Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt and Caucus Chair Michael Brooks issued the following statements defending the First Amendment rights of Oklahoma students on Thursday.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A group of Oklahoma state senators and representatives sent a formal letter to State Superintendent Lindel Fields calling for immediate action regarding recent student walkouts at public schools statewide. These protests, which targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and law enforcement personnel, disrupted instructional time at schools including Hale High School, Edison Preparatory Academy, Booker T. Washington High School, the Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences, Mustang Schools, Jenks Public Schools, and more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, has successfully passed legislation through the Senate Public Safety Committee that would improve public safety by allowing judges and prosecutors to factor in an individual’s multiple driving under the influence offenses when determining penalties for an offender.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1484 Wednesday to expand fentanyl awareness and prevention education for Oklahoma students in grades 6-12. The measure, known as Rain’s Law, was named in honor of Cameron University education student Rain Reece, whose life was cut short at 19 after she took a pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has advanced legislation to remove politics from decisions about when to grant cost-of-living adjustments for retired state employees, teachers and public safety professionals.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, has won approval from the Senate’s Retirement and Government Resources Committee focusing on nondisclosure agreements (NDA) between state employees and the state agencies.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation by Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to prohibit marriage under the age of 18 in the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 504 eliminates current provisions in state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has advanced legislation to temporarily freeze property taxes for Oklahomans displaced by the construction or expansion of turnpikes.

Senate Bill 2001 would freeze property taxes for three years for Oklahomans who must relocate because of a new turnpike. The freeze would take effect once a homeowner is settled into their new home, ensuring they don’t pay more in property taxes than they did at their previous residence.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, has advanced Senate Bill 1833, legislation aimed at strengthening the integrity of Oklahoma’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by promoting healthier food purchases and reducing waste, fraud and abuse.

OKLAHOMA CITY – With bipartisan approval from the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee, legislation to encourage and promote more local farming throughout the state, including urban areas, is now headed to the Senate floor. Senate Bill 2061 by Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1317, modifying the definition of a career teacher, was unanimously approved Tuesday in the Senate Education Committee. The bill, by Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, updates language to recognize the mobility of teachers who may need to change school districts over the course of their career.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to increase the availability of housing in Oklahoma has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Senate Bill 1393, by Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, creates the Revitalizing Empty Structures Through Ownership, Renovation, and Enterprise (RESTORE) Program. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, has advanced legislation to ease the transition for Oklahoma’s foster children as they move placements.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Monday unanimously passed Senate Bill 1377, which would require the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide a duffel bag to foster children who lack luggage for their personal belongings.

OKLAHOMA CITY- The Oklahoma Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee approved Senate Bill 2108 on Monday. The bill, authored by Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, would repeal burdensome licensing requirements related to the hunting of feral hogs, streamlining and simplifying the process.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Logan, R-District 8, is commending the passage of Senate Bill 743, a measure addressing the intentional disruption of religious worship services. The freshman lawmaker and pastor issued the following statement:

"Look, I have widows and families in my congregation. I’ve got folks who come to church looking for peace, not confrontation. As a pastor, I take seriously the responsibility to make sure people can worship without fear — in my church and anywhere else across our state.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Sen.

"Yesterday afternoon in Okmulgee County, two of our sheriffs’ deputies were shot while responding to a disturbance and were injured in the line of duty. Both deputies have been treated at a local hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, and a suspect is in custody.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate advanced Senate Bill 743, legislation authored by Sen. Todd Gollihare to strengthen and clarify protections for religious worship services in response to coordinated activist disruptions targeting congregations.