The Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee unanimously approved a bill by President Pro Tempore Greg Treat that would help more small business owners gain access to affordable health plans. Senate Bill 943 increases access to association health plans (AHP) by making state law closely reflect federal rule changes that allow more employer groups and associations…
Legislation aimed at improving mentorship passed the House Common Education Committee. House Bill 1412, co-authored by Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, seeks to modify the qualifications for lead teaching certificates by lowering the requirements from five years of certified teaching experience to either three years of certified teaching experience or a…
Legislation designed to better protect children in the custody of the Department Human Services passed off the House Floor on Tuesday. House Bill 1036, authored by Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, passed with a bipartisan vote of 94-3. The legislation would prohibit a parent who has had his or her parental rights terminated from being…
The Oklahoma House passed a measure that would allow citizens to carry a firearm without a permit. “This bill solidifies the Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans while protecting private property rights,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “We worked with private businesses, schools and college campuses to ensure that their rights are protected.” House Bill…
A bill that would increase Oklahoma teachers’ pay passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee last week. During his State-of-the-State Address, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on the Legislature to increase teacher pay by $1,200 this year, and House Republicans made it a priority to accomplish early in the session. House Bill 1780, by…
Two bills aimed at making it easier for Oklahomans with occupational licenses to work passed in the House of Representatives last week. House Bill 2477, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would amend current law to require the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) garnish wages of a non-compliant taxpayer rather than revoke or not renew the taxpayer’s…
Oklahomans who are not felons or have mental illness may soon be able to carry a firearm with without a state permit. House Bill 2597, by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, was approved by a 9-2 vote in the House Public Safety Committee. Roberts said the bill promotes constitutional carry for citizens who are not felons,…
Senate Democrat Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, and House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, introduced a plan they have labeled a “Brand New State.” It promotes expansion in state government in public education, healthcare and other areas. “The agenda we introduced today is a collaboration between House and Senate Democrats,” Floyd said. Democrats have filed…
The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) has assessed nearly $40 million on out-of-state delinquent tax debtors since November 2017, state Rep. Kyle Hilbert said. Rep. Hilbert and state Sen. James Leewright authored House Bill 1427 in 2017, which created the OTC’s Out-of-State Compliance Division for the purpose of collecting unpaid taxes owed to Oklahoma by remote…
The House and Senate Veterans’ Caucus held its first meeting for the 2019 legislative session February 7. Rep. Jay Steagall from the House of Representatives, and Sen. Paul Rosino from the State Senate are chairs of the caucus for the 57th Legislature. “I’m proud to stand with the men and women in our state Legislature…