March 16 - March 20, 2020
For the past few days, the activity in the State Legislature has centered around the COVID-19 and preparations at the Capitol.

Starting yesterday, only elected officials, essential staff, certain state employees and credentialed press are allowed in the state Capitol building until further notice. Although the building is closed to the public, legislative leadership have indicated they will continue to hold session and continue to build the state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Both the Senate and the House met on Monday and Tuesday to consider legislation that will put processes in place if legislators are unable to convene at the State Capitol.
The following measures passed in the House:
SB 1054  - authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to transfer funds from the Lengthy Trial Fund to other revolving funds for the operating and payroll expenses of the courts. This authorization expires June 30, 2021. Passed the House 77-0; returned to the Senate.

SCR 8  - suspends all third reading deadlines. Passed the House 77-2; returned to the Senate.

HR 1033  - declares an emergency and allow emergency proxy voting to be used if absolutely necessary. Passed the House 78-4; enrolled, signed and filed with the Secretary of State.

The House stands adjourned at the call of the chair.
T he following measures passed the Senate:
HB 3888  - a floor sub that allows teleconference and video conference public meetings, and its emergency clause - passed 40-0; now goes to the House.

SB 661  - makes changes to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, including adding teleconferencing as an approved ‘meeting' under the Act; making changes to the definition of videoconferencing; until Sept. 30, the public body shall not be required to give 24-notice of the meeting to the public. Passed the House as amended 69-2; passed the Sense 40-0; goes to the Governor for final consideration.
 
For most of the afternoon, the Senate was in recess to the call of the chair due to a Senate staff member being positively tested for COVID-19 (see article below). They reconvened to vote on SB 661 and now stand adjourned at the call of the chair.
Next week and beyond
Obviously, the situation is still very fluid, requiring a day-to-day approach from leadership. In response, the Legislature filed two resolutions on Monday, Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 and House Concurrent Resolution 1017, to adjust Joint Rules governing the process of the legislative session and its deadlines. The House also passed House Concurrent Resolution 1032.

The Oklahoma Constitution requires both the House and the Senate to consent when the Legislature will be adjourned for more than three days. HCR 1017 provides for continuing permission for each chamber to be adjourned for more than three days. This will be in effect until the Legislature votes to end the emergency or session is adjourned Sine Die.

SCR 8 removes the Third Reading Deadline (April 23), which requires all bills and joint resolutions to be passed in the chamber opposite the chamber of origin. This means the only deadline remaining is Sine Die adjournment on May 29 by 5 p.m., as stipulated in the Oklahoma Constitution.

HCR 1032 amends the House Rules to allow members of the House of Representatives to authorize a designated member, chosen by each caucus leader, to cast a proxy vote for them. Majority Whip Terry O’Donnell and Minority Floor Leader Emily Virgin have been designated to cast proxy votes on behalf of members. Proxy votes cannot be used on questions of procedure, including suspension of the rules.
nondoc: COVID-19: Oklahoma Senate staff member tests positive
By Tres Savage, Editor in Chief - March 17, 2020

A staff member of the Oklahoma Senate has tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email distributed today and others with knowledge of the situation. Senators and Senate personnel have been asked to remain in their offices “and await a visit from a health professional.”

The individual has not been in the building since Friday, according to a state senator speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The following email was distributed in the Oklahoma Senate at 11:25 a.m. while the body was in recess:

Senators and Senate Personnel:
We have been informed that someone in the Senate has tested positive for COVID-19. While risk to a majority of Senators and Senate personnel remains low, out of an abundance of caution, we are sending health professionals to each office to get a swab.

For any individuals who may have been in contact with someone who tested positive, you will likely receive a phone call from health officials information you of this instance and providing you with the necessary information to protect yourself and others.

Immediately, all Senators and Senate personnel are asked to remain in their offices and await a visit from a health professional.
Starting Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, March 20th, the Senate offices will be closed and employees need to be prepared to work from home. Instructions on administrative leave and telework will be immediately forthcoming. Please watch your email today.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to protect your health and safety.

