March 15 , 2021
There was a flurry of activity at the Capitol last week as Thursday, March 11, marked the deadline for bills to clear the floor in their House of Origin. Several bills were not voted through committee before deadline and therefore cannot be considered for 2021.
 
All bills not passed in their House of Origin are now considered dormant for the 2021 session. Beginning Monday bills will cross over to be heard in committees in the opposite chamber until April 22 when bills must be advanced from opposite chamber committees. However, before that can happen, House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols and Senate Majority Floor Leader Kim David, R-Wagoner, have to assign the bills to the committees, resulting in a light work week planned for this week.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to lift coronavirus restrictions against CDC warnings
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday he will roll back his few remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including limits on public gatherings and a mandate that masks be worn in state buildings. 
 
Stitt will lift Oklahoma’s COVID-19 restrictions despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying it’s too soon for states to start undoing virus prevention measures. 
 
The governor’s announcement came nearly one year after Stitt imposed his first COVID restrictions at the start of the pandemic. Stitt said he will issue a new executive order Friday to undo the restrictions.
 
With the order, the following restrictions will be eliminated: 
  • Limits on public gatherings
  • Limits on indoor sporting events
  • A mandate that state employees working in state buildings and visitors to state buildings must wear masks

“The standard for normal cannot be zero (COVID_19) cases,” Stitt said in a news conference. “The standard for normal is freedom — the freedom to worship, the freedom to earn a paycheck, the freedom to visit your loved ones in nursing homes, the freedom to send your kids to school in person and the freedom to protect your family.”
 
Oklahomans can continue wearing masks, and are even encouraged to do so in some settings, Stitt said. The governor also leaned on his oft-used mantra that Oklahomans should exercise “personal responsibility” to reduce the spread of the virus. 
 
Asked about the CDC’s recommendation that states wait longer before lifting restrictions, Stitt cited Oklahoma’s improving COVID-19 picture.
 
He noted that the number of new daily COVID-19 infections is lower than it was over the summer.
 
The number of Oklahomans hospitalized due to the virus has also dropped dramatically, to the point that all of the state’s hospital regions are in the tier one of the state’s four-phased hospital surge plan, which Stitt said is an encouraging sign. 
 
Stitt came under fire from medical professionals for being one of a few governors that did not issue a statewide mask mandate to reduce the spread of COVID-19. At times, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, under the Trump administration, also recommended Oklahoma implement a widespread mask mandate. 
General Revenue collections exceed estimate, prior year 
General Revenue Fund collections in February totaled $349.8 million, which was $1.9 million or 0.5 percent above the monthly estimate and $22.5 million or 6.9 percent above collections in February 2020, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services reported Tuesday.
 
February's General Revenue Fund (GRF) collections were slightly above estimate, driven primarily by strong collections in individual income tax. With an earlier deadline for income tax filing compared to the prior year and individuals seeking to recover their federal COVID-19 economic impact credits, earlier filing is expected this year, the office indicated.
 
Oil and gas collections continue to be the weakest segment of general revenue collections. Due to the time lag between actual production and collections to general revenue, recent demand due to a cold February is not reflected by these collections, according to the report.
 
With more federal stimulus expected in the near term, continued momentum in Oklahoma's vaccination program, and improvement in oil prices, collections are moving in the right direction to meet the FY2021 projections made at the last Board of Equalization meeting, Office of Management and Enterprise Services Executive Director Steven Harpe said.
 
"We remain encouraged by year-to-date collections, as totals remain higher than original estimates. This again, in part, is due to the level of income tax collections we've seen," said Harpe. "In the most recent Board of Equalization meeting, it became evident the state was in better financial standing than previously anticipated. Because of this, the Oklahoma Legislature will have approximately $9.64 billion available to appropriate during this session for the next fiscal year."

Major tax categories in February contributed the following amounts to the GRF:
  • Total income tax collections of $91.6 million were $43.3 million or 89.8 percent above the estimate and $42.5 million, or 86.7 percent above the prior year. Individual income tax collections of $91.6 million were $43.8 million, or 91.5 percent above the estimate and $42.5 million or 86.7 percent above the prior year. Corporate income tax collections were zero and were zero in the prior year.
  • Sales tax collections of $169.3 million were $1.3 million, or 0.7 percent below the estimate and $10.3 million or 6.5 percent above the prior year.
  • Gross production tax collections of $27.6 million were $33.1 million, or 54.6 percent below the estimate and $36.9 million, or 57.2%, below the prior year. Natural gas collections of $14.5 million were $8.0 million, or 35.5 percent below the estimate and $4.8 million or 25.1 percent below the prior year. Oil collections of $13.1 million were $25.2 million or 65.7 percent below the estimate and $32.1 million, or 71.0 percent below the prior year.
  • Motor vehicle tax collections of $2.1 million were $0.5 million, or 28.0 percent above the estimate and $0.6 million or 23.5 percent below the prior year.
  • Other revenue collections of $59.1 million were $7.5 million or 11.3 percent below the estimate and $7.2 million or 13.9 percent above the prior year.
 
Total GRF collections through the first eight months of fiscal year 2021 are $4.3 billion, which is $11.1 million, or 0.3 percent above the estimate and $99.4 million or 2.4 percent above prior year collections for the same period.
Tulsa World: Oklahoma House passes $500 million income tax reduction
A $500 million tax cut backed by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, sailed through the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Thursday with even most Democrats backing part of it.
 
McCall said tax relief is needed to “jump start” Oklahoma’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, although he and Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, also touted the state’s revenue outlook as strong enough to withstand any hits it might take from the proposal.
 
House Bills 2041 and 2083, both by McCall, would phase in a set of tax credits and deductions that effectively would eliminate the state’s corporate income tax by 2026 and result in an average tax benefit of $81 a year to those filing individual returns.
 
The corporate income tax proposal, HB 2083, would eliminate about $350 million in revenue in FY ‘26 when fully implemented.
 
“The revenue return (the state) will get by eliminating the corporate income tax will exceed any loss, without doubt,” McCall said.
 
The individual tax package, HB 2041, would cost about $180 million when in full effect in FY ‘23.
 
The tax benefits in the two bills consist of tax credits and deductions rather than rate reductions, McCall said, so that repeal would require only a simple legislative majority instead of the three-fourths approval the state constitution requires to raise tax rates.
 
HB 2041 includes a tax credit that consists of a base of $18 for single and $30.50 for joint returns, plus 0.25% on reported income above $7,200 for single and $12,200 for joint filers.
 
The bill also would eliminate the $1,000 personal exemption for single incomes of $50,000 and above or joint filers with $100,000 or more and reinstate the refundability of the earned income tax credit.
 
This later provision brought all but one Democrat on board for HB 2041, despite some reservations about the overall package.
 
According to an analysis attached to the bill, the changes would result in a 0.25% reduction in personal income tax rates. The same analysis says about half the tax cut would go to filers with less than $100,000 and half to those with more.
 
The largest single group of filers, those in the $100,000-$124,999 bracket, would see the smallest per capita benefit — 2.1%, which calculates to $68. The largest percentage benefit — nearly 400% — would go to those in the $10,000-$10,999 income range, although that works out to only about $45 each.
 
The roughly 18,000 Oklahomans earning at least $1 million a year would get a little over $1,000 each.
 
HB 2083 would phase in over five years tax credits that would effectively eliminate the tax liability of C corporations, which is typically how large businesses are organized.
 
 
Speaking on the House floor for the first time since arguing for a tax increase in 2018, McCall predicted that the lost revenue would be recovered quickly through increased economic activity — a claim that has prompted previous tax cuts.
 
