Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sophomores will be able to participate in more school-sponsored career opportunities beginning with the 2021-2022 school year under legislation signed into law Wednesday. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 619 allowing sophomores, 16 years or older, to apply for apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships through their school.

The full Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing the first week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill ensuring payment parity for physicians who care for patients using telemedicine has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt.  Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, is the principal Senate author of Senate Bill 674, and the principal House author is Rep. Mark McEntire, R-Duncan. The measure was signed on Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to help law enforcement locate kidnap victims faster has been signed into law.  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, are the principal authors of Senate Bill 272, the “Kelsey Smith Act,” which will require cell phone companies to provide phone location information to law enforcement in emergency situations, such as an abduction. The measure was signed into law on May 3, which would have been Kelsey’s 32^nd birthday.

The Haworth High School Academic Tournament Champion team was hosted by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, at the state Capitol before competing at the state contest in El Reno last week.

OKLAHOMA CITY – As law enforcement officers from throughout Oklahoma watched from the gallery, the Oklahoma Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday recognizing May as “Law Enforcement Appreciation Month” in the state.  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the principal author of Senate Resolution 15.

Weaver, who spent three decades in law enforcement and served as director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, told fellow members about the dangers and risks law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, were joined Wednesday by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Rep. José Cruz, D-Oklahoma City, in announcing the formation of the bipartisan, bicameral Legislative Latino Caucus. Brooks said the caucus will help better address the unique needs of the state’s fastest growing population, the Latino community, while also celebrating and recognizing their contributions to Oklahoma’s economy.

OKLAHOMA CITY – More of Oklahoma’s retired teachers can return to the classroom following the signing of Senate Bill 267 Monday. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Chair and Education Committee Vice Chair, Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, is the author of the bill to remove the earnings cap for retired educators who choose to return to the profession.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement after the Senate passed Senate Bill 1066, the Senate’s redistricting bill, on Tuesday:

The governor has given final approval to Senate Bill 8, which will officially designate the route that largely follows State Highway 69 as the “Historic

OKLAHOMA CITY – After bringing all stakeholders to the table, Sen. Paul Rosino has steered his legislation on peer-to-peer car sharing across the finish line.  Senate Bill 355, authored by Rosino R-Oklahoma City, Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, establishes a regulatory framework for peer-to-peer car sharing.  SB 355, which was supported unanimously by both chambers and has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt, will take effect Nov. 1, 2021.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to require standardized investigations following the sudden, unexplained deaths of infants in Oklahoma has been signed into law.  Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, are principal authors of Senate Bill 95, aimed at helping make sure families get more information about the circumstances and possible causes of a baby’s unexplained death.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A range of bipartisan measures introduced this session by Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, aimed at topics from suicide prevention to better assisting victims of domestic violence, have been signed into law.  Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, thanked her colleagues and the governor for their support on the legislation.