Sen. Kelly Hines

Maddy summarySB 2026 amends Oklahoma law to allow veterans' grandchildren to access military discharge records (DD 214 forms) held by county clerks. The bill expands existing access rights, which previously permitted only veterans, spouses, children, or legal representatives, to explicitly include grandchildren. County clerks must still keep these records confidential and separate from public files, requiring proper identification or court orders for viewing. The change takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting veterans' grandchildren seeking access to these military service records.

Maddy summaryHB 3885 amends Oklahoma school suspension rules to require specific penalties for students in grades 3-5 who assault school staff or volunteers. First offenses result in a three-day in-school suspension, second offenses trigger a seven-day out-of-school suspension, and third offenses lead to expulsion. School superintendents may adjust these terms case-by-case, but the law applies only to incidents involving physical harm to staff (not other misconduct). The bill does not change suspension rules for students in grades 6-12, who face semester-long suspensions for similar offenses.

Maddy summarySB 1441 prohibits operating unmanned aircraft (drones) below 400 feet over critical infrastructure facilities, such as power plants, water treatment plants, refineries, and telecommunications towers, without authorization. It bans drone contact with facilities, interference with operations, or proximity that disrupts functions. The law exempts government entities, law enforcement, facility owners/operators, and FAA-authorized commercial drone operators. Violators face civil liability for damages under existing Oklahoma law, with the bill effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4486 amends Oklahoma law to clarify the Office of Management and Enterprise Services' (OMES) responsibilities for managing state-owned buildings and monuments. The bill specifies that OMES handles construction, repair, maintenance, insurance, and operation of state buildings and monuments, including those managed by the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority, while excluding property under the University Hospitals Authority and the two legislative chambers. It also confirms OMES manages state property (except military stores and legislative property) and keeps records of state-purchased items. The amendment takes effect November 1, 2026. (Procedural bill; summary limited to key clarifications.)

Maddy summaryHB 3378 modifies the term lengths for members of Oklahoma's Science and Technology Research and Development Board. Starting June 30, 2026, two Governor-appointed members, one Senate-appointed member, and one House-appointed member will serve two-year terms instead of the standard four-year terms, with all positions reverting to four-year terms after the initial two-year period. The bill does not change the board's composition (nine members total), appointment requirements, or responsibilities, which include overseeing science and technology initiatives. This adjustment applies only to specific board members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.

Maddy summaryHB 3082 prohibits Oklahoma fire departments from employing anyone convicted of an offense requiring registration under the state's Sex Offenders Registration Act, including those who pled guilty or received deferred judgments. This directly affects firefighters (both volunteer and paid) with certain sex offense convictions, barring them from employment in fire departments. The law requires fire departments to ensure compliance, with violations punishable as misdemeanors carrying fines up to $1,000. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, adding a specific employment restriction to existing registration laws.

Maddy summaryHB 4140 modifies Oklahoma's laws on grand larceny and receiving stolen property by adjusting penalty tiers based on the value of stolen property. It reduces maximum fines for receiving stolen property from $2,500 to $500 across all value ranges and updates felony classifications (e.g., $1,000-$2,500 now triggers a Class D3 felony for both crimes, with a $1,000 fine limit for larceny). The bill also requires courts to order restitution to victims for both offenses. It takes effect November 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of these property crimes.

Maddy summarySB 1256 requires courts to mandate ignition interlock devices for defendants charged with second or subsequent DUI offenses (Section 11-902 of Title 47) as a condition of bail. It applies specifically to individuals with documented alcohol dependence or a pattern of regular alcohol abuse, as determined by evidence presented during bail hearings. The bill amends Oklahoma's bail procedures to add this requirement, ensuring that repeat DUI offenders cannot secure release without installing an ignition interlock device. This policy change directly affects defendants facing second or subsequent DUI charges who are deemed to have alcohol abuse issues. The bill does not alter DUI penalties but modifies bail conditions to include this safety measure.

Maddy summarySB 1258 amends Oklahoma law to explicitly permit carrying firearms on water vessels, such as boats or kayaks, for individuals legally allowed to possess firearms under state or federal law. It defines "vessel" as any watercraft (excluding seaplanes) used for transportation and clarifies this exception applies only when the person is not disqualified from firearm possession. The bill does not change where firearms may be carried elsewhere, and it maintains existing prohibitions for those convicted of certain violent offenses. This change directly affects Oklahomans transporting firearms on watercraft for lawful purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 3026 requires Oklahoma school districts to create a specific policy allowing children of U.S. allied military members stationed at Oklahoma bases (like Fort Sill or Tinker AFB) to enroll in kindergarten if they will turn age 5 during the school year, rather than needing to turn 5 by September 1. This changes the standard age cutoff for kindergarten eligibility for these military dependents. School districts must adopt this policy to accommodate families who may have moved to Oklahoma mid-year due to military assignments. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is designated as an emergency measure.