Legislative Update

OK House Committee Passes Resolution to Term Limit U.S. Congress

March 9, 2023

Oklahoma City, OK — Today, the Oklahoma House Rules committee passed HJR1032 by a vote of 8-2. HJR1032, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Echols, puts Congress on notice that Oklahoma wants to join other states in calling for a convention to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The effort is being spearheaded…

Student and school safety measure moves through Senate

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma public and private schools, along with careertechs, would become more secure under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate. Retired educator, Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authored Senate Bill 100 to require each school district to undergo a risk and vulnerability assessment by the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI) by July 1, 2026….

Bill to increase pay for jury duty sent to House

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved legislation Tuesday to increase compensation for citizens serving jury duty. Senate Bill 713, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, would increase pay for jurors in non-federal courts from $20 to $30 per day. “Serving as a juror is a civic duty we’re all called upon to do at…

Senate approves bill to ‘lock the clock’ on Daylight Saving Time

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved Senate Bill 7 Tuesday. The measure, by Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens, R-Tahlequah, would stop Oklahoma from changing the clock twice a year and lock in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year round. “Oklahoma needs to be on the right side of this issue,” Stephens said. “Locking the clock in…

Senate passes bill making first conviction of domestic violence against pregnant women a felony

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved a bill to make domestic violence against a pregnant woman a felony upon the first conviction. Senate Bill 1046, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, was approved unanimously on Thursday after previously winning support in two separate Senate committees. Weaver met with domestic violence victims advocates during the…

Bill Protecting K-5 Students from Sexual Content Passes Committee

March 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, today passed a bill in the House Common Education Committee that would prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-5. Any classroom instruction on these topics in grades 6-12 must be age appropriate for students. “This speaks directly to the heart of a parent’s…

House Education Plan Moves to Senate

March 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a two-part plan by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, to provide a $500 million investment to public education and create the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act. House Bill 2775 includes a $500 million increase in funding for public schools throughout the state that will fund…

Bill to organize books into age-appropriate categories clears Senate Education Committee

March 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 397 was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The bill, authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, would require school and public libraries to label books and other materials as elementary, junior high, under 16, or juniors and seniors. After receiving these designations, the materials would be placed in…

Distracted Driving Bill passes out of Public Safety Committee to House

March 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday passed a bill in the House Public Safety Committee intended to help further curb distracted driving. House Bill 2228 prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while the driver is holding or using a handheld cellular telephone or other electronic device when the vehicle is…

Bill to protect children from lewd or obscene acts or materials in public

March 2, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was approved Thursday to prohibit municipalities from allowing or permitting public events that minors can attend like parades, shows or concerts that feature lewd acts or obscene material. The Senate General Government Committee passed Sen. David Bullard’s Senate Bill 503, which would make such displays a felony, subject to civil action…