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….
The path for teacher candidates to become certified teachers has become more direct after House Bill 3658 was signed into law. Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, authored House Bill 3658 to streamline the certification process and address the teacher shortage. HB3658 removes the requirement that teacher candidates must pass the general education portion of the Oklahoma…
Due to an early retirement, Tulsa County voters will elect two county commissioner this year. District 1 Commissioner Stan Sallee, a Republican, will take on Democrat challenger Sean Johnson on November 8. Both are from Collinsville. The District 3 slot is open due to the retirement of Commissioner Ron Peters. Three Republicans, Margie Alfonzo, Tulsa,…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act which would allow a private civil action to be brought against anyone performing an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, except in a medical emergency. Senate Bill 1503 by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, allows any citizen to bring a…
A bill aimed at protecting First Amendment rights on Oklahoma college campuses was signed into law recently by the governor. House Bill 3543 by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, creates a Free Speech Committee within the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education that will be responsible for training college deans and other administrators in First Amendment…
Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, has requested that Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor challenge the constitutionality of the Biden Administration’s recently announced Disinformation Governance Board. The board, announced last week by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, was said to have been created to combat online disinformation. “This is a blatant attempt to silence…
Legislation modernizing county purchasing laws was signed into law by the Governor April 28. House Bill 3344, authored by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, modifies the procedure for requisition and inventory tracking of equipment, as well as modifies bid solicitation requirements. “With increases in parts and labor to repair county highway district machinery and equipment, House…