027 (and quarterly thereafter) detailing policy cancellations, renewals, claims, and wind coverage exclusions by ZIP code. It prohibits insurers from using traffic records older than three years (or five years for reckless driving) when setting rates or canceling policies, and bans cancellation for first claims or dismissed charges. The bill mandates that insurers include a "Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights" in policies, requires good-faith negotiation for disputes, and prohibits using aerial imaging to reduce coverage. These changes aim to increase transparency in property insurance practices and protect consumers from unfair rate adjustments or cancellations.

Maddy summaryHB 3657 amends Oklahoma's definition of "employment" in the Labor Act, primarily affecting agricultural workers, crew leaders, and domestic workers. It clarifies that agricultural workers become covered employees if their employer paid $20,000+ in cash wages during a calendar year or employed 10+ workers for 20 weeks. The bill also defines "crew leaders" (who supply farm laborers) and specifies when they or the farm operator are treated as employers. Additionally, it updates domestic service coverage to require $1,000+ in quarterly cash wages for workers to be considered employees. The bill is proposed for the 2026 legislative session.