OKLAHOMA CITY – Topics ranging from alcohol delivery to youth vaping have recently been proposed for about 150 state legislative interim studies over the next several months.
“Interim studies are a great way for lawmakers to dig into topics that are important to Oklahomans as they craft legislation for next year,” Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) said in a June 28 press release. “These studies provide legislators with the opportunity to thoroughly investigate complex issues, gather relevant data and engage with experts and stakeholders outside of the regular legislative session.”
The following topics are on the approved list of studies that must be completed by Nov. 1. After committee chairs finalize interim study requests, hearing dates and times will be set. The following is a list proposed by southwest Oklahoma legislators. Senate Although committee assignments have been designated, it will be at the discretion of each respective chair to decide whether a study will be scheduled for presentation.
Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin)
• IS-24-022, Medicaid Funds Abuse; assigned to the Education Committee
• IS-24-023, Self-managed abortion totals in Oklahoma; assigned to the Health and Human Services Committee.
• IS-24-039, Harm related to increasingly expansive school-based health care; assigned to the Education Committee.
Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus)
• IS-24-012, Water usage, monitoring and oversight; assigned to the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.
• IS-24-013, Business Court Reviews; assigned to the Judiciary Committee.
• IS-24-014, Critical infrastructure and agricultural land protection from foreign ownership; assigned to the Judiciary Committee.
• IS-24-021, DEQ standardization of small municipality/rural water well sites; assigned to the Energy and Telecommunications Committee.
House of Representatives As of press time, committee assignments have not been designated for the following proposed interim studies.
Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow)
• IS-24-080, Oklahoma’s Wind Industry Tax Policy.
• IS-24-106, Energy generation; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Mike Dobrinski (R-Okeene).
Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton)
• IS-24-085, Low-income housing for homeless in rural areas.
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin)
• IS-24-083, Cattle theft.
• IS-24-084, Domestic violence; protective orders and gaps in law.
• IS-24-109, Domestic violence; protective orders and failure to protect where women and children are in the current state of Oklahoma law.
Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus)
• IS-24-001, Study of Administration Rules Procedures Act.
Rep. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan)
• IS-24-046, Exploring transportation networks for the disabled.
Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton)
• IS- 24-024, Impact of zoning laws on the development of housing; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Forrest Bennett (D-Oklahoma City).
• IS-24-028, School safety and bullying prevention act; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman).
• IS-24-040, Increasing school-based Medicaid reimbursements for children experiencing health disparities in Oklahoma schools; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Preston Stinson (R-Edmond).
• IS-24-043, Annie E. Casey Grant; looking at ways to keep youth out of the foster care system and to improve systems for family settings in place of group placement.
• IS-24-055, Rural healthcare access; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval (D-Oklahoma City).
• IS-24-089, Artificial Intelligence; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval (D-Oklahoma City).
• IS-24-107, Harm reduction; discuss how Senate Bill 511 has been implemented since 2021 and how we can move forward. This legislation pertains to controlled dangerous substances and authorized certain entities to engage in harm-reduction services. The law also provides for registration and reporting.
Rep. Rande Worthen (R-Lawton)
• IS-24-023, Invasive species control of woody species - restoring Oklahoma’s grasslands and riparian areas; proposed in conjunction with Rep. Carl Newton (R-Cherokee).