Rep. Mark Lepak

Maddy summarySB 835 requires state licensing boards with majority industry-member members (like those regulating professions) to submit certain license decisions that could harm competition - such as suspensions, revocations, or actions based on competitor complaints - to the Oklahoma Secretary of State for review. The Secretary must review these submissions within 60 days and issue a written recommendation, which the board must follow. Boards that ignore the recommendation face member removal for misconduct. The law excludes routine actions like consent-based decisions, criminal convictions, or fines from review. This aims to prevent anti-competitive licensing practices while focusing on specific high-impact decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1937 prohibits employers who engage in specific labor practices from receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as grants, loans, or tax credits). It directly affects employers seeking these incentives by banning: (1) granting union recognition based solely on signed cards instead of secret ballot elections, (2) sharing employee contact information without consent, (3) signing neutrality agreements with unions, and (4) requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Employers found violating these provisions must repay all incentives received for the project. The bill exempts existing agreements before its November 1, 2026, effective date and employers with current collective bargaining agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment (HJR 1044) that would reduce the annual limit on property tax value increases for certain Oklahoma properties. Specifically, it would lower the cap from 3% to 2% for homestead properties and agricultural land, meaning their assessed value could rise by no more than 2% per year for tax purposes. The change would apply to most locally assessed real property but excludes properties with title transfers, new improvements, or personal property. If approved by voters, this amendment would require the Legislature to enact implementing laws. It is a voter-approved constitutional change, not a regular law.

Maddy summaryHB 3037 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act to clarify that students actively participating in institution-sponsored activities or events are considered "employees" under the law. This change directly affects students who sustain injuries during school-organized events like sports, clubs, or campus activities. The bill adds students to the existing definition of "employee" in Section 152, allowing them to file tort claims against the state or political subdivisions for injuries occurring during such activities. This adjustment aligns student participants with the same legal protections previously extended to other defined employee groups under the act.

Maddy summarySB 1372 allows eligible Oklahoma probationers to shorten their probation term by earning credits. Offenders who complete their first year of probation or earn a high school diploma, college degree, or vocational certificate can receive credits equal to 1/4 of their probation length. Supervising agencies must track these credits, notify offenders annually about their projected termination date, and inform courts when credits qualify for early termination. The bill excludes those convicted of certain serious offenses (like specific sex crimes or violent felonies) and allows offenders who complete education after probation ends to file a court motion for credit reduction.

Maddy summarySB 1825 requires that any ballot measure authorizing debt issuance (e.g., bonds) or increasing ad valorem taxes must be voted on during a General Election, not a special election. It mandates that such ballots prominently display "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE" along with three specific details: current and proposed millage rates, the average household tax increase estimate, and the revenue purpose. This bill directly affects local governments proposing debt or tax measures in Oklahoma, ensuring voters receive clear, standardized information about tax impacts before voting. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1449 bans contributions to Oklahoma political campaigns from foreign nationals. It amends Ethics Commission rules to prohibit foreign individuals, foreign-owned entities, and certain U.S. entities controlled by foreign nationals from donating to candidates, political action committees, or state question committees. The bill requires new certifications and affirmations from committees to verify donor eligibility and updates reporting rules. This directly affects all state-level election campaigns and political committees operating under Oklahoma's Ethics Commission.

Maddy summarySB 1953, the Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, requires group health plans and public employee health plans in Oklahoma to ensure contracts with health insurers and service providers include full access to medical records, billing details, and payment documentation. It prohibits contracts from limiting information sharing about patient care or costs, mandates HIPAA-compliant disclosures, and requires itemized cost breakdowns for covered services. This directly affects employers offering health benefits, insurers, and healthcare providers by standardizing data access and transparency in coverage arrangements. The law aims to improve clarity for plan participants regarding medical expenses and service coverage under Oklahoma's health insurance framework.

Maddy summarySB 1493 prohibits using identification cards issued by schools, universities, or other educational institutions as proof of identity for voting in Oklahoma. It directly affects voters who rely solely on such school IDs to verify their identity at polling places. The bill amends voter ID rules to explicitly exclude educational institution IDs from acceptable documents, while maintaining other valid forms like driver's licenses, state IDs, or military IDs. Voters without acceptable ID must now provide an alternative document or use a provisional ballot with additional verification steps.

Maddy summarySB 1263 requires Oklahoma's Legislature to approve new designations of historic places on the State Register of Historic Places and state trails on federal lands after its effective date of November 1, 2026. It amends state law to prevent the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Tourism Commission from listing new historic sites or designating new state trails without prior legislative consent. The bill also prohibits using state funds for such new designations until approval is granted. This applies only to future designations, not existing listings. The law aims to ensure elected officials have a formal role in approving these specific tourism and preservation decisions.