Sen. Micheal Bergstrom’s Press Releases

The Senate has passed a measure creating the Oklahoma Advanced Mobility Pilot Program to further state investment in innovative technologies. 

Authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, Senate Bill 1688 would identify local communities for pilot programs for the adoption of advanced mobility technologies, and provide for two grants up to $500,000 each year. The program would become an entity of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The Senate has approved legislation that would exclude pheromone lures, traps and monitoring system components and equipment from requiring a “registration for use” license under Oklahoma’s Combined Pesticide Law. 

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, authored Senate Bill 1272 and said the measure is necessary to bring state law in line with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1110 on Tuesday, which would amend the Governmental Tort Claims Act to include substate planning districts, regional councils of government and other entities created under the Interlocal Cooperation Act. Bill author Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, said the measure adds clarification that these entities are political subdivisions of the state.

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.

Under the measure, if an officer is called to assist a medically stable individual suffering from mental health ailment, the patient could be assessed by a licensed mental health professional via telemedicine if the capability is available.

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed Senate Bill 1602, also known as the Oklahoma Public Safety Unification Act of 2020, which would create the Oklahoma Public Safety Agency.

The new agency would unite state law enforcement and public safety agencies to more efficiently and effectively enforce public safety laws and deter crime. The following entities would become divisions within the new Oklahoma Public Safety Agency:

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, recently met with community leaders and constituents ahead of the upcoming legislative session at the annual Eucha Breakdown.

“This is a great opportunity for those of us in elected positions to meet with constituents, share our experiences and plans and hear what’s on the mind of those we serve,” Bergstrom said.

The event was held at the Eucha Community Center and drew a crowd from the surrounding areas.

Legislation filed Wednesday would allow voters to decide who is qualified to participate in Oklahoma’s election process.

Senate Joint Resolution 23 by Senator Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, would allow a vote of the people to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to clarify only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in Oklahoma.

In September, Oklahoma prisons went on lockdown. It began with a gang-related fight in the Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center in Vinita before spreading to prisons throughout the state. A coordinated uprising, which resulted in injuries to correctional officers, the hospitalization of 36 inmates and the death of one inmate. All coordinated with cellphones.

State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has been appointed to serve on the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, a 21-member panel that will help plan the state’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of “The Mother Road.”

Self-driving cars, e-scooters, more commercial uses for drones and drone-ports and the expanded use of electric vehicles were all part of the discussion at an interim study held this week by the Senate Transportation Committee. The Monday hearing was requested by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, who serves as vice-chair of the committee. He said emerging transportation technologies bring with them a host of opportunities and concerns that need to be addressed sooner, rather than later.