Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – There’s a new law on the books that strengthens Oklahoma’s accessory to murder statute.  Sen Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, are the principal authors of Senate Bill 6, the Sgt. Craig Johnson Act, named for a Tulsa police officer who was shot while conducting a traffic stop in 2020 and later died from his injuries. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law on Wednesday.

Senate Democrats held a media availability to give an update on the 2022 legislative session.  Speakers included:

The Senate Judiciary Committee gave approval to House Bill 2972 on Tuesday, a measure that would make it easier for Oklahomans to access a medical exemption for jury duty.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved a pair of law enforcement bills Thursday to streamline services and improve training, while also providing better mental health support for Oklahoma’s public safety personnel. The measures, authored by Sen.

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, released the following statement after the passage of Senate Bill 2, also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act on Thursday. Dahm was a co-author of the measure.

The Senate gave approval to a pair of measures Thursday affirming biological sex at birth and placing importance on this designation for female student athletes across the state. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, is the author of both measures.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several education bills to support teachers will soon be considered by the House after receiving approval from the full Senate. Senate Education chair Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authored the bills to repeal the state’s outdated teacher evaluation system, create a mentor teacher program and establish a comprehensive website for open teaching positions.       

OKLAHOMA CITY – At a press conference Wednesday, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, was joined by other Cleveland County residents in sharing their outrage over the planned expansion of Oklahoma’s turnpike system that threatens the home and property of hundreds, the only location of a rare rock and a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave approval Wednesday to legislation to allow schools to utilize highly-qualified professionals in their classrooms as long as needed. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, authored Senate Bill 1119 to remove the 270-hour cap for adjunct teachers per semester as the state continues to struggle with the teacher shortage.

Oklahomans may soon have a little extra money in their pockets after buying a new car or truck. The Senate approved a pair of measures authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, on Monday that would change how the state collects sales tax on vehicle purchases and how long citizens have to register that new purchase.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Tuesday named a new chair and vice chair of the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to a bill to modernize state statutes on motorized scooters.  Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to strengthen the right of Oklahomans to use the pharmacy of their choice has been approved by the full Senate.  Senate Bill 1860,

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved legislation Monday to ensure Oklahoma students are educated about the largest act of genocide in world history. Authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, Senate Bill 1671 would direct the State Department of Education (SDE) to develop and provide public schools with an age-appropriate Holocaust curriculum for 6^th through 12^th grade students beginning with the 2022-2023 school year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation passed the Senate Tuesday to make a higher education more attainable for members of the Oklahoma National Guard. Senate Bill 1418, also known as the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act, by Sen. Kim David, would cover resident tuition and fees at Oklahoma colleges and universities for qualifying members.

The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure that would further protect stalking victims.

Under current state law, if a victim is stalked by a stranger, they must first file a complaint with a law enforcement agency before they can file a protective order. Authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, Senate Bill 1674 would remove this requirement and allow any stalking victim – whether they know their perpetrator or not – to file a protective order without prior documentation of stalking behavior.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved legislation Monday by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, to give schools more flexibility in how and when they spend general carryover funds. SB 1126 would remove the carryover caps for such funds, allowing schools to better plan and save for future needs.

Equalization certified that the Legislature would have more than $10.4 billion available to appropriate for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins this July 1.  A lot of people are very excited about that figure, including me.   But when we start drilling down into those numbers, what we’ve learned from past budget years and how we prepare for those to come, it’s clear we need to take a thoughtful, conservative approach.

State Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Tulsa, was recently awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for leading future operations of U.S. Special Forces in East Africa during his most recent deployment.