OKLAHOMA CITY Leading up to the 30th anniversary of the deadly bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, legislators gathered in a solemn joint session last week to remember and honor the 168 people who lost their lives that day.
“The bombing changed us forever, but it did not defeat us,” President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) said, according to a legislative press release. “What emerged from the rubble was not only grief, but an extraordinary sense of resolve and determination that captured the hearts of people across the nation.
“We will never forget the pain of that day, but we also hold fast to the hope and determination that helped us heal. We come together today not only to mourn, but to honor. Honor those we lost. Honor those who served. And honor the unbreakable spirit of Oklahoma in the face of unimaginable tragedy.”
Paxton authored Senate Resolution 15, which was adopted and referred for enrollment on April 17. In addition to listing the 168 names, which was read during the joint memorial session, the resolution “remembers those who were killed, honors the survivors, thanks the heroic first responders, and urges continued healing for all on this 30th anniversary.
The Legislature also recognized the work of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order that all American and Oklahoma flags located on state property be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. Saturday, April 19, through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25 in honor of the 30th anniversary.
In addition to SR 15, Paxton also co-authored three bills with House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) that advanced through the legislative process last week. They are:
• House Bill 2645, which aims to establish a tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine in rural areas of the state. The measure defines a “qualifying doctor” as a licensed medical or osteopathic physician who has graduated from an in-state medical college or completed their residency in Oklahoma.
The doctor’s primary residence must be either in the rural area or same county where they work or within a federally recognized tribal jurisdiction. The physician must also maintain their primary residence in the specified location for the entire taxable year.
Requirements outlined state that a rural area is defined as a municipality or unincorporated location with a population of 25,000 or less and at least 25 miles from a larger municipality. The tax credit will be capped at $25,000 per year and will not be able to reduce the taxpayer’s liability below zero.
The measure seeks to draw medical professionals to the underserved rural areas, and it advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.
• HB 2302, which seeks to modify parking space allocations at the State Capitol for various state officials and create a new designated area for vehicle inspections.
The measure, which is now permitted to be heard in the full Senate, would assign parking spaces for the President Pro Tem of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor. Also, the Department of Public Safety would be permitted to establish a large vehicle inspection station in the south parking lot near the Capitol.
• HB 2289 seeks to update the Oklahoma Judicial Security and Privacy Act by including elected federal and state officials. The intent is to protect personal details like home and email addresses, phone numbers and family information. It has been put on general order and can now be heard by the full Senate.
In all, Paxton authored or co-sponsored 14 measures that received legislative action last week.
Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) authored or co-sponsored eight bills that advanced during committee sessions last week. Included are:
• Senate Bill 893, which would establish the Military Installation and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2025. The intent is to restrict representatives from foreign adversary countries from owning or controlling designated types of property or infrastructure in the state.
The measure passed the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee.
The text of the bill defines critical infrastructure as entities either publicly or privately owned and includes, but is not limited to (a.) gas and oil production, storage, or delivery systems, (b.) water supply, refinement, storage, or delivery systems, (c.) telecommunications networks, (d.) electrical power delivery systems, (e.) emergency services, (f.) transportation systems and services, or (g.) personal data or otherwise classified information storage systems, including cybersecurity.
• HB 1166, which seeks to reform Oklahoma’s annexation process, ensuring greater transparency and stronger protections for property owners. Provisions of the measure state that cities and towns must obtain written approval from a majority of affected property owners before land can be annexed.
Municipalities with a population of 12,000 or less, annexations must be limited to eight square miles at a time and require consent from at least 65% of landowners and 25% of residents in the area. In addition, the bill would require enhancement of public notification requirements by mandating newspaper announcements, along with mailed notices to property owners and a public hearing within 1430 days of publication.
If a city proceeds with annexation plans without a majority consent, a detailed service plan outlining essential services such as water, sewer, fire protection and police coverage must be presented. These services must be implemented within 10 years or the annexed land will automatically be removed from the city’s jurisdiction.
The measure would also prohibit cities from annexing land owned by state public trusts without full consent. The bill was put on general order last week and can now be heard by the full Senate.
• SB 626, which would update the Oklahoma Security Breach Notification Act and strengthen requirements for how data breaches involving personal information are handled by organizations, passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee last week.
Sen. Spencer Kern (R-Duncan) is co-sponsor of a fish and wildlife bill, SB 1077, that passed the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee last week. The measure seeks to amend Oklahoma’s wildlife transportation laws by adding two new exceptions to existing regulations.
The first new exception would allow transportation of deceased, intact Cervidae (deer, elk or other species in the deer family) to a taxidermist in good standing with the Secretary of State. The second new exception would allow owners or operators of commercially licensed hunting facilities to transport Cervidae between in-state hunting facilities without a permit from the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Penalties for violating wildlife transportation regulations will remain the same, with potential fines between $50 and $200 and possible county jail time between 10 and 60 days.
Sen. Kendal Sacchieri (R-Blanchard) is co-sponsor of HB 1199, which seeks to amend state law to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and using gold and silver as legal tender. The measure is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Legal tender” is defined as a recognized medium of exchange for paying debts and taxes and “specie” is defined as coins or bullion with gold or silver content that is valued primarily for the metal content.