OKLAHOMA CITY – – Sen. Ralph Shortey has announced a public forum scheduled for Monday, February 13 at Oklahoma City Community College to discuss questions about Senate Bill 512, which is aimed at changing pieces of the new criminal justice reform laws that were approved by voters last November. State Questions 780 and 781 included changes in the law to make possession of all drugs a misdemeanor and redirects state funds to drug treatment programs among many other changes.
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State Senate Pres. Pro Tempore Mike Schulz issued the following statement after Tuesday’s vote by the State Board of Equalization certifying there would be a $878 million shortfall in the coming fiscal year, and declaring a revenue failure in the current fiscal year.

The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to bring Oklahoma into compliance with the federal REAL ID law. The measure, House Bill 1845, is co-authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall.

Sen. J.J. Dossett was recently appointed by his fellow legislators to serve as Co-Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (OLSC). The Sperry Democrat replaces Sen. John Sparks of Norman who completed his chairmanship last month.

“Hunting and fishing is an important part of our state’s heritage and plays a strong role in our tourism industry and economy,” said Dossett. “This caucus works to protect and promote the sportsmen’s traditions in Oklahoma and I’m honored to have been chosen to serve in this role.”
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The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday convened for an organizational day and, on a unanimous vote officially, elected Sen. Mike Schulz of Altus as President Pro Tempore. Schulz is the first senator from western Oklahoma to lead the Senate in more than 50 years. Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, made the motion nominating Schulz as President Pro Tempore and, in a show of bipartisan support, the motion was seconded by Minority Leader John Sparks, D-Norman.
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Oklahoma State Sen. Bryce Marlatt, R-Woodward, reiterated his opposition to a planned tribal casino near Guymon, saying it’s time to reevaluate the framework of casino gambling in Oklahoma if the federal government is going to allow tribal gaming in areas of the state with no historical tribal connections.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks has announced his appointments to the caucus leadership team for the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions. Sparks, D-Norman, released the assignments on Thursday. read more.

Sen. David Holt has introduced Senate Bill 316, which would provide a $10,000 raise to all Oklahoma classroom teachers over a four-year period beginning this fall. Holt has further introduced 12 separate measures to provide funding options for the raise.

The Senate has completed filing bills for the first session of the 56th Legislature. A total of 831 Senate Bills were filed, along with 46 senate joint resolutions and one senate concurrent resolution. In 2015, a total of 815 Senate bills were filed, along with 32 senate joint resolutions.
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President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and the Senate Republican Caucus on Thursday unveiled a 2017 legislative agenda with a focus on long-term solutions to build a more prosperous Oklahoma.