Sen. DeWayne Pemberton

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma laws to clarify how school district building funds can be used, specifically allowing money from the Redbud Fund to be spent on purchasing and maintaining school buses. It also amends statutes governing the State Board of Education to remove outdated definitions and repeal previous rules regarding the board's powers and duties. By reclassifying the building fund as a current expense fund separate from the general operating fund, the legislation provides clearer guidance on how districts can manage capital projects and operational costs like utilities and security.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Oklahoma law to allow students to be excused from school for mental health counseling or occupational therapy appointments. To qualify for this absence, a parent or guardian must submit a written request before the appointment and provide documentation from a licensed provider confirming the child's participation. The provision applies to students under 18 who have not completed four years of high school work and is intended to ensure these students can receive necessary care without facing truancy penalties. It does not change existing rules for other excused absences, such as those for religious observances or military funerals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to update definitions and eligibility rules for various state agencies, including the Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, and Office of the Attorney General. It clarifies who qualifies as a member, specifically restricting participation for leased employees and independent contractors while maintaining eligibility for certain long-term communications staff. The legislation also adjusts the rules for when members can retire without a reduction in pay, setting the standard age at 62 with specific service requirements. Additionally, it aligns the system's distribution requirements with current federal tax laws regarding how much money must be withdrawn from retirement accounts annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Insurance Data Security Act in Oklahoma by changing the compliance deadline for insurers from March 1 to April 15. The amendment also removes a specific section from the legislation entirely. These changes adjust the timeline and scope of requirements for insurance companies regarding data security without altering the core purpose of the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma insurance laws to allow the Insurance Commissioner to mandate electronic filings instead of paper forms and clarifies the process for foreign insurers to become domestic and for domestic insurers to change their state of domicile. The legislation requires insurers to provide specific financial and operational information during redomestication reviews and sets a 30-day timeline for the Commissioner to approve or disapprove these applications following a public hearing. Additionally, the bill modifies rules regarding premium reductions for certain insureds and ensures that existing policy contracts remain valid when an insurer transfers its corporate domicile. These changes aim to streamline administrative procedures and maintain oversight over insurance companies operating within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Oklahoma's School Resource Officer Program to allow school districts to hire or contract with retired law enforcement officers and armed security guards when local agencies cannot provide active officers. It mandates that districts prioritize hiring sworn officers trained in crisis response but permits the use of retired or licensed security personnel if necessary, provided they receive preauthorization from the local law enforcement agency. The legislation also requires background checks for these individuals and allows schools to use existing security funds to purchase radio systems that enable communication between the officers and police bands during their duties.

Maddy summarySB 1520 amends Oklahoma state statutes to clarify how certain types of legislative changes to retirement bills are classified. Specifically, the bill updates the definition of a "nonfiscal amendment" and a "nonfiscal retirement bill" within the Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act. These definitions determine which proposed changes to public retirement systems do not alter the system's funding costs or create new financial liabilities. The legislation directly affects the state's legislative process regarding retirement bills by establishing clearer criteria for what constitutes a change that does not impact the financial health of the retirement systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the legal definitions and administrative procedures for the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma. It clarifies who counts as a member by expanding the definition of "classified personnel" to include certain Department of Corrections instructors and counselors, while also refining categories for non-classified staff like bus drivers and maintenance workers. The legislation modifies how applications for retirement are processed, outlines specific steps to be taken if a joint annuitant dies, and adjusts rules regarding retirement options and the system's liability. Additionally, it repeals two older sections of the state code and declares an emergency to allow the changes to take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, which creates a grant program within the Department of Insurance to help homeowners retrofit their primary residences against tornadoes, windstorms, and hail. Funding for the program depends on securing federal or other external grants rather than creating a guaranteed state entitlement, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify, homeowners must have wind and flood insurance, hire certified evaluators to assess their homes, obtain bids from at least three certified contractors, and complete the retrofitting work within three months of approval. Once a home meets the required safety standards, the department will pay the contractor directly, and all application documents will remain confidential and protected from public records requests.