Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Darcy Jech is commending the Senate’s approval of the gubernatorial executive nomination of Kingfisher resident Kurt Bollenbach, who was nominated to serve by Gov. Stitt.  Jech carried the nomination through the confirmation process. 

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OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Joseph Silk is commending the Senate’s approval of two gubernatorial executive nominations this month.  Community members April Boatwright and Doug Brown were tapped to serve by Gov. Stitt, with Silk carrying the nominations through the confirmation process.  

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The Governor along with the House and Senate announced an $8.2 billion budget agreement for FY’20.  Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, released the following statement Wednesday afternoon.

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Governor Kevin Stitt, House Speaker Charles McCall, and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced on Wednesday the Fiscal Year 2020 budget deal.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Three transportation measures authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom were signed into law by Governor Stitt this month, bringing Oklahoma into compliance with federal regulations.

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The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday advanced four of Governor Stitt’s nominees to serve on the State Board of Education.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, carried the nominations of Estela Hernandez and Jennifer Monies to the board.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Two measures authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom aimed at modifying state alcohol laws were signed into law by Governor Stitt this week. 

Senate Bill 113 allows a Retail Wine License or a Retail Beer License holder to sell beer or wine on credit when the holder of such license is a private membership club, marina, golf course or country club that normally charges food, drinks and other purchases to the member's monthly dues account in the regular course of business. 

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OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom that regulates self-driving cars in the state was signed by Governor Stitt this week. 

Senate Bill 365 creates the Oklahoma Driving Automation System Uniformity Act. The measure preempts local laws and asserts that only the state may enact laws or regulations regarding the use of motor vehicles equipped with driving automation systems in Oklahoma.

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OKLAHOMA CITY –   State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom is commending the Senate’s approval of Ann Neal’s reappointment to the Oklahoma Arts Council. Neal will serve a three-year term ending July 1, 2022.

“It is an honor and a pleasure to carry Ann Neal's nomination to the Oklahoma Arts Council for the Governor,” said Bergstrom, R-Adair.  “The governor clearly sees the legacy of her years of service in Arts and Humanities and wants to continue to bring her expertise to the state level.  Ann will continue to be a great ambassador for northeastern Oklahoma on the state Arts Council."

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A measure providing reciprocal licensing for military personnel and their spouses was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt this week.
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OKLAHOMA CITY –   McCurtain County native, Michelle Finch-Walker is the newest Tourism and Recreation Commissioner according to State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow.  

 “I was honored to carry the gubernatorial nomination of Michelle Finch-Walker to the Senate,” said Silk.  “It’s clear to the entire state of Oklahoma that the southeastern corner knows what it’s doing when it comes to the tourism industry.  It’s time that we share that experience and expertise across our state.” 

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The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Steven Buck of Oklahoma City as the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Buck is the first agency director confirmed by the Senate under the terms of new laws that give the governor the ability to hire and fire the heads of OJA and four other top state agencies.
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The use of rapid DNA field testing technology by law enforcement is one step from becoming law. Senate Bill 184, which would use the technology to quickly determine if an arrestee is already in the system for a previous serious offense, is headed to the governor’s desk for review.
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The Senate gave unanimous final approval to legislation Tuesday which authorizes the use of one standardized sexual assault evidence kit by all law enforcement agencies statewide. Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, said she authored Senate Bill 975 to address the state’s backlog of untested rape kits and to get victims justice faster.

In 2017, the Oklahoma Task Force on Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) conducted an audit and found that there were more than 7,200 untested rape kits throughout the state. Floyd was a member of the taskforce.
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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.

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OKLAHOMA CITY President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced appointments the senate leader has made to various boards and commissions.

The Senate president pro tempore is tasked with making appointments to various agencies, boards and commissions. Pro Tem Treat encourages Oklahomans looking for a way to serve to contact his office or visit the Appointments section of the Oklahoma Senate website (www.oksenate.gov) to learn about other opportunities to serve.

Commission on the Prevention of Abuse of Elderly and Vulnerable Adults

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Beginning next year, notary publics will be able to certify electronic documents following legislation unanimously approved Thursday by the Senate. Authored by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, Senate Bill 915 creates the Remote Online Notary (RON) Act.
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A bill naming the ribeye as Oklahomas official state steak has been signed into law. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt is the author of Senate Bill 21 along with House principal author Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton.

Murdock said with 5.1 million head of beef cattle in Oklahoma, the state is ranked third in the nation in beef cattle. He said declaring the ribeye the states official steak is aimed at drawing attention to that industry.

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Senator Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement regarding nominations by Governor Stitt to the State Board of Education:

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