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Legislative Update

New law ensures supplemental breast cancer services covered

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY –  Beginning Nov. 1, a new law updated existing diagnostic mammography law to ensure diagnostic and supplemental breast cancer services are covered with no out-of-pocket costs under health benefit plans. Services covered are recommended by medical experts for early detection of breast cancer. The law’s House author is Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “Early…

Aggravated DUI Expansion Law Takes Effect November 1

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 54, a measure championed by Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, during the 2025 legislative session, will soon take effect on November 1 and expand the definition of Aggravated DUI under Oklahoma law. The new law strengthens Oklahoma’s efforts to protect motorists and families by including additional offenses such as causing a…

New legislation goes into effect on November 1

Tulsa Beacon

Property Owners Can Reclaim Seized Land OKLAHOMA CITY – After Nov. 1, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission will be required to notify previous property owners if the land they sold to the Commission is going to be offered for sale. The property owners would then have the right to repurchase at their original selling price. The…

Banning Issues Statement on Bixby Students’ Apparel

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today released a statement following reports that multiple Bixby students were asked to remove or turn their shirts inside out for wearing apparel referencing conservative public figures. According to reports, staff told two students to adjust their clothing under the district’s dress code policy, which allows intervention when…

Sen. Seifried, Rep. Caldwell Host Interim Study on Classroom Technology, AI

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, and Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Tuesday hosted a joint interim study to explore whether the use of technology and artificial intelligence in the classroom helps or hinders student learning. The study, held before the Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee, which Seifried chairs, comes after the two legislators…

Hall Appointed to Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Board

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) Board. He was appointed by Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, effective immediately. “As we look to a more technologically advanced future and compete on a global academic stage, institutions such as OSSM…

OK lawmakers hold interim study on homeowners insurance rates

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – In a show of bipartisan and bicameral cooperation, Representative Andy Fugate, D-Del City, Representative Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, and Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, are joining forces to lead a two-part interim study examining Oklahoma’s skyrocketing homeowner insurance rates, currently among the highest in the nation. The first session of the…

SQ 832: National costs, and local consequences

Tulsa Beacon

A new Oklahoma ballot proposal, State Question 832, would significantly increase the state’s minimum wage by tying it to the cost of living in expensive urban areas. The measure is on the ballot on June 16, 2026. Let us imagine that this ballot proposal would have passed, say, 10 years ago. If that were the…

The real cost of ‘top two’: Taxifornia shows us what happens

Tulsa Beacon

The claim has been made that State Question 836, which changes Oklahoma’s primary election to a “top-two” model, would benefit taxpayers. Real-world experience suggests otherwise. Since California adopted a “top-two” primary election system in 2010, the tax burden on Californians has skyrocketed. The 15 years preceding the implementation of the “top-two” primary saw a rate…

Oklahoma Sales Tax Holiday is August 1-3

Tulsa Beacon

Friday, August 1st – 3rd will be the Oklahoma Tax-Free Weekend in 2025.  All businesses are required to participate. Any person can purchase the tax-free merchandise from retailers in their stores from catalogs or online. Sales of any article of clothing or footwear designed to be worn on or about the human body and the…