Press Releases

New products for delivering nicotine are not being addressed by current Oklahoma laws aimed at preventing children from using tobacco products. That would change if Senate Bill 802 becomes law. Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon, is the principal author of Senate Bill 802, which was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday 26 to 15.
read more.

Too few college students and teenagers realize binge drinking can be deadly, and many may fail to seek help in an emergency because they’ve been drinking as well and are afraid of getting into trouble. That’s why Sen. Cliff Branan has authored Senate Bill 1, which was approved unanimously on Monday. The measure gives immunity to those who call to get help for a friend who may have alcohol poisoning.
read more.

The Senate has given its approval to a measure expanding the state’s landmark scholarship program, Oklahoma’s Promise. Senate Education Chairman John Ford is the principal author of SB 432, creating ‘Oklahoma’s Career Promise Act,’ expanding Oklahoma’s Promise program to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for students pursuing industry certification in five specific areas of the economy. Those areas include aerospace and defense, energy, agriculture and biosciences, information and financial services, and transportation and distribution.
read more.

The full Senate has given its approval to the “Parent Empowerment Act.” Senate Bill 1001, authored by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, would enable parents to petition to make dramatic changes in their child’s underperforming school. The bill was approved 30 to 12 on Wednesday. Holt said the bill was based on a “parent trigger” concept that has been enacted in at least seven other states.
read more.

Sen. Jerry Ellis today criticized a plan that would send to a vote of the people a proposal to make the offices of State Superintendent, Labor Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner gubernatorial appointments.

Ellis said it was unwise to consolidate so much power in the executive branch.

“This is a scheme that simply invites temptation,” said Ellis, D-Valliant. “Reducing these offices to cabinet positions is reminiscent of Louisiana-style politics, and it would open the door to Louisiana-style corruption. They had the best government money could buy.”
read more.

Oklahomans took a step closer to paying lower prices this “Black Friday” and beyond with Senate passage Wednesday of Senate Bill 550, which would legalize low-price retail sales in Oklahoma for the first time since 1941. SB 550, authored by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, passed the full Senate 28 to 15.
read more.

The state Senate today advanced a proposal that would allow voters to make the offices of state superintendent, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner gubernatorial appointments.

Sen. Greg Treat, author of Senate Bill 598, said the reform would allow the governor to be the true executive of the state and be more fully responsible for the executive branch.
read more.

A measure to provide financial assistance to Oklahoma’s agricultural community during droughts passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday. Senate Bill 996 would create the Emergency Drought Protection Special Fund. Sen. Ron Justice, author of the legislation, says the state’s current drought is a tragic example of why the fund is needed.
read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Tuesday in response to the issuance of the 2013 Report of the Oklahoma Commission on School Security. Lt. Governor Todd Lamb, chair of the commission and a former United States Secret Service agent, joined with 22 members of the commission at the Oklahoma state Capitol to announce policy recommendations regarding school security.
read more.

The full Senate has given approval to a bill aimed at improving care for Oklahoma National Guardsmen struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Sen. Brian Crain is principal author of Senate Bill 527 which was approved by the Senate on Monday 44 to 0.

Crain said the programs would be administered by the University of Oklahoma and would be geared to assist the spouses, parents and other friends and family members who are acting as caregivers for returning troops.
read more.

The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would prohibit the use of welfare cash cards in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, Senate Bill 667 would help ensure public assistance is ultimately being used to support families and children who need it most.
read more.