Members of the Senate Health and Human Services met Tuesday to hear from local healthcare organizations about the importance of the health center uncompensated care fund (UCF) to the health and well-being of Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Department of Health stopped distributing payments to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for health care to the uninsured following the second mid-year revenue failure but resumed payments for services rendered in July.
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Nearly half of Oklahoma counties, 32 of the 77, are considered food urban/rural deserts where citizens have limited or no access to fresh food and produce. One of those areas is north Tulsa, and Sen. Kevin Matthews requested an interim study to find ways to help his district and others around the state through the use of urban gardens.
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Building upon the success of previous legislation, the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a series of criminal justice reform bills.

The measures continue an effort by the Oklahoma Senate to examine and modify, as necessary, the state’s criminal justice system in order to address the state’s prison population and provide treatment for those in the justice system who need mental health or substance abuse services.
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Members of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, for an interim study on the awarding of state contracts to businesses owned by disabled veterans. The study, which will be held in room 535 at the state Capitol, was requested by Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa.
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Transportation Committee approved two bills by Sen. Kevin Matthews to bring high speed rail to Tulsa and eventually throughout the state. Senate Bill 1082 creates the “High Speed Transit Rail Expansion Commission” and Senate Bill 1379 directs the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements for light rail passenger service in Tulsa.
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Oklahoma has long protected schools, day care centers and parks with “zones of safety” aimed at keeping convicted sex offenders away from potential victims. But a case in Bristow brought attention to a loophole in the law—a loophole Sen. James Leewright, R- Bristow, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, are working to close this legislative session. Senate Bill 1221 was approved unanimously by the full Senate on Monday.
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The Senate unanimously approved a measure Tuesday to protect victims from sexual predators. Sen. James Leewright and Rep. Kyle Hilbert are the authors of House Bill 1124, also known as the Justice for Danyelle Act of 2018, to prohibit sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of their victims.
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State Sen. James Leewright, Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Mayor Rick Pinson of Bristow are joining together to urge members of the public to attend a public forum on current Oklahoma drug threats, hosted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th at the City of Bristow Courthouse, 110 West 7th.

Interim Director Bob Cook and other experts with OBN will take part in the forum which is aimed at keeping citizens better informed about current and emerging drug issues that directly impact families, schools, businesses and communities.

State Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, has been appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, a 21-member panel that will help plan the state’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the highway known as “The Mother Road.”

Legislation allowing Oklahoma companies to register as “benefit corporations” is now headed to the governor’s desk. The designation would give greater legal protection for companies pursuing business models that are for profit, while placing a high priority on having a positive impact on society.

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2423. It was the freshman member’s first bill to pass out of the Senate, and was approved unanimously on Monday. The House authors are Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia, and Rep Ben Loring, D-Miami.