Another tried and true argument, at least in terms of getting bills passed, is that effectively eliminating the corporate income tax and lowering it for individuals is necessary to compete with Texas, which has no income tax but generally higher taxes overall.
 
“We are on the short lists for jobs, … but we’re not winning the deals,” McCall said. “These bills get Oklahoma off the short end of the short lists. They’ll help us close the deals we’re losing to other states.”
 
Democrats said public investment and quality of life, not tax rates, are holding back economic development.
 
“While we may be top 10 in corporate tax rates, we’re setting ourselves up to be 48th in outcomes for our citizens,” said Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa.
 
HB 2041 passed 91-5 with four Republicans in opposition. HB 2083, the corporate tax cut, passed 74-20 with one Republican joining all 19 Democrats in the no column.
 
The bills now go to the Senate.
Gov. Stitt signs session's second measure 
Oklahomans to use their Social Security number to pick up medications until they are able to renew their license.
 
HB 1246, by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, allows a Social Security number to be used for the purpose of complying with reporting requirements provided therein when a prescription is written or dispensed to a person whose state-issued identification care has been expired for no more than one year and who does not possess another form of a recipient identification number.
The bill was fast-tracked through the Legislature this week. The bill originally was filed as a shell that would have created the Public Health Act of 2021. It was assigned to the House Rules Committee, but it was not considered by the February 25 deadline for bills to be heard in a committee of their chamber of origin.
 
The bill was placed on Monday's House Rules Committee agenda after failing to meet the Feb. 25 committee deadline. Committee deadlines are not set by joint rules but by legislative leaders in each chamber, House Rules Committee Chair Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, noted Monday.
 
"They are set by the Speaker," Osburn, R-Edmond, said. "There were a few bills that needed to be run through the committee process so that's what we're doing at this time."
 
New language was inserted into HB 1246 via a committee substitute, and the bill received a do pass recommendation at Monday's meeting.
 
The bill passed the House 95-0 Tuesday. It was approved 45-0 Thursday in the Senate without a committee hearing and just hours before Stitt signed it. The bill took effect upon Stitt's signature Thursday.
Pugh wins approval of OHLAP changes, claw-back addition 
Senate Education Committee Chair Adam Pugh won approval Thursday of a bill he said would have put more than one-quarter of a billion dollars in the trust fund for Oklahoma's Promise, the scholarship program designed to provide free tuition to qualifying students.
 
Pugh, R-Edmond, said the floor substitute for SB 639 allows Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) scholarships, also known as Oklahoma's Promise, to be used at the state's career and technical education institutions, in addition to state colleges and universities, it also increases the time a student has to complete their education and it adds a claw-back provision for students who do not finish their course of study.
 
SB 639, by Pugh and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, permits Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), also known as Oklahoma's Promise, awards for postsecondary career and technology programs that have been identified as critical occupation areas. It directs Oklahoma Department of Commerce executive director, in consultation with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, to publish by Oct. 1, 2021, and each June 30 thereafter, a list of critical occupation areas that meet the guidelines of identified core competencies of the state based on wealth generation, growth potential and competitive advantage. The bill also directs the State Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with the State Board of Career and Technology Education, to identify postsecondary vocational-technical programs that correlate to identified critical occupation areas. It prohibits, beginning with students who entered into participation in the program in the 2021-2022 school year, an award to be used for courses or other postsecondary units taken in excess of the requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program or a postsecondary vocational-technical program taken more than six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment. It permits the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to award OHLAP benefits for courses of postsecondary units taken more than six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment only in hardship circumstances, provided no participant may receive benefits beyond a cumulative time period of six years. It requires the student to repay the full amount of the award if the student who entered into the program beginning in the 2021-2022 school year does not complete the courses or other postsecondary units required for a baccalaureate program or a postsecondary vocational-technical program within six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment. It requires those students to enter into a repayment agreement with the institution of higher education or the technology center school in which the student was enrolled. It requires repayments be deposited into the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. The bill requires the institution, when determining the amount to be repaid, to evaluate hardship cases on a case-by-case basis.
 
Pugh said the claw-back provision would have resulted in $252 million being collected and deposited in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. With additional money available, Pugh said the program could be modified to serve additional students, such as tiering its qualification requirements to benefit larger families.
 
Pugh also stressed the program's expansion to Department of Career and Technology Education courses of study.
 
Several members of the Senate Democratic Caucus questioned Pugh about the claw-back provision. Sen Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, asked whether the payback requirements might be inconsistent if left to each educational institution to decide. Pugh said he hoped it would encourage flexibility and each institution would work with students on a case-by-case basis.
 
Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, debated against the bill, although he expressed support for making career technology programs eligible for the scholarships. He noted he had worked with other lawmakers on every bill he had tried to pass. Pugh, Matthews said, had not talked to him about the bill or other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Matthews said the Black community had a way of looking at such things: "It's condescending to plan for us and not with us."
 
In his debate for the bill, Pugh argued he had been available to discuss the bill with anyone who wanted to talk about it. "My office door is wide open," Pugh said.
 
Matthews said he opposed the claw-back proposal. "A scholarship is a gift for an opportunity," said Matthews. 
 
"This bill is oppressive to my community," Matthews said, adding, "What is a hardship to them may not be a hardship to you."
 
Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, argued in favor of the bill's approval. Noting her own upbringing, Garvin said she paid for her own college education. "That made me appreciate it more because I had to work for it," she said.
 
The bill, Garvin said, will encourage students to invest in their own futures, which she said would increase their chances of success.
 
Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, said he, too, believed requiring those students who fail to complete their course of study in the designated time would make their success rates go up. 
 
Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and one of the Democratic Caucus members who had questioned the claw-back provision, said in debate, "More fiscal analysis needs to be done before we implement this change."
 
Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said the claw-back provision makes the OHLAP scholarship "a debt, a loan." She predicted it would hurt those students without family support.
 
"I am trying to help kids, not hurt them," Pugh said, adding, "We've got to stop the bias of low expectations."
 
Pugh continued. "This bill does put some expectations on people. What's wrong with that. Let's raise the bar, not lower it."
Pugh called Boren's comparison of the scholarship to a loan under his bill "a terrible comparison," saying it remained a scholarship but that it would require its recipients to meet expectations "…as they should."
 
Pugh said Kirt's suggestion that the issue be studied would be "…a giant waste of time" and only push changes to the program into the future.
 
Pugh turned his attention to the Senate's Republican members, saying, "I know the Democrats are not going to vote for it, so I'm not even talking to you anymore."
 
He reiterated that the proposal would have made more than $250 million available for OHLAP scholarships if it previously had been in effect, and he stressed that the bill would open the program up to other educational opportunities.
 
The bill and its emergency clause passed 36-9. All nine members of the Democratic Caucus voted against its passage.
 Legislation to Support Student Veterans Approved by House
Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, secured passage Monday afternoon of legislation supporting student veterans.
 
House Bill 1801 creates the Veterans Higher Education Priority Enrollment Act, which requires all institutions within the Oklahoma System of Higher Education to grant priority enrollment and course registration for veterans. The students must be Oklahoma residents or stationed in Oklahoma.
 
“House Bill 1801 broadens the scope of priority enrollment in higher education to include our hard-working student veterans and military members,” Miller said. “These brave men and women sacrificed to serve their country and deserve the same opportunity for priority enrollment as other groups of students.”
 
Public institutions of higher education in our state currently allow priority enrollment for certain groups such as student athletes, honor students and international students. HB1801 would grant the same opportunity to student veterans utilizing U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs education benefits.
 
