Skip to content

The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Lawmakers vote to allow Christians to serve as foster parents

Tulsa Beacon

Christian couples could not be barred from serving as foster or adoptive parents based on their religious beliefs under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Senate Bill 658, by state Sen. Julie Daniels and state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, says that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) cannot require any current or…

Election Reform Bill passes in House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure reorganizing when certain elections are held in Oklahoma passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives floor this week. Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, presented Senate Bill 652, which streamlines the election process by establishing five election days annually, scheduled in February, April, June, August and November. There are currently 12 possible election…

House Passes Reform Bills for Unemployment Tax

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two bills aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s unemployment tax system—one reducing costs for employers and the other cracking down on fraud—have passed the House floor and now head to the governor’s desk. Carried in the House by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, Senate Bill 911 reduces the top unemployment tax rate from 9.2% to…

Governor Signs ‘Food Truck Freedom Act’ into Law

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law the Food Truck Freedom Act, a measure aimed at cutting red tape for Oklahoma’s growing mobile food vendor industry. House Bill 1076, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, and Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, creates a streamlined, statewide licensing system for food truck operators. Hildebrant,…

Special elections runoff Tuesday

Tulsa Beacon

The Tuesday, May 13, 2025 election will decide which Republican will face the Democrat candidate in two special elections to fill Oklahoma House seats. In House District 71, Amanda Swope (D) who was re-elected in November decided to work in Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols office and resign from her House position.  In House District 74,…

Early Voting Begins Thursday, May 8

Tulsa Beacon

Early voting begins for the Special Republican Runoff Primary Elections for State Representatives Districts 71 and 74, May 8 for voters in Tulsa County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board. Tulsa County Election Board Secretary,…

Elder abuse bill passes Senate

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, received unanimous Senate approval for House Bill 1566 Monday, which creates the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act. The measure, known as Neil’s Law, establishes a civil action for incapacitated and vulnerable adults, allowing them to pursue claims against individuals who have abused, neglected, or exploited them. The…

Legislation banning Obscene Adult Performances in Public goes to the Governor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, successfully secured final passage of a bill that bans obscene adult performances on public property or anywhere children may be present. On Thursday, the full Senate passed House Bill 1217, prohibiting individuals from performing sexually explicit or obscene acts in public places or areas where minors are present….

Food Labeling bill moves to Governor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on a bill that will move to the governor that would require food manufacturers to correctly label products that come from plants or insect proteins instead of identifying them as meat. House Bill 1126 passed the Senate this morning on a vote of 40-7. It previously…

House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Bills

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed two measures aimed at combating antisemitism in public schools and universities. Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, carried both Senate Bill 942 and Senate Bill 991 on the House floor. “These pieces of legislation intentionally focus on clarifying what antisemitism looks like, because for too long, this…