News

Senate passes bill to help protect the beef industry

May 21, 2020

The Oklahoma Meat Consumer Protection Act passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to Governor Stitt’s desk. House Bill 3806 is authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin. It clearly defines that the terms “beef” and “pork” can only be used to describe products deriving from cattle or pigs; brings parity…

‘Porch piracy’ is targeted in bill passed by Senate

May 21, 2020

Nearly one in five Americans report having fallen victim to porch piracy. The Senate approved legislation to strengthen penalties against those who steal mail, packages or other items out of others’ mailboxes or off porches. House Bill 2777, by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, creates the Porch Piracy Act of 2020 to help better protect businesses and…

Bill to shield companies related to the coronavirus

May 21, 2020

The full Senate has approved legislation giving liability relief to essential businesses and those working to safely reopen, as well as a measure protecting manufacturers and people who make or donate materials related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, a third bill giving limited liability to health care providers and facilities has been signed into law. …

Senate approves bill to expand broadband access

May 21, 2020

The full Senate has given approval to a measure that will ultimately help improve broadband access throughout rural Oklahoma. House Bill 4018 creates the Rural Broadband Expansion Act. Authored by Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and coauthored by Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, the bill was approved unanimously on Tuesday. Leewright,…

House votes to raise pay by $2/hour for corrections

May 21, 2020

A bill that will increase pay by $2 an hour for Department of Corrections’ (DOC) employees passed the House with a vote of 99-0. Senate Bill 1424, by State Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, previously passed the Senate 46-0 and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. “We gave many of our state correctional…

Senate bill would further liberalize liquor laws

May 21, 2020

The full Senate has given approval to a bill that will enable Oklahomans to continue to take advantage of curbside sales or home deliveries of beer, wine and hard liquor. Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, is principal author of Senate Bill 1928. The measure was approved Wednesday with bipartisan support. “As businesses were closed or operating…

Repeat offenders targeted in new DUI legislation

May 21, 2020

A bill strengthening the role of victims’ impact panels in helping to stop driving under the influence (DUI) offenses in Oklahoma and to reduce the number of repeat offenders passed the state Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. House Bill 2877, by House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, was a request…

Extension of rail service from OKC to Newton, KS

May 21, 2020

A resolution supporting the extension of passenger rail service from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas, was adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives. House Resolution 1036, by State Reps. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, and Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, supports the extension of Amtrak passenger rail service between the two cities and expresses support…

Oklahoma Droneport is passed by House, Senate

May 21, 2020

A measure creating the Oklahoma Droneport Project Pilot Program to further state investment in innovative technologies gained approval from the House of Representatives and now moves to Governor Stitt’s desk. Contingent upon availability of funds, Senate Bill 1688 would house the droneport program under the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and would allow for coordination between the…

Oklahoma on target to re-open completely on June 1st

May 21, 2020

Things are loosening up in Oklahoma as the state enters Phase 2 of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to battle the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. “Data shows we are in great shape to move to Phase 2 of reopening,” Stitt said. Phase 2 was triggered by two weeks of manageable hospital occupancy and number of confirmed cases. …