The executive director of the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) praised a new federal law that will raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 while also calling for more to be done to protect youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. “This action by Congress is a good first step toward…
Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to increase Oklahoman’s minimum wage requirement to $10.50 an hour from $7.25 an hour, the Oklahoma minimum wage. Senate Bill 1165 would increase that $10.50 standard should the federal minimum wage rise. The last minimum wage increase in Oklahoma was in 2008 when the rate increased from…
State Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, has filed legislation to give a tax deduction to individuals and families contributing to an Oklahoma STABLE account, which is made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program. Oklahoma STABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities. They have similar features to normal…
Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, filed four bills aimed to tighten sentences for domestic violence offenders, increase accountability for their actions and further protect their victims. Headlining the domestic violence bill package is Senate Bill 1103, which cracks down on offenders of assault and battery with intent to cause great bodily harm by strangulation or attempted…
Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation to ensure men and women serving in the Oklahoma National Guard are only deployed as directed by the U.S. Constitution. Known as the “Defend the Guard” act, SB 1101 is aimed at making sure the Oklahoma National Guard could not be deployed overseas unless Congress fulfilled the constitutional…
Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said implementation of House Bill 2597, known as Constitutional Carry, won’t turn Oklahoma into the “Wild West.” “Most Oklahomans won’t notice a difference after the enactment of constitutional carry,” said David, Senate Majority Floor Leader. “Some are using scare tactics and warning Oklahoma will turn…
Sen. Ron Sharp has filed legislation to try to outlaw the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving unless it is with hands-free technology. Senate Bill 1088 would expand the Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act of 2015 to try to decrease the number of distracted drivers on Oklahoma roads. “Currently, texting while…
House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, said close to 500 new volunteer firefighters have joined rural fire departments four years after he ran legislation that eliminated the age limit for new volunteers. He expects to see an even greater increase with the passage of another law, too. House Bill 2005, authored by Sanders, took effect…
A bill allowing law enforcement use cameras on school buses to track down drivers who illegally pass stopped buses went into effect Nov. 1. House Bill 1926, by Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, and Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, requires a minimum ticket of $100 for drivers who break this law. The law also requires 75% of…
Democrats want more out Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board set a new national record by commuting 527 state inmates in a single day and allowing their release. The board considered 814 inmates’ cases during the special meeting which was held the first day HB 1269 took effect. The 2019 law…