Approximately 10,000 student veterans attend public institutions in Oklahoma and each contributes, on average, nearly $11,000 to their respective institution.
 
HB2801 passed the House 98-1 and now is eligible to be considered in the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.
Senate Approves Bill Requiring School Districts To Provide Suicide Awareness And Prevention Training
A bill requiring school districts to provide suicide awareness and prevention training to teachers and staff every two years won unanimous approval from the full Senate on Tuesday. Sen. Kay Floyd, D- Oklahoma City, is the principal author of Senate Bill 21.
 
Floyd said data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the problem of suicide in young people has only gotten worse in recent years.
 
“Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. One in six high school students surveyed said they’d seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months, and
more than seven percent had actually attempted suicide,” Floyd said. “The problem is not getting better. It’s gotten worse. We know this program is working in other states. It’s time to ensure all our schools are offering this training.”
 
Floyd said she first authored the bill as a member of the House of Representatives in 2014, but at that time it failed because it mandated the training. She reintroduced the bill the following year making the program optional and the measure was ultimately signed into law, but she said she’d always intended to revisit the concept. Floyd said previous opposition to mandatory suicide and prevention training centered over concerns about cost and time, but said there would be no cost and very minimal time involved.
 
“The material is actually provided at no cost to the school districts by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The most popular program is one called ‘At Risk,’ and it takes just one hour to complete, and it would only be once every two years,” Floyd said. “But that one hour of training could give teachers the information they need to identify children who are at risk before it’s too late.”
 
The measure now advances to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, is the principal author of SB 21 in the House.
Bill allowing juniors to enroll in OHLAP passes Senate
Hundreds of Oklahoma students complete their college degree each year thanks to the financial assistance provided them through the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), a scholarship program that provides free tuition to state colleges and universities for certain qualifying students.
 
Currently, students must be an Oklahoma resident, have a federally adjusted annual gross family income of $55,000 or less, and enroll in OHLAP in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade. Sen. David Bullard, R- Durant, wants to further expand the program by allowing homeschooled 16-year-olds or public and private school students to enroll as juniors, which he hopes to accomplish with Senate Bill 132 that passed unanimously out of the Senate late Tuesday.
 
“While some students know at a younger age that they want to go to college, for others it’s a decision made later in high school. OHLAP was created to ensure more students have the opportunity to get a
college degree regardless of their financial situation, and Senate Bill 132 is an effort to help those students who decide to pursue a higher education their junior year,” Bullard said. “The program isn’t currently being fully utilized, so kids are missing out on this incredible scholarship opportunity, and we have to do all we can to make sure their dreams of getting a college degree come true. I’m grateful for the overwhelming support in the Senate, and I hope the House joins us in further helping Oklahoma’s students by expanding Oklahoma’s Promise.”
 
There are currently about 30,000 high school students enrolled in the program and around 15,000 students attending college on an OHLAP scholarship. Bullard believes that allowing students to join the program their junior year will help increase participation in the free tuition program.
 
The measure now goes to the House where Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, is serving as the House author.
Bill establishing new process to fill U.S. Senate vacancy passes House 
Legislation outlining an updated process by which to fill potential vacancies in the US Senate passed the House floor Tuesday morning after considerable discussion and debate. The bill, HB 2173, would allow the governor to fill a vacancy in the Senate with a temporary appointment until an election can occur. It was authored and presented by Rep. Kyle Hilbert. 
 
"If a vacancy occurs in either of our state's seats, not only does our state lose representation, but it also has broad national implications," Hilbert, R-Depew, said. "Oklahomans deserve to have full representation in D.C., and we must make provisions now in the event that this process is necessary."
 
HB 2173, by Hilbert, and Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, establishes a new procedure for special elections for U.S. Senate elections for Oklahoma. It requires that if the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year and is not scheduled to be filled in the coming election, the special election will occur concurrently with regularly scheduled statewide elections. The bill requires that if the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year during an election in which the seat will not be regularly filled, the special election will occur during the next statewide election in an even numbered year. It requires that if the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered or even numbered year in which the seat is scheduled to be filled at a regularly occurring election the next year, no special election will take place. It that when a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate for the state of Oklahoma, the governor must have 30 days to appoint someone from a list of eligible nominees provided by the Speakers of the Oklahoma House of Representatives to hold the office until election and call a special election, if necessary.
 
During discussion, Hilbert noted 45 states currently allow their governor to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy via temporary appointment and Oklahoma lacks any procedure to fill a vacancy, so a seat would sit empty until a special election or the next general election can occur. He estimated a special election under current law would take at least eight months to finish and cost taxpayers approximately $1.2 million.
 
Numerous concerns about the bill were raised during discussion and well into debate from both House Democrats and House Republicans, some of whom argued the bill represented a "political power grab" and others took issue with the perceived lack of input from the House. 
 
Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, argued in his debate against the bill that lawmakers were giving away the representation their constituents elected them for "like lambs to the slaughter." "If the Senate gets full consent, we ought to be able to vote on that. It's just that simple," Gann posited. "This is about power. This is about retaining power in Washington D.C. with a group of people on both sides of the aisle that don't represent anybody here but themselves. I'm not willing to give them an inch [or] any more power than they deserve." 
 
Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, referred to the bill as nothing but "voter suppression" in his debate, only serving to cancel a fundamental power of the people of Oklahoma. "What this bill is, is a return to the politics of the last century when decisions were made in smoke-filled rooms behind the closed doors of the swamp," he said. "Folks, we aren't draining the swamp with this bill. We're adding more water and claiming more land." 
 
The bill passed on a vote of 54 to 42 while its emergency clause failed on a vote of 62 to 34. Hilbert served notice for reconsideration on the vote for the emergency clause. 
Statewide CLEET law enforcement & public safety youth program passes Senate
Having a sufficient number of law enforcement officers is crucial to public safety in Oklahoma, and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, wants to give high school students a glimpse into career opportunities in this field. Senate Bill 784 authorizes the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to develop a statewide law enforcement and public safety youth program designed for high school students.
 
“With all the negativity nationally surrounding our courageous law enforcement officers, I think it’s important to show students, who might have an interest in this field, that this is an honorable and worthy career to pursue,” Bullard said. “Our state law enforcement numbers are running low and we
need to find a way to attract brave individuals with public servant hearts to step up and protect their fellow Oklahomans. This program will give them some insight into what all is involved when one puts on the uniform and badge.”
 
SB 784, which was approved unanimously by the Senate Tuesday, was requested by Metro Tech to expand career opportunities for Oklahoma’s youth.
 
The bill now heads to the House where Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, is serving as the House author.
Bill authorizing social media users to sue for censorship of political/religious speech approved in committee
A measure allowing social media users to sue for damages against any social media website that censors a user’s political or religious speech was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, authored Senate Bill 383 to eliminate selective censorship of opinion on social media and to ensure free speech is treated fairly.
 
“There have been cases where social media posts discriminate against conservative views and social media platforms censor or delete posts supporting those views,” Standridge said. “Nonviolent political posts are being censored just for having a differing opinion and citizens should be able to have a chance at civil recourse.”
 
Under SB 383, users in the state could sue any owner or operator of a social media website that purposely censors a user’s political or religious speech. The measure applies to deleted posts or the use of algorithms to suppress such speech. The websites would be immune from liability if any censored posts called for immediate acts of violence or enticed criminal conduct. It would also exempt posts involved in bullying minors, false impersonation or those from an inauthentic source. The measure does not apply to individual users who censor the speech of other users.
 
