Oklahoma Senate
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma is now the 25th state in the nation to enact legislation allowing the use of electronic titles and liens for vehicles, boats, trailers and farm equipment. Senate Bill 998, authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, was approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday and takes effect Nov. 1, 2021.
The full Senate confirmed Leland Walker to serve a seven-year term to the Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC) Board of Regents. The nomination was carried by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain.
OKLAHOMA CITY – More of Oklahoma’s nonviolent offenders will soon qualify for the state’s Electronic Monitoring Program thanks to legislation signed into law Wednesday. Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, said Senate Bill 456 addresses two eligibility issues within community sentencing to help nonviolent offenders re-enter society while keeping predators out of the program.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was signed into law Wednesday to delay elections this December, January and March that would interfere with ongoing redistricting efforts. Requested by the State Election Board Secretary, Senate Bill 347prohibits municipalities and political subdivisions from holding an election on the second Tuesday of December 2021 or the second Tuesday of January or March 2022 for the offices of U.S.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sophomores will be able to participate in more school-sponsored career opportunities beginning with the 2021-2022 school year under legislation signed into law Wednesday. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 619 allowing sophomores, 16 years or older, to apply for apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships through their school.
The full Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing the first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill ensuring payment parity for physicians who care for patients using telemedicine has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, is the principal Senate author of Senate Bill 674, and the principal House author is Rep. Mark McEntire, R-Duncan. The measure was signed on Wednesday.
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to help law enforcement locate kidnap victims faster has been signed into law. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, are the principal authors of Senate Bill 272, the “Kelsey Smith Act,” which will require cell phone companies to provide phone location information to law enforcement in emergency situations, such as an abduction. The measure was signed into law on May 3, which would have been Kelsey’s 32nd birthday.
The Haworth High School Academic Tournament Champion team was hosted by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, at the state Capitol before competing at the state contest in El Reno last week.
OKLAHOMA CITY – As law enforcement officers from throughout Oklahoma watched from the gallery, the Oklahoma Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday recognizing May as “Law Enforcement Appreciation Month” in the state. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the principal author of Senate Resolution 15.
Weaver, who spent three decades in law enforcement and served as director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, told fellow members about the dangers and risks law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.
