Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation Tuesday to ensure men and women serving in the Oklahoma National Guard are only deployed as directed by the United States Constitution.

Known as the “Defend the Guard” act, SB 1101 is aimed at making sure the Oklahoma National Guard could not be deployed overseas unless Congress fulfilled the constitutional requirements of declaring war as seen in article one, section eight, clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution and insurrections as seen in article one, section eight, clause 15.

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OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is slated to host a town hall meeting addressing domestic violence issues on Dec. 9. The town hall event will allow constituents a chance to hear from Sen. Standridge, learn more about his proposed legislation that will impact domestic violence in Oklahoma and give an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about the upcoming legislative session.

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OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, commended student participants in the Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest, recently hosted by the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) on Nov. 21 for 7-12th grade students in the Red River Technology sending school district.

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OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, filed two bills Friday to continue his efforts to improve administrative and financial accountability of Oklahomas virtual and brick-and-mortar charter schools.

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The state Senate recently wrapped up their State Charitable Campaign (SCC) raising more than $14,000 for Oklahoma charities.

OKLAHOMA CITY Each year, state employees from around 80 state agencies participate in the United Ways State Charitable Campaign, a statewide effort to help raise funds for more than 250 charitable organizations. The state Senate held their campaign in September and October raising more than $14,000. Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat commended the Senates generosity and commitment to helping others.

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Sen. Simpson at DC conference

OKLAHOMA CITY On Tuesday, Sen. Frank Simpson attended a White House Conference to discuss issues facing todays veterans as well as honor contemporary Native American veterans. Simpson, a retired Navy veteran and Chairman of the State Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs, was invited by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

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OKLAHOMA CITY Two legislators have been given the Oklahoma Hospital Associations (OHA) Outstanding Achievement Award for their efforts to improve healthcare and outcomes throughout the state. Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, have co-chaired the states healthcare working group at the state Capitol. The lawmakers were honored during the 2019 OHA annual convention, held in Oklahoma City this past week.

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Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, recently joined Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell in representing Oklahoma during the U.S. Legislature Leaders Delegation trip to Taiwan to promote agricultural trade and investment. From left to right: Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Taiwan Deputy Minister of Agriculture Junne-Jih Chen, and Sen. Roland Pederson.

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OKLAHOMA CITY – As of November 1, sex offenders residing with any minor child must now report to the statewide centralized Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline. Previously, only the parent, stepparent or grandparent of a minor had to report to the hotline. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authored the bill at the request of DHS to better protect all of Oklahoma’s children.

“This was an oversight in our law that needed to be addressed to ensure law enforcement and DHS are aware of who sex offenders are living with when it comes to minors,” Pugh said. read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY- Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation Wednesday to create an income tax credit for Oklahoma citizens who successfully complete the gun safety training course required to get a concealed carry permit.

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Legislative Veterans Caucus chairmen thank fellow veterans for service

 

In recognition of Veterans Day, State Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, released the following statement Friday. Both are retired veterans who currently serve as the chairman of their chambers Veterans Caucus.

 

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OKLAHOMA CITY The leader of the Oklahoma Senate and the chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee issued statements in advance of the observance of Veterans Day:

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Each year at the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools’ (OROS) Fall Conference, the board of directors recognizes a legislator who has gone above and beyond in support of Oklahoma’s rural schools. This year, Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, received the award for his dedication to the preservation of rural schools.
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The Oklahoma State Election Board appointed Brenda Landes to be the Secretary of the Noble County Election Board. Previous secretary, Pam McBride, resigned from her role as secretary and accepted a position with the State Election Board in their Support Services Division, effective October 23. Sen. Chuck Hall shared his appreciation for McBride and congratulated Landes and McBride on their new roles.
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The Oklahoma State Election Board recently appointed Joy Ferrell as Secretary of the Caddo County Election Board. Sen. Darcy Jech congratulated Ferrell on her appointment and thanked former Secretary, LaDonna J. Phillips, for her service.
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Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, announced Tuesday they have filed Senate Bill 1089 to create the President Donald J. Trump highway on world famous Route 66.

“President Trump has done an outstanding job on behalf of our nation and Oklahoma,” Dahm said. “We feel like this is a perfect opportunity to commemorate the great impact his leadership has had on improving the economy and bringing jobs and commerce back to our great state.”
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State Sen. Darrell Weaver has been selected to participate in a national program on opioid policy. Weaver, R-Moore, is one of only 25 legislators from across the country chosen to participate in the National Conference of State Legislators’ (NCSL) Opioid Policy Fellows Program.
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A new law allowing third-party commercial driver license (CDL) testing is now officially in effect. State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, co-authored the legislation which was approved during the 2019 session. Standridge said Oklahoma joins 40 states that already have some form of third-party CDL testing. Standridge said with this new law, Oklahoma will be able to address a costly testing backlog in the trucking industry.
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November is World Diabetes Month, and the Oklahoma Legislative Diabetes Caucus is gearing up to continue their fight against the disease that affects 414 million or one in eleven people worldwide with at least half being undiagnosed. On Friday, co-chairs Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, and Sen. read more.

Senator Bill Coleman released the following statement on the implementation of House Bill 2597, also known as "Constitutional Carry."

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