OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved a pair of bills Wednesday afternoon to better protect the health and well-being of Oklahoma’s children in daycare facilities and those living under safety plans. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, is the Senate author of the House measures.

House Bill 2122, also known as the Cocktails to Go Act, is now one step closer to becoming law. The measure is authored by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 on Thursday, which designates April 15 as “Purple Up! For Military Kids Day” in Oklahoma to recognize the sacrifices made by military families and the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The resolution is authored by Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation passed off the Senate floor Wednesday to protect members of the Oklahoma National Guard from employment discrimination. Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2545, creating the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate voted Wednesday to strengthen penalties against those who purposely try to bring harm to law enforcement officers and county officials online. House Bill 1643, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, prohibits the publishing of identifying information of such individuals used to threaten, intimidate, harass, or stalk them.

OKLAHOMA CITY – One of the Oklahoma Senate’s constitutional responsibilities is confirming governor appointments to statewide cabinet positions, along with numerous boards and commissions. On Wednesday, the full Senate approved Governor Stitt’s appointment of Shelly Paulk of Newalla to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, carried the nomination before the Senate Finance Committee and on the Senate floor.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved legislation by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, to give legal protections to drivers trying to escape from riots.  House Bill 1674 was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday and would give civil and criminal liability protection to drivers who may unintentionally cause injury or death while fleeing a riot and imposes penalties for those who unlawfully obstruct streets or highways, blocking vehicles.

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday, Gov. Stitt signed Senate Bill 97 into law expanding the use of videoconferencing for all district court cases. The bill’s author, Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, said the change was strongly urged by district attorneys to address an oversight in 2020 legislation authorizing the use of videoconferencing in certain district proceedings.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jake Merrick, R-Yukon, is officially on the job after taking the oath of office in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the state Capitol.  Family, friends and fellow members joined Merrick in the Senate chamber as Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Darby administered the oath.

Merrick, an ordained minister and business owner, was elected to complete the unexpired term of the Senate District 22 seat in a special election held last Tuesday.  The seat was previously held by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, released the following statement after the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that the city of Norman violated the state’s Open Meeting Act when it voted to cut the police budget by more than $865,000 last year.  The Court ruling said that the meeting notice, which did not specify cuts to the police budget were to be considered, was misleading at best, deceptive at worst, and constituted a willful violation of the Open Meeting Act.