OKLAHOMA CITY – Although sine die adjournment occurred on May 30, by law, Gov. Kevin Stitt is allowed 15 days after that date to approve or veto any bills sent to his desk by the chambers.
Sen. Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) A bill that lingered in the legislative process for two years, Senate Bill 426, co-sponsored by Sen. Deevers and Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow), was signed into law by the governor on June 5. The measure, authored by Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) is intended to “safeguard the liberties and rights of Oklahomans by prohibiting the state from enforcing any mandates or recommendations issued by the World Health Organization, the United Nations or the World Economic Forum,” said a recent legislative press release.
In addition, SB 426, ensures that the state will not compel residents to adhere to directives related to vaccines, masks, medical testing or the gathering of public or private information. Burns said the law will empower Oklahomans to make their own health decisions and protect their rights from external interference.
Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) Both legislative chambers voted during the last week of session to override two bills originally vetoed by the governor. SB 102 and SB 1712, both authored by Sen. Garvin, were carryover bills from 2023.
SB 102 pertains to the police pension and retirement system. Specifically, it will increase the minimum employee contribution for certain members and increase computation of certain month benefits. It will also increase the employer contribution. The measure will fully take effect in July 2025. Garvin wrote in her weekly column that to offset the benefits increase, the officers and municipalities that employ them will be asked to increase their retirement contributions. Currently, the state’s Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System is funded at 106%.
SB 1712 prohibits health insurance companies from refusing to cover durable healthcare equipment and supplies prescribed by a healthcare provider, regardless of whether the provider is in-network, Garvin wrote. The measure received an emergency tag and became law upon approval. In addition, the governor approved a bill during the last week of the session co-authored by Garvin.
House Bill 1449, which is also known as the Women’s Bill of Rights and authored by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin). In part, it updates state law to define “sex” as a person’s biological sex at birth. Garvin wrote that this law will protect women in restrooms, locker rooms and domestic violence shelters by keeping biological males from encroaching into women-only spaces. It becomes effective on Nov. 1. Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) A carryover bill from 2023, co-sponsored by Sen. Paxton and authored by Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber), pertaining to water rights was approved by the governor during the last week of the session. In part, it specifically addresses provisional temporary permits, reversion of water, reports by permit holders, administrative orders and permits.
In part, the measure states that when the party entitled to the use of water commences using water but afterwards fails to beneficially use all or any part of the water claimed the unused water shall revert to the public and be regarded as unappropriated public water. Permit holders must report their annual water use to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in a manner provided by the Board. The report will allow the permit holder an opportunity to explain any nonuse of the water allocated by the permit. Failure to report annual water usage may result in cancellation of the permit by the Board.