Session Summary

The Oklahoma State Senate convened the 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature on February 5, 2024, with a discussion on providing relief to Oklahomans in the form of a tax cut.  The Senate proposed eliminating the state’s portion of the grocery sales tax and on February 22, 2024, the Senate passed HB1955 and eliminated the state grocery sales tax.  The Senate proceeded to incorporate the largest tax cut in state history into its newly formed budget transparency process.  The Senate continued to hold to its budget transparency process which led to the first ever public budget negotiations with the House of Representatives and the Governor. 

The Oklahoma State Senate convened the 1st Session of the 59th Legislature on January 3, 2023, to swear in the newly elected Senators Alvord, Gollihare, Green, Prieto, Seifried, Stewart, K. Thompson, and Woods as well as reelect Senator Treat as the President Pro Tempore for the 5th consecutive term. Additionally, members voted on committee membership and elected Senate leadership.

The Oklahoma State Senate convened the 2nd Session of the 58th Legislature on February 7, 2022, to consider how to spend monies from the American Relief Plan, tighten regulations on medical marijuana, expand rural broadband, and promote economic development. Additionally, following revenue certification in February, the Senate continued to advocate for measured economic relief.

The Oklahoma State Senate convened the 1st Session of the 58th Legislature on February 1, 2020, to tackle a host of issues ranging from extending regulatory oversight related to marijuana, encouraging economic growth in the aftermath of COVID-19, adjusting Senate and House Districts to match the state’s population, and to continue reforming the criminal justice system. The 58th Legislature also tackled the issue of rising utility bills following the prolonged North American winter storms of 2021.

Below you will find the 2020 Session Highlights file.

The Senate convened for the 1st Session of the 57th Legislature on January 8th, 2019, to adopt Senate rules governing the Session, certify the 2018 election results, and to elect a new President Pro Tempore. Sen. Greg Treat (2011-Present) was unanimously elected. Following the President Pro Tempore election, Sen. Kim David was named the Majority Floor Leader and Sen. Kay Floyd was named as the Minority Floor Leader. The Senate adopted the rules and members were appointed to standing committees of the Senate.

Prior to the 2nd Session of the 56th Legislature, the Senate and House convened the 1st and 2nd Special Session of the 56th Legislature. Due to the funding shortfall resulting from the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision in Naifeh v. The State of Oklahoma (2017 OK 63), the Legislature needed to raise or cut spending by $215 million to balance the budget. The loss of this revenue primarily affected the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and the Department of Human Services. The 1st Special Session convened on September 25, 2017, to deal with the funding shortfall. On November 17, the Legislature passed a revised budget (HB 1019x) along with two other measures (HBs 1081x and HB 1085x) that somewhat reduced the severity of the cuts. The 1st Special Session adjourned on November 17, 2017. 

The 1st Session of the 56th Oklahoma Legislature convened to organize on January 3, 2017 for the purpose of performing its duties as required in Section 5 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution and organizing pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution. The Legislature reconvened on Monday, February 6, 2017, and adjourned sine die on May 26, 2017, as required in the Oklahoma Constitution.

The 2016 Oklahoma Legislature convened on Monday, February 1, 2016, and adjourned sine die on May 27, 2016, as required in the Oklahoma Constitution.

The Senate welcomed Senator J.J. Dossett, who was sworn in mid-session after he was elected in a special election. The Senate bade farewell to the class of 2004--Senators Patrick Anderson, Don Barrington, Brian Bingman, Brian Crain, John Ford, Earl Garrison, Clark Jolley, Ron Justice, Mike Mazzei, Susan Paddack and Charlie Wyrick--who were unable to run again due to term limits, and Senator Jim Halligan, who chose not to seek re-election.

The 2015 Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 6, 2015, for the purpose of performing its duties as required in Section 5 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution and organizing pursuant to the provisions of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution.  The Legislature reconvened on Monday, February 2, 2015, and adjourned sine die on May 22, 2015, a week earlier than required in the Oklahoma Constitution.

The 2014 Oklahoma Legislative Session convened on February 3, 2014, and adjourned sine die on May 23, 2014, a week earlier than required in the Oklahoma Constitution.  The officers of the Senate for 2013 were continued, including Senator Brian Bingman, President Pro Tempore, Senator Mike Schulz, Majority Floor Leader and Senator Sean Burrage, Democratic Floor Leader.  The Legislature considered 2,399 bills and joint resolutions, of which 188 Senate measures and 213 House measures became law.  Governor Mary Fallin vetoed 35 measures and two of those vetoes were overridden by the Legislature.  Another two measures referred three state questions to the voters for action at the November 2014 election.