Users above the age 18 could seek damages of a minimum of $75,000 per intentional deletion or censoring of that user’s speech, along with actual damages and punitive damages if aggravating factors are present. The prevailing party may also be awarded costs and reasonable attorney fees.
 
“Selective censoring of opinion on social media should not be prevalent in a country where freedom of speech is a fundamental right,” Standridge said. “While it is important to keep the internet safe by censoring violent or other criminal content, censoring posts solely for a differing political opinion is wrong. This measure will protect free speech.”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
Paid leave for school support staff during epidemics passes Senate
One year ago, the first case of COVID-19 hit Oklahoma and schools had to shut down to protect the safety of students and staff. While most schools have returned to full in-person learning, some are still utilizing virtual learning. While pay for teachers and administrators is protected and guaranteed under current state law during epidemics and state emergencies, it is not for school support staff. Sen. Chris Kidd, R- Waurika, authored Senate Bill 807 to ensure the pay of these important school staffers is protected.
 
“The historic nature of the pandemic has presented several problems and issues that have never had to be dealt with, and the pay of school support staff was one of them. Currently, there is a provision in law allowing teachers paid time if a school closes during an epidemic or health emergency, but unfortunately it doesn’t include districts’ hardworking support staff,” Kidd said. “This bill will statutorily ensure that the pay of support staff in our schools is protected just as it is for other school staff.”
 
SB 807 directs that school support employees be entitled to pay for any time lost when a school district is closed because of an epidemic or when a closing order is issued by an authorized health officer.
Kidd explained that Gov. Stitt passed an executive order last spring requesting that public schools continue to pay all their employees, contractors, and support staff for the 2019-2020 school year. However, it expired, and he did not renew the order for the current school year.
 
“These individuals play a vital role in our schools—overseeing meals, answering phones, managing the office, cleaning the buildings, maintaining the grounds and many other important daily tasks that keep our schools up and running,” Kidd said. “Just as they look out for the best interest of our children and schools, we must look out for them and get this bill signed into law.”
 
SB 807, which passed the Senate overwhelmingly late Tuesday, will next be heard in the House where Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, is the principal House author.
Bill Authorizing School Personnel to Carry Firearms Passes House
A bill allowing boards of education to adopt policies authorizing school personnel to carry firearms on school campuses passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives Tuesday evening.
 
House Bill 2588, sponsored by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, would authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school personnel if the person possesses a valid handgun license and meets other requirements authorized by the board of education of the district.
 
“Sadly, gun violence in schools has become a very real concern for many across America,” said Roberts. “For the protection of our students and school staff, our boards of education must be given the ability to set policies that are proper for their school districts. This bill doesn’t mandate policies across the state, rather it provides for local control in regards to this very important public safety issue.”
 
HB 2588 passed by a vote of 79-19 and is now eligible to be heard by the Senate.
Play to Learn Act Passes House, Heads to Senate
Play-based learning is a step closer to becoming an integral part of Oklahoma’s early childhood education experience as the Oklahoma Play To Learn Act overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday with a vote of 76 to 16.
 
The Oklahoma Play to Learn Act (HB 1569), authored by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, declares the Legislature’s intent to focus on the importance of child-centered, play-based learning as the most developmentally appropriate way for young children to learn.
 
The measure also authorizes educators to create learning environments that promote movement, creative expression, exploration, socialization, and reading for pleasure, among other things. Additionally, HB1569 allows school districts to provide ongoing early childhood professional development for teachers and administrators, which may include existing State Department of Education professional development programs. Lastly, the measure prohibits a school district from preventing a teacher from utilizing play-based learning in early childhood education, which will empower early childhood educators to teach children the way they were taught to teach.
 
“Play-based learning is about engaging children on their terms,” Rosecrants said. “Our hope is that through that engagement we can foster a lifelong love of learning in students.”
 
This is the second time the legislation has passed the House. However, the bill stalled last year due to COVID.
 
“This is a victory for the many education advocates that have had a hand in this legislation,” Rosecrants said. “Once it gets across the finish line, The Play to Learn Act will be a victory for Oklahoma students and will serve as a great way to recruit and retain our early childhood educators.”
House Advances Broadband Expansion Bills
The House of Representatives advanced a slate of broadband expansion legislation this week laying the groundwork for comprehensive improvements to the state’s lagging internet infrastructure over the next decade.
 
As a package, the bills offer state incentives and grants to broadband providers, establish ways to maximize existing and future infrastructure, update broadband terms in state law, and add important stakeholders to the council developing long-term broadband plans.
 
“These bills are a strong foundation to get faster, cheaper internet to all Oklahomans – especially in rural areas with no internet at all,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “It won’t be easy or happen overnight, but the House is committed to doing its part to deliver broadband to all Oklahomans.”
 
Expanding rural broadband is a multibillion-dollar, multi-decade endeavor nearly every state is undertaking. Billions of federal dollars are being made available to internet providers to build out infrastructure. State and local policies and incentives also play a large role.
 
“Harnessing those substantial federal dollars with strong state policies and targeted state incentives is the fastest, most efficient path to get broadband to the many places lacking it in Oklahoma,” said Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, chairman of the House Technology Committee. “Oklahoma was falling behind in broadband development and access, but we are making an aggressive course correction with this package of bills and others to come, on top of federal efforts. It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach.”
 
Oklahoma is ranked 47th nationally for rural access to broadband. A 2017 report by the Oklahoma State University Extension Office found approximately 30% of Oklahoma households had no type of internet connection at home.
 
Additionally, there is a significant digital divide between rural and urban parts of the state, with 72% of urban households connected to broadband and only 48% of rural households connected.
 
The rural/urban broadband gap of 24 percentage points is the largest among Oklahoma’s neighboring states.
 
“Lack of broadband development hurts rural Oklahoma and makes the entire state less competitive when attracting businesses to grow our economy. Expanding broadband received strong bipartisan support in the House because it has statewide benefits in so many areas, from the economy to the education system to healthcare to overall quality of life,” Phillips said.
 
Phillips is co-chair, along with Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, of the Rural Broadband Expansion Council, a diverse group of stakeholders formed last session to develop broadband expansion plans for Oklahoma.
 
“The House will continue bringing all parties to the table to develop actionable, achievable plans,” McCall said. “I appreciate the contributions of all the stakeholders and House members working on this significant long-term effort.”
 
Broadband bills advancing to Senate:
  • HB 2040, by McCall, creates a sales and use tax rebate for new broadband equipment used to deliver service in unserved or underserved areas. A maximum of $20 million would be rebated for projects in 2022, with $15 million allocated for rural areas and $5 million for urban areas. It passed 85-14.
  • HB 2090, by McCall, adds a tribal representative and wireless internet service provider to the Rural Broadband Expansion Council, establishes 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload as the minimum speeds offered to be considered broadband service, and defines terms like “underserved” and “unserved” for the purpose of mapping and incentive awards. It also directs the council to develop strategic parameters for state incentive awards for consideration next session. It passed 97-0.
  • HB 2928, by McCall, requires providers to submit data for mapping all broadband assets in the state. It passed 98-0.
  • HB 1124, by Phillips, establishes a broadband grant program at the Commerce Department. It passed 91-6.
  • HB 1122, by Phillips, HB 1923, by Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, and HB 2779, by Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, all address opportunities for broadband and other attachments to utility poles. Further details of the measures will continue to be developed through the legislative process.
 CTE 2021
218 Bills On Report
(visit oklegislature.gov to view the full text of the measures below)

