Lake Murray State Park could soon be getting a new lodge thanks to legislation filed by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey. Senate Bill 1913, which was approved by the Senate Rules Committee earlier this week, would authorize the Department of Tourism to utilize $15 million from the State Park Trust Fund to build the new lodge.
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Senators Frank Simpson, Patrick Anderson and Don Barrington announced their opposition Thursday to a Senate bill that would eliminate a tax benefit for volunteer firefighters, among other tax credits and deductions. Senate Bill 1623 filed by Sen. Mike Mazzei would, among other actions, eliminate a small tax credit for volunteer fire fighters as part of an effort to save the state money to help fund the lowering of the state’s income tax rate. The bill will be heard next week.
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To ensure that individuals seeking divorce only get the portion of a military service member’s retirement shared during a marriage, the Senate gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 1887 Monday. The Veteran’s Benefit Protection Act, authored by Sen. Steve Russell and Sen. Frank Simpson, makes the division of military retirements, when a court has chosen to treat them as shared property, more equitable.

Sen. Steve Russell said the measure was needed to prevent the unfair division of such benefits in cases where the court rules those benefits as property of the couple.
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Each year, more active and retired military veterans are found to be struggling with mental health injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder. Some individuals turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their injuries which can lead to encounters with the criminal justice system. The Senate approved Senate Bill 1222, by Sen. Frank Simpson, Tuesday to help address the special needs of veterans.
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Governor Fallin signed legislation into law recently to help disabled veterans get the treatment and help they need without going to a nursing home. Senate Bill 1210, by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin, creates the Oklahoma Medical Foster Home Act providing non-institutional community-based care for aging and/or chronically/terminally-ill veterans who are unable to live independently and do not have a caregiver who is able to manage their medical, emotional and/or psychosocial needs.
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Construction of a new lodge in Lake Murray State Park will soon be underway following the Governor’s approval of Senate Bill 1913 Tuesday. The legislation by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey, authorizes the Department of Tourism to use $15 million from the State Park Trust Fund for the construction and maintenance of the new facility.
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Following recent negative media reports about the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), the Senate has announced an interim study to examine oversight of the organization as well as its structure, staff and policies. Sen. Frank Simpson, vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, requested the interim study saying it was important in order to ensure that veterans receive the highest quality of care.
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Each year, the Oklahoma Veteran’s Council recognize one Senator and one Representative for their outstanding dedication and hard work in authoring or promoting legislation that supports veterans and their families. This year, Sen. Frank Simpson, a 26-year Navy veteran and the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, was chosen to receive the ‘Senator of the Year’ Award.
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Members of the Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Tuesday heard from the key players in the debate about problems surrounding the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA). Those presenting included the Oklahoma Secretary of Veterans Affairs, retired Major General Rita Aragon; Oklahoma War Veterans Commission Chairman Rich Putman; Oklahoma War Veterans Commission Vice Chair Jerry Riley, ODVA Acting Deputy Director Roy Griffith, and ODVA Interim Executive Director John McReynolds.
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On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Veteran’s Council, made up of 24 veteran’s organizations from around the state, presented its “Senator of the Year” Award to state Sen. Frank Simpson for his outstanding dedication and hard work in authoring and promoting legislation supporting the state’s veterans and their families.
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