OKLAHOMA CITY – With the end of the legislative session looming at the end of May, legislators worked last week to advance their bills. April 25 marked the deadline for Third Reading of Bills and Joint Resolutions from the Opposite Chamber in the state Legislature.
Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow)
Four bills authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Boles were approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt in last week’s legislative action.
• Senate Bill 1514, authored by Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle), pertains to the Commissioners of the Land Office and will provide certain statutes of limitations be applied to the Office as it relates to oil and gas leases.
• House Bill 3050, authored by Boles, pertains to petroleum storage tanks. The measure will modify the time frame for appeal and remove certain statutory references.
• HB 4095 pertains to the Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act and specifically addresses definitions, notices and meeting requests.
• SB 1200, which pertains to Daylight Saving Time and would enable Oklahoma to adopt DST as the year-round time if a federal law is passed to give states permission.
Three bills either authored or co-sponsored by Boles were sent to the governor last week and are pending approval.
• HB 3051, authored by Boles and co-authored by Sen. Paxton, pertains to revenue and taxation. It refers to clean-burning motor vehicles, tax credits and fiscal year caps.
• HB 4156, which pertains to immigration, legislative intent and making certain acts unlawful. Sen. Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) and House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) teamed up and co-authored this bill, which refers to the criminal act of impermissible occupation.
• HB 3156 which pertains to elections and would prohibit the use of ranked choice voting. It also defines terms and would authorize certain entities to bring civil action. Ranked Choice Voting is any voting system whereby a voter ranks candidates in a sequence from first, second, third and onward on a ballot to determine a winning candidate.
Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton)
Two bills authored by Rep. Caldwell were approved by the governor last week.
• HB 4091 which pertains to fire districts and addresses agreements for fire protection services by municipalities, provides a procedure for disagreements over service areas and directs disputes to be arbitrated by the Fire Marshal’s Commission.
• HB 4095 which is the Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act and specifically addresses definitions, notices and meeting requests.
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin)
Two bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Hasenbeck were approved by the governor last week.
• HB 3642, authored by Hasenbeck, pertains to crimes and punishments and amends various statutes pertaining to the Oklahoma Law on Obscenity and Child Pornography. It addresses the scope of certain unlawful acts.
• SB 1959 pertains to consumer protection and will prohibit commercial entities from distributing adult material without age verification.
In addition, four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Hasenbeck were sent to the governor’s desk and are pending approval.
• HB 3159 which pertains to eminent domain and the Landowner’s Bill of Rights. It addresses the right of first refusal or first offer.
• HB 3156 which pertains to elections and prohibiting the use of ranked choice voting. The measure defines terms and authorizes certain entities to bring civil action.
• SB 597 which pertains to the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and specifically would modify qualifications for membership. It would also modify certain procedures for disciplinary action and establish the Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee.
• HB 3639, authored by Hasenbeck, pertains to crimes and punishments and would specifically modify the scope of certain unlawful acts.
Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus)
Four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Kendrix were approved by the governor last week.
• SB 1234 will extend the Sunset date for the State Board of Examiners of Perfusionists.
• SB 1229 will extend the Sunset date for the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board.
• SB 1230 will extend the Sunset date for the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission.
• HB 3560, authored by Rep. Kendrix, pertains to public finance and addresses terminology and annual reports.
In addition, three bills either authored or co-sponsored by Kendrix were sent to the governor’s desk and are pending approval:
• HB 2958, authored by Kendrix, would remove the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners from the Oklahoma Sunset Law.
• HB 3156 per tains to elections and proposes to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting. It also defines terms and authorizes certain entities to bring civil action.
• 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.
Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber)
In legislative action last week Rep. Lowe saw one bill he co -sponsored sent to the governor’s desk and is pending approval.
• HB 3156 per tains to elections and proposes to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting. It also defines terms and authorizes certain entities to bring civil action.
Rep. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan)
Four bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. McEntire were approved by the governor last week and one bill was vetoed.
Vetoed by the governor April 22, HB 1019 pertained to the Central Purchasing Act and addressed sole source acquisition or sole brand acquisition. It also referred to the State Department of Health exemption for certain programs. It was sent to the governor on April 16.
Bills approved by the governor include:
• SB 1752 pertains to Medicaid and will modify requirements for participation in certain premium assistance programs. It also will modify certain authority of the Insurance department.
• SB 1511 pertains to long-term care and modifies elements of employment eligibility.
• SB 1862 pertains to mental health and will transfer certain duties to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
• SB 1739 pertains to birthing centers and will eliminate licenses for birthing centers. It will also modify criteria for coverage of certain benefits and modify definitions.
In addition, three bills authored by McEntire were sent to the governor’s desk and are pending approval.
• HB 3371 per tains to long-term care and specifically addresses licenses, home assistants, statutory references, the Home Care Act, home care agencies and training plans.
• HB 3367 ensures access to the Medicaid Act.
• HB 1696 per tains to medical loan repayments and the Medical Loan Repayment Program. It specifically addresses definitions, certified nurse practitioners including physician assistant and certified nurse practitioners.
Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton)
Two bills co-sponsored by Rep. Pae was approved by the governor this week.
• HB 4150 per tains to homesteads and exemptions and specifically addresses debtor and creditor and distributions.
• SB 1200, which pertains to Daylight Saving Time and would enable Oklahoma to adopt DST as the yearround time if a f ederal law is passed to give states permission.
In addition, one bill co -sponsored by Pae was sent to the governor on April 25 and is pending approval.
• HB 3980 per tains to Medicaid and providing hospice coverage for Medicaid members. It also addresses requirements for coverage.
Rep. Rande Worthen (R-Lawton) One bill co-sponsored by Rep. Worthen was sent to the governor’s desk on April 25 and is pending approval. SB 1702 pertains to the death penalty procedure and would require confidentiality of identity of certain persons or entities. It would provide an exception to discovery of certain materials and provide for retroactive application of certain provisions.