The leader of the Oklahoma Senate released the following statement:

“The Oklahoma Senate today learned that someone in the Senate has tested positive for COVID-19. While the risk to a majority of Senate personnel and senators remains low, per the recommendation and under the guidance of health officials, we are taking appropriate measures.

The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation temporarily revising Open Meeting laws so that some members of a public body could participate in public meetings via videoconference and teleconference.

House and Senate leaders on Monday announced restricted access to the Capitol building in response to the COVID-19 challenge in Oklahoma.

State Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement on Monday on her decision to work remotely to better protect a family member following reports of further spread of COVID-19 in Oklahoma.

“Senate is in session today, but I will not be present. I wanted to take a moment to explain why my absence is leading by example.

OKLAHOMA CITY -The chairs of the Legislative Veterans Caucus and the Senate and House Committees on Veterans and Military Affairs are expressing their condolences after the passing of Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts, of Owasso. The 28-year-old Oklahoma Air National Guardsman was killed in a rocket attack in Iraq on Wednesday, March 11.  

A measure designating the oldest highway to pass through Oklahoma as the Historic Jefferson Highway has been approved by the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration.

The Senate strengthened protections for the unborn Thursday with the passage of the Senate Bill 1859.  Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, authored the bill to increase accountability of doctors administering abortions in Oklahoma. 

A bill to help Oklahomans strapped by the ever-increasing costs of prescription drugs has cleared the full Senate.  State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is principal author of Senate Bill 940, creating the Prescription Drug Safety and Cost Reduction Pilot Program Act.  The bill was approved on Thursday.