Tag: House Bill

Francine’s Law passed in the Senate

April 18, 2019

The full Senate approved a bill aimed at helping law enforcement and families find answers in missing and unidentified persons cases. House Bill 2640, Francine’s Law, was approved unanimously by the full Senate last week. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is principal Senate author of Francine’s Law, which was co-authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City,…

Benefit corporations bill is passed

April 18, 2019

Legislation allowing Oklahoma companies to register as “benefit corporations” is now headed to the governor’s desk. The designation would give greater legal protection for companies pursuing business models that are for profit, while placing a high priority on having a positive impact on society. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of…

Aid for hearing impaired drivers

April 18, 2019

The full Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help prevent the escalation of traffic stops in cases where the driver has hearing impairments, autism or other communication disorders. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, are the principal authors of House Bill 2516. Weaver said the legislation would allow individuals the option of…

Proposal targets paternity fraud

April 11, 2019

A bill that would extend the time for men to prove paternity fraud passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 2270, by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, and Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Addington, would extend until a child’s 18th birthday the right of a judge to determine paternity fraud, freeing men from paying child support for children…

Task force to study retiree COLAs

April 4, 2019

President Pro Tempore Greg Treat appointed seven senators – including Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa – to serve on a pension group to study long-term pension reform as well as make recommendations to his office on pending pension reform legislation. Pending in the Senate is a House bill that would provide a 4 percent cost-of-living adjustment…

Bill liberalizes liquor laws

March 28, 2019

The Oklahoma House wants to liberalize state liquor laws by legalizing “bottle service” in “club suites.” Proponents claim it will boost tourism as visitors have more opportunity to drink alcohol. House Bill 2651, authored by Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, passed by a 90-9 House vote. It provides a definition of “bottle service” as used…

Guns at schools

March 28, 2019

A bill authorizing local school boards to adopt policies allowing authorized personnel to carry guns on campus passed the Oklahoma House . House Bill 2336 would allow districts to authorize certain personnel to carry a handgun on school property, as long as the personnel holds a valid reserve peace officer certification or possesses a valid…

Stitt gets more authority

March 21, 2019

Passage of five reorganizational bills will give Gov. Kevin Stitt and future governors more authority to hire and fire agency leaders for the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority (SB 456), Oklahoma Department of Transportation (SB 457), Oklahoma Department of Corrections (HB 2480), Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (HB 2479), and Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance…

Tax credits for teachers

March 21, 2019

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure that would provide Oklahoma school teachers some financial relief when they spend money out of pocket for their classrooms. House Bill 2502, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would provide a $1,000 tax credit that teachers can claim for classroom expenditures and fees associated with the teacher certification…

Bill to expand OLAP

March 21, 2019

The House passed a bill that extends eligibility to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OLAP), granting access to college tuition for students who otherwise might not be able to attend college. House Bill 2227, authored by State Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, extends OLAP for qualifying students in 11th or 12th grades or who are…