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Legislative Update

Senate Advances Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Presence for Major Events

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, received the Senate’s approval for Senate Bill 523 Monday. The measure provides that any Oklahoma sheriff, deputy sheriff, or reserve deputy sheriff shall have the same powers and duties as though employed by the sheriff’s office for which he or she is performing duties outside of his or…

OK bill requiring 50% of school budgets for classroom learning moves forward amid opposition from school lobby group

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require schools to devote at least half their budget to classroom learning is headed to a vote of the full Oklahoma House of Representatives, but the bill continues to receive opposition from education entities that argue even less money should be spent on direct student learning. As originally filed, House Bill 1280,…

SB1027 would give OK voters a clearer picture of ballot-measure costs

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma SB1027, authored by state Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), aims at reforming the state’s initiative petition process. The bill makes a variety of reforms to the process, one of which is a requirement to reveal if a proposed measure will have a fiscal impact (and if so, where that funding would come from). This additional…

America-First Investment Policy aligns with Oklahoma’s

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 5, 2025) – Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ today emphasized that the America First Investment Policy, issued by President Trump, aligns with Oklahoma’s longstanding efforts to prioritize American and state-based investments. For years, Treasurer Russ and Governor Stitt have worked to strengthen the financial future of Oklahoma by reducing exposure to adversarial…

House Oversight Committee Passes Bill Removing Chronic Absenteeism from State School Report Cards

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that would remove chronic absenteeism from the state school accountability system and add an incentive for schools that are going above the state minimum in instructional time with students. House Bill 1412, by Rep. Ronny Johns, removes chronic absenteeism from being a measure on…

Deadline to request Absentee Ballot for April 1 Election

Tulsa Beacon

Voters in Tulsa County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the April 1, Board of Education General Elections for ISD-1 Tulsa Public Schools District 3, Tulsa Technology Center Office 2, ISD-3 Broken Arrow Public Schools Office 5 and Municipal General Elections for the City of Glenpool Council Member Ward 2, City of Jenks…

House bill on parental rights advances in House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week secured unanimous passage of two bills in final House committees making them eligible for consideration on the House floor. House Bill 2696 would require schools to release student records to the student’s parents or guardians, or if requested, to the students themselves if they are…

The Utility Rate Payer Protection Bill Passes House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill seeking to protect utility customers from paying higher rates because of 2021’s Winter Storm Uri unanimously passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, authored House Bill 1220, which would prohibit municipalities that have franchise agreements with utility companies from assessing those fees and taxes…

House Passes REINS Act

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Bill 2728, a measure designed to enhance transparency and legislative oversight in the state’s administrative rulemaking process. House Bill 2728, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, modeled after similar federal…

Bill to Increase Classroom Funding Passes Subcommittee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Wednesday passed legislation in committee that would require state public schools to spend at least 60% of their funding in the classroom. House Bill 1280 passed the House Appropriations & Budget Education Subcommittee, which Caldwell chairs. It now moves to full A&B. “This bill prioritizes our kids,…