“We are waiting for OU Medicine,” said a senator on the condition of anonymity. “I think we are going to be screened and perhaps tested. We are using an abundance of caution because we don’t want it to spread to all corners of the state.”

The senator said the individual is a member of Oklahoma Senate staff who has not been in the building since Friday.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC) released a statement just before 2:30 p.m.

“While the risk to a majority of Senate personnel and senators remains low, per the recommendation and under the guidance of health officials, we are taking appropriate measures,” Treat said. “In addition, beginning Wednesday, March 18, and through Friday, March 20, Senate offices will be closed and employees will work remotely during that time. The Senate will continue to operate and serve the citizens of the state of Oklahoma. We will continue working with other state officials, health care professionals, and agencies as state government addresses this public health crisis.”

Oklahoma cases up to 17

This morning, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that seven new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the state, bringing the total to 17.

Last week, two members of the New York State Assembly tested positive for COVID-19.
CTE Priority Measures
HB 1780 - Paraphrase: HB1780, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, increases the salary scale for Oklahoma teachers $1,200. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Carryover Bill)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: McCall, Charles (H); Treat, Greg (S)
Status: S General Order  Status Date: 04/10/2019

HB 1992 - Paraphrase: HB1992, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. RE-SIGNED Smalley, R-, creates the Oklahoma Public Safety Protection District Act. The bill allows the largest municipality within the county may initiate the creation of a public safety protection district by the adoption of a joint resolution calling for the question of whether to organize a public safety protection district. The bill requires all territory located within the municipality to be included in the district. The bill establishes rules for the appointment of a district director of public safety and the board and establishes duties and powers of the director and the board. The bill requires an annual levy assessment no greater than five mills on the dollar of assessed value of the property in the district, the proceeds of which shall be used for the operation and maintenance of the public safety protection district, including expenses related to jail operations, purchasing and maintaining public safety equipment and payment of salaries and benefits of the city and county employees who provide public safety services within the district. The bill prohibits the proceeds from being used to supplant public safety expenses incurred prior to the creation of a district. (Amended by House, Carryover Bill, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2019   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Nollan, Jadine (H); Weaver, Darrell (S)
Status:  H Engrossed   Status Date:  02/13/2020

HB 2813 - Paraphrase: HB2813, by Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, permits the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to establish and certify additional law enforcement and criminal justice programs at state-supported technology center schools operating under the State Board of Career and Technology Education for teaching pre-law-enforcement students between 16 and 19 years of age.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Worthen, Rande (H); Pugh, Adam (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2020

HB 3085 - Paraphrase: HB3085, by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, allows an insurer to offer a reduction in the premium for a workers’ compensation insurance policy issued on or after Nov. 1,2020, if the insured has been certified by the State Board of Edu-cation to the Administrative Workers’ Compensation Commission as a work-based learning employer for as long as the employer maintains the certification. The bill requires the insurer to make an annual report in accordance with rules to be promulgated by the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner showing the total dollar amount of the discounts. The bill directs the Insurance Commissioner and the State Board of Education to conduct a study to determine the impact of the premium discounts provided in encouraging employers to provide work-based learning opportunities for students 16 years of age or older. The bill requires the State Board of Education certify to the Administrative Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Insurance Commissioner that a work-based learning employer has entered into training agreement with one or more work-based learning students, the student’s parent of guardian and the school’s work-based learning coordinator, has developed in conjunction with the school’s work-based learning coordinator a detailed training plan for the work-based learning student that focuses on development of technical skills and employability skills, assigns a mentor to each work-based learning student and assists in monitoring the progress of the student, provides workers’ compensation insurance coverage for each work-based learning student, complies with all federal, state and local laws regarding employment of students as well as the rules set by the State Board of Education regarding work-based learning placement, a self-insured employer or an employer member of a group self-insurance association that provides work-based learning placements for one or more work-based learning students.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Hilbert, Kyle (H); Leewright, James (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2020

