OKLAHOMA CITY – Reduction of virtual school days is a topic that Senate Pro Temelect Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) will reintroduce when the First Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature kicks off at noon on Feb. 3.
Introduced last session as Senate Bill 1768, the measure did not make it through the necessary committees to be presented to the governor.
“We continue to see the disastrous and inefficient effects virtual learning is having on our children,” Paxton said in a recent press release. “We also continue to see school districts across the state plan their calendars for next year that include even more virtual days.
“Children learn best when they are in the classroom. They also learn critical social skills and how to interact with their peers. Virtual learning also puts a strain on working parents, who must find childcare or take off from work. For these reasons and more is why Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond) and I have decided to refile legislation from last session that will limit virtual days in public schools.”
SB 1768 proposed to limit virtual classroom instruction to only take place in the event of inclement weather, staff shortages, illness, building maintenance issues or if deemed necessary by school administrators and approved by the State Department of Education.
Paxton’s announcement came after Gov. Kevin Stitt filed an executive order, 202429, which limits remote work for state employees. The mandate directs state agencies to return full-time employees to in-office work environments by Feb. 1.
“In the past several years, we have appropriated historic levels of funding to schools across the state,” Paxton said. “I believe returning to in-person work and cutting down on virtual days will improve productivity across state agencies, including public education.”
Paxton has also prefiled SB 195, which pertains to the Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships Act of 2016 and specifically directs the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to obtain certain insurance coverage.
Two new senators from southwest Oklahoma have been sworn into office for the new legislative session. Sen. Spencer Kern (R-Duncan) represents District 31 and fills the seat formerly held by Chris Kidd, who chose not to seek reelection. Sen. Kendal Sacchieri (R-Blanchard) represents District 43, after defeating incumbent Jessica Garvin in the Republican Primary last summer and Democrat Sam Graefe in the November general election.
Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) has prefiled six bills, which include the following:
• SB 83, which pertains to prisons and reformatories and specifically relates to inmate trust funds; modifying elements of exemption to certain accounts and updating statutory language.
• SB 118, which would require the Oklahoma Supreme Court to establish the Judicial Performance Evaluation Council and establish procedures for a judicial performance evaluation program.
• SB 213, which relates to the Governmental Tort Claims Act, would increase the limits of liability for certain claims.
• SB 259 pertains to water and water rights. It would establish procedures for permitting, monitoring and reporting groundwater use. It also would provide for making an appropriation to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
The 2025 bill introduction deadline is 4 p.m. Jan. 16.