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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Governor Signs Blair’s Child Abduction Prevention Bill into Law

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Children at risk of being taken or concealed during custody disputes will now have stronger legal protections under House Bill 2081, authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore, and recently signed into law. HB2081 creates the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, allowing courts to step in with preventative measures when there is credible…

Ban on DEI in OK colleges passes House

Tulsa Beacon

By a margin of nearly four to one, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted to make permanent a ban on mandatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs at Oklahoma colleges. “Individually, we don’t have a problem with each word: ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ ‘inclusion,’” said state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont (pictured above). “But…

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….