On Monday, the House Conference Committee on Utility and Environmental Regulation heard amendments to my proposal to encourage water districts and municipalities to undertake water reuse projects. Earlier in the session, committees removed a provision requiring the Department of Environmental Quality to approve or deny permit applications within 90 days. For many cities and…
The 2014 legislative session has come to an end. In the final weeks of the session we forged an agreement that balances Oklahoma’s budget in the midst of a $188 million shortfall. Our budget provides important funding increases for education and pay increases for high-need state employees like front-line corrections workers and state troopers.…
With just three weeks remaining in this year’s legislative session, conference committees will soon begin to meet as we attempt to reach compromise on legislation. Budget negotiations have begun in earnest, as legislative leaders and the governor must reach an agreement in principal on the state’s fiscal year 2015 budget prior to the Legislature’s…
A number of proposals I authored or sponsored advanced in the Legislature this week, and several were signed into law by the governor. Senate Bill 1143 was approved unanimously by the full Senate this week and will advance to the governor’s desk. The bill would require that public schools give students the opportunity to recite…
I’m very pleased that the House of Representatives this week gave final approval to my proposal to require that public schools give students the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each school day. Senate Bill 1143 is a proposal that underscores the value of the pledge as a tradition, and an act that brings…
The state Senate this week approved legislation designed to combat the sale of dangerous synthetic drugs. House Bill 2666, by Rep. David Derby and Sen. Rob Standridge, would bring a number of synthetic drugs under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. Standridge explained that the sale of such drugs, particularly synthetic marijuana, has emerged…
After passing one of the final legislative deadlines of the year, the Senate will turn its attention to floor activity. 270 House proposals have cleared Senate committees and are eligible to be heard by the full Senate. I’m very pleased that one of my proposals was among the first to be signed this year by…
After passing one of the final legislative deadlines of the year, the Senate will turn its attention to floor activity. 270 House proposals have cleared Senate committees and are eligible to be heard by the full Senate. I’m very pleased that one of my proposals was among the first to be signed this year by…
The Oklahoma Senate Monday, March 24 The Senate met Monday, but took no action on bills. Senate committees approved several measures Monday, including the following. -HB 1378 by Rep. Emily Virgin, amends the Dustin Rhodes and Lindsay Steed CPR Training Act. -HB 3399 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, removes all references to PASS standards and replaces…
Monday, March 17 The Senate met briefly Monday, approving several resolutions including the following. -SCR 32 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, Allows Congress to direct the United States Geological Survey to conduct a master multi-state study of the Red River Watershed Basin. -SR 46 by Sen. Brian Crain, celebrates the centennial anniversary of YWCA Tulsa.…