The 2013 Oklahoma Legislative Session convened on January 8, 2013, for its biennial organizational day, and then reconvened in regular session on February 4 and adjourned sine die on May 24, 2013, a week earlier than the constitutionally mandated date. The Senate welcomed eight new members to the 54th Legislature: Senators Larry Boggs, Corey Brooks, Nathan Dahm, Kyle Loveless, Ron Sharp, Wayne Shaw, Jabar Shumate and Rob Standridge. The leadership team of Senator Brian Bingman, President Pro Tempore, Senator Mike Schulz, Majority Floor Leader and Senator Sean Burrage, Democratic Floor Leader, was reelected. The Legislature considered 2,557 bills and joint resolutions, of which 188 Senate measures and 235 House measures became law. Governor Mary Fallin vetoed 17 measures.

The 2012 Oklahoma Legislative Session convened on February 6 and adjourned sine die on May 25, 2012, under the leadership of Senator Brian Bingman, President Pro Tempore, Senator Mike Schulz, Majority Floor Leader and Senator Sean Burrage, Democratic Floor Leader. The Legislature considered over 2,000 bills and joint resolutions, of which 171 Senate measures and 221 House measures became law. Governor Mary Fallin vetoed 11 measures. Four state questions were referred to the people for a vote in November, along with two which were referred in 2011 (for more information, see Legislative Brief at http://www.oksenate.gov/publications.aspx).

The first session of the 53rd Oklahoma Legislature started with historic turnover, with the election of Mary Fallin as the first woman Governor in state history and the selection of new legislative leadership, including Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Speaker of the House of Representatives Kris Steele. The Senate welcomed ten new members: Senators Mark Allen, Josh Brecheen, Rick Brinkley, Kim David, Eddie Fields, David Holt, Rob Johnson, Ralph Shortey, Frank Simpson, and Greg Treat; along with 21 new state Representatives. Other newly elected officials in the executive branch included Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb, Attorney General Scott Pruitt, State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, State Treasurer Ken Miller, Insurance Commissioner John Doak, Labor Commissioner Mark Costello and Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi. The 2011 Session was also the last for long-time Senator Jim Reynolds, who will assume the position of Cleveland County Treasurer in the summer of 2011.

Over 2,000 bills and joint resolutions were introduced for consideration, with 194 Senate bills and joint resolutions and 188 House bills and joint resolutions eventually being approved by Governor Fallin. Eleven bills were vetoed and two state questions were referred to the Secretary of State for a vote of the people in 2012. Major issues on which legislation was enacted included the FY 2012 state budget, pension system reform, agency consolidation, tort reform, changes to the workers’ compensation system and governance of the State Department of Education and the common education reform. The 2011 session was also the first after the 2010 federal census, which meant that Senate, House and congressional districts were redrawn.

The lists below include all measures from the 2011 session which were approved by the Governor, vetoed by the Governor, and filed with the Secretary of State. Information on legislation which will carry over to the 2012 session and other legislative actions is available at http://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/basicsearchform.aspx.

In the second session of the 52nd Legislature, the Oklahoma State Senate considered 1,082 new Senate Bills and 45 carryover Senate Bills, 505 House Bills, 28 Senate Joint Resolutions, 2 carryover Senate Joint Resolutions, 15 House Joint Resolutions, 32 Senate Concurrent Reso-lutions, 19 House Concurrent Resolutions and 71 Simple Resolutions. Of those measures, 208 Senate Bills and 235 House Bills were signed into law, while 12 Senate Bills and 19 House Bills were vetoed (the vetoes of HBs 2656, 2780 and 3284 were overridden). Eleven state questions (ten referred by the Legislature and one initiative petition) were referred to the people for a vote in the 2009-2010 biennium and will be on the 2010 ballot, and 83 Senate Concurrent or Simple Resolutions were filed with the Secretary of State.

The First Session of the 52nd Legislature convened in January 2009.  For the first time in state history, Republicans held a majority of seats in the Oklahoma State Senate.  The upper chamber had been tied in the 51st Legislature, with each caucus controlling 24 seats. Senator Glenn Coffee, who previously held the title of Co-President Pro Tempore under the power sharing agreement, was elected President Pro Tempore.  Senator Charlie Laster was selected by his caucus as Democratic Floor Leader. 