HB 3142 , by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, exempts a person with a completed master’s degree program in education from certain requirements.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Provenzano, Melissa (H); Pemberton, Dewayne (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2020

HB 3300 - Paraphrase: HB3300, by Rep. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, creates the Students’ Right to Know Act requiring the State Department of Education to collect and dis-tribute to every public high school student the most in-demand jobs in Oklahoma with starting salary and education level required for that job, the average cost of all major colleges, universities and vocational schools in Oklahoma, the average monthly student loan payment for individuals who attend these institutes, the average three-year student loan default rate for these institutes, the average graduation rate for these institutes, the completions rates of apprenticeship program, high school credential program, career and technical education programs and military first-term enlistments, the share of Oklahoma college and university graduates working in an occupation that does not require a college degree and the average starting salary for those graduating from a major college or university or vocational school in Oklahoma. The bill allows the State Department of Education to enter into a memorandum of understanding with any department, agency or division for the information required in the act.
Effective Date: 01/01/2021   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Taylor, Zack (H)
Status:  H General Order   Status Date:  03/02/2020

HB 3378 - Paraphrase: HB3378, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, provides a tax credit to employers that hire qualified apprentices who receive classroom or industry-specific instruction and on-the-job training pursuant to an apprentice agreement registered with the apprenticeship office of the U.S. Department of Labor. It requires qualified employers to ensure compliance with any applicable state laws in regards to the industry or trade, including demonstrating compliance for each qualified apprentice, to qualify for the credit. (Amended by House, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors:  Blancett, Meloyde (H); Dollens, Mickey (H); Wallace, Kevin (H); Leewright, James (S)
Status:  S Introduced   Status Date:  03/09/2020

HB 3389 - Paraphrase: HB3389, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education, to conduct a study and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding possible changes to the units or sets of competencies required for students to graduate with a standard diploma. It states the purpose of the study. The bill establishes requirements for the study. The bill requires the board to submit any recommendations prior to the start of the 2021 Legislative Session and may continue the study and to make recommendations thereafter as needed. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors: Baker, Rhonda (H); Stanley, Brenda (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2020

HB 3804 - Paraphrase: HB3804, by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, amends the definition and content of computer technology courses when relating to required courses for graduation from an accredited public high school.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Hasenbeck, Toni (H); Pemberton, Dewayne (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2020

HB 3908 - Paraphrase: HB3908, by Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, modifies curriculum required for graduation with a standard diploma. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2020   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors: Fetgatter, Scott (H)
Status: H General Order                     Status Date: 02/27/2020

HB 3942 , by Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, requires the State Board of Education, upon the availability of funds and beginning with the first semester of the 2020-21 school year, to authorize a statewide system of dropout prevention and credit recovery education programs. It permits the program to be offered jointed with an Oklahoma technology center. It establishes requirements for the program. It requires, for each dropout prevention and credit recovery program, that a a memorandum of understanding be established between the participating public school and technology center specifying a dedicated percentage of state funding received on a per pupil basis that will be attributed to the operation of the program. It also requires the State Department of Education to make available a base funding level of $100,000 per instructor in approved dropout prevention and credit recovery programs. It requires, by Sept. 15 of each school year, that all statewide alternative education funds received and expended for students participating in a dropout prevention and credit recovery program be reported to the State Department of Education by major object codes and by program classifications. It requires a district board of education of a public school or technology center hire only certified teachers to teach in dropout prevention and credit recovery programs. It requires the teacher's certification in subjects in which the teacher does not otherwise hold certification be valid only for purposes of teaching in the dropout prevention and credit recovery program.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Vancuren, Mark (H); Bullard, David (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/09/2020

HB 3992 , by Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, modifies the limits of liability under the Governmental Tort Claims Act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors:  Wright, Harold (H); David, Kimberly (S)
Status:  S Introduced   Status Date:  03/09/2020

HB 4029 , by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, modifies post-retirement earnings limitations for members of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System. It provides that the statutory minimum salary schedule for teachers is not applicable to teachers who have retired the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma. It modifies the safe harbor clause therein, allowing amendments related to the minimum salary schedule to be treated as nonfiscal changes. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 10/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: McCall, Charles (H); Pugh, Adam (S)
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2020

