Press Releases

The Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant provides annual $2,000 stipends for Oklahoma students attending certain qualified private and independent, not-for-profit colleges and universities. The governor signed Senate Bill 600, by Sen. Jason Smalley and Rep. Katie Henke, this week to clarify that eligible institutions must have been granted not-for-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Education before July 1, 2012. Smalley said the change closes a loophole that was allowing certain institutions not intended for the grant to qualify for it.
read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, released the following statement after accepting the resignation of Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City:

"Today, I received and accepted the resignation of Senator Kyle Loveless, effective immediately. I wish Senator Loveless and his family best wishes moving forward."

Click here for a copy of the resignation letter.

The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday in a bipartisan vote approved a bill creating an independent commission to conduct comprehensive performance audits of state agencies. House Bill 2311 is authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.
read more.

State Sen. Roger Thompson said he was humbled to receive an award from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) for his support of issues important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the 2016 session. Thompson was presented with an OKFB 100 Percent Club coin symbolizing his 100 percent voting record on legislation the organization identified as critical to their mission of supporting agricultural and rural communities.

Gov. Fallin signed legislation Monday to help further reduce the number of uninsured drivers in Oklahoma. Sen. Ron Sharp is the principal Senate author of Senate Bill 115 to transfer oversight of the Compulsory Insurance Online Verification System (OCIVS) for motor vehicle liability policies from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID).
read more.

A bill to strengthen Oklahoma’s human trafficking laws and better protect underage victims was signed into law Monday. Senate Bill 34, by Sen. Kim David and Rep. Scott Biggs, provides that lack of knowledge of the age of the victim does not constitute a defense for the human trafficking of a minor.
read more.

According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, more than 1,900 rapes were reported in the state in 2015 alone. Sexual assault forensic evidence kits help collect and preserve evidence following an assault, but there is no law in Oklahoma requiring these kits to be tracked or tested, and national data suggests some kits may never be tested. It’s an issue Sen. Kay Floyd has been working to address this session.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, participated in the Cherokee Nation Economic Impact Summit in Catoosa on Friday, April 21.

State Sen. Roger Thompson has been named to serve as the Oklahoma State Senate’s representative to the Streamlined Multi-Sales and Use Tax Agreement Governing Board. Thompson was appointed to the board by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz released the following statement after the Senate approved HB 2298, which moves up the sunset date of the zero-emissions tax credit to July 1, 2017.
read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Wheat producers and agriculture leaders active in the state’s wheat industry gathered in Oklahoma City to visit with lawmakers last week for Wheat Day at the Capitol, said Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington.  The annual legislative day is held to raise awareness and foster relationships among Oklahoma’s lawmakers and members of the wheat community.   The event is coordinated each year by the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association

Oklahoma State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105


For Immediate Release: April 5, 2017

Afghan Ambassador addresses State Senate to thank Oklahoma troops who served
in his country. Sen. J.J. Dossett; D-Owasso; Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond;
Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, Ambassador from Afghanistan; and Sen. Jason Smalley, R-Stroud.
The three senators served in Afghanistan.