Press Releases

State Sen. Josh Brecheen has won committee approval for legislation aimed at better shielding mourners of fallen soldiers from protestors. Senate Bill 406 was approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

Current law bans protestors from picketing funerals for an hour before and after the service. They’re also prohibited from picketing any closer than 500 feet of where the funeral is being held. Brecheen’s legislation increases the moratorium on picketing to two hours before or after a service and increases the distance to 1000 feet.
read more.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved legislation that would establish criminal forfeiture provisions for crimes related to illegal immigration.

A measure that would redefine criteria for state citizenship won approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“We’re trying to remedy what we consider to be an incorrect interpretation of citizenship requirements by the federal government,” said Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City. “We cannot change the federal government’s definition of citizenship, but we can change the criteria for state citizenship. We want to urge Congress to reconsider birthright citizenship, while discouraging illegal immigrants from coming to Oklahoma.”

Six public hearings have been scheduled by the Senate Committee on Redistricting—the panel tasked with redrawing district boundaries utilizing the latest U.S. Census data. Senators Clark Jolley and Bryce Marlatt are co-chairs of the committee, and said the public hearings would give Oklahomans from every part of the state the opportunity to attend one of the hearings.

Senate Education Chairman John Ford offered a second bill on Monday to restructure the State Board of Education. The measure, Senate Bill 435, was approved by the Education Committee by a vote of 9 to 5.

“Up until 1971, the Board included the State Superintendent, the Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State,” Ford explained. “After that time the law was changed to make the Board of Education appointed by the Governor. Senate Bill 435 would take the Board back to its original structure.”

State Sen. Clark Jolley has won approval from the Senate Education Committee for a pair of bills aimed at improving Oklahoma’s public schools. Jolley said Senate Bill 346 would prohibit social promotion to better ensure children can actually read at grade level before moving to the next grade.
read more.

State Sen. David Holt says the results of a just-released poll show Oklahomans strongly support his legislation to reduce the state’s income tax rate. SoonerPoll.com and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs released an independent, scientific, statewide poll on Friday that shows Oklahomans want the Legislature to lower the income tax and boost Oklahoma’s economy as a result.
read more.

Support is growing in Oklahoma and nationwide to legalize medical marijuana, and Sen. Constance N. Johnson has once again filed legislation to allow for the use of medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. Senate Bill 573 would create the “Compassionate Use Act of 2011”.
read more.

The Senate adjourned after concluding business on Tuesday due to the approaching winter storm which is expected to significantly impact state roads and highways. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 1:30 on Monday, February 14, 2011.

In addition, Senate offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 9.

For further notification regarding office hours on Thursday or Friday, please check the Senate Website’s home page at www.oksenate.gov or call the Senate switchboard at 405-524-0126.

The recent murder/suicide of a young mother of a 14-month old by the baby’s father in the Mid-Del area of central Oklahoma County once again draws attention to a sobering statistic in the state. More women are murdered in Oklahoma by their significant others than in most other states. In an effort to address the problem, Sen. Constance N. Johnson has filed legislation to help fight domestic violence in the state.
read more.

The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation Tuesday that will help to secure quality, high paying aerospace jobs in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 3, authored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, passed unanimously.

“This legislation encourages private sector job growth in one of our best industries,” said Sen. Mike Mazzei. “I applaud all members of the Senate Finance Committee for being a part of this common sense legislation that has helped to create and retain good jobs in Oklahoma.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee met for the first time in the 2011 session on Tuesday approving five lawsuit reform measures that are key components of the Senate Republican legislative agenda.

“We have been working on lawsuit reform for years, taking mostly an incremental approach because we did not have the numbers or a Republican governor to support strong reforms,” said Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, Judiciary Committee Chairman. “These bills protect Oklahomans, our doctors and our businesses from frivolous lawsuits.”

The Senate Republican Rural Caucus announced their legislative agenda today along with explaining their vision for improving the quality of life in rural Oklahoma. The Caucus reassured Oklahomans of their commitment to the Senate Republican agenda released prior to session, but with a special focus on issues critical to rural Oklahoma, making public safety, education and transportation top priorities.

The Senate Education Committee has given approval to a bill to give the State Superintendent greater control over policy, while increasing accountability to the public. Senate Bill 718 was approved Monday 12 to 5. The measure was authored by Sen. President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Senate Education Chairman John Ford.
read more.

In one of its first orders of business for the 2011 Legislative Session, the State Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 2 honoring the life of the country’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan, and recognizing the 100th anniversary of his birth. The resolution, by Sen. Cliff Branan, also designates February 6-12, 2011 as “Ronald Reagan Week” in the State of Oklahoma.
read more.

2010 Jim Thorpe Award winner Patrick Peterson was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 1, recognizing and commending the standout cornerback from Louisiana State University.

“I remain optimistic about the direction our state is going after hearing Governor Fallin’s remarks today. I appreciate her sense of focus on agenda items like reducing government spending, balancing our state budget without tax increases and job creation. I also appreciate her willingness to support priorities such as education, public safety, better healthcare and transportation funding. read more.

Oklahoma City- The 2011 Oklahoma Legislative Session will begin Monday, and legislators are making State Department of Education reform a part of the ir agenda in the session’s first day.  President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, and Senator John Ford, R-Bartlesville, are co-authors of Senate Bill 718, which will give authority of the State Department of Education to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. read more.

  Although Oklahoma ’s constitution mandates compulsory education for children, the re currently are no laws to ensure home-schooled children are actually being exposed to educational materials.  State Sen. Jim Wilson has introduced two bills this session to ensure a level of accountability for children being taught at home.