Rep. Gabe Woolley

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change Oklahoma's homestead property tax rules. Currently, seniors aged 65+ qualify for a tax limit on their primary home only if their household income stays below a yearly threshold set by the federal government. The amendment would eliminate that income requirement while keeping the age limit (65+) and adding a new rule: the homeowner must own the property free of any mortgage or debt. It would apply to seniors who meet these conditions and require voter approval through a state question.

Maddy summaryHJR 1037 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Oklahoma's Legislature to freeze, suspend, or withhold up to 100% of state funds for any public institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. It would require a joint resolution approved by majority votes in both the Senate and House, with gubernatorial approval, to implement such funding changes for up to two years. The bill specifies that this action would only affect state-appropriated funds - not federal money, private donations, tuition, or other nonstate revenue - and would automatically end after two years unless extended by a new resolution. The amendment is currently pending voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summarySB 456, the "Abolition of Abortion Act," would reclassify most abortion procedures as criminal homicide under Oklahoma law, defining "human being" to include unborn children and applying homicide statutes to abortion-related deaths. It exempts legal abortions with maternal consent, standard medical practices, life-saving procedures for the mother (with steps to save the fetus), and spontaneous miscarriages. The bill also modifies wrongful death claims to include unborn children and expands duress defenses for mothers who undergo abortions under threat. The bill failed in committee in February 2025 and would not take effect if passed, as it is currently pending legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 456, titled the "Abolition of Abortion Act," redefines homicide under Oklahoma law to include unborn children as "human beings" while explicitly excluding legal abortions and standard medical procedures from homicide charges. It modifies homicide (21 O.S. §691) and wrongful death (12 O.S. §1053) laws to apply the same legal standards to cases involving unborn children as to born individuals, but exempts life-saving medical procedures for the mother and spontaneous miscarriages. The bill also clarifies that mothers cannot be prosecuted for causing fetal death unless they committed another crime, and updates duress defense provisions (21 O.S. §156) to apply to mothers charged with harm to unborn children. These changes aim to align legal protections for unborn children with those for born persons under existing criminal and civil law.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to obtain legislative approval - via joint resolution - before adjusting toll rates on state turnpikes. This directly affects the Authority, which must seek approval for all toll increases, decreases, or financial changes, and all turnpike users who pay tolls. The bill amends existing law to mandate this approval process, replacing the Authority's previous independent authority to set tolls. It takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1324 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to obtain legislative approval via joint resolution before changing toll rates on state turnpikes. This directly affects the Authority and drivers using Oklahoma turnpikes, as it prevents unilateral toll adjustments. The bill amends existing law to mandate that any toll increase, decrease, or financial adjustment must be approved by the Oklahoma Legislature. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not change other existing tolling rules or authority provisions.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SB 847 prohibits public school districts and charter schools from requiring staff or volunteers to use pronouns that do not match a student's gender listed on their birth certificate. It also bans school materials (including books and digital resources) from using names or pronouns inconsistent with a student's birth certificate gender. Schools found noncompliant face a 5% reduction in state funding the following fiscal year, and parents can sue for violations. The law applies directly to schools, staff, and students whose birth certificates list a gender different from their gender identity.

Maddy summarySB 847 prohibits Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools from requiring staff or volunteers to use pronouns that do not match a student’s biological sex, as defined by the student’s original birth certificate. It also bans school materials from using names or pronouns inconsistent with this definition. The law requires the State Board of Education to monitor compliance, imposes a 5% state funding reduction for noncompliant schools, and allows parents to sue schools for violations. This bill directly affects all public schools, staff, students, and parents in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 1100 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code to require courts to immediately release children from custody if they are in imminent danger of harm. It establishes that failure to comply with such court orders constitutes a felony offense. The bill specifically clarifies that parents or caregivers may use ordinary discipline like spanking, while defining terms such as "abuse" and "imminent danger" to guide court decisions. These changes directly affect children in crisis, courts issuing orders, and caregivers who must follow court directives.

Maddy summaryHB 1094 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach about the "atrocities of communism" to students in grades six through twelve starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Department of Education must develop grade-appropriate curriculum resources and integrate this content into existing courses, covering causes, human costs, societal impacts, and comparisons with U.S. constitutional principles. Teachers must receive professional development on this topic, with "communism" defined to include historical regimes like the Soviet Union and Cambodia. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.