Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday, Gov. Stitt signed Senate Bill 97 into law expanding the use of videoconferencing for all district court cases. The bill’s author, Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, said the change was strongly urged by district attorneys to address an oversight in 2020 legislation authorizing the use of videoconferencing in certain district proceedings.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jake Merrick, R-Yukon, is officially on the job after taking the oath of office in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the state Capitol.  Family, friends and fellow members joined Merrick in the Senate chamber as Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Darby administered the oath.

Merrick, an ordained minister and business owner, was elected to complete the unexpired term of the Senate District 22 seat in a special election held last Tuesday.  The seat was previously held by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, released the following statement after the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that the city of Norman violated the state’s Open Meeting Act when it voted to cut the police budget by more than $865,000 last year.  The Court ruling said that the meeting notice, which did not specify cuts to the police budget were to be considered, was misleading at best, deceptive at worst, and constituted a willful violation of the Open Meeting Act.

OKLAHOMA CITY – More of Oklahoma’s young offenders will soon get a second chance to get back on the right path thanks to legislation signed late Monday by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 140’s author, Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, said the measure is an important step to help rehabilitate offenders, reduce recidivism and address prison overpopulation.    

The bill increases the age of participation for nonviolent, first time male offenders in the state’s Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults from 21 to 25.    

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to help Oklahomans be better able to afford their insulin will soon be on the governor’s desk after receiving final passage from the Senate Monday. House Bill 1019, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, and Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, caps the price for a 30-day supply of insulin to $30 and $90 for a 90-day supply for each covered prescription. Currently, copays are based on individual insurance plans.

The Senate has given approval to a measure aimed at combatting traumatic brain injuries (TBI) by creating the Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury to further study the issue.

OKLAHOMA CITY –The full Senate has given approval to House Bill 1568, Maria’s Law, to help Oklahoma students better understand mental health issues and how they can impact their overall well-being.  Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, are principal authors of the legislation, which was approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday to better inform patients of health care costs upfront to help them in choosing their provider and services. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1006, which would require health care providers and facilities to publicize, and update annually, the costs of the most common health care services electronically or online.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation filed in the Oklahoma Senate would help manage the financial burden facing ratepayers due to extreme price spikes in utility and energy bills in the wake of the February winter storm.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved a measure to better prepare inmates to rejoin society and the workforce.  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1679, the “Sarah Stitt Act,” by Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Brian Hill, R-Mustang.  The measure was passed unanimously on Tuesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to Senate Resolution 12, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Sen. Rosino urged Oklahomans to take note of a display of more than a thousand American flags on the south lawn of the state Capitol.

On Wednesday, April 14, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, will be hosting EV (Electric Vehicle) Day at the Oklahoma History Center. The public event will welcome industry leaders from around the state to educate consumers on electric vehicles and Oklahoma’s role in the industry.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave final approval Monday to legislation that will help speed up the process of issuing and renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in Oklahoma. Sen.

For years, we’ve worked to expand and grow Oklahoma’s economy.  We’re still very much an oil and gas state and we will continue to be.

According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), there are an estimated 11 million illegal or unauthorized immigrants in the United States. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has joined Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, to help the federal government in locating those individuals who are detained by local law enforcement agencies.