OKLAHOMA CITY – In an unprecedented move, the Senate Business and Insurance Committee on Thursday passed three bills to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.

The panel approved bills from Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Coleman, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, has won committee approval for her bill expanding access to federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved four tort reform measures aimed at strengthening legal protections for businesses and ensuring fairness in civil litigation.

The bills, authored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, now move to the full Senate for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Recently, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library became available to children in Wagoner County. This early childhood literacy program has been made available through a partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and Broken Arrow Neighbors.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Retirement and Government Resources Committee approved Senate Bill 97 Tuesday to codify Executive Order 2023-30 and prohibit state agencies from entering into or renewing contracts with lobbyists. The measure, by Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, also prohibits state agencies from hiring a legislative liaison without prior written approval from the cabinet secretary who oversees the agency.   

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Retirement and Government Resources Committee gave approval Tuesday to Senate Bill 997, which creates the Procurement Protection Act. The measure by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, prohibits state-owned enterprises of foreign adversaries, companies domiciled within foreign adversaries, and federally banned corporations from bidding on state or municipal contracts.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, on Tuesday said the Office of Management and Enterprise Services lied about the cost of his bill to streamline government by having state agencies provide information technology services in-house.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, has secured committee approval for Senate Bills 20 and 944, marking the first bills advanced by the freshman lawmaker.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoman City, made the following comments Tuesday after the governor appointed three new members to the Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE).