Legislative Update

Bill would limit charter schools

May 2, 2019

The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1395 to improve the financial transparency and accountability of Oklahoma’s five public virtual charter schools. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, and Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, are the authors of the bill, which will subject virtual charter schools to same financial reporting requirements, financial audits, audit procedures and audit requirements as…

Oklahoma ranked No. 1 in casinos and fantasy sports

May 2, 2019

According to a national study, Oklahoma (on a per capita basis) is No. 1 in the nation the number of casinos per capita and the “legality of daily fantasy sports.” The WalletHub study, “2019’s Most Gambling Addicted States,” has Oklahoma as No. 2 in the nation in gambling machines per capita; No. 9 percentage of…

Dahm heads the list, Blancett is last

April 25, 2019

Conservatism is based on voting Based on 2018 votes, Sen. Nathan Dahm is the most conservative legislator in the Tulsa area and Rep. Meloyde Blancett is the least conservative. Dahm, a Republican from Broken Arrow, cast conservative votes 95 percent of the time while Blancett, a liberal Democrat, voted conservatively only 14 percent of the…

No hike for state pensions until a study is done in 2020

April 25, 2019

The Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee will study a House bill that would provide a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for state pension retirees contingent on the outcome of an actuarial review of the pension systems. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, wrote House Bill 2304, making sure the bill followed the Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act…

Bill to reverse medical abortions

April 25, 2019

The Oklahoma House passed Senate Bill 614, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, which requires abortionists to tell women who have begun drug-induced abortions about an antidote that can reverse the abortion drug. Pro-abortion Democrats opposed the bill. “Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, this is a bad bill,” said Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, who is pro-abortion….

Handguns on campuses

April 25, 2019

The Senate Education Committee approved House Bill 2336, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, would allow a local board of education to adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school personnel who hold a valid reserve peace officer certification or who possess a valid handgun license. “Schools can decide…

Official state nebula picked

April 25, 2019

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…

Higher caps for voucher program

April 25, 2019

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…

Stitt signs the ‘Step Therapy’ bill

April 25, 2019

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…

Stillborn children remains’ bill

April 25, 2019

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…