Legislative Update

Oklahoma Economic Report

March 23, 2023

The U.S. jobless rate was 3.4 percent in January, down by one-tenth of a percentage point from the prior month, while Oklahoma’s employment numbers continued to show -strength. In January, the state’s unemployment rate was 3.1 percent. Regional economic trends have turned positive. The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index for the nine-state region reached…

Applications open for OK Human Services Energy Crisis Assistance and Water Assistance

March 23, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 21, 2023) – Oklahoma Human Services is now accepting online applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) and Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) at OKDHSLive.org. ECAP Eligibility: Households which have received a 72-hour cut-off notice at the time of application or an…

How to request and emergency ballot for the April 4 election

March 23, 2023

Registered voters, who become physically incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 20 and cannot make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot. Tulsa County Election Board Secretary, Gwen Freeman, said that state law permits voters who become emergency incapacitated after 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 20 to vote under special provisions….

Tulsa County voluntary flood buyout program

March 23, 2023

The Tulsa Board of County Commissioners approved the voluntary buy-out plan for homes affected by the 2019 flood at their meeting on Monday, March 13. Due to the extensive damage to housing and infrastructure, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the State of Oklahoma was eligible to receive disaster…

Senate votes to strengthen law to stop illegal foreign ownership of land

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure to stop the illegal purchase of Oklahoma land passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, worked with the attorney general’s office in crafting Senate Bill 212 to keep non-U.S. citizens from directly or indirectly, through a business entity or trust, owning land in the state unless otherwise authorized…

Bill to organize books by age in libraries passes Senate

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved a bill to require school and public libraries to place books into sections labeled elementary, junior high, Under 16 or juniors and seniors. Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, is the author of Senate Bill 397, which was approved by the Senate on Tuesday. “There is a time and…

Federal Election Trigger Bill Passes House

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House today approved a bill that would decouple Oklahoma elections from federal ones should federal election laws substantially change. Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, described House Bill 1415 as a trigger bill that would only take effect should federal election laws change in a way that conflicts with state laws. If…

House Censures Member for Hiding Fugitive in Office

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today censured one of its members for impeding a law enforcement investigation into an alleged assault on a fellow member and an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper that took place in the Capitol last week. The member, Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City, harbored a fugitive wanted for questioning…

Bill to remove state park entry fees approved by full Senate

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 637 was approved by the Senate on Wednesday. Burns’ bill eliminates state park entry fees with the exception of motor homes and travel trailers. The fees are not to exceed $8. “We have dozens of state parks across the state with various geographic characteristics and amenities,” Burns said. “Oklahoma’s state…

Bill to Allow Vehicle Registration Every Two Years

March 16, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House on Monday unanimously passed a bill that would allow personal vehicle owners the option of registering their personal vehicles every two years instead of just annually. House Bill 2011 is authored by Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow. “This will save time and effort for Oklahomans who choose the option of…