Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summarySB 571, the "Ethan Haim Act," creates penalties for federal agents or entities engaging in actions that infringe constitutional rights in Oklahoma. It prohibits activities like unlawful searches, firearm restrictions without constitutional basis, or retaliation against whistleblowers reporting federal overreach. Violating agents face daily fines ($35,000), deportation for one year, and civil liability; entities face $500,000 daily fines, forced removal, and a one-year operational ban. Oklahoma residents harmed can sue for damages, and the Attorney General or local prosecutors can enforce these provisions.

Maddy summarySB 282, the "Budget Accountability for State's Economic Defense (BASED) Act," requires all Oklahoma taxpayers and employers to pay federal income taxes directly to the State Treasurer instead of the federal government. It creates a "Taxpayer Protection Escrow Revolving Fund" to hold these redirected payments and mandates the State Treasurer to deposit them into this fund. The bill also establishes a "Taxpayer Defense Fund" for legal costs related to the state's position. The legislation declares federal tax withholding for unbalanced budgets "unlawful" and asserts Oklahoma's authority to intervene under state sovereignty and emergency doctrines, though it does not alter existing federal tax collection procedures.

Maddy summarySB 539 requires federal employees (not designated as Oklahoma peace officers) to obtain written permission from a county sheriff or the Attorney General before making arrests, searches, or seizures in Oklahoma counties. Exceptions include arrests on federal enclaves, immediate crime witnessing, targeting sheriff staff or officials, or when probable cause suggests the subject might evade capture. Violations trigger prosecution for offenses like trespass or kidnapping, and district attorneys must prosecute without discretion. The bill declares Oklahoma rejects federal authority over county sheriffs under the Tenth Amendment, asserting state sovereignty over local law enforcement.

Maddy summarySB 591, the "Free to Speak Act," requires public school and state university employees in Oklahoma to use a student's legal name and pronouns matching the student's sex as listed on their original birth certificate, without parental permission for minors. It prohibits disciplinary action against employees who refuse to use preferred names or pronouns inconsistent with birth certificate sex, and protects students from discipline for the same refusal. The law defines "sex" based on biological reproductive systems as recorded on a person's birth certificate, excluding gender identity. Violations allow affected employees or students to sue within two years for damages or injunctions. This applies to public schools and state higher education institutions, excluding private schools and homeschools.

Maddy summarySB 457, the Oklahoma Diesel Engine Freedom Act, nullifies federal requirements for diesel exhaust fluid in vehicles operating solely within Oklahoma, declaring such rules unconstitutional under the 10th Amendment. It prohibits state agencies from enforcing federal diesel fluid mandates and legalizes the sale and use of diesel engines that do not require diesel exhaust fluid within the state. The bill imposes civil fines of up to $5,000 per violation and employment termination for state officials who enforce federal rules. It repeals Oklahoma’s existing law (47 O.S. 2021, Section 12-423) governing emission control systems and requires non-diesel-exhaust-fluid engines to be labeled for intrastate use only.

Maddy summarySB 306 creates Oklahoma's "Federal Tax Fund" in the state treasury, requiring the Oklahoma Tax Commission to collect federal tax withholdings and estimated payments instead of sending them to the U.S. Treasury. The bill directs the Commission to hold these funds in the state fund if it or the Attorney General determines federal tax provisions violate the U.S. Constitution, or if the Legislature votes to affirm such unconstitutionality. Taxpayers must electronically submit federal tax forms to the Oklahoma Tax Commission with their identification numbers. The law also requires employers and individuals to make certain payments in lieu of federal withholding, with funds held until federal mandates are rescinded. This bill directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers and state tax administration, aiming to withhold federal tax revenue pending constitutional challenges.

Maddy summarySB 308 modifies Oklahoma's income tax code by lowering the top tax rate from 7% to 6.65% on the highest portion of taxable income for tax years beginning in 2004 or later. This change affects all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents filing income tax returns under the standard tax calculation method. The bill updates the statutory language for the highest tax bracket (the "remainder" portion) but does not alter other tax bracket thresholds or rates. It also corrects outdated statutory references in the existing tax code.

Maddy summarySB 153 requires Oklahoma voters to sign an oath at polling places confirming their current physical address before receiving a ballot. Voters who cannot attest to this address will receive a provisional ballot but must update their registration immediately to vote again. The bill also mandates that precinct registries (including electronic records) be kept for 24 months and made publicly accessible. These changes apply directly to voters in Oklahoma elections and aim to ensure accurate voter registration data. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 322 amends Oklahoma's individual income tax rate schedules (68 O.S. 2021, Section 2355) for specific tax years, not corporate tax rates as the title suggests. It modifies the tax rates applied to different income brackets, adjusting percentages for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1998, through 2004. For example, it changes the top marginal rate from 6.75% to 7% for certain years (2002-2003) before reverting to 6.65% for years starting in 2004. The bill primarily affects Oklahoma individual taxpayers filing under the specified income brackets, not corporations. Note: The bill title references corporate tax rates, but the text provided only addresses individual income tax brackets.

Maddy summarySB 156 modifies Oklahoma's false reporting laws by changing penalties based on the crime falsely accused. If someone falsely reports a misdemeanor, it becomes a misdemeanor offense; falsely reporting a felony makes it a felony, with penalties matching the crime alleged. The bill also creates a specific felony for knowingly making false reports about missing children that trigger an AMBER alert, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. This directly affects individuals who make false reports to law enforcement, particularly regarding crimes or missing children. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.