The Senate gave final approval to legislation that will help speed up the process of issuing and renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in Oklahoma. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, said House Bill 1059 addresses numerous problems that are bogging down tag agents and will bring the state in line with federal law. “House Bill 1059 introduces…
Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, commented on legislation that creates the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules being signed into law by Gov. Stitt. Senate Bill 913 will ensure agency rules go through a more transparent and thorough process before being approved or repealed by the Legislature and ultimately the governor. “Senate Bill 913 fundamentally changes how…
The Senate advanced measures aimed at helping ratepayers manage the significant financial burden stemming from those increased energy costs during the February winter storm. Senate Bill 1049 and Senate Bill 1050 create a framework for securitization of the approximately $4.5 billion in increased energy costs due to the February winter storm, said Sen. James Leewright,…
The House passed Senate Bill 403, a bill that will extend current statutes regarding the disruption of state meetings to cover school boards, county and municipal governments. The bill will make it unlawful to disrupt or interfere with the business of any political subdivision. “Because these boards, commissions and other entities are acting on behalf…
Legislation passed off the Senate floor to protect members of the Oklahoma National Guard from employment discrimination. Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, explained that the bill provides the same employment protections for Oklahoma National Guard members whether they are called to federal active duty by the president under Title…
The Senate voted to strengthen penalties against those who purposely try to bring harm to law enforcement officers and county officials online. House Bill 1643, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, prohibits the publishing of identifying information of such individuals used to threaten, intimidate, harass or stalk them. “In recent years, we’ve seen our law enforcement…
Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, won unanimous passage in the House of a bill that will allow law enforcement to use telemedicine to have a person needing mental health services assessed and that changes the method by which such a person is transported. Senate Bill 3 is authored by Humphrey and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. “Not…
A bill to help Oklahomans be better able to afford their insulin will soon be on the governor’s desk after receiving final passage from the Senate. House Bill 1019, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, caps the price for a 30-day supply of insulin to $30 and $90 for a 90-day supply for each covered prescription….
The House passed the Sergeant Craig Johnson Act, which amends the accessory to murder statute. Senate Bill 6 is named after Sgt. Johnson, who was killed while conducting a traffic stop in Tulsa in 2020. The suspect in the case fled the scene with the assistance of a friend. The friend’s accessory to murder charge…
SAND SPRINGS—Less than an hour after sunup on a recent Saturday two gray-haired hikers, one with his younger son, worked their way between ancient rock formations and centuries-old trees with the excitement of school kids on a field trip. “We’re regulars out here at Keystone,” said Steve Flores of Owasso. “We do all the trails…