OKLAHOMA CITY – A concurrent resolution approved last Thursday by the state House of Representatives proclaims May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, carried in the House by Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton), recognizes the economic and cultural impact of the nearly 3% of Oklahomans who have Asian or Pacific Islander heritage, said a legislative press release.
“As the child of Korean immigrants, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month resonates deeply as an opportunity to honor our shared heritage and the challenges Asian people continue to face,” Pae said. “In recognizing AAPI Heritage Month, we honor the histories, resilience and contributions of Asian Americans that have enriched our state and nation.”
AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated in May to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in May 1843. SCR 23 was authored in the Senate b y Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd (D-Oklahoma City). The resolution was filed with the Secretary of State on May 2. Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) Two bills co-sponsored by Rep. Boles were approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt last week.
House Bill 3156, which pertains to elections and prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting was approved by the governor on April 29.
The governor approved HB 4156, an immigration bill co-sponsored by 38 legislators, including Rep. Boles. It creates the crime of “impermissible occupation” and pertains to persons willfully and without permission entering and remaining in the state witho ut having first obtained legal authorization to enter the U.S. The first offense will be considered a misdemeanor; subsequent offenses will be considered felonies. Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton) One bill co-sponsored by Rep. Caldwell was approved by the governor on May 1. The measure, Senate Bill 1333, per tains to worker’s compensation and transferring the Volunteer Firefighter Group Insurance Pool to the Off ice of Management and Enterprise Services. The act received an emergency tag and will go into effect on July 1. Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) Four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Hasenbeck were approved by the governor last week.
HB 3156, which pertains to elections and prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting.
HB 3159, pertaining to eminent domain and the Landowner’s Bill of Rights, addresses the right of f irst refusal or f irst offer.
HB 3639, authored by Hasenbeck, pertains to crimes and punishments and would specifically modify the scope of certain unlawful acts. It relates to the Oklahoma Law on Obscenity and Child Pornography.
Approved by the governor on April 30 was SB 597, which pertains to the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and will modify qualifications for membership and modify certain procedures for disciplinary action. It will also estab lish the Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee. Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) Four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Kendrix were approved by the governor last week.
HB 3156, which pertains to elections and prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting.
HB 3559, authored by Kendrix, pertains to revenue and taxation and, specifically, the Pass-Through Entity Tax Act. It also addresses elections and income tax returns.
HB 2958, authored by Kendrix, removes the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners from the Oklahoma Sunset Law.
HB 3556, authored by Kendrix, is a public health and safety bill and provides for a state-designated entity for a health information exchange and addresses mandatory language and exemptions. Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) Three bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Lowe were approved by the governor last week.
HB 3156, which pertains to elections and prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting was approved.
HB 2178, authored by Lowe, which pertains to alcoholic beverages and addresses small farm wineries and winemaker licenses, samples, satellite locations and events, was approved.
HB 2158, authored by Lowe, which pertains to schools and modifying graduation requirements to complete personal financial literacy instruction was approved. Rep. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan) Four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. McEntire were approved by the governor last week.
HB 3367, authored by McEntire, ensures access to the M edicaid Act.
HB 1696, authored by McEntire, which pertains to medical loan repayments and the Medical Loan Repayment Program. It specifically addresses definitions, certified nurse practitioners including physician assistant and certified nurse practitioners.
Stitt approved HB 3369, authored by McEntire, which pertains to state government. It addresses the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act and addresses duties and responsibilities.
The governor also approved HB 3428, which pertains to tattoo and body piercing and specifically addresses State Department of Health license requirements, rules, regulations and penalties. Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) Last week, Rep. Pae saw two concurrent resolutions he co-sponsored passed, a bill he a uthored sent to the governor’s desk and two bills he co-sponsored approved by the governor.
HB 3574, authored by Pae, was sent to the governor’s desk and is pending approval. The measure pertains to public health and safety and specifically addresses the Kratom Consumer Protection Act. In addition to definitions, the proposal sets restrictions on the preparation, distribution or sale of cer tain products made from kratom—a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia.
HB 3980, which pertains to providing hospice coverage for Medicaid members and the requirements, was approved by the governor.
SB 57, which pertains to counties and county officers and specifies margin size requirements for certain documents, was approved by the governor.
On May 2, two concurrent resolutions co-sponsored by Pae were passed and filed with the Secretary of State. They are the aforementioned SCR 23, which recognizes May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and SCR 19, which encourages further economic ties and friendship between the State of Oklahoma and Taiwan.
SRC 19 states that since 1980, Oklahoma and Taiwan have maintained a sister-state relationship and enjoy particularly close economic ties; Taiwan is Oklahoma’s tenth-largest export partner in Asia with over $37 million in g oods and services exported to Taiwan in 2023; and the establishment of an Oklahoma Trade and Investment Office in Taiwan could enhance the participation of small- and medium- sized enterprises in trade and investment. Rep. Rande Worthen (R-Lawton) Two bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Worthen were approved by the governor last week.
SB 1702, which pertains to the death penalty procedure and requires confidentiality of identity of certain persons or entities and provides exception to discovery of certain materials was approved by the governor. It will also provide for retroactive application of certain provisions. And HB 3000, authored by Worthen, pertains to driving under the influence. HB 3000 was also approved by the governor. It specifically addresses the Impaired Driving Prevention Advisory Committee, membership, driver license revocation, ignition interlock devices and the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence.
In part, the bill text states that the Impaired Driver Accountability Program is transferred for oversight and administration to the Board of Tests for impaired driving arrests occurring on or after Nov. 1, 2022. The Board is authorized to set and oversee rules regarding the program and charge administrative fees. The Board will also set rules relating to and regulating ignition interlock devices and the providers of such devices, including fees. In addition, the Board is authorized to prescribe and approve education and training for the performance of ignition interlock services. It will establish standards and determine qualifications and competence of individuals providing the interlock services and issue permits.