Press Releases

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

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 615 was signed into law Wednesday, requiring restrooms or changing rooms in Oklahoma public schools to be designated exclusively based on biological sex. Sen.

Sen.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat held a Media Availability on 5/20/22 to discuss the ongoing legislative session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate chamber burst into applause Friday after the unanimous final passage of a bill eliminating the state’s 13-year waiting list for developmental disability services.  House Bill 4466 provides $32.5 million, the largest funding increase to this program in state history, to clear that waitlist. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – With just days left in the legislative session, Sen. Shane Jett has amended House Bill 2335 to restrict state agencies from imposing vaccine mandates and requiring vaccine passports. The Shawnee Republican is encouraging Oklahomans to call their local senators and share their support of the legislation and ask that it be approved immediately. A list of state Senators is available at http://www.oklegislature.gov.   

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given its approval to a measure aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s nursing shortage, which has worsened as a result of the pandemic.  Senate Bill 1458  would use $55 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to establish grant programs to help 21 state colleges, universities, and technology centers to address this pressing need.

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

Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature will call a concurrent legislative session to allow public input to continue to drive how $1.8 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are spent.

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1075 to reinstate the full sales tax exemption on motor vehicles and tractor trailers. The Legislature removed the 1.25% of the exemption in 2017, but Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said with revenues at record highs, it’s time to restore the much-needed tax relief for Oklahomans.

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Resolution 47 to memorialize June 14, 2022, as President Donald J.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statements after passage of the FY 2023 General Appropriations bill:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Historic state savings deposits and more money returned to taxpayers highlight the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget agreement, which also funds law enforcement at record levels, eliminates the years-long developmentally disabled services waiting list, fights federal overreach, and makes generational investments in economic development.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Fiscal Year 2023 state budget agreement includes $32.5 million to completely eliminate the 13-year waiting list for some 5,000 individuals seeking developmental disability services.  Sen.

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, a former teacher, released the following statement regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

"This budget undermines what we know kids need to thrive. Half of our classroom teachers are leaving the state or leaving the profession entirely at the end of this school year. With no new investment in common education, we are falling further behind and we are already $1.2 billion behind the regional average in per pupil investment. In a year where we have $1.4 billion in surplus, it's time to fill the gap."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation giving firefighters statutory authority to transport patients to the hospital in emergency situations has been signed into law.  Senate Bill 1515, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Schools will be better able to address the mental health needs of their students beginning this coming academic year following the signing of Senate Bill 626. The measure, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, and Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, requires mental health facilities providing inpatient mental health care services for minors to share with parents the importance of informing their school about their students’ struggles and care received.

The Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee has given approval to Krista Ratliff to serve the remaining term of Sandra Kunz on the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission, which will end on July 1, 2023. Sen.

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

Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman