OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt and Caucus Chair Michael Brooks issued the following statements defending the First Amendment rights of Oklahoma students on Thursday.

*Correction omits schools originally listed as the issue has evolved and is ongoing since the letter was circulated to members.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, has successfully passed legislation through the Senate Public Safety Committee that would improve public safety by allowing judges and prosecutors to factor in an individual’s multiple driving under the influence offenses when determining penalties for an offender.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate unanimously approved House Bill 1484 Wednesday to expand fentanyl awareness and prevention education for Oklahoma students in grades 6-12. The measure, known as Rain’s Law, was named in honor of Cameron University education student Rain Reece, whose life was cut short at 19 after she took a pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has advanced legislation to remove politics from decisions about when to grant cost-of-living adjustments for retired state employees, teachers and public safety professionals.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, has won approval from the Senate’s Retirement and Government Resources Committee focusing on nondisclosure agreements (NDA) between state employees and the state agencies.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation by Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to prohibit marriage under the age of 18 in the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 504 eliminates current provisions in state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has advanced legislation to temporarily freeze property taxes for Oklahomans displaced by the construction or expansion of turnpikes.

Senate Bill 2001 would freeze property taxes for three years for Oklahomans who must relocate because of a new turnpike. The freeze would take effect once a homeowner is settled into their new home, ensuring they don’t pay more in property taxes than they did at their previous residence.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, has advanced Senate Bill 1833, legislation aimed at strengthening the integrity of Oklahoma’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by promoting healthier food purchases and reducing waste, fraud and abuse.

OKLAHOMA CITY – With bipartisan approval from the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee, legislation to encourage and promote more local farming throughout the state, including urban areas, is now headed to the Senate floor. Senate Bill 2061 by Sen.