Tag: House Bill

Blocking RR crossings

February 28, 2019

The full House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill that would fine rail companies for blocking railroad intersections with stopped trains. House Bill 2472 would authorize municipalities, county sheriffs and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to issue a citation to any person or corporation that blocks a railroad intersection for longer than ten minutes. The bill…

Oklahoma House approves constitutional carry legislation

February 21, 2019

The Oklahoma House passed a measure that would allow citizens to carry a firearm without a permit. “This bill solidifies the Second Amendment rights of Oklahomans while protecting private property rights,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “We worked with private businesses, schools and college campuses to ensure that their rights are protected.” House Bill…

$1,200 teacher pay hike bill

February 21, 2019

A bill that would increase Oklahoma teachers’ pay passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee last week. During his State-of-the-State Address, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on the Legislature to increase teacher pay by $1,200 this year, and House Republicans made it a priority to accomplish early in the session. House Bill 1780, by…

New rules for occupational licenses

February 21, 2019

Two bills aimed at making it easier for Oklahomans with occupational licenses to work passed in the House of Representatives last week. House Bill 2477, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would amend current law to require the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) garnish wages of a non-compliant taxpayer rather than revoke or not renew the taxpayer’s…

Constitutional bill advances

February 14, 2019

Oklahomans who are not felons or have mental illness may soon be able to carry a firearm with without a state permit. House Bill 2597, by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, was approved by a 9-2 vote in the House Public Safety Committee. Roberts said the bill promotes constitutional carry for citizens who are not felons,…

Provenzano’s bill raises salaries

February 7, 2019

Freshman legislator Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, has authored House Bill 1957 that would dramatically increase the minimum salaries for public school teachers in the state. Provenzano is a former administrator at Washington, Hale and Bixby high schools. If passed, the new pay minimums would take effect for the 2020-2021 school year for certified personnel (teachers…

State tax revenue rose by $1,500,000,000 in 2018

January 17, 2019

Dec. up 13.4%, ‘18 up 13.2% State revenues increased by 13.2 percent – more than $1.5 billion – in 2018 compared to 2017, according to new State Treasurer Randy McDaniel. The state took in a little less than $13 billion in taxes in 2018, with $1.1 billion coming in December. December 2018 was $135 million…

Passage of the Farm Bill is praised

December 20, 2018

The U.S. House on December 12 passed The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 conference report, also known as the 2018 farm bill. “Oklahoma family farmers and ranchers today rest a little easier thanks to Congress’ action in passing the 2018 farm bill this week, even as our state’s agricultural producers face the constant threats of…