Liberal Democrats and Republican leaders joined forces to override a series of budget bill vetoes by Gov. Kevin Stitt and enact a controversial new budget. Stitt said he was excluded from the budget process, which was crafted by GOP leaders and it sets the stage for GOP-led tax increases in 2021. “This budget was created…
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…
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…
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. …
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…