Sen. Randy Grellner

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the current state-level restrictions on Medicaid expansion from the Oklahoma Constitution. It directs the Secretary of State to place this change on the ballot for a public vote at the next general election. If approved, the specific rules governing Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults would be moved from the constitution to regular state statutes, allowing the Legislature to modify them in the future. The measure also defines key terms and requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to maximize available federal funding for these services.

Maddy summaryHB 3134, the "Keep Accreditation About Academics Act," prohibits accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices when reviewing or renewing accreditation for Oklahoma's public higher education institutions. It requires agencies to stop collecting or using any DEI-related information in accreditation decisions and mandates policies to prevent such data from influencing reviews. Students or employees of affected institutions can sue accrediting agencies for violations, and the Attorney General may enforce the law under anti-discrimination and consumer protection statutes. Violators face triple damages for fees paid by institutions, plus $1,000 per affected student. The law directly affects all Oklahoma public colleges and universities and their accrediting agencies, restricting how accreditation processes address DEI initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 3132 requires Oklahoma public universities to stop using accrediting agencies that have implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the past five years. By July 1, 2027, each university must switch to an accreditor without recent DEI practices or report to the legislature if no suitable option exists. Before new accreditation or renewals, universities must select an accreditor that has not used DEI practices in the last five years. The Attorney General can enforce these rules, investigate violations, and void agreements that circumvent the law.

Maddy summaryHB 3791 protects healthcare providers and parents regarding alternative treatments. It states that doctors, nurses, and physician assistants may recommend holistic or natural treatments they believe are beneficial without risking license loss (Section 1A). Parents or legal guardians may choose such treatments for their children instead of medical advice, with no legal repercussions for child neglect (Section 1B). The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1782 prohibits the governing boards of eight specific Oklahoma public higher education institutions (including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and community colleges) from creating new tenure systems for faculty hired after a certain date. The bill requires these institutions to electronically submit annual data on faculty numbers, tenure status, and graduate assistants to the Oklahoma State Regents by July 31 each year. The State Regents must then forward this data to state officials by September 1. This policy change directly affects faculty employment contracts and tenure eligibility at these institutions, with no new tenure plans permitted for hires after the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 1844, the "Hope for Oklahoma Patients Act," allows eligible Oklahoma patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating conditions to access genetically tailored investigational treatments (like personalized gene therapies or vaccines) when all FDA-approved options have been exhausted. It defines "eligible patients" as those meeting strict medical criteria, including physician attestation and written consent, and requires treatments to be based on the patient’s unique genetic profile. The bill makes participation voluntary for healthcare facilities and manufacturers (who may choose not to provide treatments), requires patients to cover manufacturing costs, and clarifies that insurers and government entities are not obligated to cover these treatments. It explicitly excludes treatments derived from embryonic stem cells or abortion-related materials and prohibits state entities from interfering with provider discretion.

Maddy summaryHB 3793 establishes new training hour requirements for nursing education programs in Oklahoma. It mandates that diploma programs for registered nurses must total 1,300-1,500 hours (including clinical training), while LPN-to-RN ladder programs must provide 600-700 additional nursing hours beyond LPN education. Non-nursing coursework in both program types is capped at 330 hours. The bill affects nursing programs seeking state approval and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1560, the Oklahoma Medical Freedom Act, prohibits businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying service, admission, or employment based on whether a person has received medical interventions like vaccines. It bans schools from requiring medical interventions for attendance, businesses from mandating them for services (except for specific foreign travel needs with written notice), and governments from requiring them for benefits, licenses, or public access. The law exempts Medicare/Medicaid providers and existing safety standards (like masks during the pandemic), but explicitly excludes vaccines and pandemic-related requirements from this exemption. It applies directly to all Oklahoma businesses, schools, and government entities, with enforcement through the Attorney General or local prosecutors.

Maddy summarySB 1554 prohibits nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like nonprofits, faith groups, and advocacy organizations from providing material support - such as food, shelter, transportation, or financial aid - to asylum seekers or individuals without legal immigration status in Oklahoma. Violating this law makes an NGO permanently ineligible for state or local funding, and individuals directing violations face felony charges (1-5 years in prison or $50,000 fines). The bill explicitly excludes law enforcement activities from its scope and declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon approval. This legislation directly affects NGOs receiving state funds and aims to limit support for undocumented individuals within Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 1517 restricts Oklahoma's use of eminent domain by defining "public use" narrowly to include only traditional government purposes like roads, parks, and public utilities - explicitly excluding economic development, tax revenue increases, or job growth as justifications for taking private property. The bill requires governments to resell unused condemned property to the original owner (or heirs) at appraised value before selling it to others, and prohibits local governments from expanding eminent domain powers without new state legislation. It amends existing law to clarify that property taken for a public purpose must be used for that purpose or returned to the original owner, with strict resale procedures. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and applies to all state and local entities exercising eminent domain authority.