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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

“Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act” passes House, addresses risks

Tulsa Beacon

“OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure designed to support firefighters in Oklahoma by addressing the risks they face related to occupational cancer has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, House Bill 2011, also known as the “Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act,” would allow the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to provide…

House Passes Bill to Strengthen Oklahoma Military Bases

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed legislation off the floor today that would allow for additional state investments in infrastructure tied to Oklahoma’s five military bases. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert authored House Bill 2516 and House Bill 2518, which create revolving funds at the state Treasury for use by the Oklahoma Military Department. The Base…

Bill to Protect Public from Sexual Predators passes House

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Monday in the House passed a bill that would require child sex offenders to undergo chemical castration before they would be eligible for parole. House Bill 2422 is fashioned after Knight’s Law, which Fetgatter passed in the House last year. That bill was named after young victims…

Bill to Provide Due Process for School Districts Passes House Floor

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved legislation that would provide public school districts with the opportunity to be heard by the State Board of Education (SBE) before any changes are made to their accreditation status. House Bill 1466, authored by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, would allow for due process procedures for…

Senate Advances Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Presence for Major Events

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, received the Senate’s approval for Senate Bill 523 Monday. The measure provides that any Oklahoma sheriff, deputy sheriff, or reserve deputy sheriff shall have the same powers and duties as though employed by the sheriff’s office for which he or she is performing duties outside of his or…

OK bill requiring 50% of school budgets for classroom learning moves forward amid opposition from school lobby group

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require schools to devote at least half their budget to classroom learning is headed to a vote of the full Oklahoma House of Representatives, but the bill continues to receive opposition from education entities that argue even less money should be spent on direct student learning. As originally filed, House Bill 1280,…

SB1027 would give OK voters a clearer picture of ballot-measure costs

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma SB1027, authored by state Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), aims at reforming the state’s initiative petition process. The bill makes a variety of reforms to the process, one of which is a requirement to reveal if a proposed measure will have a fiscal impact (and if so, where that funding would come from). This additional…

America-First Investment Policy aligns with Oklahoma’s

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 5, 2025) – Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ today emphasized that the America First Investment Policy, issued by President Trump, aligns with Oklahoma’s longstanding efforts to prioritize American and state-based investments. For years, Treasurer Russ and Governor Stitt have worked to strengthen the financial future of Oklahoma by reducing exposure to adversarial…

House Oversight Committee Passes Bill Removing Chronic Absenteeism from State School Report Cards

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that would remove chronic absenteeism from the state school accountability system and add an incentive for schools that are going above the state minimum in instructional time with students. House Bill 1412, by Rep. Ronny Johns, removes chronic absenteeism from being a measure on…

Deadline to request Absentee Ballot for April 1 Election

Tulsa Beacon

Voters in Tulsa County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the April 1, Board of Education General Elections for ISD-1 Tulsa Public Schools District 3, Tulsa Technology Center Office 2, ISD-3 Broken Arrow Public Schools Office 5 and Municipal General Elections for the City of Glenpool Council Member Ward 2, City of Jenks…