OKLAHOMA CITY – With roughly two weeks left in the current legislative session, budget talks dominated last week’s agenda. Gov. Kevin Stitt held a budget conference between the state Senate and state House of Representatives, which met two times. In regards to the budget, nothing is final to date.
Southwest Oklahoma legislators continue to work for passage of bills yet to make it to the governor’s desk before the session ends at the end of May. Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) Early last week, Sen. Deevers issued a press release and called for urgent action on Senate Bill 426, which pertains to the World Health Organization and would prohibit enforcement of policies required or recommended by WHO. It’s a carryover measure authored by Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) from the last legislative session and has recently been picking up new co-sponsors among state legislators.
The bill’s intent is to create a new section of law in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6301 ofTitle 74 and states, in part, that WHO, the United Nations and the World Economic Forum shall have no jurisdiction in the State of Oklahoma. An emergency tag was attached and, if signed into law, would become effective June 1.
Within the last few weeks, 49 U.S. Senators signed a letter urging President Joe Biden to reconsider the expansion of WHO’s pandemic authority, the press release said.
“I am heartened to see our counterparts in Washington take a firm stance against the overreach of the World Health Organization and other international bodies,” Deevers said. “It is crucial that we maintain our state and national sovereignty, and ensure that any amendments, agreements, or new treaties, particularly those related to global health policy, undergo thorough scrutiny by American legislative bodies and national and state jurisdictions.”
Deevers is urging constituents to contact their state Senators to pass SB 426 before the end of the legislative session on May 31. Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) Three bills co-sponsored by Sen. Garvin saw legislative action last week with one, House Bill 2362, approved by the governor on Friday. Authored by Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow), the measure pertains to cities and towns and specifically addresses annual audits of municipalities and the procedures guiding the audits.
In addition, two bills were sent to the governor’s desk and are pending approval.
HB 3238, which pertains to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and specifically addresses longterm care, the PACE program, agreements, enforcements, regulations, exemptions, rules, the Adult Day Care Act, the Home Care Act and modifies certain definitions. It was sent to the governor on May 8.
HB 2528, which pertains to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma and specifically addresses terms, applications, procedures, options, liabilities and expenses. It was sent to the governor on May 9. Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) On Friday, Sen. Howard was named to a conference with six other legislators to further study possible modifications to the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act. SB 1424 was originally authored by Sen. Tom Woods (R-Westville); however, documents show that in March Woods’ name was removed as the bill’s author and Howard’s name was listed. The measure seeks to modify provisions related to administrative penalties and notice requirements.
In part, the bill text proposes that an environmental history from the past three years of any poultry feeding operation established and operated by the applicant or any other operation with common ownership in this state or any other state must be provided as part of the application process. Also, any environmental awards or citations received or pollution prevention or voluntary remediation efforts undertaken by the applicant will be required. Any false statements or omitted material data in the application for registration will be considered a misdemeanor, upon conviction, and may be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 for each violation. Sen. Chris Kidd (R-Waurika) Sen. Kidd is also included, along with Sen. Howard, in the conference for SB 1424, the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act. Kidd has also been named to a conference committee for HB 3766, which he co-sponsored this session, and pertains to the care of indigent persons. It specifically would repeal numerous sections of the state statute.
Two other bills either authored or co-sponsored by Kidd have also gone to a conference committee for further study.
HB 3738, which pertains to sales tax and an agriculture exemption. In part, the measure refers to agriculture products produced in Oklahoma. Committee members to the conference study have not been named to date.
SB 1055, authored by Kidd, which pertains to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act and specifically addresses the definition of a public health emergency, requirements for a public body to conduct meetings utilizing electronic means, quorum requirements and public availability. It is a carryover bill from 2023.
In part, the bill text states that the meeting notice and agenda prepared in advance, as required by law, must indicate if the meeting will include videoconferencing electronic locations and state the location, address, website or link or telephone number of each available videoconference physical or electronic site from which each member of the body will be physically or electronically present and participating in the meeting.
Along with Kidd, four other legislators, including Howard, are part of the conference committee for this bill. Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) Three bills either authored or co-sponsored by Sen. Paxton have been flagged for further conference study.
SB 499, authored by Paxton, and pertains to granting certain authority to the Attorney General. The proposal would amend and modify multiple state statutes. In part, the bill text states that the AG shall have the authority to enter into memoranda of understanding, commensurate with the AG’s duties and responsibilities, with any law enforcement entity or district attorney. Also that any officer, board or commission which has the authority to employ or appoint attorneys may request that the AG defend any action arising pursuant to the provisions of The Governmental Tort Claims Act.
HB 2197, authored by Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber), which pertains to waters and water rights and creating the Waters and Water Rights Modernization Act. In part, the bill text states that to the extent that the water authorized is not put to beneficial use as provided by the terms of the permit, that amount not used shall be forfeited by the holder of the permit and it will become public water and available for appropriation.
HB 1599, which pertains to cities and towns and specifically addresses legislative municipal procedures, property owner rights, zoning and regulation and public improvements.