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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Legislation Advances to Combat Organized Retail Crime and Protect Oklahoma Businesses

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, advanced House Bill 1592 to create a new crime of organized retail crime (ORC), which is defined by multiple elements that indicate the presence of criminal organizations. This business-driven legislation responds to the increasing threat posed by organized theft rings to Oklahoma’s retailers and economy. Weaver, who chairs…

Bill to Eliminate Mandatory Markup on Retail Goods Passes House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Key legislation to eliminate an archaic state law that forces retailers to add a 6% markup to everyday consumer goods is one step closer to the governor’s desk. The Unfair Sales Act – legislation from Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and House Majority Deputy Floor Leader Steve Bashore, R-Miami –…

Address Confirmation Notices Mailed to Oklahoma Voters

Tulsa Beacon

(Oklahoma City) – Over the next several weeks, some registered voters in Oklahoma will receive an Address Confirmation Notice from the State Election Board. The notices are required by state law to confirm whether or not the identified voters still reside at their address on file with their county election board. Voters who receive an…

Business pandemic bill advances to Stitt’s desk

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Monday won passage of legislation that prohibits the governor from closing any business during a pandemic without documented scientific evidence that the nature of the business actually contributes to the spread of the disease. Senate Bill 672 now moves to the governor’s desk for his consideration of…

Death Penalty for First Child Rape Offense Passes House Oversight Committee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, today passed a bill in oversight committee that would add the death penalty as a possible punishment for any person convicted of a first offense of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape, or rape by instrumentation of a child under the age of 14. Senate Bill 599 passed…

Senate Committee Approves Tax Credit Bill to Support Pregnancy Resource Centers

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee this week easily passed legislation to establish an income tax credit for individuals who donate to pregnancy resource centers. On Monday, the committee advanced House Bill 1201 by Rep. Cody Maynard and Sen. David Bullard, both Republicans from Durant. The bill provides an income tax credit…

House Passes Resolution Declaring “Christ is King”

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Thursday adopted House Concurrent Resolution 1013, which proclaims “Christ is King” during the observance of Holy Week. Authored by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, the resolution affirms Oklahoma’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage and the enduring faith that unites communities. Olsen said that adopting the resolution during Holy Week,…

Standridge Advances Bill to Prevent Additional Taxes, Fees for Utility Ratepayers

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, on Thursday successfully advanced legislation to prevent utility customers from being burdened with additional fees and taxes as a result of Winter Storm Uri. The Senate Energy Committee passed House Bill 1220, which prevents municipalities from imposing franchise fees or taxes on the repayment of securitization funds obtained…

Initiative-petition reforms head to OK House floor

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require initiative-petition efforts to gather signatures from Oklahomans across the state is now headed to the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The bill passed over the objections of urban Democrats who argued the legislation would reduce the ability of urban areas to dominate initiative-petition efforts. Senate Bill 1027, by state…

Bill advances to protect religious foster parents

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would preserve the religious rights of foster parents has advanced from an Oklahoma House committee. “Senate Bill 658 simply clarifies that no one is excluded from the pool to be considered for a foster parent based on a religious or moral belief,” said state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont. Senate Bill 658, by…