Sen. Guthrie Gains Committee Approval for Four Key Bills

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, received committee approval for four key pieces of legislation this week. With the passage of Senate Bills 1092, 653, 547, and 945, the freshman lawmaker has now advanced a total of six bills through Senate Committees.

Senate Bill 1092 was unanimously approved by the Senate Business and Insurance Committee. The bill would require all licensed commercial indoor medical marijuana growers in municipal corporate limits to submit an odor control plan when applying for or renewing their license.

“Communities across the state have been impacted by the strong and unpleasant odors coming from indoor medical marijuana grows. This bill ensures that we address these concerns while promoting responsible practices that protect the quality of life for all Oklahomans living or working near these facilities,” Guthrie said.

The Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee approved Senate Bill 653, which authorizes the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to electronically distribute copies of the Oklahoma Today Magazine.

“Current statutes prevent the Tourism and Recreation Department from transitioning this publication to a digital-only format,” Guthrie said. “SB 653 will enable this agency to modernize the distribution of this publication, while also reducing printing costs by approximately $267,000 each year, offering considerable savings for both the state and the agency.”

Guthrie also gained the Health and Human Services Committee’s approval for Senate Bill 547. The measure restores parents’ fundamental rights to access their child’s medical records and prevents health institutions from restricting access, in alignment with the Oklahoma Parents Bill of Rights.

“This bill is about ensuring parents retain their fundamental rights to access their child’s medical records and make informed healthcare decisions. It ensures that health institutions do not undermine parental authority and eliminates any unnecessary obstacles that have wrongly restricted parents’ access to their child’s records or care,” Guthrie said.

Senate Bill 945 was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee and relates to punishments for crimes relating to animal cruelty. The measure establishes a misdemeanor for any person convicted of depriving any animal in captivity of necessary food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care. SB 945 also establishes that any person, including those providing commercial services, convicted of knowingly harming or killing an animal or pet in his or her care shall be guilty of a felony.

The measures are now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Brian Guthrie at 405-521-5675 or email Brian.Guthrie@oksenate.gov.