Oklahoma Senate
Press Releases
State Sen. Tom Dugger has authored legislation to make college textbooks exempt from sales taxes in Oklahoma. Dugger, R-Stillwater, said after discussing the idea with students from Oklahoma State University, he decided to file Senate Bill 1150.
“College textbooks can be extremely expensive, with students easily spending hundreds of dollars each semester on their books,” Dugger said. “I think any relief for students will be of help, including giving them a sales tax exemption on their textbooks.”
Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to honor one of Oklahoma’s sons for his bravery and sacrifice during World World II. Senate Bill 1428 will designate the Interstate 240 bridge over Western Avenue in Oklahoma City as the “Medal of Honor Recipient Sergeant John R. Crews Memorial Bridge”.
State Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, has filed legislation to reflect recent changes in federal law raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Last month, Congress passed legislation prohibiting the sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. The Tobacco-Free Youth Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump.
“Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” license plates may soon be cruising by in a lane near you.
Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed Senate Bill 1384, which would create special “Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” Oklahoma license plates. Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, is co-author of the bill.
Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, wants to crack down on the state’s sanctuary city policies.
Dahm recently filed Senate Bill 1459, which prohibits any municipality in Oklahoma to adopt a sanctuary policy. Under the bill, any city or town that enacts such a policy would be ineligible for state funding through agencies and grants.
Due to unfunded mandates of high stakes testing, many Oklahoma schools are using their school counselors as building test coordinators and test administrators, a practice Sen. Mary Boren says needs to stop.
The Norman democrat and certified school counselor filed Senate Bill 1381 Tuesday to protect school counselors from being pulled away from their official duties to help with testing.
The Senate Republicans released their legislative agenda today announcing a commitment to job creation and a focus on the budget challenges ahead. Republicans reassured Oklahomans those basics such as public safety, education, and transportation funding would remain priorities in the upcoming session.
“Our commitment as Republicans is to make Oklahoma a better place to create jobs and grow your business,” stated Senator Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation providing juvenile offenders a second chance by preventing harsh sentencing was recently filed by Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City.
Senate Bill 1189 not only prohibits life without parole sentences for juveniles, but also prohibits a mandatory minimum sentence that exceeds 20 years for any offender under the age of 18. The bill would also require a judge to take other circumstances into account when determining an individualized sentence, including maturity, family and community environment, and capacity for rehabilitation.
Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, recently met with community leaders and constituents ahead of the upcoming legislative session at the annual Eucha Breakdown.
“This is a great opportunity for those of us in elected positions to meet with constituents, share our experiences and plans and hear what’s on the mind of those we serve,” Bergstrom said.
The event was held at the Eucha Community Center and drew a crowd from the surrounding areas.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma needs to be proactive in addressing assaults against medical professionals. That’s according to Sen. Darrell Weaver, author of Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation filed by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, would declare 2020 the “Year of the Bible.”
Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 would recognize the unique contribution the Bible has made in shaping the United States, including that biblical teachings inspired civil government concepts found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The resolution also recognizes that many U.S. presidents have paid tribute to the influence of the Bible.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation prohibiting law enforcement entities from enacting policies that require officers, justices or judges to meet traffic citation quotas.
“It’s no secret that some jurisdictions may emphasize writing tickets at different times to try and generate more revenue,” Dahm said. “Our peace officers shouldn’t be pushed by their employers to focus on writing extra tickets or collecting extra revenue from citations.”
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, says minority communities are disproportionately impacted by the state’s criminal justice system, and Oklahoma’s state leaders need to reform how criminal justice decisions are made by analyzing the impact of proposed legislation on minorities through racial impact statements.
OKLAHOMA CITY –
Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, says the Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies is working jointly with the House of Representatives to provide oversight and guidance for more than 50 state agencies. He serves as the vice chairman of the committee.
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Casey Murdock is urging citizens to voice their support for the William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply. Murdock, R-Felt, said he’s learned the facility is among a handful of prisons throughout the state that could be targeted for possible closure. Murdock said he’d been told that the state is looking at closing five prisons, including William S.
Oklahoma STABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities. They have similar features to normal banking accounts but allow disabled individuals to save and invest money without losing eligibility for public benefits programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, announced a town hall meeting on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Community Center at 201 S. Broadway in Laverne, Oklahoma. Citizens from across Harper County are welcome to attend.
This event will allow citizens to hear from Sen. Murdock, learn about upcoming legislation, ask questions and discuss issues they hope to see addressed in the 2020 legislative session. Sen. Murdock will also discuss the census and the importance of participation.
This event will allow citizens to hear from Sen. Murdock, learn about upcoming legislation, ask questions and discuss issues they hope to see addressed in the 2020 legislative session. Murdock will also discuss the census and the importance of participation.
OKLAHOMA CITY – When the legislature passed a $105 million reallocation to increase provider reimbursement rates for physicians, hospitals and nursing homes during the 2019 session, the goal was for health care facilities to expand access to high-quality care for Medicaid patients across the state. According to Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, the increased provider rate is working.
