A bill that will increase the amount of death benefits for any firefighter, paid or volunteer, or law enforcement officer who is in the pension system and passes away, was referred for an actuarial analysis by a vote of 8-0 in the House Banking Committee. The actuarial analysis will determine the fiscal impact of the…
The Senate Rules Committee approved Senate Bill 253, authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, which would modify declaration of candidacy forms for citizens seeking to hold public office. The measure would require candidates to provide the date they registered as a voter of the political party they are running for as well as his or…
A bill to protect businesses from being attacked by ransomware has unanimously passed the House Judiciary-Criminal committee with a vote of 8-0. House Bill 1759, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, updates language in the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act to better reflect modern technology and subsequent threats to computer security through updated definitions and penalties….
The Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) certified $9.64 billion for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget – and increase compared to the $8.46 billion initially certified by the board in December. “This speaks well of the economy in Oklahoma,” said Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah. “Small business owners have been innovative, diligent, and persistent…
The Oklahoma House of Representatives Public Safety Committee approved legislation to require law enforcement in Oklahoma to comply with federal immigration agencies. House Bill 2774, by State Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, directs all sheriffs, jailers and deputies to comply with any request made in an immigration detainer request provided by the federal government. The bill…
Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, supports a request for an injunction against Medicaid managed care contract. The Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) and other health organizations asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to issue the injunction. “The Oklahoma State Medical Association contends the Oklahoma Health Care Authority went outside its authority and circumvented the legislature in implementing…
State Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, ushered a bill through committee that will protect the rights of long-term care residents, allowing them visits by friends and family members and care by outside health care providers. House Bill 2566 ensures visitation and health care serves contracted through the long-term care facilities are provided in a safe manner…
Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, won committee passage of a bill that would allow Oklahoma students to transfer between public school districts at any time during the school year. House Bill 2074, known as the Open Transfer Act of 2021, would cap the number of open transfers per student at two per year. It would also…
In the wake of long lines and mandatory appointments for drivers’ licenses and renewals, Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order to the Department of Public Safety to “expedite renewals or replacements of valid driver licenses and identification.” The order will waive restrictions on tag agents to make it easier to obtain a driver’s…
A bill that will increase the number of authorized driver testing exam locations has been presented in the House of Representatives. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, is the author of House Bill 2465, which would allow certain locations, approved by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), to be proctors for the written examination for applicants for…