The full Senate has passed legislation that would require any new tax credits to have a maximum sunset of 10 years and a measurable goal that can be used as a benchmark for success.  

Senate Bill 1280, authored by Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, addresses the issues found by the Incentive Evaluation Commission when they analyzed the state’s tax credits. The commission was formed by the legislature in 2015 to objectively evaluate Oklahoma’s economic incentives.

Legislation strengthening Oklahoma’s drug-free school zones is headed to the full Senate.  Senate Bill 1674, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, would make it a felony to purchase or possess methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school.

A measure to help more veterans pursue their college degree has passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senate Bill 1379, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, will extend in-state tuition status to veterans who are not residents but file a letter of intent to establish residency and reside in the state while attending an Oklahoma institution of higher education. 

David and Floyd made history in Oklahoma when they became the first women since statehood to hold the posts of Majority and Minority leaders in the First Session of the 57th Legislature. David was also the first woman to serve as Senate Appropriations Chair.

An important criminal justice reform measure made it out of committee late Wednesday and will next be considered by the full Senate.  Sen. Adam Pugh is the author of Senate Bill 1456, which directs the Department of Corrections (DOC) to annually review its inmate rehabilitation case plans with all parole-eligible inmates.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Universal Occupational Licensing Recognition Act Wednesday night.  Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authored the bill to help attract more professionals to move and work in Oklahoma.

The full Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to protect the Second Amendment rights of medical marijuana cardholders.

Senate Bill 959, authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, clarifies that anyone authorized to use medical marijuana would also be allowed to have a concealed carry permit. Even though Oklahoma is a constitutional carry state, some citizens may want a permit if they travel to other states that require them and offer reciprocity.

The Senate Finance Committee has passed Senate Bill 1388, which would incentivize urban gardeners across the state to raise honeybees by giving tax exempt status to any bee product sold. The measure is authored by Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa.

Ikley-Freeman said a food desert in her district forced her to look at alternative ways for constituents to access fresh produce. This examination led her to a pollinating force: honeybees.

The Senate Education Committee approved legislation Tuesday to help fill the large number of teaching vacancies in the state.  Retired teacher Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, said his Senate Bill 1115 is desperately needed to help decrease classroom sizes by extending emergency teaching certificates.

Sen. Larry Boggs, R-Wilburton, presented House Concurrent Resolution 1012 to the full Senate on Monday, which encourages and supports the expansion of the rail line from Shawnee to McAlester.

“For years, the rail line running from McAlester to Shawnee played an important role in Oklahoma’s economy, especially in the eastern half of our state,” Boggs said. “It transported peanuts and other agricultural products from Southeastern to Central Oklahoma and ammunition from McAlester to Tinker Air Force Base.