During the 2009 session, the Senate introduced 1,240 bills, 42 joint resolutions, 19 concurrent resolutions and 60 simple resolutions.  Of those measures, 241 bills and 1 joint resolution was signed into law and 8 were vetoed.  Nineteen concurrent resolutions and 60 simple resolutions were adopted or enacted.  The Legislature voted to place eight state questions on the 2010 general election ballot, five from the Senate and three from the House.

In the second session of the 51st Legislature, the Oklahoma State Senate considered 1,069 new Senate Bills and 769 carryover Senate Bills, 472 House bills, 31 Senate Joint Resolutions, 31 carryover Senate Joint Resolutions, 18 House Joint Resolutions, 61 Senate Concurrent Resolutions, 34 House Concurrent Resolutions and 54 Simple Resolutions.  Of those measures, 248 Senate Bills and 191 House Bills were signed into law; while eight Senate Bills and four House Bills were vetoed (the veto of SB 1878 was overridden).  Three constitutional amendments (HB 3354 and SJRs 29 and 38) and 91 Senate Concurrent or Simple Resolutions were filed with the Secretary of State.

The first session of the 51st Legislature convened in January 2007, the year marking Oklahoma’s 100th anniversary of entering the union as the 46th state. In addition to planned Centennial celebrations in communities throughout the state, the Legislature also agreed to meet in November of 2007 for a ceremonial session to be held in Guthrie, the original state capital of Oklahoma.

In the second session of the 50th Legislature, the Oklahoma State Senate considered 1034 new Senate Bills and 608 carryover Senate Bills, 539 House bills, 32 Senate Joint Resolutions, 14 House Joint Resolutions, 26 Senate Concurrent Resolutions, 29 House Concurrent Resolutions and 71 Simple Resolutions. Of those measures, 160 Senate Bills and 167 House Bills were signed into law, while 3 Senate Bills and 3 House Bills were vetoed. Two constitutional amendments (SJR 37 & HJR 1066) and 83 Senate Concurrent or Simple resolutions were filed with the Secretary of State.

The first session of the 50th Legislature featured an ambitious agenda, addressing a variety of high-profile issues ranging from a $500 million higher education bond proposal (SB 745, HB 1191), a landmark road and bridge funding agreement (HB 1078), a significant tax relief package (SB 435, HB 1547), and prescription drug assistance (SB 547), as well as laws aimed at giving citizens greater protection from criminals while enhancing the investigative tools law enforcement needs to bring criminals to justice. Governor Brad Henry called a special session, which began the last week of the regular session, at which legislation to significantly overhaul the workers’ compensation system was approved (SB 1X).

The second session of the 49th Oklahoma Legislature convened on Monday, February 2, 2004. The session was unique in that it would be the last for more than 40 members of the House and Senate due to consti-tutionally mandated term limits approved by voters in 1990. It also included several high-profile legislative measures

The 49th Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 7, 2003, for organizational purposes. Senator Cal Hobson was elected as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Officers of the majority and minority parties were announced and seated, including Majority Floor Leader, Senator Ted Fisher, and Minority Floor Leader, Senator James Williamson

The 2nd Session of the 48th Legislature convened on Monday, February 4, 2002. During the session, the Senate introduced 870 bills and 15 joint resolutions and the House introduced 959 bills and 30 joint resolutions for a combined total of 1874 measures. An additional 1217 bills and joint resolutions, carried over from the 1st Session, were available for consideration

The 48th Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 2, 2001, for organizational purposes. The roll call of members elected to the Senate in November included three new members: Senators Jonathan Nichols, Jim Reynolds, and Nancy Riley

The 2nd Session of the 47th Legislature convened on February 7, 2000. The Senate introduced 801 bills and 22 joint resolutions and the House introduced 882 bills and 33 joint resolutions for consideration during the 2nd Session. An additional 1,096 Senate and House bills and 45 Senate and House joint resolutions carried over from the first session and were available for action as well

The 47th Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 5, 1999, for organizational purposes. The roll call of members elected to the Senate in November included four new members: Senators Coffee, Crutchfield, Johnson, and Pruitt.

Regulation of the growing hog and poultry industries topped the legislative agenda along with revisions to the Truth In Sentencing law, tax reductions, and pay raises for state troopers and other state employees. Delivery of higher education services to the Tulsa metropolitan area was a major issue of interest and concern

Members of the Legislature dealt with several major issues in the 1997 session, including regulation of pig farms, restructuring of the electric utility industry, telecommunications, welfare reform, restrictions on consumer loans, and higher education tuition increases.