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Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall on Thursday announced the lawmakers who will serve on the bipartisan, bicameral working group on medical marijuana implementation.
The legislative leaders announced the formation of the group last week. The first meeting will be July 25. Meetings will be open to the public. The working group will meet with various stakeholders and will make recommendations on a permanent regulatory framework for the implementation of State Question 788.
The Senate Education Committee approved legislation earlier this week to improve school safety. House Bill 2336, by Sen. David Bullard, would allow a local board of education to adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school personnel who hold a valid reserve peace officer certification or who possess a valid handgun license.
Sen. David Bullard authored Senate Bill 609 to provide clarification to local and county law enforcement regarding the transporting of mentally ill patients. The Senate unanimously approved the measure Tuesday.
The Senate Education Committee will hold an interim study on the state textbook adoption process and reforms to textbook funding on Tuesday, September 10 at 3 p.m. in room 535 of the state Capitol. The study was requested by Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman.
Boren said the study will include presentations from experts within the publishing industry who will discuss how stabilizing the textbook funding process impacts the quality and customization of materials for Oklahoma classrooms.
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State Sen. Mary Boren said she’s disappointed with passage of a bill preempting the ability of cities and towns to pass ordinances addressing plastic bags, cups and containers that litter public property and roadways. Senate Bill 1001 was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday. Boren, D-Norman, said the bill takes away the rights of local communities and their citizens to protect their environment and national resources.
State Sen. Mary Boren has filed legislation aimed at putting more resources directly in the classroom for textbooks and other teaching materials. Her legislation also requires funding allocated for instructional materials is used for that purpose.
A bill requiring informed consent for nursing home patients and their families regarding the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs has been signed into law. State Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, is the principal author of Senate Bill 142. Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, is the principal House author. The measure deals with the overuse of powerful antipsychotic drugs for nursing home patients who have not received a psychiatric diagnosis, nor has informed consent been given by the patients or their representatives.
read more.The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday advanced a series of criminal justice reform measures that provide uniformity of certain drug offenses, improve parole supervision, and cap excessive sentences for nonviolent offenses, among other reforms.
Senate Republicans have unveiled their agenda for the 2019 legislative session. State Sen. Stephanie Bice, who holds dual leadership roles as Finance Chair and Assistant Majority Floor Leader, said the legislative priorities her caucus has identified will include key reforms, a continued commitment to education and an emphasis on increased transparency and accountability.
