OKLAHOMA CITY – A week after Deadline Day for proposed bills in the chamber of origin, several bills received a second reading in the opposite chamber as they moved through the legislative process.
Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) The freshman senator stayed in the headlines again this week as the Freedom From Religion Foundation asked Deevers to surrender his seat in the state Legislature. The FFRF is a national nonprofit association with members across the nation, including Oklahoma, and opposes comments the organization deemed as Christian nationalism that Deevers made during the March 14 Senate filibuster.
Deevers is a co-sponsor of a House Joint Resolution1034, which would expand citizens’ rights to keep and bear arms. The bill received a second reading in the Senate on March 19 and was referred to the Rules Committee.
Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) On Monday, March 18, members of the Oklahoma Women’s Legislative Caucus helped bring attention to Women’s History Month and celebrated the outstanding contributions women have made throughout the nation’s history.
Senator Garvin is a Senate co-chair for the bicameral, bipartisan caucus, and along with other members, co-sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, according to a press release.
“It’s my honor to help bring attention to the hard work of so many remarkable Oklahoma women, and how their accomplishments have advanced our state and the nation,” Garvin said.
“These are achievements that benefit all of us. I’m proud to co-chair the Women’s Legislative Caucus and to be a part of this bipartisan celebration of Women’s History Month.”
Senate Bill 1658, a bill authored by Garvin that predominately impacts women rape victims has received support from Oklahoma’s Attorney General. She wrote in her weekly column, “From the Desk of Sen.
Jessica Garvin” that, “I also received unanimous support for a bill that eliminates the statute of limitations on rape convictions when someone confesses to the crime or new DNA evidence becomes available. Senate Bill 1658 is one of Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s legislative priorities this year. This bill is a huge win for victims of rape.”
The measure received a first reading in the House on March 13.
Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) Poultry waste handling procedures is addressed in House Bill 4118, co-sponsored by Sen.
Howard. Every poultry feeding operation would be required to develop a Nutrient Management Plan and contain measures designed to prevent the discharge of poultry waste into waters of the state.
The bill, authored by Rep. David Hardin (R-Stilwell), received a second reading in the Senate on March 19 and was referred to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. A hearing was held on Monday, March 25; however, results were not available by press time.
Another measure co-sponsored by Howard and receiving a second hearing in the Senate is HB 3546, which pertains to court orders and costs, financial obligations, warrants and procedures. It was authored by Rep. Danny Sterling (R-Tecumseh) and on March 19 received a referral to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Chris Kidd (R-Waurika) Earmarking $1 million in grants for businesses committed to exploring the aerospace, life sciences and energy diversification industries is proposed in SB 1309, authored by Sen. Kidd.
The measure received a first hearing in the House on March 12. A dollar-for-dollar match would be required of eligible businesses in order to qualify for any grant.
A bill modifying requirements to receive an aerial license for pesticide application, HB 2185, received a second reading in the Senate on March 19 and was referred to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. It is co-sponsored by Kidd and authored by Rep.
Dick Lowe (R-Amber).
The measure states that it would be unlawful for any person to act, operate, or do business or advertise as a commercial, noncommercial, certified applicator, temporary certified applicator, service technician or private applicator unless the person has obtained a valid applicator’s license issued by the State Board of Agriculture. The only exception is if the person is applying the pesticide to their own property.
Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) Limiting virtual instruction in Oklahoma’s public schools, SB 1768, received a first reading in the House on March 13. The measure was co-authored by Sen.
Paxton and Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond).
Instruction would only take place virtually in the event of inclement weather, staff shortages caused by illness, building maintenance issues or if found necessary by school administrators, said a Senate press release.
In addition, when a school district decides to use a virtual day instead of a traditional snow day, school districts would be required to provide a minimum of 5.5 hours of instruction to K-8th students and 6 hours to high school students.