­Governor Kevin Stitt  has ordered the end to his executive order concerning the Chinese coronavirus.

Stitt said that Oklahoma’s 7-day average of new cases is down 94% from its peak and among the lowest per capita rates in the country. Stitt also mentioned that hospitalizations are down 90% and are stable.

His decision was based the actions taken by Oklahomans over the past year.

“Because Oklahomans used personal responsibility to protect themselves, their families and our most vulnerable, the data shows COVID-19 is no longer an emergency,” said Stitt. “We were the first state to reopen our economy on June 1, and we are continuing to lead the nation now. More people are getting the vaccine every day, our kids are safely back in school, our businesses are open and thriving and our unemployment rate is better than the national average.”

More than 2.5 million vaccine doses have been administered in Oklahoma.

Article V Convention

Oklahoma is now among those states officially calling for an Article V Convention of the States. 

Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and House Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, Senate Joint Resolution 23 was approved by Gov. Stitt .

Standridge said the number of states calling for an Article V Convention is approaching 20.

“There are two ways to propose amending the U.S. Constitution, through a two-thirds majority of the states or a two-thirds majority of Congress,” Standridge said. “Our founders included the right of states to propose amendments as a way to correct any imbalance of powers between the states and the federal government, and to solve problems that Congress can’t or won’t address.”

Possible amendments for consideration include federal term limits and a balanced budget amendment.

“Congressional term limits are something in which the vast majority of Americans have an interest,” Echols said. “It’s been a remarkable feat just to get this to the governor, as the possibility of holding a Convention of the States stirs many emotions.”

Homestead exemptions

Stitt signed legislation by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, to update the statutory income qualifier to claim an additional homestead exemption for the first time since 1997.

House Bill 1009 increases the statutory income qualifier to claim an additional homestead exemption from $20,000 to $25,000. The additional homestead exemption reduces, by $1,000, the assessed valuation on the homestead of a homeowner whose household income is below the limit.

“The cost-of-living has increased substantially over the last 24 years, so it is long past time for us to adjust this income qualifier,” Sims said.

HB1009 would restrict any one-time federal disbursements, such as CARES , from being included in the income calculation. On average, the double homestead exemption results in a savings ranging from $87 to $137 annually.

Current statutes outline that Oklahomans aged 65 and older who previously qualified for the exemption are no longer required to file annually, but many retirees still do. This puts local tax assessors in a position of having to take away the exemption when informed that the homeowner’s income has increased above the current qualifier of $20,000.

It  goes into effect Jan. 1.

County boards of health

Stitt signed Senate Bill 736, which will allow county health departments across the state to share resources in an effort to improve public health.

Authored by Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, the measure allows county health departments to form “health districts,” comprised of multiple member counties, with the goal to pool resources to enhance health outcomes for the member counties.

“Currently, county health departments operate independently, but I strongly believe our health outcomes will be better if we all work together,” Kidd said.

It passed unanimously in the Senate and by a large bipartisan margin in the House. It will go into effect on Nov. 1.

Police, firefighter bargaining

The governor signed a bill into law that will streamline the collective bargaining process for firefighters and police officers.

House Bill 2747, by Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, eliminates the Public Employees Relations Board and it assigned responsibilities. Instead, it requires a municipal employer to recognize an association selected by a majority of its firefighters or police officers as their exclusive bargaining agent.

Ford explained the bill allows firefighters or police officers to at any time vote to recertify or bring in a new bargaining agent if they so desire. 

Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, is the Senate author of the bill. “I am very pleased, after working on this for two years, being able to craft legislation to fill the void of the sunsetting Public Relations Board,” Haste said.  “With the implementing of this bill, it will bring clarity and direction for this process.”

A bargaining agent recognized by a municipality prior to the effective date of the measure would continue to be recognized under HB 2747. A question of whether an association is the exclusive bargaining agent also would be resolved by an election, paid for by either the bargaining agent or the employees. Votes or ballots authorized by agreed-upon procedures would be accompanied by a voter’s driver license or state-authorized ID card. If parties are unable to agree on election procedures, either party may request the American Arbitration Association to conduct and certify the election. Finally, no election may be conducted in any bargaining unit in which a valid election has been held in the preceding 12 months.

The measure takes effect Nov. 1.

Police pensions

Stitt signed a bill that will bring the Oklahoma Police Pension Fund into compliance with updated IRS regulations.

House Bill 2457 by Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, was a request from the fund managers. “This simply modifies the language in our state statute to comply with the congressional passage of the SECURE Act of 2020,” Dobrinski said.

The bill changes the Required Minimum Distribution from age 70 ½ to age 72 to match the new regulations. The change was necessitated by the passage of the  (CARES) Act and the Setting Every Community up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2020, which amended requirements for  Individual Retirement Accounts.

