March 3 is “Super Tuesday” and Oklahoma voters will cast their ballots for the respective presidential candidates for the Republican and Democrat parties. Also on March 3, voters will vote on a proposal to allow liquor stores in Tulsa County to open on Sundays. Six Republicans – including President Donald Trump – will be on…
The House Public Safety Committee last week voted 12-1 to kill House Bill 3357, authored by Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami, which sought to repeal Constitutional Carry. The bill would have removed references to open carry of firearms and return Oklahoma statutes relating to the carrying of firearms to their status prior to passage of House…
The Senate passed legislation to provide more local control for school districts to decide how to protect their students. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is author of House Bill 2336. The measure would allow a local board of education to voluntarily adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school…
A measure providing for the display of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in the Oklahoma State Capitol visitor center has been passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 1118, authored by Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, aligns the state with the tradition established by the display of the national motto in the Tourist Information Center…
The Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee voted in favor of legislation increasing the age to buy or use tobacco products from 18 to 21. Senator Greg McCortney, chair of the committee, is the author of Senate Bill 1423. In December, President Donald Trump signed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law, prohibiting the sale of…
A bill to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s educators has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee. The measure creates a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet…
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved two bills to help the children of military families easily transition into the Oklahoma education system when their parents are transferred to the state. Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, said the bills were necessary to help lessen the stress of military families regarding their children’s education when they’re preparing to…
In an effort to slow down abortion, Sen. Paul Scott authored Senate Bill 1859, which passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The bill would require doctors to recognize life just as they do death through heartbeats and brainwaves or the lack of such activity. Beginning at six weeks, SB 1859 would…
The Oklahoma Senate approved legislation to improve fiscal transparency and accountability of Oklahoma’s state agencies. Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp, was one of the seven recommendations made by the multi-grand jury in May 2018 following the discovery of financial issues at the State Department of Health. SB 177 requires state agencies to provide…
Social media has allowed at-home food business owners to reach larger numbers of potential customers, but Oklahoma’s strict regulations have kept many from growing and succeeding. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, wants to remove unnecessary regulations for these small business owners with his Senate Bill 1714, the Homemade Food Freedom Act, which passed unanimously out of…