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OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma is now among those states officially calling for an Article V Convention of the States.  Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and House Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, Senate Joint Resolution 23 was approved by Gov. Stitt on Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given final approval to a bill ensuring payment parity for physicians who care for patients using telemedicine.  Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, is the principal Senate author of Senate Bill 674. The measure was approved on Thursday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – More elderly and frail inmates in Oklahoma’s prisons could soon qualify for medical parole under legislation signed into law Tuesday. Senate Bill 320, authored by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan,

will allow those offenders deemed medically frail or vulnerable to be considered for medical parole, also known as compassionate release.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two Senate bills to help manage huge spikes in energy costs after February’s historic winter storm will protect seniors, families, small businesses and Oklahoma’s economy.  That’s according to Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, chair of the Senate select committee created to study the issue.  Both Senate Bills 1049 and 1050 were recently signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two bills protecting the leave of state employees during governor-declared state emergencies are now law. Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, authored the bills after learning of the hundreds of hours of annual and compensatory leave accrued during the pandemic, and state employees not being able or allowed to take it by the end of the year.         

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to ensure Oklahomans are informed about the costs associated with a state question and where that funding could come from is now law.  Senate Bill 947, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure to better protect victims of domestic violence from harassment through social media was approved Thursday in the Senate. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, is the principal Senate author of the measure and said House Bill 1007 is needed to bring victim protection laws in line with new technologies and communication platforms.

OKLAHOMA CITY –Legislation to help law enforcement better aid victims of domestic violence has now been approved by both chambers and will next be considered by Gov. Kevin Stitt.  Senate Bill 17, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, received overwhelming bipartisan support from legislators.  The measure enhances Oklahoma’s Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) used by law enforcement investigating domestic violence crimes.

Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, Sen. Michael Brooks and Sen. Julia Kirt met with media after the Senate's 12th week of session.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat met with media after the Senate's 12th week of session.