In the wake of the tragic school shooting in Florida, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz and Lt. Governor Todd Lamb met this week to further the conversation on school security and safety.

In 2012, Lt. Governor Lamb chaired the Oklahoma Commission on School Security (OCSS), which issued a detailed report of findings and recommendations on school security and safety issues. Lamb said he plans to meet again with those who served on the 2012 commission, and whose work has served as a national model for other states studying school security issues.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, on Thursday announced the full membership of Senate committees. The committee assignments are effective through the end of the 56th Legislature.

The committee assignments are as follows:
Agriculture and Wildlife Committee
Senator Larry Boggs, Chair
Senator Josh Brecheen, Vice Chair
Senator Eddie Fields
Senator Darcy Jech
Senator Chris Kidd
Senator Roland Pederson
Senator Dewayne Pemberton
Senator Paul Scott
Senator Wayne Shaw read more.

Senate Democratic Leader John Sparks on Thursday said committee assignments for members of his caucus had been finalized. Each member will serve on multiple committees as well as serving on the Senate Appropriations Committee during the 2018 legislative session.

The Senate has completed filing bills for the Second Session of the 56th Legislature. A total of 706 Senate bills were filed along with 23 Senate Joint Resolutions. In 2017, a total of 831 Senate bills and 46 Senate Joint Resolutions were filed.

Legislative Veterans Caucus chairmen thank fellow veterans for service

In recognition of Veterans Day, State Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, released the following statement Friday. Both are retired veterans who currently serve as the chairman of their chambers Veterans Caucus.

OKLAHOMA CITY The leader of the Oklahoma Senate and the chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee issued statements in advance of the observance of Veterans Day:

OKLAHOMA CITY Two legislators have been given the Oklahoma Hospital Associations (OHA) Outstanding Achievement Award for their efforts to improve healthcare and outcomes throughout the state. Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, have co-chaired the states healthcare working group at the state Capitol. The lawmakers were honored during the 2019 OHA annual convention, held in Oklahoma City this past week.

Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, recently joined Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell in representing Oklahoma during the U.S. Legislature Leaders Delegation trip to Taiwan to promote agricultural trade and investment. From left to right: Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Taiwan Deputy Minister of Agriculture Junne-Jih Chen, and Sen. Roland Pederson.

The state Senate recently wrapped up their State Charitable Campaign (SCC) raising more than $14,000 for Oklahoma charities.

OKLAHOMA CITY Each year, state employees from around 80 state agencies participate in the United Ways State Charitable Campaign, a statewide effort to help raise funds for more than 250 charitable organizations. The state Senate held their campaign in September and October raising more than $14,000. Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat commended the Senates generosity and commitment to helping others.

OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, filed two bills Friday to continue his efforts to improve administrative and financial accountability of Oklahomas virtual and brick-and-mortar charter schools.