SB 597 - Paraphrase: SB0597, by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, creates a task force to study how four-year colleges within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education can assist two-year colleges to save money. It provides for membership. It requires the task force to be subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. It requires the task force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by July 1, 2020, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Carryover Bill)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Stanislawski, Gary (S); Baker, Rhonda (H)
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/25/2019

SB 602 - Paraphrase: SB0602, by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, creates a task force to study and make recommendations to the Legislature on efficiencies in operating and governing two-year colleges within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education until July 1, 2020. It provides for membership. It requires appointments to be made within 30 days after the effective date and for the task force to conduct an organization meeting not later than Aug. 31, 2019. It requires the task force to be subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. It requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to provide staff and administrative support for the task force. It requires the task force to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by July 1, 2020, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Carryover Bill)
Effective Date: 07/01/2019   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Stanislawski, Gary (S); Baker, Rhonda (H)
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/25/2019

SB 617 - Paraphrase: SB0617, by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, exempts the State Department of Education from the provisions of the Oklahoma Information Services Act and the Information Technology Consolidation and Coordination Act, except for network hosting, data hosting, network security, server security, and software support. It requires internal help desk support for the State Department of Education and the Department of Career and Technology Education be provided jointly by the Information Services Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Information Services Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. (Amended by House, Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Carryover Bill, Stricken enacting clause)
Effective Date: 11/01/2019   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Stanislawski, Gary (S); Hilbert, Kyle (H)
Status: H General Order  Status Date: 04/11/2019

SB 996 - Paraphrase: SB0996, by Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, adds a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) block course whether taught at a comprehensive high school or technology center school when taken in the tenth, eleventh or twelfth grade, taught by a certified teacher, and approved by the State Board of Education and the independent district board of education to the list of courses eligible to meet the mathematics requirement and the laboratory sciences requirement for high school graduation. (Amended by House, Carryover Bill, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2019   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors: David, Kimberly (S); Baker, Rhonda (H)
Status: H General Order  Status Date: 04/03/2019

SB 1119 - Paraphrase: SB1119, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to publish an annual report called the “Future of Oklahoma Industry and Labor (FOIL) Report.” It requires the report to analyze and de-scribe the current and predictable trends of the state’s jobs, industries and work-force. It requires the report to have an interactive map covering the various regions of the state to show trends in specific job markets, growth industries and labor workforce shortages as analyzed in the published report. It requires the report to be published on July 1, 2021, and a report to be due each July 1 thereafter. It re-quires agencies specified therein to assist the Department in the collection and analysis of data and the formulation of each annual report and maintain a link connection to the report and interactive map on their respective websites. It re-quires the Department of Education and the Department of Career and Technology to utilize the report.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Bullard, David (S); McCall, Charles (H)
Status: S General Order                                Status Date: 02/26/2020

SB 1120 - Paraphrase: SB1120, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, creates a task force to study whether to require high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a prerequisite for high school graduation. It provides for task force membership and the naming of co-chairs. It requires appointments to the task force to be made within 30 days after the effective date. It requires the task force to conduct an organizational meeting not later than Sept. 1, 2020. It requires a quorum of the task force to be assembled in order to approve any final action. It allows the task force to meet as often as needed to per-form the duties imposed upon it. It requires the task force to be subject to the Open Meetings Act. It requires members receive no compensation or travel reimbursement. It requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Senate to provide staff and administrative support for the task force. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2020   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors: Pemberton, Dewayne (S); Nollan, Jadine (H)
Status: H Introduced                          Status Date: 02/24/2020

SB 1167 - Paraphrase: SB1167, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, permits the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to release certain information to the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education and the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors:  Pemberton, Dewayne (S); Sneed, Chris (H)
Status:  H Introduced   Status Date:  03/03/2020

