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Tag: Senate Bill

Office to evaluate the state budget

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a measure creating a legislative office to evaluate agency budgets and programs for lawmakers. Senate Bill 1 would create the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) within the existing Legislative Service Bureau (LSB). The LSB is a shared office between the House of Representatives and the Senate that currently…

Bail system reform bill gets passed

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 252, which reforms the state’s bail system. SB 252 ensures that most people accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies are considered for unsecured release and are detained only if they threaten public safety or have a history of failing to appear in court.

Barbering, massages in SB 101

Tulsa Beacon

Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, is the author of Senate Bill 101 to update Oklahoma’s barbering and massage therapist licensing rules. “We have individuals who have diplomas for completing competent training in another state or country and are not allowed to qualify for a license, take examination, or work in Oklahoma due to our current licensing…

More classroom time for students

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma Senate on passed a bill that provides increased classroom time for students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Senator Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, is the author of the bill. “Everyone can agree that it’s beneficial for a student to spend more time in the classroom learning from a quality teacher. More time in the…

Long-term nursing care options

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma is second in the nation for nursing home residents with low-care needs who could be better served in home and community-based settings. The Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 888 to provide seniors and their families options that best suit the individual’s long-term healthcare needs while saving the state money.  “Oklahoma spends 70…

Bill for Veterans Registry

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation providing for greater inclusiveness of Oklahoma military personnel and veterans in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt in late April. The Oklahoma Veterans Registry is a voluntary registry of all Oklahoma residents serving on active duty or in the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as all honorably discharged…

New law requires signed consent for use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes

Tulsa Beacon

A bill requiring informed consent for nursing home patients and their families regarding the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs has been signed into law.  State Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, is the principal author of Senate Bill 142.  Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, is the principal House author. The measure deals with the overuse of powerful…

Oklahoma picks ribeye as the best

Tulsa Beacon

A bill naming the ribeye as Oklahoma’s official state steak has been signed into law. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt is the author of Senate Bill 21 along with House principal author Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton.  Murdock said with 5.1 million head of beef cattle in Oklahoma, the state is ranked third in the nation in…

DNA field testing passed

Tulsa Beacon

The use of rapid DNA field testing technology by law enforcement is one step from becoming law.  Senate Bill 184, which would use the technology to quickly determine if an arrestee is already in the system for a previous serious offense, is headed to the governor’s desk for review. SB 184, authored by Sen. Wayne…

Rape kit legislation OK

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate gave unanimous final approval to legislation which authorizes the use of one standardized sexual assault evidence kit by all law enforcement agencies statewide.  Rep. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, said she authored Senate Bill 975 to address the state’s backlog of untested rape kits and to get victims justice faster. In 2017, the Oklahoma…