Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill approves permanent administrative rules proposed by various Oklahoma state health-related agencies, including boards for medical, nursing, and behavioral health licensure, as well as the Department of Human Services. While most rules are approved in full, the bill specifically excludes a list of proposed regulations from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, leaving those particular rules inactive. The resolution applies only to rules filed on or before February 1, 2026, and directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the document to the Governor and the editor of the official state register.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves specific permanent rules created by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority that govern how Medicaid funds are managed. The rules cover various administrative procedures and operational standards for the state's healthcare program. If passed, these regulations will become official guidelines for the agency responsible for administering Medicaid in Oklahoma. The measure also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to the Governor and a state publication.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma joint resolution approves proposed permanent administrative rules from six state education agencies before February 1, 2026. The bill directly affects the State Department of Education, Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, Statewide Charter School Board, and Department of Career and Technology Education. By approving these rules, the Legislature allows the agencies to implement their proposed regulations without further legislative review. The resolution also directs the Secretary of State to send copies to the Governor and the editor of The Oklahoma Register for official publication.

Maddy summaryHB 3004 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Board of Examiners in Optometry from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, ensuring the board continues operating under the state's Sunset Law without automatic termination. The board, which regulates optometrists' licensing and practice standards in Oklahoma, must maintain four licensed optometrists with five years of in-state practice experience and one lay member appointed by the Governor. This bill does not alter the board's duties or licensing requirements but delays its sunset to provide continuity. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause allowing immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 1461 extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETV) from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036, ensuring its continued operation under the Oklahoma Sunset Law. The bill amends Section 23-105 of the Oklahoma Statutes to update this expiration date while maintaining the Authority's existing structure and governance rules. This procedural change directly affects the OETV, allowing it to continue managing educational television services without interruption. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and includes an emergency declaration for immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 514 expands Oklahoma's statewide alternative education system to explicitly include charter schools and virtual charter schools that are designated by the State Department of Education as offering alternative education programs. It requires school districts serving grades 7-12 to provide alternative education programs meeting specific standards (like smaller class sizes, certified teachers, and individualized plans) and allows districts to use full-time virtual or blended instruction. Designated charter and virtual charter schools must follow the same performance standards and attendance policies as district programs, while funding is based on student enrollment with 15% reserved for cooperative agreements between districts. The bill directly affects school districts, designated charter/virtual schools, and students at risk of not completing high school.

Maddy summarySB 346 modifies Oklahoma's school employee background check rules for teachers moving between districts. It allows full-time teachers applying to new districts to skip a new criminal history check if they provide a copy of a check done within the last five years and a letter from their previous district. This letter must specifically state whether allegations of inappropriate behavior between the teacher and a student were raised or if an investigation was pending. The bill also includes similar exceptions for substitute teachers moving between positions within the same or different districts under specific conditions. The policy aims to reduce redundant background checks for educators with stable employment records.

Maddy summaryHB 3000 recreates Oklahoma's State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering until July 1, 2027, extending its operation beyond a previous sunset date. The bill specifies that the 11-member board must include one member from each congressional district (with adjustments for redistricting), plus at-large appointments, and requires members to have specific professional experience in cosmetology or barbering, or represent schools or the public. It mandates qualifications like minimum age, high school graduation, and active practice in the field, while prohibiting conflicts of interest (e.g., members cannot be from the same school or promote professional associations). This bill maintains the board's structure and oversight role for cosmetology and barbering licensing without introducing new regulations for practitioners.

Maddy summaryHB 1185 prevents sheriff's offices and campus police agencies in Oklahoma from destroying firearms deemed to have historic military value. Instead, these agencies must donate such weapons to veterans' organizations recognized by Congress (like the American Legion or VFW) rather than disposing of them through sale, destruction, or waste. The bill modifies Oklahoma's property disposal law (22 O.S. §1325) to require agencies to evaluate seized weapons for historical significance before disposal. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unclaimed firearms and ensures historically significant military weapons are preserved for veterans' groups.

Maddy summaryHB 1225 prohibits changing the biological sex designation on Oklahoma birth certificates to nonbinary or symbols like "X" after November 1, 2025. It amends existing law (Section 1-321, subsection H) to require that only "male" or "female" designations appear on amended birth certificates. This directly affects individuals seeking to update their sex designation to nonbinary on official birth records. The bill does not change other amendment processes for names, paternity, or corrections. The provision takes effect on November 1, 2025.