A measure providing for the display of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” in the Oklahoma State Capitol visitor center has been passed by the Senate. Senate Bill 1118, authored by Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, aligns the state with the tradition established by the display of the national motto in the Tourist Information Center…
The Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee voted in favor of legislation increasing the age to buy or use tobacco products from 18 to 21. Senator Greg McCortney, chair of the committee, is the author of Senate Bill 1423. In December, President Donald Trump signed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law, prohibiting the sale of…
A bill to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s educators has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020. The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee. The measure creates a process for teachers who complete their National Board Certification and meet…
The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved two bills to help the children of military families easily transition into the Oklahoma education system when their parents are transferred to the state. Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, said the bills were necessary to help lessen the stress of military families regarding their children’s education when they’re preparing to…
In an effort to slow down abortion, Sen. Paul Scott authored Senate Bill 1859, which passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The bill would require doctors to recognize life just as they do death through heartbeats and brainwaves or the lack of such activity. Beginning at six weeks, SB 1859 would…
The Oklahoma Senate approved legislation to improve fiscal transparency and accountability of Oklahoma’s state agencies. Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp, was one of the seven recommendations made by the multi-grand jury in May 2018 following the discovery of financial issues at the State Department of Health. SB 177 requires state agencies to provide…
Social media has allowed at-home food business owners to reach larger numbers of potential customers, but Oklahoma’s strict regulations have kept many from growing and succeeding. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, wants to remove unnecessary regulations for these small business owners with his Senate Bill 1714, the Homemade Food Freedom Act, which passed unanimously out of…
Under current state law, honorably discharged veterans get free entry to all state parks and museums. However, the law is written assuming state parks charge per person rather than per vehicle, which parks are starting to do. To ensure these veterans continue getting free entry, Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, authored Senate Bill 1185 at the…
After years of stalled attempts to modernize Oklahoma statutes dealing with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), compromise legislation has cleared the full Senate. Senate Bill 801 would bring Oklahoma in line with much of the country in how CRNAs are regulated. The bill, authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, was approved unanimously. “The crux of the…
Tulsa Public Schools will eliminate 90 jobs as part of a plan to make up for a looming $20 million budget shortfall. The Tulsa School Board followed the recommendation of Superintendent Deborah Gist’s reorganization plan by a 5-1 vote. Board member Jennettie Marshall voted no. The district will eliminate 232 jobs in the district office…