Sen. Julie McIntosh

Maddy summarySB 1595 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies and contracted entities from giving specific recommendations for or against commercial driver training schools. It also bans agencies administering student grants from withholding funds based on a student’s choice of school. Affected schools or students can sue if these rules are violated. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is classified as an emergency measure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution expresses formal opposition to the proposed Inola aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma. It calls for an independent study of environmental, agricultural, and infrastructure concerns before the project can move forward. Additionally, the bill requires that any public support for the smelter be accompanied by a full accounting of financial incentives and subsidies. The resolution directs copies of this statement to the Governor and the Department of Environmental Quality.

Maddy summarySB 1975 requires Oklahoma public school districts to make Advanced Placement (AP) exams available to any student residing in the district and to post exam dates, registration details, and procedures on their websites by August 31 each year. It also mandates the Statewide Charter School Board to maintain an online learning platform offering AP courses, STEM subjects, foreign languages, and other high-quality courses for all Oklahoma students. The State Department of Education must provide information to students and parents about AP courses and their benefits for college readiness, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (SR 24) introduced by Senator McIntosh to commemorate America's 250th birthday. It honors the role of faith and religious principles in U.S. history through historical references, including founding documents, religious practices in government, and figures like Lincoln and MLK Jr. The resolution has no policy impact or legal effect - it serves solely as a commemorative statement. It does not affect any individuals, groups, or government actions.

Maddy summaryHB 3674 establishes a three-year pilot program for school resource officers (SROs) in Oklahoma schools, requiring participating school districts to prioritize hiring officers with specialized school-based law enforcement training. The bill mandates that all sexual assault reports within schools be directed to law enforcement and requires SROs to complete one hour annually of CLEET-approved training on sexual assault response, trauma-informed practices, and violence prevention. These provisions directly affect school districts, SROs, and law enforcement agencies by updating certification requirements and ensuring SROs receive targeted training to address sexual violence. The bill amends existing laws to integrate these training and reporting standards into Oklahoma’s school safety framework.

Maddy summaryHB 2939 updates Oklahoma's absentee voting rules by amending election statutes to clarify procedures for damaged ballots and electronic applications. It allows county election boards to create substitute ballots when absentee ballots are damaged or unreadable (via fax or electronic submission), requiring two board members of different parties to document the process. The bill also tightens verification for electronic absentee applications, requiring voters to match their name, birth date, and ID number to their voter registration record and confirming their address before submitting. It repeals the specific provision about fax submissions (Section 14-118.1) while updating related sections to standardize these processes. This directly affects Oklahoma voters applying for absentee ballots electronically or by fax.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma House resolution expresses formal opposition to the proposed Inola Aluminum Smelter project unless specific concerns are addressed. The bill highlights worries about potential air pollution, impacts on agriculture and public health, and strain on local infrastructure like roads and emergency services. It directs that no public support be given until independent studies resolve these issues and a full accounting of financial incentives is provided. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to the Governor and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Maddy summaryHB 3548 creates a sales tax exemption for businesses operated by young entrepreneurs in Oklahoma. It amends Section 1357 of the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code to exempt sales of tangible personal property when a business is "materially operated for the benefit of an adult" (likely a typo for "youth," based on the bill's title). This exemption directly affects youth-run businesses that meet specific criteria, such as being materially operated for the benefit of young entrepreneurs. The bill also includes provisions limiting business licensing requirements for qualifying youth entrepreneurs and specifies that the exemption applies to sales of tangible personal property. The bill is currently in committee review for the 2026 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 1784 creates the Oklahoma State Protection from Terrorist Organizations Act, prohibiting state agencies from contracting with or granting funds to organizations designated as terrorist groups. It allows the Governor to designate such groups based on recommendations from safety agencies, barring them from holding state property or receiving state contracts. The law specifies that designations must be religion- and viewpoint-neutral, protecting peaceful advocacy while targeting organizations providing material support for terrorism. Violations can be addressed through civil actions by the Attorney General, with designated entities able to petition for reconsideration after 24 months.

Maddy summaryHB 4107 regulates the use of outdoor warning sirens in Oklahoma by making unauthorized activation or tampering a crime. It prohibits anyone from intentionally activating, damaging, or interfering with sirens without proper authorization from a government agency, with misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 or 1 year in jail. If false activation causes panic, it becomes a felony punishable by up to $5,000 or 5 years in prison. The law explicitly exempts government employees, contractors, and authorized maintenance personnel acting within their official duties. It takes effect November 1, 2026.