OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers have introduced more than 3,000 measures for consideration during the 2021 legislative session.
The 101 state Representatives filed 1,942 House bills and 44 joint resolutions, while the 48-member Senate has filed 1,036 bills and 26 joint resolutions. If adopted, joint resolutions have the full force and effect of law.
The 3,048 bills and joint resolutions constitute an average of 20 measures for each of the 149 lawmakers. However, almost 400 of the House bills were “shell” bills filed by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. A shell bill contains no substantive language and is introduced for potential use later, when it can be amended to include an actual legislative proposal.
Besides the bills and joint resolutions, three Senate concurrent resolutions, two House resolutions and one Senate resolution have been filed. Those measures are largely expressions of sentiment, although in House Resolution 1001 the House of Representatives will adopt its internal rules for the two-year 58th Legislature.
A total of 3,162 bills were filed in the House of Representatives during the 57th Legislature: 1,775 in 2019 and 1,387 in 2020. Also during the 57th Legislature, 1,948 Senate bills were filed: 1,080 in 2019 and 868 in 2020. The session last year was paused temporarily because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The GOP has super-majorities in both legislative chambers at the State Capitol. The House is comprised of 82 Republicans and 19 Democrats, while the Senate has 39 Republicans and 9 Democrats.
The four-month First Regular Session of the 58th Legislature starts at noon Monday, February 1, featuring the “State of the State” address by Gov. Kevin Stitt.