Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Leaders of the Oklahoma Senate Education Committee today unveiled a comprehensive package of education initiatives introduced for the upcoming legislative session aimed at strengthening schools, supporting teachers and staff, equipping students for success and empowering parents.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Burns, R-Pollard, filed legislation today to require health benefit plans in Oklahoma to cover medically recognized cooling systems used during chemotherapy treatment.

The bill would require coverage for cooling caps and other therapeutic cooling devices designed to reduce common chemotherapy side effects, including hair loss and nerve damage affecting the hands and feet. Under the measure, coverage for these cooling systems would not be subject to annual deductibles, co-payments, or coinsurance limits typically applied to covered benefits.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Burns filed legislation Tuesday to update Oklahoma law governing the submission, testing, and long-term retention of sexual assault evidence kits, with the goal of ensuring evidence is handled promptly, consistently, and with clear accountability across the system.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, filed two pieces of legislation to further efforts to prohibit foreign land ownership in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1582 and Senate Joint Resolution 31 aim to close loopholes within state statute and the Oklahoma Constitution that allow aliens to obtain land.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senator Christi Gillespie, R–Broken Arrow, released the following statement after the Broken Arrow City Council voted 4-to-1, denying a proposed development at the Olive Avenue and Creek Turnpike corridor. 

“Last night’s decision reflects what many residents have been saying for years: the City of Broken Arrow must follow its Comprehensive Plan and protect long-term economic growth in our community.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed a trio of bills for the 2026 session to make insurance rates in Oklahoma more affordable. Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said her bills were the result of stories from her own constituents about challenges they faced as well as from Oklahomans across the state. Kirt said those concerns were backed up by an interim study she held last fall on insurance rates.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senator Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, today introduced Senate Bill 1475 to recognize the life and extraordinary achievements of country music superstar Toby Keith by naming a local bridge and future roadway developments in his honor.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Spencer Kern, R-Duncan, was elected to serve as Secretary of the State Ag and Rural Leaders (SARL) Board during the organization’s annual Legislative Agriculture Chairs Summit, held January 3-5 in Louisiana.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Education Committee Chair Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, announced today he has filed legislation for the upcoming legislative session to establish the Presidential Fitness Test as a statewide standard for youth physical fitness in Oklahoma schools, aligning with President Donald Trump’s executive order reestablishing the program nationally.