SB 1200 - Paraphrase: SB1200, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, gives the governor appointment authority over the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training's executive director. It makes the Council on Law Enforcement Education (CLEET) an advisory council to the executive director, instead of a governing board of an agency. It establishes qualifications for the executive director. It establishes that the tuition and fees for attending the Basic Peace Officer Certification Academies and other law enforcement-related training at approved facilities other than CLEET will be at a rate established by the specific facility providing the training. The bill requires CLEET to provide the application and the approval process for any state-supported technology center school or higher education institution that plans to offer courses of study for law enforcement certification, basic peace officer certification academies and other law-enforcement-related training to the Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety for review and approval no later than Nov. 1, 2020. The bill requires applications be reviewed and approved within 30 days of receipt by CLEET. The bill also requires CLEET to work with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to develop an approved curriculum no later than Nov. 1, 2020. It requires all law enforcement curriculum courses offered by the approved technology centers be taught by the technology center staff except for defensive driving. It requires defensive driving be taught by CLEET-approved instructors. It also requires firearm training at the approved technology centers be taught by CLEET-firearm-certified instructors.
Effective Date: 1/01 /2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors:  Thompson, Roger (S); Kannady, Chris (H)
Status:  H Introduced   Status Date:  03/02/2020

SB 1205 - Paraphrase: SB1205, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, modifies the definition of the term “Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)” to permit them to be used as early as the sixth grade. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2020   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors:  Bullard, David (S); West, Kevin (H)
Status:  S Bill Failed   Status Date:  03/03/2020

SB 1445 - Paraphrase: SB1445, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Oklahoma City, requires, for a period of three years beginning July 1, 2020, Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System members who have retired as of July 1, 2019, who have been retired and receiving a benefit for at least one year, and who have not been employed by any public school during that one-year period, be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher in common or career tech school districts, with no limitations on earnings.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Principal Authors: Stanley, Brenda (S); Nollan, Jadine (H)
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/12/2020

SB 1487 - Paraphrase: SB1487, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, authorizes that within 30 days after the calling of an election by the governing board of a local government entity for a vote authorizing the incurring of general obligation bond indebtedness to be issued by the local government entities the governing board of such entity to either cause to be published or provide a link to that local government website.
Effective Date: 11/01/2020   Emergency: No
Principal Authors:  Howard, Brent (S); Caldwell, Chad (H)
Status:  H Introduced   Status Date:  03/04/2020

SB 1541 - Paraphrase: SB1541, by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, changes the name of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to the Oklahoma Commission for Digital Learning. The bill increases the terms of office for commission members to five year. The bill adds the Chancellor of Higher Education and the Director of the Department of Career and Technology Education as members of the commission and makes them, as well as the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Secretary of Education voting members, rather than non-voting ex officio members. The bill removes outdated language. The bill requires the commission to develop and maintain an online learning platform to provide high quality online learning opportunities that are aligned with the subject matter standards adopted by the State Board of Education. It requires the commission to develop content for the online courses, with a special emphasis on developing online courses in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), foreign language courses and advanced placement courses. The bill requires the online platform be available to all Oklahoma school districts in addition to the supplemental online courses provided for in the bill. It exempts the commission from the competitive bidding requirements of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act for the purpose of soliciting, negotiating and executing contracts to establishing the platform. It removes the process for appealing a decision to the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to the State Board of Education. The bill changes the name of the Statewide Charter School Revolving Fund to the Oklahoma Commission for Digital Learning Revolving Fund. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2020   Emergency: Yes
Principal Authors: Stanislawski, Gary (S); Baker, Rhonda (H)
Status: H Introduced   Status Date: 03/09/2020
2020 Legislative Deadlines
March 2020
March 30| Deadline for SBs/SJRs out of H subcommittee

April 2020
April 9| Deadline for House & Senate Measures to be reported from Committees in opposite house
April 17| Deadline for Senate measures out of full A&B House Committee
April 23| Deadline for third reading of House and Senate bills in the Opposite Chamber

May 2020
May 29|  Sine Die Adjournment – no later than 5 p.m.