HB1009
Paraphrase: HB1009, by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, increases the maximum gross income to qualify for the additional $1,000 homestead exemption to $25,000 from $20,000. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1026
Paraphrase: HB1026, by Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, allows CLEET to establish and certify additional law enforcement and criminal justice programs at state-supported technology center schools in the State of Oklahoma operating under the State Board of Career and Technology Education for teaching students between 16 and nineteen 19 years of age. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB1027
Paraphrase: HB1027, by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires the State Board of Education, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, require that a violence de-escalation program be offered for each year an individual holds a provisional or emergency certificate. It requires the program include, at a minimum: training in evidence-based, trauma-informed teaching involving brain research, including trauma's impact on development and triggers; procedures for setting up and maintaining a safe environment through self-regulation practices for both students and staff; and establishing and reviewing trauma-informed response protocol for the classroom and school to address behavior with positive and compassionate approaches. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1036
Paraphrase: HB1036, by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, removes the requirement that political subdivisions be subject to Competitive Bidding Act or a similar competitive bidding procedure in order for boards of county commissioners to be permitted sell any materials, tools, apparatus, machinery or equipment.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1046
Paraphrase: HB1046, by Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, requires a copy or a hyperlink to a copy of the most recent audit of the financial statements of a school district be posted on the school district website for public inspection. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1059
Paraphrase: HB1059, by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, removes language the prohibits any student enrolled in a commercial driver training school from taking a skills examination for a Class A, B or C license upon request with a Department of Public Safety examiner regardless of whether the person has completed the course, is still enrolled in the course to be completed or has voluntarily withdrawn from the course. It removes language that prohibits a motor license agent from processing an application for a Class A, B or C commercial license. It permits a motor license agent to process the voluntary downgrade of a REAL ID Compliant Commercial Driver License to any lower class license upon request of the licensee, provided no additional endorsements or restrictions are placed on the license. It removes language that prohibits a motor license agent from performing document recognition and other requirements needed for approval of an application for a Class A, B or C commercial license. The bill permits a driver's licensee whose record reflects a notation of the person's proof of legal presence, verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or proof of U.S. citizenship, to obtain a REAL ID Compliant Identification Card or a Noncompliant Identification Card from a motor license agent or the Department of Public Safety, regardless of the status of the license held by the licensee. It requires the licensee comply with all REAL ID documentation requirements to obtain a REAL ID Compliant Identification Card. It prohibits a person from applying for or possessing more than one state-issued or territory-issued REAL ID Compliant Identification Card. It removes the up to $25 fee a designated examiner may charge for each Class D driving skills examination given. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/23/2021

HB1062
Paraphrase: HB1062, by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, requires, for purposes of the provisions Article X, Section 8E and Section 8F of the Oklahoma Constitution, if a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran occupies improvements affixed to the real property and record title to the real property is held by a city or town or an entity formed pursuant to the charter provisions or ordinances of a city or town or formed under other provisions of law for the benefit of a city or town, the improvements be considered to be the homestead of the disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of such disabled veteran for all purposes related to the homestead exemption authorized by the provisions of the Ad Valorem Tax Code and the homestead exemption not be denied on the basis that title to such affixed improvements is held by a different person or entity than the entity which holds title to the real property consisting of the land to which such improvements are affixed.
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1073
Paraphrase: HB1073, by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board until July 1, 2024.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1075
Paraphrase: HB1075, by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, extends the sunset date for the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering until July 1, 2024.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1090
Paraphrase: HB1090, by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus and Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, allows the State Auditor and Inspector General to perform audits and inspections of government entities without authorization from the governor, the chief executive officer of a government entity or a joint or concurrent resolution of the Legislature. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1103
Paraphrase: HB1103, by Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Education Department create a set of guidelines and provide directions to schools in order to survey every public and private school student in grades 6,8,10 and 12 with the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey every other year beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1104
Paraphrase: HB1104, by Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, requires information on a student's tribal affiliation be included in student data collected for the state.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1118
Paraphrase: HB1118, by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavner and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, allows only US citizens to become peace officers or reserve peace officers, but allows permanent resident aliens currently employed as a full-time peace officer to continue their employment and continue to be CLEET certified.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB1121
Paraphrase: HB1121, by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, requires a community submit an economic impact study in order to qualify for the Oklahoma Quality Events Incentive Act and changes some of the timeframes within which information must be provided to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1124
Paraphrase: HB1124, by Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, creates the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program to direct competitive grants to applicants seeking to expand broadband internet services and directs the Corporation Commission to create the Rural Broadband Expansion Council to promulgate rules and procedures for the program. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1138
Paraphrase: HB1138, by Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee and Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, permits the duration of a tax increment finance district exceed 25 years, but may not exceed a duration of 28 years, if the governing body finds that the economic conditions within the district were adversely affected by the effect of the COVID-19 virus, either upon the health of persons residing or doing business within the district, or that effects of the virus on persons and business activity outside the district had a sufficiently adverse impact to provide an extension of the duration of the district and any obligations issued in connection with the increment district for a maximum additional three (3) years.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB1150
Paraphrase: HB1150, by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond and Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, authorizes the Construction Industries Board to implement the provisions of The Plumbing License Law of 1955, including, but not limited to, defining categories and limitations for such licenses. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1152
Paraphrase: HB1152, by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, removes the requirement for certified shorthand reporters to possess a minimum level of court reporting proficiency verified through a court reporting school official.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1568
Paraphrase: HB1568, by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, creates Maria's Law. It requires that the State Board of Education mandate all schools, as part of any health education curriculum, to include instruction in mental health, with an emphasis on the interrelation of physical and mental well-being, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. It requires the Board to collaborate with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to adopt standards and approve age-appropriate curriculum options for students in grades kindergarten through twelve. It requires the standards and curriculum lists to be available on the website of the State Department of Education. The bill authorizes local school districts to enter into agreements with nonprofit entities and other community partners to assist with or to provide mental health education to students if the nonprofits and community partners are approved by the State Department of Education and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It requires the board to promulgate necessary rules. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1569
Paraphrase: HB1569, by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, creates the Oklahoma Play to Learn Act. It allows for instruction in early childhood education to foster certain development and learning. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1593
Paraphrase: HB1593, by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires a local district board of education to mandate a program for seventh-grade through twelfth-grade teachers emphasizing the importance of incorporating workplace safety training into the curriculum. It requires the program to be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school district, and then once every third academic year. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1598
Paraphrase: HB1598, by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, authorizes the State Department of Education to maintain a statewide registry of vision screeners approved by the State Department of Health that schools may use to test students' vision. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1630
Paraphrase: HB1630, by Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, modifies the background check procedure for the purchase of firearms.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/22/2021

