News

Francine’s Law passed in the Senate

April 18, 2019

The full Senate approved a bill aimed at helping law enforcement and families find answers in missing and unidentified persons cases. House Bill 2640, Francine’s Law, was approved unanimously by the full Senate last week. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is principal Senate author of Francine’s Law, which was co-authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City,…

Benefit corporations bill is passed

April 18, 2019

Legislation allowing Oklahoma companies to register as “benefit corporations” is now headed to the governor’s desk. The designation would give greater legal protection for companies pursuing business models that are for profit, while placing a high priority on having a positive impact on society. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of…

Oklahoma exports continue growing

April 18, 2019

According to new trade data released by the Census Bureau, Oklahoma had just over $6.1 billion in exports during 2018, a 14 percent increase over 2017. The top export commodities for the state included industrial machinery and parts, electrical machinery, and aircraft parts. The data also shows increased exports to both Canada and Mexico, Oklahoma’s…

Pecan workshop will be April 25th

April 18, 2019 Trisha Gedon

STILLWATER – If you are interested in learning more about native pecans, mark your calendar for April 25 and attend the Native Pecan Field Day. Oklahoma State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology are partnering with OSU Cooperative Extension professionals in Okfuskee County, the Noble Research…

Aid for hearing impaired drivers

April 18, 2019

The full Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help prevent the escalation of traffic stops in cases where the driver has hearing impairments, autism or other communication disorders. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, are the principal authors of House Bill 2516. Weaver said the legislation would allow individuals the option of…

Step Therapy Reform bill advances

April 18, 2019

OKLAHOMA CITY – [March 13, 2019]– Oklahomans for Step Therapy Reform said SB509, authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, passed the Senate with a vote of 43-0, and its companion HB2638, authored by Reps. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, passed the House with a vote of 94-0. The bills will allow…

GOP leaders punish Senator Silk for SB13

April 11, 2019

State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, said he is being blacklisted by Republican leaders because he authored a bill to abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, removed Silk from a committee vice chairmanship because Silk promoted Senate Bill 13, which would have made abortion illegal in the state. That…

Bill aids state’s disabled veterans

April 11, 2019

The Oklahoma House passed legislation helping community members volunteer as a guardian for veterans who have no available family. Senate Bill 931, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, establishes the Veterans Volunteer Guardianship Act to provide a platform to recruit local volunteers to serve veterans who can no longer manage…

Proposal targets paternity fraud

April 11, 2019

A bill that would extend the time for men to prove paternity fraud passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 2270, by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, and Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Addington, would extend until a child’s 18th birthday the right of a judge to determine paternity fraud, freeing men from paying child support for children…

Bob Coburn is named to OTC

April 11, 2019

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has appointed Bob Coburn of Muskogee to serve as a commissioner on the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Coburn, a cousin of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, is the first of two appointments the Senate president pro tempore made to the commission following the enactment of Senate Bill 457, legislation that…