Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure authored by Senate Education Committee Chair Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, was approved Tuesday to try to find answers to the ongoing teacher shortage. Senate Bill 1630 would direct school districts to conduct exit interviews when a teacher leaves their position, just as many private sector companies do with their employees.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Given that suicide is the second leading cause of death among Oklahoma children, adolescents, and young adults ages 10–24, Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, wants to ensure students have help at their fingertips in moments of crisis. The Senate approved his Senate Bill 1307 Tuesday to provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number on student identification cards.

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, the Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Irish Senate and the birth of democracy on the Emerald Isle. Authored by Senators Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Mary Boren, D-Norman, the resolution also recognizes the role Irish immigrants have played in Oklahoma history and celebrates the creation of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus in Oklahoma.  

On the heels of the governor’s announcement that Oklahoma is forming a partnership with Arkansas and Louisiana to create a regional hydrogen hub, the state Senate has passed two measures that would give tax credits to businesses and individuals utilizing and producing the clean and affordable energy source.

Authored by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, Senate Bills 1857 and 1858 would support the tri-state initiative by incentivizing the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles and encouraging hydrogen engineering.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation Monday to further honor our state’s fallen military by helping their surviving spouses. Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, is the author of Senate Bill 1670, which would extend the sales tax exemption granted to the unremarried surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans to the spouses of those killed in the line of duty.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has won full Senate approval for a bill aimed at moving district court funding from fees to appropriated funding through the Legislature.  Senate Bill 1458 would eliminate a slate of fines and fees currently charged upon conviction.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate advanced a measure Wednesday by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, to help schools better address the needs of students struggling with mental health issues. Senate Bill 626 would require mental health facilities to inform the parents of minors being discharged from inpatient mental health care services of the importance of disclosing the student’s mental health needs to their local school.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Among several pro-life measures approved by the Senate Thursday was Senate Joint Resolution 17 by Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday approved a slate of pro-life measures to ensure the state values and protects the lives of the unborn.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to a measure aimed at strengthening Oklahoma’s efforts to defend life.  Senate Bill 1503, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, creates the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved legislation Wednesday to bring Oklahoma in line with federal standards regarding infant screenings. Senate Bill 1464, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, would require the state Health Department’s (OSDH) screening list to be updated regularly to match the federal Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma could soon join the other 33 states that honor America’s military by not taxing their retirement pay, following the Senate’s unanimous approval of Senate Bill 401 Wednesday. The measure is authored by Air Force veteran Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Sen. Brenda Stanley, vice chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to a measure that will modernize and standardize services Oklahoma consumers receive at local tag agencies.  Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, is the author of Senate Bill 1605, creating Service Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Education Committee chairman Adam Pugh wants Oklahoma to think outside the box when it comes to students earning credits for graduation. The Edmond Republican is the author of Senate Bill 1623, the Learn Everywhere Act, to allow public school students to be eligible for extended learning opportunities outside the classroom.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 1547 on Tuesday, which would make virtual public meetings a permanent fixture across the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure to better address elderly and vulnerable adult abuse in Oklahoma passed the Senate Tuesday. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, is the author of Senate Bill 1163, which will authorize district attorneys to develop a multidisciplinary team to investigate and prosecute such crimes in coordination with the District Attorneys Council.

The chairman of the Senate Energy Committee said he supports a ban on Russian oil and other petroleum products, explaining such a prohibition would further hold Vladimir Putin and his regime accountable for its illegal and unlawful attack on Ukraine.

Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro, said the United States is indirectly funding the Putin regime and its ruthless attack on the Ukrainian people by purchasing Russian oil and other products every day.

OKLAHOMA CITY – As Bre Frizzell watched from the gallery, the state Senate passed Ava’s Law, a measure named in memory of her infant daughter who passed away a few weeks after her birth. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, introduced Senate Bill 1462 to help prevent other Oklahoma parents from experiencing such a devastating loss by properly training them on infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved Senate Bill 1139 Monday to find alternate ways to compensate Oklahoma teachers. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said the ongoing teacher shortage is evidence that additional reforms must be made to keep professionals in the classroom.