The House passed HB3371 by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, that would grant an income tax credit for caregivers. It would create an income tax credit equal to half of the expenses of providing care for an older loved who is certified to need help with at least two activities of daily living. The non-refundable…
The House passed HB3146 that would authorize a vote of the people on a proposal that could permanently end Daylight Savings Time in Oklahoma. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, said Oklahomans would vote on a statutory amendment that if approved would lock the clock on Central Standard Time in Oklahoma and do away with the twice-yearly…
The Senate approved two bills authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, that would change how the state collects sales tax on vehicle purchases and how long citizens have to register that new purchase. SB1486 would modify the formula used to calculate how much sales tax is owed on the purchase of a vehicle. Under current…
Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, passed a bill out of the House that would disallow the state of Oklahoma to contract with any company that discriminates against the firearms industry. “This is a constitutionally protected industry, and the majority of Oklahomans are very much in favor of protecting Second Amendment rights,” West said. “Yet there are…
A host of bills concerning public education were advanced this month in the Oklahoma Legislature. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1126 by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, to give schools more flexibility in how and when they spend general carryover funds. “We must stop penalizing our local districts for being fiscally responsible and wanting to save…
On the heels of the governor’s announcement that Oklahoma is forming a partnership with Arkansas and Louisiana to create a regional hydrogen hub, the state Senate has passed two bills that would give tax credits to businesses and individuals utilizing and producing the clean and affordable energy source. Authored by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton,…
Given that suicide is the second leading cause of death among Oklahoma children, adolescents, and young adults ages 10–24, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, wants to ensure students have help at their fingertips in moments of crisis. The Senate approved his Senate Bill 1307 to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number on student…
Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, won unanimous House passage of a bill that would expand the list of meats on the “Oklahoma Certified” list. Currently beef (bovine) is the only meat on the list. Under House Bill 2368, swine, goat, lamb, poultry and fish would be added. “Getting meat locally from a safe and trusted source…
The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation to honor Oklahoma’s fallen military by helping their surviving spouses. Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, is the author of Senate Bill 1670, which would extend the sales tax exemption granted to the unremarried surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans to the spouses of those killed in the line of…
Legislation concering legal notices and transparency and accountability in state and local government unanimously passed the House. House Bill 3062, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, creates a duplication that asks municipalities to post legal notices online in addition to printing in a newspaper. As we transition into a digital world, this change allows newspapers…