Legislative Update

Reform bill for nurse anesthetists

February 27, 2020

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…

Sheriff declares a ‘2nd Amendment sanctuary county’

February 20, 2020

Logan County Sheriff opposes new gun laws Guthrie — Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux has declared Logan County as Oklahoma’s first 2nd Amendment sanctuary county. According to the Guthrie Leader, Devereaux said he will oppose any laws that infringe on the constitutional right to bear arms and he won’t enforce any state laws contrary to…

More rural physicians

February 20, 2020

House Speaker Charles McCall has introduced a measure aimed at encouraging more doctors to practice in rural areas of the state. House Bill 3823 would allow doctors who practice in rural communities to claim a $25,000 tax credit for the tax year beginning in 2021. The bill defines rural communities as any municipality with a…

Certification bill for teachers

February 20, 2020

Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the author of Senate Bill 1125 directing the State Board of Education to issue a teaching certificate to anyone who holds a valid out-of-state teaching certificate, with no other requirements except a criminal history record check. “We’ve got to be more innovative when recruiting teachers. One way we can help…

Manslaughter bill is passed

February 20, 2020

The full Senate has voted in favor of a bill that would increase Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for both first and second degree manslaughter. Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, is principal author of Senate Bill 414. The Senate gave unanimous approval to SB414, the first bill to pass off the floor during the 2020 legislative session….

Resuming the death penalty

February 20, 2020

Lethal drugs available State officials including Gov. Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Scott Crow said they have found a reliable supply of drugs to resume executions by lethal injection. The state will use an updated version of the previous protocol that includes recommendations by the 2016 multicounty grand…

A bill to temporarily revoke a doctor’s license called ‘comical’

February 13, 2020

The Oklahoma House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation directing the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners to temporarily revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions. House Bill 1182, authored by State Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, would revoke the license for one year. An amendment filed prior to…

Immigration cooperation bill advances

February 13, 2020

Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, passed House Bill 3195 through the House . The legislation would direct all sheriffs, jailers and deputies to comply with any request made in an immigration retainer request provided by the federal government. The legislation would require the person identified in the immigration detainer to be informed they are being held…

Raise Rainy Day cap

February 13, 2020

State Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Broken Arrow, said Oklahomans should decide if the legislature can save additional funds each year by increasing the constitutional savings cap on the Rainy Day Fund, which is the state’s emergency savings account. The legislature has the discretionary power to decide how much money to save while building the yearly state…

Stitt battling red tape, regulations

February 13, 2020

Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order to address Oklahoma’s excessive red tape and implement regulation reform. “Oklahoma’s administrative code is double the size of the state of Kansas and 20 percent more than Missouri and New Mexico,” said Stitt. “In order for us to become a Top Ten State, we must reduce outdated…