The Legislature passed House Bill 1292, which designates the Rosette Nebula as the state astronomical object. It passed the Senate 31-12. House Bill 1292, by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, names the Rosette Nebula in the Monoceros constellation as the official astronomical object of Oklahoma. “Our state has a long connection with the space industry,” Miller…
Sen. Jason Smalley, R-Stroud, is supporting amended legislation to raise the cap on the Equal Opportunity Education Program when it comes back to the Senate. SB 407, as amended, proposes to increase the annual tax credit cap for contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations from $3.5 million to $15 million. The bill would also increase the…
A bill intended to protect patients from a harmful insurance practice known as ‘step therapy’ has been signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 509, authored by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, requires any health insurance plan that utilizes a step therapy protocol to establish guidelines governing the…
The Oklahoma House approved legislation giving parents of stillborn children the opportunity to direct where their child’s remains are placed. Senate Bill 284, by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, also requires medical facilities maintain a written policy for the disposition of the remains of a child from stillbirth or fetal…
NY abortion vote triggered an idea On May 4, Tulsa will take a part in a national effort to help men, women and families to preserve the sanctity of life. “Alive from OK” is a local version of “Alive from New York” – a program from Focus on the Family designed “to celebrate the sanctity…
The full Senate approved a bill aimed at helping law enforcement and families find answers in missing and unidentified persons cases. House Bill 2640, Francine’s Law, was approved unanimously by the full Senate last week. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is principal Senate author of Francine’s Law, which was co-authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City,…
Legislation allowing Oklahoma companies to register as “benefit corporations” is now headed to the governor’s desk. The designation would give greater legal protection for companies pursuing business models that are for profit, while placing a high priority on having a positive impact on society. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of…
The full Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help prevent the escalation of traffic stops in cases where the driver has hearing impairments, autism or other communication disorders. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, are the principal authors of House Bill 2516. Weaver said the legislation would allow individuals the option of…
OKLAHOMA CITY – [March 13, 2019]– Oklahomans for Step Therapy Reform said SB509, authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, passed the Senate with a vote of 43-0, and its companion HB2638, authored by Reps. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, passed the House with a vote of 94-0. The bills will allow…
State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, said he is being blacklisted by Republican leaders because he authored a bill to abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, removed Silk from a committee vice chairmanship because Silk promoted Senate Bill 13, which would have made abortion illegal in the state. That…