HB1661
Paraphrase: HB1661, by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, includes the scope of work of the binder in what may be included on individual bid packages in compliance with the Public Competitive Bidding Act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1715
Paraphrase: HB1715, by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, repeals language related to reading ability required for a driver license or permit. It also repeals language that requires the Department of Public Safety to deny a driver license application based on lack of school attendance. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB1739
Paraphrase: HB1739, by Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, creates the Connecting Futures Act. It allows the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, create a pilot program to address needs of any minors who are separated from their parents or legal guardians, are not supported by their parents or legal guardians and are not in the custody of the Department of Human Services or in the custody of any Indian tribe. It requires the pilot program to allow the Department to provide assistance in securing necessary services to allow eligible minors to become self-reliant and productive citizens.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1773
Paraphrase: HB1773, by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, requires teacher candidates for the competency-based teacher preparation system provided for in the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education to study the philosophy, overarching framework, components, and implementation of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) designed to address the core academic and nonacademic needs of all students. It requires the program to provide for training that utilizes evidence-based assessment, intervention, and data-based decision-making procedures within a tiered system of support to identify students at risk for negative academic or nonacademic outcomes. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1775
Paraphrase: HB1775, by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, renames the Riley Boatwright Act to Riley's Rule. It requires the development of an Emergency Action Plan by each school district board of education. It requires the Emergency Action Plan to be reviewed, updated and rehearsed annually prior to the start of season practices, with school officials and local emergency medical services providers, placed on file with the school district and the emergency medical services provider and included as part of the school's accreditation file. It requires that prior to each athletic event or activity where there are athletes participating from visiting schools, the Emergency Action Plan must be reviewed in a medical time out, including, but not limited to, reviewing the procedures for school officials, game officials and medical personnel present at the event. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1789
Paraphrase: HB1789, by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton and Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, allows local government units authorized by state law to create a purchasing cooperative to contract with a purchasing cooperative to provide leverage in achieving best value or the best terms of contracts and requires such a purchasing cooperative provide public notice through a state or nationally distributed newspaper to serve as the sole public notice. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/18/2021

HB1796
Paraphrase: HB1796, by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commission for Education Quality and Accountability to grant subject area examination exceptions for initial certification in a field that does not require an advanced degree if the candidate already has an advanced degree in the subject essentially comparable to the content assessed in the examination. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1801
Paraphrase: HB1801, by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires all institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to grant priority enrollment and course registration to students who are active duty members of the uniformed military services of the United States and to students who are eligible to receive educational financial assistance from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB1807
Paraphrase: HB1807, by Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, modifies various provisions of the Oklahoma Cosmetology and Barbering Act. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB1815
Paraphrase: HB1815, by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore and Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter, requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to, no later than December 1, 2021, issue a report and recommendations to the Legislature regarding the ability and appropriateness of natural gas utilities to procure, transport and deliver renewable natural gas to customers. It requires the report to address a recommendation for the state's renewable fuel standard or goal to more proactively promote biogas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen as solutions for reducing methane emissions and other environmental problems. It requires the report to discuss the methods for recovery of associated costs from ratepayers, such as transport infrastructure and commodity costs. It requires the report to address the production of educational materials to provide Oklahoma residents with information regarding renewable natural gas and its positive environmental impacts and benefits. It requires the report to discuss future reporting requirements for all producers so the Commission can report progress annually to the Legislature. The bill requires the report to be due to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2021.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1818
Paraphrase: HB1818, by Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, authorizes the Construction Industries Board to administer the Uniform Building Code Commission Act. It repeals language related to the Chief Executive Officer and legal advisor to the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1821
Paraphrase: HB1821, by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, modifies the process by which state tuition and grants are awarded under the Oklahoma Higher Education Tuition Aid Act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1849
Paraphrase: HB1849, by Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma CIty and Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, modifies the sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property made by or to nonprofit parent-teacher associations or organizations by removing the requirement that they be exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code and requiring that they be sanctioned by a state school district. It also exempts from sales tax sales of tangible personal property made by or to school support organizations. It defines the term "school support organization" to mean a nonprofit organization sanctioned by any school district of the state to collect funds in support of a school or an organization, club or activity of a school in the sanctioning school district. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB1875
Paraphrase: HB1875, by Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, permits each educational institution to choose to designate specific information which will be classified as directory information for students attending the educational institution. It defines the term "directory" by reference to the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. It prohibits all educational agencies or institutions which are not the primary custodians of student directory information of students attending the educational institution, but which are allowed to access the information for educational purposes from releasing or selling any or all student directory information unless disclosure is authorized by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and provisions of state statute.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB1876
Paraphrase: HB1876, by Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires that the home addresses, home telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, private email addresses, and private mobile phone numbers of current and former public employees not be open to public inspection or disclosure.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/18/2021

HB1882
Paraphrase: HB1882, by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, creates the "Out-of-Schooltime" taskforce to identify, evaluate and recommend a set of best practices for children, youth and families to improve and increase the number of quality, affordable out-of-school programs in the state. The bill sets the membership of the committee. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1888
Paraphrase: HB1888, by Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, prohibits any public body from conducting any form of gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. It defines the term "public body." (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Laid Over  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1923
Paraphrase: HB1923, by Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, prohibits the rates charged by a rural electric cooperative for attachments to utility poles by communications service providers from exceeding $20 per role per year, and only allows increases equal to the annual recurring rate permitted under rules and regulations adopted by the Federal Communications Commission. The bill states the cap on rates does not include any charge or rate for electricity. The bill requires a rural cooperative to obtain a franchise from a city or town before providing cable television or video services to that city or town. (Amended by House, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB1944
Paraphrase: HB1944, by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, allows the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to offer training that instructs a peace officer how to alert a school district or charter school when a student enrolled at the school district or charter school has been identified at the scene of a traumatic event or an event that involved a response from an emergency 9-1-1 service. It allows the peace officer to only release the name and birth date of the student directly to the school district or charter school and state that the student was present at the scene of a traumatic event or an event that involved a response from an emergency 9-1-1 service.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB1962
Paraphrase: HB1962, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, changes the definition of qualified higher education expenses to only follow the Internal Revenue Code.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1963
Paraphrase: HB1963, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, creates a process for the Governor to appoint a member or members of a local school board if there is a loss of the majority of members of a board of education of a school district or technology center school district as long as the appointment shall be consistent with the remaining requirements for a board member.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB1965
Paraphrase: HB1965, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, allows a board of county commissioners to determine the years of service required for full-time county employees to qualify for a continuing education program and allows such programs to include courses offered by a college or university that is a member of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education as well as any other in-state or out-of-state programs or courses which are relevant to the employee's responsibilities as approved by the county commissioners. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB1967
Paraphrase: HB1967, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, requires a school bus driver to report violations related to driving around stopped school busses on or before the next day school is in session following the alleged offense.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1968
Paraphrase: HB1968, by Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, removes additional requirements for school boards to include specific information in their gifted child educational programs. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB1990
Paraphrase: HB1990, by Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, directs counties be reimbursed for loss revenue due to the exemptions authorized by the Oklahoma Constitution. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2007
Paraphrase: HB2007, by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore and Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, allows a registered apprentice working under the supervision of a mechanical contractor to sit for any journeyman license examination except for the unlimited journeyman license examination without satisfying the training or experience requirements in the Mechanical Licensing Act if the mechanical contractor certifies to the Construction Industries Board that the registered apprentice has the skills necessary to sit for the journeyman license examination. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2030
Paraphrase: HB2030, by Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, requires the study of the United States Constitution beginning the 2022-2023 school year. It requires the United States History assessment to include the United States naturalization test and prohibits eligibility for graduation unless the students pass the test. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2046
Paraphrase: HB2046, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, allows a two-year institute within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to utilize certain procedures to be considered a higher education funding district for the purpose of establishing and organizing the district, calling for operational millage rates or sinking fund millage rates or both. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2049
Paraphrase: HB2049, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, increases the dollar amount from $50,000 to $100,000 of contracts that require notices calling for bids when it is determined to let the work of a master conservancy district.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2074
Paraphrase: HB2074, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, removes language related to the Oklahoma Emergency Transfer Act, requiring a receiving district to approve a transfer at any time of the year unless the transfers exceed the capacity of a program, class, grade level or building as set by the local board of education. The bill allows local boards of education to include discipline issues and a history of absences as reasons to deny a transfer request. The bill requires a policy be set for each program, class, grade level and building no later than Jan. 22, 2022, and then published on the school district's website, allowing the board to set the capacity of every program, class, grade level and building at the first of each month, then publish that information on the district website and report it to the State Department of Education. The bill creates an appeal process for parents if their student's transfer request has been denied. The bill requires each district report the number of transfer students in their district as well as denied transfer requests on June 30, 2023, and every June 30 after to the State Department of Education and the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. It requires the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability to randomly select 10 percent of the districts in the state and conduct an audit of each districts' approved and denied transfers based on the provisions adopted by the local board of education, and if the agency finds inaccurate reporting then the agency must set the capacity for the school district. The bill requires transfer students be enrolled in the order in which their applications are submitted, with the district setting a public lottery selection process if the number of student transfer requests exceeds the capacity of a receiving school district. The bill allows a student to be granted a one-yar transfer and to continue to attend the school each school year they transferred to with the approval of the receiving district. The bill allows a receiving school district continued transfer for specific behavior. The bill prohibits a student from transferring more than two times per school year to one or more districts in which the student does not reside, though the student is allowed at any time to re-enroll in the district where they reside. The bill makes students who are dependents of a member of the active uniformed military services of the United States on full-time active-duty status eligible for admission to the school district of their choice regardless of the capacity of the district. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/24/2021