Disabled veterans sales tax

Legislation to protect the sales tax exemption provided to Oklahoma’s 100% disabled veterans was signed into law. Senate Bill 415’s author, Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer said the bill was desperately needed to stop the fraudulent use of the benefit.

“It’s hard to believe, but it appears some 16,000 people in our state are committing fraud by claiming this sales tax exemption. As a veteran myself, it horrifies me that anyone would lie and dishonor these brave military men and women, let alone the tremendous sacrifices they made for our country that led to their disability,” Simpson said.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission has approximately 32,000 military tax-exempt certificates on file. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) says Oklahoma only has 16,000 fully service-disabled veterans. Under SB 415, the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) will now be authorized to disclose taxpayer information for 100% service-disabled veterans who qualify for the sales tax exemption to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA). ODVA will then verify eligibility for the exemption to the OTC. To remain eligible for the exemption, qualifying veterans must register with the Oklahoma Veterans Registry by July 1.

Rehire retired teachers

More of Oklahoma’s retired teachers can return to the classroom following the signing of Senate Bill 267.

Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, is the author of the bill to remove the earnings cap for retired educators who choose to return to the profession.

“Even after the two historic teacher pay raises, Oklahoma still had around 600 vacant teaching positions in 2019. We realized we had to do more to fill these crucial positions, and one of the most common suggestions we heard from our districts was lifting the earnings cap for retired educators who return to teaching,” Pemberton said.

Currently, returning retired teachers can only make up to $15,000 a year. Under SB 267, those who were retired as of July 1, 2020, have received retirement benefits for at least one year and have not been employed by a public school during that period can return to the classroom for three years with no earnings cap.  

Tobacco tax invasion

Stitt signed into a law a bill that creates the Tobacco Products Tax Enforcement Unit to track down tobacco products being sold illegally and collect state tax on them.

House Bill 2292, by Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant, also creates the Tobacco Products Tax Enforcement Unit Revolving Fund to help pay the salaries of the new enforcement auditors and agents.

“Right now we have a black market in Oklahoma,” Roberts said. “We have individuals driving into other states and buying tobacco products. They then sell those products in Oklahoma without paying state taxes on them..”

It’s estimated that for every dollar spent for new field personnel to enforce the measure, five dollars in tax revenue will be collected.  The bill also makes it unlawful for any person to transport or possess tobacco products on which tax has not been paid in an amount that exceeds the sum of $100. Previously, the products only had to exceed a sum of $1. Tobacco products are defined in the new law as including cigars, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco and other products.

Pardon and Parole Board Code

Stitt a bill that will put into place a code of ethics for members of the state Pardon and Parole Board. House Bill 2773 by Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, requires members of the Pardon and Parole Board to uphold and promote the independence, impartiality, fairness, and integrity of the board and to avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety.

“This puts the judicial code of ethics in place for members of the Pardon and Parole Board,” Pfeiffer said. 

Jefferson Highway

Stitt has signed Senate Bill 8, which will officially designate the route that largely follows State Highway 69 as the “Historic Jefferson Highway Route,” named after former President Thomas Jefferson.

The Jefferson Highway is the oldest highway to pass through Oklahoma, spanning from the Kansas to Texas borders. Nationally, the Jefferson Highway was one of the earliest in the country, completed nearly a decade before Route 66. Originally established in 1915, the route cut through the heart of the Louisiana Purchase Territory and covered 2,300 miles from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans.

The entire historic route, including the portion cutting through the state, has recently been reidentified by the reformed Jefferson Highway Association organization. Under the bill, any costs associated with official signage may be provided by private sources, and permanent markers will be designed in consultation with the Jefferson Highway Association.

Sudden Infant deaths

Legislation to require standardized investigations following the sudden, unexplained deaths of infants in Oklahoma has been signed into law. 

Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, are authors of Senate Bill 95, aimed at helping make sure families get more information about the circumstances and possible causes of a baby’s unexplained death.

The bill was originally requested by Edmond mother Ali Dodd, whose baby died almost six years ago at a state-licensed day care center due to an unsafe sleep environment.  The medical examiner listed the cause of death as unknown/undetermined.  No information about the specific circumstances or contributing factors was documented, including the fact that her 11-week-old baby was left swaddled, unbuckled, and unrestrained in a car seat for two hours on the floor beyond a closed door.

“Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate has been above the national average since 1992, and between 70 and 75 percent of infant deaths in Oklahoma are listed as unknown or undetermined. Data from thorough, standardized investigations will help us be proactive with policies and statutes that can help save lives,” Stanley said.