Sen. Michael Brooks

Maddy summarySB 198 allows real estate contracts (including sales, leases with purchase options, and property exchanges) to include a 180-day contingency period to secure necessary permits, zoning changes, or land use approvals. This directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate transactions who need time to obtain government approvals before finalizing deals. The key provision permits this contingency period without exceeding 180 days for any required approvals related to using or operating the property. The bill became effective without the governor's signature on May 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 198 allows real estate contracts for the sale, conveyance, lease with an option to buy, or similar transactions to include a time period of up to 180 days to secure required permits, zoning changes, or other land use approvals necessary for the property's operation. This directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate deals where such approvals are needed before using the property. The bill does not require these approvals but gives parties the option to build this timeline into contracts without breaching terms. It becomes effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law to clarify benefit rules for injured workers. It requires employees to comply with medical treatment (missing three appointments or abandoning care for 60 days can terminate benefits) and limits permanent partial disability awards to a 100% rating based on the American Medical Association's guidelines. The bill also caps weekly payments at $350 (increasing to $360 after July 1, 2021), not exceeding 360 weeks total for the body as a whole. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking ongoing benefits, employers managing claims, and medical providers submitting disability evaluations.

Maddy summaryHB 2217 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law to clarify benefit rules for injured workers. It extends temporary total disability benefits to 156 weeks (with possible 52-week medical extensions requiring clear evidence), sets a $350 weekly cap for permanent partial disability (rising to $360 after July 2021), and limits total payments to 360 weeks for the body as a whole. The bill requires medical documentation for permanent disability claims, prohibits benefits for untreated body parts, and allows employers to terminate benefits after 60 days of medical non-compliance or three missed appointments. These changes directly affect injured workers, employers, and the Workers' Compensation Commission in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 399 expands driver license eligibility in Oklahoma to non-citizens with specific immigration statuses, including refugees, temporary protected status holders, and those with deferred action or pending residency applications. The bill removes previous restrictions requiring legal permanent residency for license applicants and updates documentation requirements to accept certain immigration status proofs. It also prohibits driver's license offices from offering voter registration services to applicants or licensees who do not qualify as electors under the law. These changes apply directly to immigrants in the specified categories who previously faced barriers to obtaining driver licenses in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill modifies how state agencies verify applicants' lawful presence for public benefits. It requires most applicants aged 14+ to submit an affidavit affirming U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, with verification through the federal SAVE program. Key exemptions include emergency medical care, disaster relief, public health services (like immunizations), and community-based aid like soup kitchens. The bill mandates free notary services for applicants and annual compliance reports from agencies, while criminal penalties apply for knowingly false affidavits. It does not affect benefits for emergency health services, disaster relief, or certain community programs.

Maddy summarySB 407 requires Oklahoma public school districts receiving federal funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for English learner programs to dedicate 50% of those funds to professional development for teachers who teach English as a second language. This applies specifically to districts using ESSA funds to support students with limited English proficiency. The bill mandates this allocation as a direct policy change, with no additional requirements beyond the funding reallocation. It takes effect immediately upon passage due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 406 updates Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program by requiring designated school contact persons (like counselors) to annually evaluate students in grades 5-11 (or homeschooled students aged 13-16) based on specific eligibility criteria. These criteria include regular school attendance, no substance abuse or criminal activity, and agreement to mentor reviews. The bill also sets new income thresholds for financial need: parent income must not exceed $60,000 (2021-2022) or $60,000-$100,000 (depending on dependent children) for 2022-2023, with special provisions for adopted students and military/Social Security benefits. Students who fail to meet these terms lose eligibility for program awards.

Maddy summarySB 671 requires Oklahoma state and local agencies to verify the lawful presence in the U.S. of applicants aged 14+ seeking state or local public benefits (excluding certain federal programs). Applicants must submit a sworn affidavit stating they are either U.S. citizens or lawfully present under federal law, with verification through the federal SAVE Program. The bill exempts emergency medical care, disaster relief, public health services, volunteer healthcare, and community-based programs like soup kitchens from this requirement. Agencies must report compliance annually and monitor SAVE verification errors to prevent denial of benefits to legal residents. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 399 expands Oklahoma driver license eligibility to non-citizens in specific immigration statuses by removing prior restrictions. It allows applicants to present valid documents proving statuses like pending asylum, refugee status, temporary protected status, or pending adjustment of status (e.g., for legal permanent residence) instead of requiring citizenship or permanent residency. The bill amends driver license laws to eliminate requirements like certain renewal rules and replacement limitations for these applicants. Licenses issued under this bill will be marked as temporary with expiration dates tied to the applicant’s immigration status validity. This directly affects non-citizens in the specified immigration categories who previously faced barriers to obtaining driver licenses in Oklahoma.