The House of Representatives passed a bill that would grant an increase in retirement benefits to retirees of Oklahoma’s six retirement systems. House Bill 2304, authored by State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, would give a permanent 4 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) to all retirees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Firefighters…
A bill to require the same level of transparency from virtual charter schools as other public schools passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1395 amends language in the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act of 2012 to hold virtual charter schools subject to the same financial reporting requirements and audits as traditional school districts. The…
Some House Democrats – including three from Tulsa – want to ban “conversion therapy” for children troubled with homosexuality and to add “sexual orientation” to the category of state “hate crimes.” House Bill 2456 by Rep. Jason Dunningham, D-Oklahoma City, would prohibit a state-licensed therapist from telling a youthful patient they can be cured of…
Sen. Greg McCortney is the chair of the Rules Committee and Senate principal author of House Bill 2612, creating the safety and regulatory framework necessary for Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry after voters approved State Question 788 last June. The measure has already been approved by the House. The legislation is the result of work by…
State Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, said the House has passed HB1005, a bill he says aligns aquariums with the exemption already granted to zoos and museums. “House Bill 1005 ensures a level playing field with other educational and cultural venues already exempted from state sales taxes on admission tickets,” Sims said. “Our state’s aquariums would…
The House of Representatives passed a measure aimed at encouraging more doctors to practice in rural areas of the state. House Bill 2511, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would reduce a doctor’s tax liability by up to $25,000 annually if he or she practices in a rural community for the tax year beginning in 2020….
A bill authored by House Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, that will add professional development training for teachers to help them better recognize students with dyslexia passed unanimously in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1228 requires school districts to offer teachers a professional development program about dyslexia once per year, beginning with the 2020-2021…
The Senate Appropriations Committee overwhelmingly approved a bill that would permit Oklahomans to carry firearms without a permit. The committee voted 18-4 for the “constitutional carry” bill and sent the measure on to be considered by the entire Senate. House Bill 2597 by Sen. Kim David, R-Wagoner, and Representative Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, would permit…
Legislation aimed at improving mentorship passed the House Common Education Committee. House Bill 1412, co-authored by Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, seeks to modify the qualifications for lead teaching certificates by lowering the requirements from five years of certified teaching experience to either three years of certified teaching experience or a…
Legislation designed to better protect children in the custody of the Department Human Services passed off the House Floor on Tuesday. House Bill 1036, authored by Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, passed with a bipartisan vote of 94-3. The legislation would prohibit a parent who has had his or her parental rights terminated from being…