Longtime ULC Commissioner Fred Miller, who died in February

Oklahoma members of the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) actively participated in the commission’s 134th annual meeting, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in July. Judge Thad Balkman, Ryan Leonard, Laura McConnell Corbyn, Cheryl Plaxico, Sen. Brent Howard and Mark Ramsey attended the six-day meeting, where commissioners from across the nation gathered to consider uniform acts.

Fred Miller, a longtime commissioner from Oklahoma who passed away earlier this year, was honored by the commission in a stirring tribute given by Mark Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey recognized Mr. Miller as “Mr. UCC” based upon Mr. Miller’s decades of service drafting, revising, teaching and writing about the Uniform Commercial Code. During the meeting, Oklahoma was recognized for the most enactments of uniform laws in 2025 – the second year in a row Oklahoma has received this recognition.

Three new acts aimed at modernizing and clarifying state laws across the country were adopted at the annual meeting.

The Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act

This act offers a streamlined alternative to bankruptcy through a voluntary, debtor-initiated process known as an assignment for the benefit of creditors (ABC). The act standardizes how a debtor can assign assets to a fiduciary who liquidates them and distributes the proceeds to creditors. It clearly defines the roles and duties of both assignors and assignees, providing states with a modern legal framework for handling debt resolution outside the courts.

The Uniform Judicial Interview of Children Act

Mark Ramsey of Claremore provides the life memorial for Mr. Miller during the July ULC annual meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This act establishes procedures for how judges may interview children in private civil proceedings, such as custody and visitation. It balances the child’s right to be heard with the due process rights of the parties involved, ensuring interviews are developmentally appropriate and free from undue influence. The act sets standards for assessing a child's maturity, safeguards to preserve fairness and provides options for states to adopt the provisions as either legislation or court rules.

The Model State Uniform Law Commission Act

This act updates a 1944 model law that helped states create and manage their commissions on uniform state laws. The new version reflects changes in state government structures and modern legislative practices while preserving the core framework for appointing and supporting commissioners. It provides states with flexible tools to establish or revise their commission statutes, including guidance on appointments, duties, funding and reporting requirements.

Other drafts, which were debated at the ULC annual meeting but were not scheduled for final approval, include the Conflict of Law in Trust and Estate Acts, the Transfers to Minors Act, the Child Digital Entertainers Act, the Occupational Licenses of Servicemembers and Military Spouses Act, the Commercial Financing Disclosure Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act Issues Act.

Judge Balkman is the presiding judge for Oklahoma’s 21st Judicial District. He can be reached at thad.balkman@oscn.net.