Sen. Sharp holds highest cumulative pro-business ranking in state legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, secured his fourth perfect pro-business score from the Research Institute for Economic Development (RIED) based on his votes in the 2020 legislative session.  Given his eight-year tenure, he holds the highest cumulative REID score, a 96, in the Oklahoma Legislature.

            “Although the 2020 session was cut short by the health pandemic, we were still able to pass important legislation for Oklahoma’s business community,” Sharp said. “When our businesses struggle, our economy struggles, so we must support bills that can help them expand production or services, relocate to our state or hire more employees. I’m proud to have supported Oklahoma businesses throughout my Senate service.  Without them, we don’t have a state.”

            Each year, REID gets bill nominations from business interests, chambers of commerce, trade organizations, professional societies, academic interests, individuals and members of the legislature. These business-related bills support job creation, elevation of income, attracting new commerce and economic growth.  This year, ten bills were included in the study – HB 3619, HB 4018, SB 801, SB 1204, SB 1362, SB 1688, SB 1748, SB 1875, SB 1946 and SB 1947.

            Sharp was one of the Senate authors of SB 801, which changed the requirement under the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act that nurse anesthetists be supervised by a doctor instead of work in collaboration with a doctor.  The purpose of the bill is to increase access to healthcare across the state.

            Other subjects included defining “primarily engaged” for hospitals; tax credits for software and cybersecurity employees who join Oklahoma companies; ownership of wastewater in the oil and gas industry; and increasing commercial limits for grocery and specialty food stores. Because of the pandemic, bills were also approved protecting businesses from potential liability and providing protection for businesses who produce COVID-19 related goods or services.  The other bills created the Oklahoma Advanced Mobility Pilot Program; the Rural Broadband Expansion Act; and the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Sharp: (405) 521-5539 or Ron.Sharp@oksenate.gov