Rep. Steve Bashore

Maddy summarySB 638 amends Oklahoma's Unfair Sales Act to specifically address motor fuel pricing. It updates how retailers and wholesalers calculate "cost" for motor fuel (e.g., including freight, cartage, and taxes) and increases penalties for selling below cost: $1,000 fines for motor fuel (up from $500 for other goods). This directly affects gas stations and fuel distributors selling motor fuel at retail or wholesale. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 68 amends Oklahoma's Information Technology Consolidation and Coordination Act to require state agencies to obtain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) before hiring IT staff. The MOU must detail specific job roles, qualifications, and the agency's commitment to follow CIO-established security and data integrity standards. Agencies cannot hire IT personnel until the CIO and the agency fully execute the MOU, and the CIO may audit compliance with the agreement. This emergency law became effective immediately without the Governor's signature on May 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 638 amends Oklahoma's Unfair Sales Act to update definitions of "cost to the retailer" and "cost to the wholesaler," clarifying how businesses calculate costs for pricing. It specifically increases penalties for selling motor fuel below cost: retailers or wholesalers violating this rule now face a $1,000 fine (up from $500 for other goods), effective November 1, 2025. The bill directly affects gas stations and fuel suppliers in Oklahoma who sell motor fuel below their calculated cost. Key provisions define "cost" to include specific add-ons like freight, cartage, and taxes, and require businesses to prove lower costs to avoid penalties. This change targets motor fuel sales, which have distinct pricing rules under Oklahoma law.

Maddy summarySB 68 modifies the definition of "covered entities" under the state's IT coordination law to explicitly include certain additional government agencies. This change directly affects those newly listed agencies, requiring them to follow the same centralized IT planning and reporting rules as existing covered entities. The bill's key mechanism is simply expanding the scope of the definition, without creating new programs or funding. It became law on May 26, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill changes how lodging tax is calculated by excluding free rooms (comped) and discounted rooms where hotels receive no payment from taxable income. It applies to all counties and cities collecting lodging tax under existing law. Hotels will no longer owe tax on rooms provided at no cost to customers or employees, or discounted rooms without third-party reimbursement. The change takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1112 amends Oklahoma law concerning lodging taxes levied by counties and municipalities. The bill specifies that when calculating these taxes, the "gross receipts or gross proceeds" will no longer include amounts from discounted rooms or rooms provided at no charge to customers or employees. This exclusion applies only if the lodging provider does not receive payment or reimbursement from a third party for these rooms. This change modifies the tax base for lodging providers and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2215 removes Oklahoma's authority for law enforcement to seize license plates when a driver lacks insurance verification. Instead, officers must issue citations and verify insurance compliance through an online system, eliminating the previous requirement to seize plates or tow vehicles. The bill also eliminates the $125 administrative fee drivers previously had to pay to retrieve seized plates. This change, effective May 12, 2025, directly affects drivers cited for insurance violations by streamlining verification and removing plate seizure as a penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 modifies Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund to specify that funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (specifically sections for coronavirus capital projects and state/local recovery funds) will be directed to this fund, excluding money designated for local governments. It clarifies that all interest earned on these deposits will also be added to the fund. The bill ensures these funds are available for broadband-related projects without requiring new appropriations. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and became law without the governor's signature on May 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1124 modifies the composition of Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund. This bill clarifies that the fund will include legislative appropriations and certain federal monies from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, such as the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. It specifically excludes funds from the American Rescue Plan Act that are designated for non-entitlement units of local government from being deposited into this particular state fund. Additionally, all interest and income generated by the fund will be reinvested into it. The changes outlined in this bill will take effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2215 removes the authority for law enforcement officers in Oklahoma to seize a vehicle's license plate when citing a driver for failing to maintain compulsory insurance. Currently, officers can seize plates, issue a temporary citation, and require the driver to provide proof of insurance and pay an administrative fee to retrieve the plate. This bill eliminates that specific enforcement action. It directly affects motor vehicle owners and operators who are found to be driving without insurance, as well as law enforcement procedures for addressing such violations. Other penalties for uninsured driving, such as fines, imprisonment, and vehicle towing, may still apply.