Gov. Kevin Stitt signed what he called “the most transformative education reform legislation in Oklahoma history” into law in a ceremony in the Blue Room at the Capitol. House Bill 2078 and Senate Bill 783 allow for students to attend public schools that best meet their needs and modernize the funding formula to match enrollment…
Some House Republicans, led by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter expressing their support for his efforts to work with local and statewide law enforcement to track reported transactions by aliens or foreign entities who acquire title to real property in Oklahoma…
House Speaker Pro Tempore Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, passed a bill that he said will ensure agency rules go through a more transparent and thorough process before being approved or repealed. Senate Bill 913, by O’Donnell and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, would create the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to review and recommend to the…
The House Insurance Committee passed a bill that would prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based solely on the person’s physical or mental disability. Senate Bill 378 is a request from Edmond parents Rhys and Neely Gay, whose middle child, Everett, age three, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after he was born…
The House unanimously approved a pair of resolutions recognizing Vietnam veterans and welcoming them home. The House also honored Vietnam Veteran Gary LaBass, of Owasso, as the Veteran of the Week. House Resolution 1018 by Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, officially recognized and honored Vietnam War veterans for their service and sacrifice, joining the national celebration…
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would protect motorists from criminal or civil prosecution when they make a reasonable effort to escape from a crowd unlawfully blocking the road and surrounding the vehicle passed the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. Senate Bill 560 is authored by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow. “Immunity…
The Senate Public Safety Committee approved a measure to better prepare inmates to rejoin society and the workforce. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1679, the “Sarah Stitt Act,” by Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Brian Hill, R-Mustang. The measure would require the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) to…
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved legislation to better protect the health of residents in long-term care and assisted living centers. House Bill 1877, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, creates new procedures to further slow the over-prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to elderly Oklahomans in such facilities. Coleman said, “This will ensure…
The Senate will soon be considering legislation designating Oklahoma’s wrecker safety statute in honor of an Oklahoma man who lost his life while on the job. Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, is the principal Senate author of House Bill 1584, also known as Bernardo’s Law. Born in Texas, Bernardo Martinez had lived in Oklahoma for…
A bill that would require initiative petitions to indicate if the proposed measure will have a fiscal impact on the state, and if so, name the potential funding source passed the House Appropriations & Budget Committee. Senate Bill 947, by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, would require the fiscal…