Sen. Jason Smalley, R-Stroud, is supporting amended legislation to raise the cap on the Equal Opportunity Education Program when it comes back to the Senate. SB 407, as amended, proposes to increase the annual tax credit cap for contributions to eligible scholarship-granting organizations from $3.5 million to $15 million. The bill would also increase the…
A bill intended to protect patients from a harmful insurance practice known as ‘step therapy’ has been signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 509, authored by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, requires any health insurance plan that utilizes a step therapy protocol to establish guidelines governing the…
The Oklahoma House approved legislation giving parents of stillborn children the opportunity to direct where their child’s remains are placed. Senate Bill 284, by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, also requires medical facilities maintain a written policy for the disposition of the remains of a child from stillbirth or fetal…
OKLAHOMA CITY – [March 13, 2019]– Oklahomans for Step Therapy Reform said SB509, authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, passed the Senate with a vote of 43-0, and its companion HB2638, authored by Reps. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, passed the House with a vote of 94-0. The bills will allow…
State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, said he is being blacklisted by Republican leaders because he authored a bill to abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, removed Silk from a committee vice chairmanship because Silk promoted Senate Bill 13, which would have made abortion illegal in the state. That…
The Oklahoma House passed legislation helping community members volunteer as a guardian for veterans who have no available family. Senate Bill 931, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, establishes the Veterans Volunteer Guardianship Act to provide a platform to recruit local volunteers to serve veterans who can no longer manage…
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has appointed Bob Coburn of Muskogee to serve as a commissioner on the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Coburn, a cousin of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, is the first of two appointments the Senate president pro tempore made to the commission following the enactment of Senate Bill 457, legislation that…
The House Common Education Committee has passed a bill that will prohibit vapor products on school property. Senate Bill 33, authored by Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, and Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, modifies the 24.7 Tobacco-Free Schools Act. The committee passed the bill 16-0. It is now eligible to be considered by the entire House. “This…
The Oklahoma Senate approved legislation to encourage more classroom time for students. Senate Bill 441 by Senator Marty Quinn is one of four agenda items of Senate Republicans. The bill passed on a 31-17 vote and now goes to the House for consideration. “What’s best for students is to spend as much time as possible…
The Senate approved legislation to provide the public and legislature with a clearer picture of what federal funds Oklahoma receives and spends. Senate Bill 271, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, will require state agencies that receive federal funds to annually publish a list on their website of the funds, what programs they are used for and…