Legislative Update

Legislation to stop federal regulations on firearm suppressors made in Oklahoma

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed Senate Bill 720, to ensure firearm suppressors and the basic materials used to manufacture them in Oklahoma are not subject to federal laws or regulations. “The federal government has time and time again tried to enforce gun control measures across the country, and infringe on our…

Bill would phase out and replace federal funding and control over K-12 education

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation has been filed to cut and replace financial ties and control of the federal government over common education in Oklahoma. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, authored Senate Bill 863 to authorize the State Department of Education to develop a ten-year plan to phase out the acceptance and use of federal funds for…

Legislation to protect minors from gender transition medications, surgeries

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed four pieces of legislation to protect minors from life-changing gender transition hormones and surgery that could render them unable to have children as adults. The bills also allow lawsuits to be filed against health care providers and adults who violate the provisions of these measures….

Bill defining community standards for material made accessible to minors

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed Senate Bill 1056, which would create a special definition of “contemporary community standards” in Oklahoma statutes to better address the issue of obscene material being made accessible to minors. Standridge said case law has resulted in the concept of contemporary community standards in the determination…

Pugh bills would protect veterans’ benefits and create special court diversion program

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, has filed legislation to ensure Oklahoma’s approximately 290,000 veterans get their rightful military benefits, including those earned through combat, from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). He’s also authored a measure to create a special court diversion program for veterans in trouble with the law who are…

Bill to provide tax exemption to certain nonprofit hospitals

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed Senate Bill 304 to add nonprofit hospitals to the list of entities that receive sales tax exemptions for goods and services. “In rural communities, hospitals provide essential medical services, and provide critically needed jobs in the area,” Burns said. “Unfortunately, many community hospitals have had to…

Legislators, Pro-Life Organizations Defend Oklahoma’s Abortion Laws

February 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today a bicameral group of legislators, together with numerous pro-life organizations, released the following statement in support of Oklahoma’s current abortion laws. “Oklahoma is blessed to have the most comprehensive laws in the country to protect our unborn babies. We intend to defend our current laws as they stand, with the only…

Gov. Stitt opposes revised definition of Waters of the United States

February 9, 2023

Governor Kevin Stitt joined 24 governors in sending a letter to President Biden expressing opposition to a rule regarding the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The governors signed and sent the following letter. Dear President Biden, We write in opposition to your rule regarding the…

Bill to amend Parents’ Bill of Rights

February 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, has filed Senate Bill 131, which amends the Parents’ Bill of Rights. SB 131 authorizes parents to file a civil action against a person or governmental entity for a violation of the Parents’ Bill of Rights. “Updating this measure furthers parents’ involvement in their child’s education and requires…

Bill to eliminate squatter’s rights

February 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed Senate Bill 456, which would eliminate the ability to claim any portion of a landowner’s property by adverse possession or “squatting”. “While squatting has always been an issue, we saw a huge uptick in recent years as buildings were vacated during the pandemic,” Burns said. “This…