OKLAHOMA CITY – Two resolutions authored by Pro Tem Greg Treat were adopted in the state Senate last week.
The first, Senate Resolution 42, congratulated the Oklahoma City Blue for winning the 2024 National Basketball Association G League Championship. The G League is the NBA’s official Minor League and the Blue are associated with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is the first time in team history that the Blue have won the championship.
Also adopted by the Senate, SR 41 is a measure memorializing the 29th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. At 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City was struck by the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history with the bombing of the federal building, read the bill text in part. 168 people died, including three state employees and one first responder. In addition, hundreds of men, women and children were injured.
To honor the victims, each name was read on the floor as a solemn act to remember those who were killed, to honor the survivors, to thank the heroic first responders and to urge continued healing for all. Proposed bills Treat announced in his weekly press conference that the House of Representatives released their budget numbers last Tuesday, resolving a temporary impasse that kept the Senate Appropriations Committee from hearing bills. The Pro Tem chose not to allow House bills to progress through Appropriations as a consequence of not participating in what Treat calls a transparent budget process.
“I am very excited that the House joined the effort in trying to get some numbers out there,” he said. “Best of my knowledge this is the first time in state history that everyone’s numbers are public at this stage in the game. I think it’s going to move our state forward. Oklahoma wins in this process.” Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) On April 15, Garvin’s bill, Senate Bill 1658, intended to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape in certain situations, passed the House floor and will now return to the Senate. The bill was requested by Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
The current statute of limitations for rape when the victim is 18 years old or older is 12 years. If signed into law, this new legislation will eliminate the statute of limitations for rape when DNA evidence emerges or when a suspect confesses to the crime, said a Senate press release. It unanimously passed the House after the measure was amended to include expanding the statute of limitations on the dissemination of revenge porn from 12 to 20 years.
“Oklahoma needs to be tough on crime when it comes to heinous offenses such as rape,” Garvin said. “This is a common-sense measure that will allow prosecutors to charge rapists to the full extent of the law when DNA evidence or a confession comes to light.
Another bill authored by Garvin, SB 1752, which pertains to Medicaid and modifying requirements for participation in certain premium assistance programs and modifying certain authority of the Insurance Department was sent to Gov. Kevin Still on April 18. The goal of the proposal is to increase access to health care for all Oklahomans.
In part, the bill states that, unless otherwise provided by law, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall provide coverage under the state Medicaid program to children under the age of 18 whose family incomes do not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level. Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) A bill authored by Howard, SB 1711, which pertains to court proceedings and extending authorization for videoconferencing to certain appearances was sent to the Governor’s desk on April 17.
In part, the bill states that the use of videoconferencing technology, or the equivalent thereof, in the district courts is hereby authorized in all stages of civil or criminal proceedings and shall be governed by the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma. Such authorization includes the use of videoconferencing technology for appearances where the person is in custody in a county different from the county in which the case is filed.
In other action, a bill co-sponsored by Howard, House Bill 3684, was approved by Gov. Stitt on April 18. It was authored by Rep. Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City) and is an act related to amending civil procedures statutes. In part, according to the bill text, the measure will modify the list of evidence that does not require extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condition precedent to admissibility.
Another bill co-sponsored by Howard, HB 3036, was also sent to the Governor’s desk on last week. It was authored by Rep. Preston Stinson (R-Edmond) and addresses claims arising under the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act pertaining to civil procedure, forcible entry and detainer and jury trials. Sen. Chris Kidd (R-Waurika) A resolution, SR 43, which would recognize Oklahoma’s beef farmers and ranchers and designate May as Oklahoma Beef Month, was introduced by Kidd on April 18. He has also authored resolutions recognizing April 16 as Oklahoma Agriculture Day, SR 35, and SR 32, declaring April 17 as the 25th annual 4-H Day at the Capitol.
In other action, SB 1929, authored by Kidd was sent to the Governor’s desk on April 16. The proposed bill pertains to the practice of dentistry and, if signed into law, will modify various provisions of the State Dental Act. Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) A total of 10 bills either authored or co-sponsored by Paxton were sent to the Governor’s desk last week and one of those was approved by the Governor.
HB 1505 pertains to delivery and storage of insurance electronic documents and will permit insurers to post certain policies or endorsements. It was approved by Gov. Stitt on April 16.
The following bills were sent to the Governor’s desk on April 17:
• SB 1514, which pertains to the Commissioners of the Land Office and is designed to provide certain statutes of limitations be applied to the Office as it relates to oil and gas leases.
• HB 1759, which pertains to contractors and changing the specified amount needed for required certification to install an individual sewage disposal system.
• HB 3998, which pertains to law enforcement education and training and clarifying reimbursement requirements.
• HB 4065, which pertains to electric and public utilities and exemptions from definitions.
The following bills were sent to the Governor’s desk on April 18:
• SB 518, which pertains to Initiative and Referendum and will modify certain filing requirements and require certain publication and notice and will increase a certain time period for protest or objection.
• HB 3596, which pertains to modifying various provisions of the Employment Security Act of 1980.
• HB 3597, which pertains to modifying coordination of the Governor’s Council for Workforce and Economic Development.
• HB 3858, which pertains to the Police Pension and Retirement System; late charge; reference and revisions.
• HB 4095, which pertains to the Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act and specifically addresses definitions, notices and meeting requests.