OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved President Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s school choice bill that empowers parents with more control over their child’s education.

The committee approved Senate Bill 1647, also known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, which would allow parents to use their child’s state education dollars to pursue a variety of schooling options to secure the best education possible for their children.

The full Senate gave approval to Senate Bill 1096 on Tuesday to add pastors, ministers, spiritual advisors and other religious leaders to the approved list of visitors for patients hospitalized during a declared health emergency.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Republicans again have selected Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, as their nominee to serve in the Senate’s top leadership post.

First elected president pro tempore in 2018, Treat was elected by acclamation as Republicans’ pro tempore designee for the 2023 and 2024 sessions. After completing that term, Treat will have served six years as president pro tempore, matching Brian Bingman as the longest-serving Republican pro tempore.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill to better protect victims of human trafficking and child abduction.  Senate Bill 1569, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, creates the “Address Confidentiality for Child Survivors and Their Families Act.”

State Senator Shane Jett is taking aim at national organizations seeking to implement social-emotional learning (SEL) programs in the state’s public school system by filing Senate Bill 1442, which would prohibit public school districts or charter schools from using federal, state or private funds to promote, purchase or utilize the concepts of SEL.   

The Oklahoma Legislative Mental Health Caucus this week announced an expanded leadership team and two major priorities for the 2022 Oklahoma Legislative Session.

The caucus, which began in 2021 with about 30 members, will expand its bipartisan, bicameral leadership in 2022. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, will serve as co-chairs alongside the caucus’ founding co-chairs, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove.

With tensions still following questions regarding the 2020 election cycle, Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, wants voters to decide if Oklahoma should conduct random audits following each general election.

OKLAHOMA CITY – After successfully protecting law enforcement officers from doxing last session, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has filed legislation to extend those same protections to retired law enforcement members. Senate Bill 1522 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously Tuesday.

State Sen. Warren Hamilton has filed Senate Joint Resolution 30, which would give a voice back to rural Oklahomans and transform how state questions are passed in the state.