Sen. Coleman sworn in for second term

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, has officially begun his second term in the state Senate after being sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Darby Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell presided over the oath of office ceremony in the Senate Chamber. 

“I’m honored to continue my service in the Senate on behalf of the citizens of Senate District 10,” Coleman said.  “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish these last four years from working to lower our state’s youth suicide rate by providing access to life-saving counseling, protecting the health of our elderly, and passing historic sentencing reform for non-violent offenders to help get them back into the workforce faster and to their families. We’re helping improve and save lives, and I want to thank everyone who has helped make these and other critical reforms possible. Our work is just beginning.”

Coleman currently serves as a presiding officer in the Senate chamber, and is vice chair of the Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee and also sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation, as well as the Public Safety and Rules Committees. He is a member of the Tax Reform Working Group, the Caucus Agenda Committee, and also worked on the Redistricting Committee and HealthCare Working Group.

During his first term, he successfully got legislation to the governor’s desk to print the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 on student IDs, responsibly expand community sentencing for non-violent offenders, and slow the over-prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to seniors in long-term care and assisted living centers. His legislation also provided more transparency of state service contracts, stopped various types of marketing calls, and helped protect small businesses.

The Senate will hold a one-day organizational meeting on Jan. 3, and the 2023 session will formally get underway on February 6.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Coleman: (405) 521-5581 or Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov

CUTLINE 1: Sen. Bill Coleman introduces family and friends following his swearing in ceremony Wednesday in the Senate chamber.

CUTLINE 2: Sen. Bill Coleman poses on the Senate floor following his swearing in ceremony Wednesday with his wife Helen, daughter Haley Coleman, son Kavin Martin and granddaughter, Athena Martin.