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Legislative Update

Bill to Limit Youth Access to Social Media Passes House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Monday passed legislation in the House that would restrict social media accounts for youth under 16 and require parental consent for minors 16 and 17 years of age. If House Bill 1275 were enacted, social media companies would have to verify age and could not allow youths…

Maynard Passes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act to Protect and Grow Oklahoma’s Financial Future

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, on Monday passed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1203 would allow Oklahoma’s state savings accounts and pension funds to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin. “This is a groundbreaking initiative to position Oklahoma as a national leader in embracing sound…

Senate gives strong support to moving school-board elections

Tulsa Beacon

By an overwhelming margin, members of the Oklahoma Senate have voted to move school-board elections to a November general election ballot, seeking to dramatically increase participation in those races. “I’m running this bill for the taxpayers,” said state Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore. “I want increased voter participation because they are the ones that pay. So…

Oklahoma income-tax repeal advances

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would put Oklahoma’s personal income tax on a gradual path to full repeal is now headed to the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1539, by state Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, would cut the state’s personal income-tax rate by a quarter point each time that net state revenue increases by…

“Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act” passes House, addresses risks

Tulsa Beacon

“OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure designed to support firefighters in Oklahoma by addressing the risks they face related to occupational cancer has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, House Bill 2011, also known as the “Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act,” would allow the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to provide…

House Passes Bill to Strengthen Oklahoma Military Bases

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed legislation off the floor today that would allow for additional state investments in infrastructure tied to Oklahoma’s five military bases. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert authored House Bill 2516 and House Bill 2518, which create revolving funds at the state Treasury for use by the Oklahoma Military Department. The Base…

Bill to Protect Public from Sexual Predators passes House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Monday in the House passed a bill that would require child sex offenders to undergo chemical castration before they would be eligible for parole. House Bill 2422 is fashioned after Knight’s Law, which Fetgatter passed in the House last year. That bill was named after young victims…

Bill to Provide Due Process for School Districts Passes House Floor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved legislation that would provide public school districts with the opportunity to be heard by the State Board of Education (SBE) before any changes are made to their accreditation status. House Bill 1466, authored by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, would allow for due process procedures for…

Senate Advances Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Presence for Major Events

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, received the Senate’s approval for Senate Bill 523 Monday. The measure provides that any Oklahoma sheriff, deputy sheriff, or reserve deputy sheriff shall have the same powers and duties as though employed by the sheriff’s office for which he or she is performing duties outside of his or…

OK bill requiring 50% of school budgets for classroom learning moves forward amid opposition from school lobby group

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require schools to devote at least half their budget to classroom learning is headed to a vote of the full Oklahoma House of Representatives, but the bill continues to receive opposition from education entities that argue even less money should be spent on direct student learning. As originally filed, House Bill 1280,…