OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure authorizing sheriffs and peace officers to utilize telemedicine in assessing individuals when there is reasonable belief that mental health services are needed passed unanimously out o

OKLAHOMA CITY – Hundreds of Oklahoma teaching positions are empty, and a 2017 statute allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom with no limitations on earnings expired June 30, 2020. The Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 267 Thursday to extend the earnings exemption through 2024.  Senate Education Committee Vice Chairman, Sen.

The Senate unanimously adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 on Thursday to encourage and invite exhibitors, breed associations and partners to return to Oklahoma in 2022 and again participate in the second annual Cattlemen’s Congress show. The resolution was authored by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.   

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement after the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) met on Tuesday to certify revenues available for appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. The amount initially certified by the board in December was $8.46 billion.  The amount certified Tuesday was $9.64 billion. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Pastors Jacob Sheriff and Zach Backues of Victory Life Church in Durant served as chaplains for the state Senate during the second week of the legislative session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, released the following statement Friday after the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA) and other health organizations asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to issue an injunction against Medicaid managed care contracts. 

“The Oklahoma State Medical Association contends the Oklahoma Health Care Authority went outside its authority and circumvented the legislature in implementing $2 billion in managed care contracts.  I completely agree and fully support the OSMA’s efforts.

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The full Senate has given its approval to a measure codifying the authority for cities and towns to adopt ordinances enabling the painting of blue lines and the posting of signage in support of law enforcement.  Senate Bill 834, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, was approved on Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act Tuesday prohibiting governmental declaration of religious institutions as nonessential. Sen.