HB2078
Paraphrase: HB2078, by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew and Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, modifies and revises the calculation of the State Aid school funding formula. It adjusts the years of data to be used in calculating the average daily membership. The bill modifies the July calculation of per pupil revenue. It revises the calculation for Foundation Aid and alters the calculation for Salary Incentive Aid. It increases percentages of allowable general fund carryover. It prohibits assessments of carryover penalty in fiscal years specified therein. It adjusts weighted calculations for weighted average daily membership. It revises July and December calculations for projected per pupil revenue. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/24/2021

HB2121
Paraphrase: HB2121, by Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan and Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, includes general surgery in the definition of a primary care physicians. The bill adds a nurse practitioner to the Physician Manpower Training Commission.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB2172
Paraphrase: HB2172, by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew and Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, includes facilities that the investment cost of construction, acquisition or expansion of the manufacturing $500,000 or more with respect to assets places in service during the 2022 calendar year and for all subsequent years the amount must increase annually by percentage equal to the previous year's increase in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers and such adjusted amount will be the required investment cost on order to qualify for the exemption as a manufacturing facility. (Amended by House, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2178
Paraphrase: HB2178, by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, provides a tax deduction beginning after Dec. 30, 2020, for contributions to accounts established pursuant to the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program not exceeding $10,000 for an individual taxpayer and $20,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return, the deduction carried over for up to 5 years. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/16/2021

HB2180
Paraphrase: HB2180, by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada and Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, requires state agencies to, upon the request of the employee, make payroll deductions for the payment of any insurance premiums due a private insurance organization or service company; the organization or company is no longer required to be regulated by the State Insurance Commissioner and have a minimum participation of 500 state employees for legal services. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2183
Paraphrase: HB2183, by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada and Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, requires the Department of Public Safety to approve at least one public transit agency that has or maintains a program instructing students for a Class A, B or C license to hire or employ third-party examiners and makes it permissible for any public transit agency operating in the state to utilize the third-party examiners hired or employed by a public transit agency approved by the department. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2184
Paraphrase: HB2184, by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, restructures the Highway Construction Materials Technician Certification Advisory to appointments by different agency directors and industry association leadership, with none of the appointments coming from the governor.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2223
Paraphrase: HB2223, by Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, requires the State Department of Education to maintain a dyslexia handbook. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2293
Paraphrase: HB2293, by Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, modifies provisions therein related to the computation of specified employer contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma and specifies the treatment of contributions with respect to non-federal sources of funds. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 03/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB2297
Paraphrase: HB2297, by Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant and Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, defines "fixed wireless broadband Internet service provider" as it relates to the Ad Valorem Tax Code. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2328
Paraphrase: HB2328, by Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, modifies exceptions to the competitive bidding requirements.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2329
Paraphrase: HB2329, by Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, allows the State Board of Education to grant an exception to the requirements for all certification examinations for teacher candidates who are deaf. It allows the Board to promulgate rules and other requirements as necessary to grant the exceptions. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2334
Paraphrase: HB2334, by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, authorizes the possession of firearms on streets, plazas, sidewalks and alleys. The bill authorizes open carry on property of nonprofit entities and public trusts.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2335
Paraphrase: HB2335, by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon and Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, prohibits a governmental entity from mandating any vaccination. The bill prohibits a governmental entity from discriminating against or pursuing civil or criminal penalties against any person who declines to be vaccinated or declines to vaccinate his or her children. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2381
Paraphrase: HB2381, by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh and Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, requires school districts to conduct an annual fitness assessment each school year for students in grades three through 12. The bill requires the assessment to be based on factors related to student health including aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. It requires the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Health to analyze the performance results and a correlation between student obesity, attendance levels, academic achievement levels, disciplinary problems, and school meal programs. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2388
Paraphrase: HB2388, by Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater and Sen. Tom Dugger, R-Stillwater, allows each school district to provide age-appropriate instruction about social-emotional learning a minimum of once during grades kindergarten, second and fourth. It allows the State Department of Education to create or offer accurate instructional materials for social-emotional learning education on the Department's website. The bill allows a school district to create its own education instructional materials. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2396
Paraphrase: HB2396, by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, allows the board of education of each school district to adopt a policy regarding sex trafficking and exploitation prevention and education programs for students in grades six through 12. It allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education a series of in-depth prevention and education programs to all freshman students enrolled. It establishes requirements for such programs. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2399
Paraphrase: HB2399, by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, modifies eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2401
Paraphrase: HB2401, by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, modifies the language related to firearm possession by convicted felons and delinquents. It makes it unlawful for a person convicted of any a violent felony offense, or a felony offense which required the person to serve not less than 85 percent of the sentence imposed by any state court or of another state or of the United States, rather any felony, to have in his or her possession or under his or her immediate control or at the residence where the convicted person resides, any pistol, imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle, or any other firearm. It removes language related the presence of a firearm in any vehicle which the person is operating, or in which the person is riding as a passenger. It restores the right of person previously convicted of a nonviolent felony in any state court or of another state or of the United States and has not been convicted of any other felony or misdemeanor offense for a period of five years to possess, carry or transport any non-semiautomatic firearm. It also permits the person to apply for and carry a handgun, concealed or unconcealed, or as otherwise permitted by law, and have the right to perform the duties of a gunsmith but not of a peace officer or for firearms repair. It makes it unlawful for any person serving a term of probation for any violent felony offense in any state court\ or of another state or of the United States or under the jurisdiction of any alternative court program to have in his or her possession or under his or her immediate control, or at his or her residence, or in any passenger vehicle which the person is operating or is riding as a passenger, any pistol, shotgun or rifle, including any imitation or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle, while such person is subject to supervision, probation, parole or inmate status. It makes it a felony for any person to knowingly or intentionally allows a convicted felon or adjudicated delinquent or a youthful offender to possess or have control of any firearm and sets the punishment as a $5,000 fine. It removes language related to the person having been issued a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and the revocation of that license. It modifies certain definitions. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2462
Paraphrase: HB2462, by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber and Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, authorizes the State Department of Education to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other authorized expenses as may be necessary to host, conduct, sponsor or participate in conferences, meetings or training sessions. It permits the department to establish accounts as necessary for the collection and distribution of funds, including funds of sponsors and registration fees, related to such conferences, meetings and training sessions. It permits any expenses incurred be paid directly to the contracting agency or business establishment. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

