Press Releases

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The Senate has given full approval to legislation that will provide for state licensure of midwives.  Senate Bill 1823 creates “Shepherd’s Law,” by Sen. Brenda Stanley.  The bill was approved by a wide margin and with bipartisan support on Wednesday, 41 to 5.

The Senate has approved Senate Bill 1388, which would sweeten the pot for urban gardeners to raise honeybees by giving tax exempt status to bee products sold at farmers markets across the state.   

The full Senate has approved legislation raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21.  Sen. read more.

State Sen. James Leewright has won unanimous approval in the Senate for Senate Bill 1739, the “Barbara E. Hoover Act,” protecting the use of video monitoring in assisted living centers.  The legislation, which was approved Tuesday, ensures all continuum of care facility residents have the same rights as nursing home residents.

More than 1,500 students were stranded for several hours at schools across Mississippi last August after a federal immigration sweep of local businesses led to the arrest of nearly 700 undocumented citizens. To avoid such a possible traumatic incident for Oklahoma students, Oklahoma City Public Schools requested Senate Bill 1711 to create the Oklahoma Standby Guardianship Act.  The bill by Sen. read more.

The Senate has passed legislation that would provide mental health patients telemedicine healthcare access when a law enforcement officer is dispatched for assistance. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, authored Senate Bill 1208, which he says is necessary to provide immediate patient care and reduce costly mental health transports.

Legislation to help more Oklahoma students be career ready after graduation    unanimously passed off the Senate Floor Tuesday.  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1532, which will allow sophomores age 16 and older to participate in the Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships Act of 2016.

The House will next consider legislation clarifying cities’ and counties’ authority to regulate the smoking and vaping of medical marijuana in public places.  Sen. read more.

The full Senate has approved legislation to encourage and retain Oklahoma’s top educators.  Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Bill 1127, the Teacher Retention Act of 2020.  

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has won full Senate approval for legislation to modernize state agency spending and create government efficiencies. Senate Bill 1422, by Thompson, R-Okemah, was approved on Tuesday.

The full Senate has approved a measure that would require the director of the Department of Corrections (DOC) to develop an annual report detailing issues related to contraband cellphone use in Oklahoma prisons.

The full Senate has passed legislation that would allow absent students who complete assigned instructional activities or engage in online curriculum or programs provided by the school district to be counted as “in attendance.”

The full Senate has passed legislation that would require any new tax credits to have a maximum sunset of 10 years and a measurable goal that can be used as a benchmark for success.  

The Senate has unanimously approved legislation to ensure nonviolent offenders in Oklahoma’s prison system are prepared to live independent, productive lives once released.  Sen. read more.