OKLAHOMA CITY – Action continued on proposed bills right up to sine die adjournment during the final week of the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature. After sending the state budget proposal to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for his signature, both chambers adjourned on May 30–a day before required by law. As part of the financial negotiations over the last two weeks with Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) and House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka), Gov. Stitt agreed to not veto the budget. Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) Two bills, co-sponsored by Sen. Jessica Garvin were approved by the governor last week.
Senate Bill 1334, which pertains to health insurance and creates Corinne’s Law. The measure, honoring the life and legacy of Oklahoman Corrine Dinges, will require insurance companies to cover fertility preservation services for cancer patients.
SB 1705, which pertains to alien ownership of land. The measure states that no alien or any person who is not a citizen of the United States or foreign government adversary will be able to acquire title to or own land in Oklahoma either directly or indirectly through a business entity, or trust, or foreign government enterprise. Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) Four bills, authored or co-sponsored by Sen. Brent Howard, were approved by the governor last week.
SB 979, which will modify requirements under the Oklahoma Abstractor’s Act and specifically provide an exception for determination of unnecessary delay and increase certain civil penalties.
SB 468, which creates the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act and specifically addresses electronic wills, affidavits, and electronic records and signatures.
SB 1424, which pertains to the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act and specifically establishes certain responsibility for applications to register or expand poultry operations and modifies requirements of a Nutrient Management Plan.
SB 1705, which pertains to alien ownership of land. The measure states that no alien or any person who is not a citizen of the United States or foreign government adversary will be able to acquire title to or own land in Oklahoma either directly or indirectly through a business entity, or trust, or foreign government enterprise. Sen. Chris Kidd (R-Waurika) A bill pertaining to the creation of the Horse Racing Commission and its funding, House Bill 3693, became law without the governor’s signature on May 30. It was co-sponsored by Sen. Chris Kidd. In Oklahoma, except during the last five days of the session, the governor has five days to take action on a bill. If no action is taken, the bill becomes law on its effective date, which will be Nov. 1 for HB 3693. Information at orc. okstate.edu also states that no bill may become law after the final adjournment of the Legislature, unless signed by the governor within 15 days after adjournment.
HB 3693 outlines who would be seated on the nine-member board. To be eligible for an appointment to the commission, a person must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Oklahoma for at least five years and must not have been convicted of any felonies.
The measure would also create in the State Treasury an agency special account for the Commission to be designated as the “Oklahoma Breeding Development Fund Special Account.” It will be a continuing fund and not subject to fiscal year limitations. Monies received by the Commission for deposit in the fund will, in part, come from unclaimed pari-mutuel tickets. The measure will also prohibit expending certain funds when other funds are available. Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) Three bills authored by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, all containing emergency tags, were approved by the governor last week.
SB 1505 pertains to providing rebates for emission reduction projects and creates a fund. The measure, which will become effective immediately, creates the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program. A rebate is created in the amount of up to 25% of documented expenditures made in this state directly attributable to the implementation of a qualified Emission Reduction Project. The rebate program shall be administered by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, as provided in the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Incentive Act. The measure also outlines required documentation.
SB 1370, which creates the Oklahoma Law Carbon Energy Initiative and specifically amends duties and sources of funds. The Initiative will serve as a strategic program designed to create, advance and promote new and existing energy research and development, use, supply chain activity and infrastructure related to Oklahoma’s core energy competencies. It will go into effect July 1.
The measure also creates a revolving fund in the State Treasury to be designated as the “Oklahoma Energy Initiative Revolving Fund.” The fund will be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and will consist of all monies received by the Secretary of Energy and Environment or any other entity authorized to accept or expend funds on behalf of the Oklahoma Energy Initiative from any authorized source. The Initiative is authorized to accept donations, grants, endowments, or other funding from any person, corporation or entity to achieve the purpose and satisfy the objectives of the Initiative as provided by this act.
SB 473, which is a carryover bill from 2023, creates the Task Force for the Study of Business Courts and will go into effect immediately. It will conduct a study to analyze the implementation, effect and impact of creating a Business Court System in the state.
The task force shall consist of 11 members to be appointed or selected as follows: Five members to be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be designated by the governor as the chair; two members to be appointed by the House Speaker; two members to be appointed by the Senate Pro Tempore; one member to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court; and one member to be appointed by the Administrative Director of the Courts. The task force shall conduct an organizational meeting no later than Sept. 30, 2024.
A majority of the members present at the organizational meeting, or any subsequent meeting, will constitute a quorum for the purpose of any action except the vote on the final report. A majority of the total membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on the final report. The preliminary report shall be submitted to the governor, the Speaker and Senate Pro Tempore before Jan. 1, 2025. The final report shall be submitted no later than Jan. 1, 2026.