Sen. John Haste’s Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste has been sworn in for a second term in the Oklahoma Senate. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given its approval to a measure aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s nursing shortage, which has worsened as a result of the pandemic.  Senate Bill 1458  would use $55 million of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to establish grant programs to help 21 state colleges, universities, and technology centers to address this pressing need.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, has been appointed to a national panel addressing health care issues, including better patient care and controlling ever-increasing costs.  Haste will work with lawmakers from across the country as part of the National Conference of State Legislature’s Health Innovations Task Force.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Now that Oklahoma’s Imagination Library will be expanding to all 77 counties, the legislators who authored the measure creating the state’s program are working to help spread the news. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, were co-authors of the 2020 legislation.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, thanked Gov. Kevin Stitt after he signed Senate Bill 968 into law on Monday.  The measure would prohibit the release of a recording showing an officer dying in the line of duty unless the court rules the material should be released in specific cases.

The Oklahoma Legislative Mental Health Caucus this week announced an expanded leadership team and two major priorities for the 2022 Oklahoma Legislative Session.

The caucus, which began in 2021 with about 30 members, will expand its bipartisan, bicameral leadership in 2022. Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, will serve as co-chairs alongside the caucus’ founding co-chairs, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Wednesday announced changes to Senate leadership and some committee chair assignments.

Treat said Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, will take over the duties of majority floor leader from Sen. Kim David, R-Porter. Treat said David will continue her Senate service and she will remain a trusted voice and leader for Senate Republicans.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A joint legislative committee will help prioritize proposals for state government’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Under federal law, ARPA funds for state governments are to be used only to respond to the public health emergency and negative economic effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Such uses can include payments to state agencies, nonprofits, industry and households. They can also include investments in public infrastructure.

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.

The full Senate on Thursday approved a measure to prohibit law enforcement agencies from releasing audio or video showing an officer dying in the line of duty unless a court determines there is a compelling reason the material should be released in specific cases.  Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, is principal author of Senate Bill 968.  Haste said his bill is supported by law enforcement as well as the Oklahoma Press Association.