Legislative Update

Gov. Stitt unveils Medicaid reform as ‘20 session opens

February 6, 2020

SoonerCare 2.0’ coming The 2020 Oklahoma Legislature opened its session Monday while Gov. Kevin Stiff announced plans to reform Medicaid in Oklahoma. Stitt met with Trump administration officials, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, in Washington, D.C., to announce the Healthy Adult…

‘Pro-life’ website is lying

February 6, 2020

Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is criticizing unnamed pro-life leaders that he claims are spreading blatantly false information regarding Senate Bill 13, also known as the Abolition of Abortion Act. A website (www.abolitiontruth.org) was launched. The origin and creator of the website are unknown. “Oklahomans who value life are infuriated that someone claiming to be…

Compliance with ICE bill

February 6, 2020

Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, filed legislation recently that would require sheriffs, wardens, and other operators of detention facilities to comply with federal immigration officers. House Bill 4115 requires operators of state, city and county detention facilities to honor federal immigration detainers of an inmate for no less than 48 hours after the inmate would otherwise…

4-day school week rules

February 6, 2020

Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison, said new rules released by the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE) to govern schools wishing to continue four-day school weeks are “unfair” and “unobtainable.” Last year, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 441, which allows school districts, beginning in the 2021-22 school year, to adopt an hours-only schedule – 1,080 instructional…

Slowing down recidivism

February 6, 2020

As work continues to reform the state’s criminal justice system and release more prisoners, Sen. Adam Pugh has filed two bills to ensure inmates are better prepared to re-enter society. The Edmond Republican said his plans will improve community relations, protect public safety and lower recidivism rates by providing offenders with a plan of action…

Changing drug policies

February 6, 2020

Oklahoma could soon join the growing number of states backing away from using Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to administer prescription-drug programs. Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, has filed Senate Bill 1901 to replace the state’s third-party PBMs with a direct-to-pharmacy payment system – a move he said could save the state millions and help significantly lower…

Veterans praise Sen. Dahm

February 6, 2020

BOISE – A bipartisan group of Afghanistan and Iraq war era veterans praised State Sen. Nathan Dahm for introducing legislation requiring that Oklahoma’s National Guard units cannot be deployed for foreign combat or combat support duties unless Congress has formally adopted a declaration of war as provided by the U.S. Constitution. “As veterans, we strongly…

Rep. Fetgatter selected

February 6, 2020

State Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, was named assistant majority floor leader for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. “Representative Fetgatter has proven to be a spokesman that others in the House look to for leadership and advice,” said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. “I know he will be a valuable member of the…

Rader is GOP caucus chair

February 6, 2020

Senate Republicans have elected Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, caucus chair and Senator Greg McCortney caucus vice chair, the President Pro Tempore’s Office announced. The elections were necessary due to the resignation of Senator Jason Smalley, who previously served as caucus chair. Rader previously served as caucus vice chair. McCortney, R-Ada, recently was appointed chair of…

State purchasing reforms

February 6, 2020

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has filed a bill to reform the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act. Thompson, R-Okemah, said the legislation will create government efficiencies while modernizing state agency spending. The Central Purchasing Act sets limitations on agency spending. Although this section of the statutes has been amended in fragments over the past 20 years,…