Businesses located in Oklahoma and owned by Oklahomans have a major impact on the state in a variety of areas. That’s according to Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, who has requested an interim study to highlight the positive role those businesses play in not only the state’s economy, but in charitable giving as well.
That study will be held this Thursday, October 10 at 9 a.m. in room 535 of the state Capitol.

Standridge said the informational meeting is a part of his “Oklahoma First!” initiative.
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A new law allowing third-party commercial driver license (CDL) testing is now officially in effect. State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, co-authored the legislation which was approved during the 2019 session. Standridge said Oklahoma joins 40 states that already have some form of third-party CDL testing. Standridge said with this new law, Oklahoma will be able to address a costly testing backlog in the trucking industry.
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OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is slated to host a town hall meeting addressing domestic violence issues on Dec. 9. The town hall event will allow constituents a chance to hear from Sen. Standridge, learn more about his proposed legislation that will impact domestic violence in Oklahoma and give an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the upcoming legislative session.

On Wednesday, state Senator Frank Simpson filed legislation to provide local communities more control over smoking standards. Currently, cities and towns cannot enact smoking ordinances that are more stringent than state law.

Lake Murray State Park could soon be getting a new lodge thanks to legislation filed by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey. Senate Bill 1913, which was approved by the Senate Rules Committee earlier this week, would authorize the Department of Tourism to utilize $15 million from the State Park Trust Fund to build the new lodge.
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Senators Frank Simpson, Patrick Anderson and Don Barrington announced their opposition Thursday to a Senate bill that would eliminate a tax benefit for volunteer firefighters, among other tax credits and deductions. Senate Bill 1623 filed by Sen. Mike Mazzei would, among other actions, eliminate a small tax credit for volunteer fire fighters as part of an effort to save the state money to help fund the lowering of the state’s income tax rate. The bill will be heard next week.
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To ensure that individuals seeking divorce only get the portion of a military service member’s retirement shared during a marriage, the Senate gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 1887 Monday. The Veteran’s Benefit Protection Act, authored by Sen. Steve Russell and Sen. Frank Simpson, makes the division of military retirements, when a court has chosen to treat them as shared property, more equitable.

Sen. Steve Russell said the measure was needed to prevent the unfair division of such benefits in cases where the court rules those benefits as property of the couple.
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Each year, more active and retired military veterans are found to be struggling with mental health injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorder. Some individuals turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their injuries which can lead to encounters with the criminal justice system. The Senate approved Senate Bill 1222, by Sen. Frank Simpson, Tuesday to help address the special needs of veterans.
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Governor Fallin signed legislation into law recently to help disabled veterans get the treatment and help they need without going to a nursing home. Senate Bill 1210, by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin, creates the Oklahoma Medical Foster Home Act providing non-institutional community-based care for aging and/or chronically/terminally-ill veterans who are unable to live independently and do not have a caregiver who is able to manage their medical, emotional and/or psychosocial needs.
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Construction of a new lodge in Lake Murray State Park will soon be underway following the Governor’s approval of Senate Bill 1913 Tuesday. The legislation by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey, authorizes the Department of Tourism to use $15 million from the State Park Trust Fund for the construction and maintenance of the new facility.
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