Press Releases

The Oklahoma Legislative Mental Health Caucus this week announced an expanded leadership team and two major priorities for the 2022 Oklahoma Legislative Session.

The caucus, which began in 2021 with about 30 members, will expand its bipartisan, bicameral leadership in 2022. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, will serve as co-chairs alongside the caucus’ founding co-chairs, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove.

With tensions still following questions regarding the 2020 election cycle, Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, wants voters to decide if Oklahoma should conduct random audits following each general election.

OKLAHOMA CITY – After successfully protecting law enforcement officers from doxing last session, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has filed legislation to extend those same protections to retired law enforcement members. Senate Bill 1522 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously Tuesday.

State Sen. Warren Hamilton has filed Senate Joint Resolution 30, which would give a voice back to rural Oklahomans and transform how state questions are passed in the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a bill to allow children of school support employees to transfer to their parent’s employing district. Senate Bill 1112 is authored by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, who said the bill was requested by school superintendents and the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA)

OKLAHOMA CITY –Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement on behalf of the Senate Democratic Caucus:

State Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, has filed Senate Bill 676 to prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from undergoing gender reassignment medical treatment in the state.

The measure would make it illegal for a person under the age of 21 to undergo gender reassignment medical treatment; for a parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18 to obtain gender reassignment medical treatment for the child; or for a health care professional to intentionally perform gender reassignment medical treatment on a person who is under the age of 21.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, congratulated Gov. Kevin Stitt for a successful State of the State address Monday to open the second regular session of the 58^th Legislature.

Gov. Stitt specifically mentioned his support for Treat’s Senate Bill 1647, the Oklahoma Empowerment Act.

As a rancher in Southeastern Oklahoma, Sen. Warren Hamilton has seen the impact of Oklahoma lands being purchased by foreign entities.

In an effort to keep rural hospitals serving their communities, Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed Senate Bill 1774, which would allow for some hospitals to receive a tax exemption on the sale of personal property or services for hospital use.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE