Sen. John Haste

Maddy summarySB 701 temporarily lifts specific restrictions on course and program offerings at several Oklahoma higher education institutions, primarily affecting Muskogee and Tulsa campuses. It ends a 5-year moratorium (through 2030) on rules that previously limited colleges like Northeastern State University's Muskogee branch to upper-division courses, prevented community colleges from offering upper-division classes, and restricted other institutions from duplicating programs. The bill allows the State Regents for Higher Education to approve "functional exceptions" enabling institutions to offer new courses or programs outside their usual mission to address unmet workforce needs. This directly impacts institutions including Northern Oklahoma College, Connors State College, and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 333 amends Oklahoma's Housing Authorities Act to update the definition of "area of operation" for city housing authorities. It specifically allows active, certified city housing authorities to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for projects anywhere in the state until December 31, 2027, provided they consult with the city, county, and other housing authorities in the project area. This change applies only to ARPA/SLFRF-funded projects and does not alter existing boundaries for other housing initiatives. The amendment becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 333 amends Oklahoma's Housing Authorities Act to update the definition of "Area of operation" for city housing authorities. The key change allows city housing authorities to operate statewide - using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) - until December 31, 2027, for specific projects. This applies only to projects funded by those federal programs and requires authorities to consult with affected cities, counties, and existing housing authorities before proceeding. The bill directly affects city housing authorities managing ARPA/SLFRF-funded housing projects across Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 929 updates Oklahoma's osteopathic medicine regulations by revising definitions, licensing requirements, and board operations. It creates a new "osteopathic faculty license" for educators, modifies disciplinary procedures for the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, and removes outdated requirements like certain oath provisions. The bill affects osteopathic physicians, residency programs, and the State Board by changing how licenses are issued (including for telemedicine services), expanding board authority, and updating record-keeping rules. These changes directly impact medical professionals seeking or maintaining licensure in Oklahoma under the osteopathic medicine framework.

Maddy summarySB 135 modifies Oklahoma's Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program to include rocket engine testing and expands its purpose to develop broader aerospace infrastructure. The bill creates a dedicated revolving fund (the "Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program Revolving Fund") and appropriates $20 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund one-time grants. Eligible applicants - private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma - must provide 40% matching funds, industry support documentation, and detailed project proposals. Grants require repayment if terms aren't met and mandate quarterly progress reports. The law became effective July 1, 2025, without gubernatorial signature.

Maddy summarySB 135 renames Oklahoma's Aircraft Engine Testing Grant Program to include rocket engine testing and expands its purpose to support both aircraft and rocket engine testing infrastructure development. The bill creates a dedicated revolving fund in the State Treasury, which will receive $20 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund these grants. Private companies, public entities, and nonprofits in Oklahoma with matching funds and industry support can apply for one-time grants to expand testing capabilities, with repayment required if project terms aren't met. The program aims to strengthen Oklahoma's aerospace and space propulsion industry through targeted financial assistance.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 929 updates the Oklahoma Osteopathic Medicine Act, affecting osteopathic physicians, those in training, and the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. The bill modifies licensing requirements, mandating licenses for postgraduate trainees and those practicing interventional pain management or telemedicine, and creates a new osteopathic faculty license. It expands the powers and duties of the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, granting it subpoena and quasi-judicial authority for disciplinary actions. Additionally, the bill authorizes criminal background checks for licensure, requires malpractice liability insurance for license renewal, and updates definitions and rules governing the practice of osteopathic medicine in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2705 requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to inform sexual assault victims about the status of forensic evidence in their case upon the victim's request. Specifically, victims must be told whether DNA was tested, if the DNA profile was entered into the state DNA database (CODIS), and if a match was found with another case. The law does not compel agencies to provide this information without a request and explicitly excludes details that could interfere with ongoing investigations. This law, effective November 1, 2025, directly affects sexual assault victims and law enforcement agencies handling such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2705 requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies, upon a sexual assault victim's request, to provide updates on the status of their sexual assault forensic evidence. Victims will have the right to know if a DNA profile was obtained from the evidence, whether it was entered into the CODIS database, and if any matches were found. Agencies may require these requests to be in writing. This bill aims to inform victims about their forensic evidence, but it does not require disclosure that would compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.

Maddy summarySB 258 creates the Preserving and Advancing County Transportation Fund to allocate $25 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026. This funding directly supports county governments by enabling the reconstruction of county bridges and roads on designated Major Collector routes, as defined by Oklahoma law. Projects must be submitted to and evaluated by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation based on criteria like structural safety, traffic volume, school bus routes, and the county's financial contribution. Counties proposing projects must demonstrate their own funding commitment, and approved projects will be contracted per existing state law.