Representative Cody Maynard

R

District 21

Hi, I'm Cody Maynard and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 21st District.


representative

News & Announcements

Feb 20, 2026
Recent Posts

Maynard's Youth AI Protection, Young Entrepreneurs Act Pass First Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, this week passed two bills in committee aimed at protecting and benefitting youth. House Bill 3544 would protect youth as they interact with Artificial Intelligence (AI). House Bill 3548 would create the Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act of 2026. "My focus with both pieces of legislation is protecting young Oklahomans," Maynard said. "One bill would protect them from predatory practices embedded in certain artificial intelligence. The second would protect them from burdensome regulation as they begin to learn the basic principles of business ownership." HB3544 unanimously passed the House Civil Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It now awaits a hearing in the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee. "This bill would protect children when interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots that are designed to simulate emotional or human-like relationships," Maynard said. "There have been multiple incidences reported across the country where children have committed self-harm after these chatbots have encouraged it. I am asking that the Oklahoma Legislature be proactive in putting some common-sense policies in place." HB3548 unanimously passed the House Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee on Wednesday. The measure would exempt sales tax for businesses owned and operated primarily by individuals who are under the age of 18. The exemption would extend only if the business receives limited assistance from adults and if the business generates gross revenue of less than $1,000 during the calendar year "This legislation encourages real-world learning by allowing young people to operate small businesses without being buried in taxes and unnecessary red tape," Maynard said. "If a child wants to run a lemonade stand for a week, they should not have to purchase multiple permits to do so. I ask that we teach our kids entrepreneurship before we regulate them." Maynard said the legislation complements Gov. Stitt's recently signed Executive Order 2026-04, which makes it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in Oklahoma. Key actions of the governor's order include the exploration of tax waivers for startups and fairer access to state contracts for young businesses. Reports on fees, taxes, education and contracts are to be shared with legislative leaders by the end of the legislative session. The next stop for HB3548 will be the full A&B Committee.

Feb 10, 2026
Recent Posts

Maynard AI Safeguards Pass First Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Government Modernization and Technology Committee on Monday unanimously passed two bills intended to safeguard Oklahomans when artificial intelligence (AI) is used. Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, is the chairman of the committee and the author of  House Bill 3545 and House Bill 3546 . The measures seek to ensure state agencies use AI responsibly with human oversight and clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not persons and cannot hold legal rights. "These common-sense protections seek to set responsible standards for the use of artificial intelligence and ensure that rights remain with people and not inanimate, non-human systems," Maynard said. "We welcome the use of emerging technologies, but only within a prudent framework. While some of this may seem like science fiction, the concerns are all too real in our current environment, and the best time to set guidelines is now." Maynard said House Bill 3545 would establish responsible standards for state agency use of AI that would require human oversight for any high-risk decisions. The measure also would require transparency whenever AI content is used, including annual reporting so that everyone knows what AI is being used for in the state. House Bill 3546 would make it clear that AI systems and other non-human inanimate objects will not be granted personhood in Oklahoma. "This ensures that rights remain with people and prevents artificial intelligence from being used to claim legal standing or avoid accountability under our laws," Maynard said. He said the measure reinforces a foundational principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence: that our rights do not come from government but are endowed by our Creator and recognized by our Constitution. "Machines are created by man, and they must never be elevated to the status of the people they were designed to serve," Maynard said. Both bills received unanimous do pass recommendations and now are eligible to be considered by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development Oversight. House bills must pass in policy and oversight committees before being eligible for a vote by the full membership of the House. Maynard has an additional bill dealing with AI that has been referred to the Civil Judiciary Committee. House Bill 3544 would protect minors from AI systems designed to simulate human-like relationships. It would prohibit the deployment of social AI companions and human-like AI chatbots to minors and would require reasonable age certification measures, with a narrow exception for certain therapeutic tools under strict professional oversight. Maynard said the bill reflects growing national concern, including widely reported lawsuits alleging that some AI-companion platforms foster emotional dependency in minors and, in tragic cases, encourage self-harm.

Feb 2, 2026
Recent Posts

Maynard Files Youth Entrepreneurs Act

Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, has filed legislation that would exempt sales tax for businesses owned and operated primarily by individuals who are under the age of 18. House Bill 3548 would create the Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act of 2026. If enacted, it would be offered beginning in tax year 2027. "Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of our nation and the backbone of our state's economy," Maynard said. "This legislation encourages Oklahoma youth to start and maintain businesses that could benefit them in numerous ways, from saving for their own education to providing the first step for business ownership in their future." Maynard said the legislation complements Gov. Stitt's recently signed Executive Order 2026-04, which makes it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in Oklahoma. Key actions of the governor's order include the exploration of tax waivers for startups and fairer access to state contracts for young businesses. Reports on fees, taxes, education and contracts are to be shared with legislative leaders by the end of our legislative session. HB3548 would exempt from tax the sales of tangible personal property or services made by a business that is owned and operated primarily by one or more individuals who have not attained 18 years of age, who are conducting such business as a sole proprietorship and not through any other legal entity. The exemption would extend only if the business receives limited assistance from adults in the form of supervision, transportation, safety oversight or other incidental support that does not constitute material management or operation of the business; if the business generates gross revenue of less than $1,000 during the calendar year; and if the business operates only on private property with the consent of the owner or lawful possessor of the property, or as part of a community event that separately registers youth vendors. This tax exemption shall not apply if an adult exercises primary control over the business decisions, management, or operations or if the business is materially operated for the benefit of any adult. The measure has been first read in the House and awaits assignment to a committee.