Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Resolution 47 to memorialize June 14, 2022, as President Donald J. Trump Day in the state, which is Trump’s birthday, the birthday of the U.S. Army, and Flag Day. “If we can spend time during the legislative session to designate Golf Day, create an official state theater, and…
Schools will be better able to address the mental health needs of their students beginning this coming academic year following the signing of Senate Bill 626. The measure, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, and Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, requires mental health facilities providing inpatient mental health care services for minors to share with parents the…
In the Tulsa area, there is only one Senate seat and only three Representative seats on the ballot in the June 28 primary. And all four primary races are among Republicans. The winners of the Senate race will be elected because no one else filed and one of the three House seats will also result…
When House Bill 1775 became law in 2021, banning the teaching of certain concepts broadly associated with Critical Race Theory (CRT), opponents claimed CRT was not taught in Oklahoma schools. Critics continue to make that claim today. But a recent request from the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), the state’s largest teachers’ union, indicates that union…
The Oklahoma Legislature has taken steps to more clearly outline illegal activities concerning the production, distribution and use of marijuana for medical purposes. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1367 increases the penalties for those who purchase medical marijuana and then sell the product to non-cardholders. Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, authored the legislation he said will…
Now that Oklahoma’s Imagination Library will be expanding to all 77 counties, the legislators who authored the measure creating the state’s program are working to help spread the news. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, were co-authors of the 2020 legislation. The Imagination Library is the creation of singer, songwriter, actress…
Stiff signed into law a bill that increases the punishment for theft of catalytic converters, tires and wheels from a vehicle. House Bill 4373 modifies the elements of third-degree burglary to include the theft of these vehicle parts and provides that the fine for such crime will be up to $5,000. It takes effect Nov….
Bipartisanship opened doors for a new law that creates employment opportunities for Oklahomans recently released from state custody. House Bill 3002, by Sen. Zack Taylor and Rep. Cyndi Munson, amends the requirements and qualifications for five occupational licenses. The licensure changes involve the Oklahoma scrap metal dealers, the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, motor vehicle…
Legislation aimed at increasing the number of direct flights to Oklahoma has now been signed into law. Senate Bill 1461, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, creates the Oklahoma Air Service Development Grant Program (OASDGP), which will be administered by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC). Under SB 1461, grant funding can be used for commercial…
Stitt signed a new law that would require the state to divest from any financial company that boycotts the energy industry. House Bill 2034, the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022, is authored by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore. McBride said, “For more than 100 years, Oklahoma has been a major oil and gas producing state….