Sen. Aaron Reinhardt

Maddy summaryHB 2984 requires the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver from the USDA to restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchases made only within Oklahoma. This would affect SNAP recipients in Oklahoma by limiting their ability to use benefits for items bought outside the state. The bill mandates that the waiver request include economic justification, an implementation plan with education and enforcement steps, and requires the state to submit annual reports on implementation progress, enforcement challenges, and observed economic impacts. The policy would take effect November 1, 2026, pending federal approval.

Maddy summaryHB 3045 prohibits entities from charging fees for responding to or investigating motor vehicle accidents by law enforcement, fire departments, or municipalities. It specifically defines "accident response fee" as a charge for these services, excluding fees already authorized by law. The bill affects private companies or local entities that might impose such fees during accident response. It takes effect November 1, 2026, and does not impact existing legally permitted fees.

Maddy summaryHB 3453 changes Oklahoma's eminent domain process by requiring courts to independently review whether a government taking qualifies as a "public use" and is "necessary," without deferring to the government's prior conclusions. It shifts the burden of proof entirely to the condemning authority (like cities or utilities), requiring them to prove necessity for each property parcel separately and show all feasible alternatives were considered. The bill mandates that property owners receive 60 days' notice of all project studies, environmental reviews, and financial analyses before a hearing. If the government fails to meet this burden, property owners may recover their legal fees. This bill affects all property owners facing eminent domain and the agencies seeking to use it, effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 992 limits civil liability for bodily injury or property damage caused by another person's criminal act (such as theft or assault). It prohibits lawsuits against individuals or entities unless they were convicted as criminal accomplices in the act. This immunity applies regardless of whether the criminal is arrested or convicted, but does not protect against willful, wanton, malicious, or grossly negligent conduct. The bill directly affects businesses, property owners, and service providers who might face lawsuits following a crime committed by a third party on their premises or involving their services.

Maddy summarySB 1913 establishes a mandatory mediation process for specific insurance disputes between policyholders and insurers in Oklahoma. It requires insurers to participate in mediation for residential/commercial property, home, or auto insurance claims that haven't yet entered civil court, after first being processed through the Insurance Department's complaint program. The bill mandates good-faith negotiation, allows policyholders to rescind settlements within 3 business days (if unrepresented), and makes signed settlements binding. Insurers violating these provisions face a $100 civil penalty. This directly affects policyholders filing eligible claims and insurers handling those disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 1581 updates Oklahoma's child abuse review team requirements under the Children's Code. It mandates that each county (or contiguous counties) establish a multidisciplinary team - including law enforcement, medical staff, child welfare workers, and prosecutors - to coordinate investigations of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. Key provisions require teams to develop joint investigation protocols, minimize stress on child victims, provide mandatory training for members, and submit annual reports to the Commission on Children and Youth. The bill also establishes annual reviews to ensure teams meet standards and removes non-compliant teams from state records. This directly affects county-level child protection teams, agencies, and child welfare systems across Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 1895 requires Oklahoma public school districts eligible for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (which provides free school meals to all students in exchange for federal funding) to notify the State Department of Education annually by September 1 if they choose not to participate. The notification must include the specific reason for opting out. This bill, effective July 1, 2026, applies only to districts that qualify for but decline the federal program. It does not change the federal program itself, only mandates transparency about participation decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1837 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to seek a federal exemption allowing Medicaid providers in rural counties (population ≤60,000) to provide case management and develop person-centered plans for home- and community-based services. This directly affects rural healthcare providers who currently face restrictions under federal regulation 42 C.F.R. §441.301(c)(1)(vi). The bill mandates OHCA to establish conflict-of-interest protections for exempt providers, separating case management and provider functions within organizations. The exemption would permit these rural providers to deliver services without federal barriers, effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1374, the Thrive Act, provides state funding reimbursement for school meal programs in Oklahoma. It applies to school districts with 40% or more students qualifying for free meals (based on federal eligibility criteria) that choose to participate in the federal community eligibility program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these districts receive tiered state reimbursements per meal: 100% for districts under 2,000 students, 90% for 2,000-10,000 students, and 80% for districts over 10,000 students. The law also requires the State Department of Education to evaluate the program’s impact every three years starting in 2028.

Maddy summarySB 1373, the "Healthy Meals for Healthy Kids Act," requires public school districts and charter schools in Oklahoma to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students during each school day, with schools operating under tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs authority allowed to participate. It mandates at least 20 minutes of seated lunch time for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and directs the State Department of Education to establish a grant program using federal meal reimbursement differences to fund meal quality improvements. School food authorities must maximize federal funding by adopting the USDA's "community eligibility provision" and use grant funds for food, equipment, or training to upgrade meals. The bill directly affects all participating Oklahoma schools and students, aiming to expand free meal access while leveraging federal reimbursement rates to support program costs.