Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has approved all of  the requests for interim studies submitted by Oklahoma Senate members.

Senators submitted 72 interim study requests; one request was withdrawn.

The topic included issues ranging from healthcare, taxation, families, marijuana, prisons, education and race relations.

“There were a wide variety of subject matters requested for in-depth study from members of the Senate. I know these hearings will explore important topics and will be useful and productive for the Senate and its members,” Treat said.

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, asked for interim studies almost exclusively for studies of racial conflicts. Here is a summary of their studies:

Sen. George Young interim studies:

  • Health disparities in black communities
  • “Equitable” procurement for minority- and women-owned businesses
  • Black college funding
  • Racial discrimination in state agencies, employers, communities, civic organizations and private businesses

Sen. Kevin Matthews interim studies:

  • Potential benefits of “cultural tourism”
  • Law enforcement “use of force”
  • Housing and jobs for ex-cons
  • Money for black farmers

Other studies approved by the Republican leadership:

Health

  • Investigation possible disqualifications of non-profit status for hospitals
  • Over-prescribing medication
  • The rising cost of healthcare
  • Prescription drug pricing
  • More help for disabled Oklahomans
  • Study of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for brain trauma
  • Teen suicide during the pandemic
  • Review of child deaths
  • Healthcare staffing problems

Taxation

  • Farm tax exemptions
  • License reform in the Wildlife Department
  • Schedule F requirements by the Oklahoma Tax Commission
  • Transparency in state budgeting
  • Vehicle tags for trailers
  • Revenue refund study

Others

  • A review of Daylight Savings Time
  • State parks
  • A review of CLEET
  • Impact of noxious weeds in Oklahoma
  • Post-pandemic workforce problems

Families

  • Foster parent rights
  • The number of foster homes in each region
  • The number of child welfare workers
  • Bonding assessments in child welfare cases
  • Non-jury trials in child welfare cases

Marijuana

  • Medical marijuana farming’s impact on water supplies
  • Marijuana tax revenues
  • Medical marijuana testing requirements
  • Marijuana industry history review

Prisons

  • Pesticide and herbicide drift from marijuana crops and food crops
  • Criminal sentencing reform
  • Mental health status in sentencing hearings
  • Prison closing criteria
  • Consolidation of state pension fund boards, administrations
  • Nursing accommodations for mothers in prison

Education

  • More tuition assistance for Oklahoma National Guard service members
  • Help for pregnant women and expectant father in schools
  • Review of the public education A-F Report Card
  • Scholarships to boost teachers for English as a Second Language
  • Coronavirus impact on public education
  • Film and media arts for common education
  • Graduation rates and achievement comparisons among public, charter, online and private schools