HB2465
Paraphrase: HB2465, by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, permits an approved written examination proctor to administer the written portion of the driver's exam. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety establish procedures to ensure every applicant for an original Class A, B, C or D license and for any endorsements thereon, is examined by the department or an approved written examination proctor. The bill authorizes the department to approve and enter into agreements with local school districts, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, or institutions of higher education to act as approved written examination proctors with regard to any written examination. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/22/2021

HB2564
Paraphrase: HB2564, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, requires recounts of issue or question elections when the margin of votes required for approval is 0.5 percent or less of the total number of votes cast for and against a statutory issue or question; the margin of votes required for approval is 1.0 percent or less of the total number of votes cast for and against a constitutional issue or question; or requested by the Governor, Attorney General, or Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2567
Paraphrase: HB2567, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid and Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, permits the Department of Corrections (DOC) to develop a hospice care training program within the state prison system. It permits DOC to partner with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Department of Career Education and Technology to determine the appropriate training for the purpose of obtaining licensure and certifications required for those inmates selected to participate in the program. It requires the Oklahoma State Department of Health to include inmate participants in any promulgated rules that establish the appropriate licensure or certification requirements. It requires the State Department of Health review inmate applicants to any program established to determine whether an applicant would be prohibited by state or federal law or regulation from obtaining licensure upon completion of the program. It prohibits inmates convicted of certain crimes from participation unless they receive written permission from the State Department of Health. It requires DOC, the Department of Corrections, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Department of Career Education and Technology to jointly approve a program curriculum for training eligible inmates. It requires the curriculum include required credits for each subject and practical skills instruction and that the training be provided by a licensed physician, registered nurse, or other appropriately licensed or trained health care professional as determined by the State Department of Health and the Department of Career Education and Technology. It requires, upon successful completion of the training program, an inmate receive a program completion certificate from the Department of Corrections. It requires DOC, the State Department of Health, and the Department of Career Education and Technology to develop appropriate processes to submit notice of training completion and application for licensure or certification to the Oklahoma State Department of Health in a manner and form prescribed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. It requires the Oklahoma State Department of Health, in cooperation with the Department of Corrections, to promulgate rules to implement the curriculum and to provide for minimum continuing education or training requirements to maintain state certification in good standing. The bill provides that its provision cannot be construed to establish a right to employment with any licensed hospice provider. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2568
Paraphrase: HB2568, by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, permits a lottery for savings promotion raffle accounts or programs. The bill defines the term "savings promotion raffle."
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2644
Paraphrase: HB2644, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter, allows a public body to hold meetings by teleconference until March 31, 2024. (Amended by House, Stricken Title, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2645
Paraphrase: HB2645, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, makes numerous changes regarding the carrying of firearms. It provides that it is not unlawful for a person to transport a firearm by vehicle on a public roadway if otherwise eligible to carry a firearm. It clarifies the carrying of firearms where alcoholic beverages are sold and includes licensed armed security guards to the list of persons who can carry a firearm in an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold. It allows an employee of an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold to carry a weapon in the establishment with permission of the owner of the establishment. It provides that it is lawful for a person carrying a weapon to be in a designated bar area of a restaurant if the person is not consuming beer or alcoholic beverages. It clarifies that a person carrying a firearm in an establishment is not authorized to consume beer or alcoholic beverages in any establishment. It modifies the penalty for violations relating to carrying a firearm into an establishment or consuming beer or alcoholic beverages while carrying by making the penalty a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250. The measure clarifies the places in which it is unlawful to carry a firearm by including any property set aside by a county, city, town, public trust with a county, city or town as a beneficiary, or state governmental authority for an event that is secured with minimum-security provisions. It defines minimum-security provisions. It clarifies that it is lawful for a person to carry a firearm on public streets, plazas, sidewalks and alleys. It provides that a person may carry concealed only on any public property set aside temporarily by a county, city, town, public trust with a county, city or town as a beneficiary, or state governmental authority for the holder of an event permit that is without minimum-security provisions. It allows an individual to carry openly on the property of a nonprofit entity or public trust if the person has permission from the nonprofit or public trust. It allows municipalities, by ordinance or resolution to authorize all or certain employees or municipal public officials to carry concealed firearms. It provides that a municipality, municipal employee or municipal public official is not civilly or criminally liable for any injury resulting from the carrying or discharge of the firearm. It establishes firearm-prohibited locations for municipal employees and municipal public officials, including any room or public place where public meetings governed by the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act occur, or locations as designated by the municipal government, and any police department, courthouse, courtroom, prison, jail, detention facility or facility holding arrested persons. It provides that nothing is to be construed as a mechanism to allow municipal employees or municipal public officials to carry a firearm as a duty or function of their employment with the municipality. It removes language regarding vehicles driving onto school property which contain a firearm or knife. It clarifies the Legislative findings for firearms act by stating that the defense of a private home or personal, business or real property and the use of firearms by law enforcement and other agencies is a lawful purpose. The measure clarifies the possession of firearms in vehicles. It clarifies the state preemption on firearms by prohibiting the adoption of any policy by an entity which can touch firearms and ammunition. It allows the court to order a person, municipality, agency or political subdivision to pay reasonable expenses to a person who has been aggrieved by any order, policy, ordinance, resolution or regulation under certain circumstances. It clarifies that a person who is carrying a firearm is to be in possession of a valid state photo identification card, driver license or valid handgun license. It modifies the business owner's rights by providing that no person, employer or business entity can establish, maintain or enforce any policy or rule that has the effect of prohibiting any person or employee, except a convicted felon, from transporting, carrying or storing firearms or ammunition in a motor vehicle personally owned, leased or rented by the person or employee while conducting business for the employer or business entity. It allows liquor stores to prohibit a person from carrying on the property. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2662
Paraphrase: HB2662, by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, creates the Seizure-Safe Schools Act. It requires the board of each local public school district to have at least one school employee at each school who has met the training requirements necessary to: administer or assist with the self-administration of a seizure rescue medication or medication prescribed to treat seizure disorder symptoms as approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and any successor agency; and recognize the signs and symptoms of seizures and the appropriate steps to be taken to respond to these symptoms. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2691
Paraphrase: HB2691, by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, requires the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to issue a report to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Governor detailing factors in the public education system of the state that contribute to improvements in the: common education system, including, but not limited to, high school graduation rates and college and career assessment scores; higher education and career and technology education systems, including, but not limited to, timely graduation rates and reduced remediation rates; and state workforce, including, but not limited to, career readiness and the ability for new graduates to find in-state employment. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2693
Paraphrase: HB2693, by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, provides financial assistance to teachers for National Board certification renewal and establishes bonuses for teachers with National Board certification. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2727
Paraphrase: HB2727, by Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant, and Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, requires specific basic life skills be taught in public school, subject to available funding. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2729
Paraphrase: HB2729, by Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, directs the Department of Corrections to establish the Oklahoma Prisoner Reentry Pilot Program for inmates likely to benefit from a case management reentry strategy designed for the specific needs of an inmate transitioning from prison to community, implementing evidence-based practices and strategies that promote improved public safety outcomes. The bill directs the pilot program be initiated in a county with a population over 500,000 and supported by employees of the department focusing primarily on case management services and then assist on parole of those not assigned to the pilot program. The bill sets priorities for the case management services.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

HB2748
Paraphrase: HB2748, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires the State Board of Education to issue one-year alternative teacher certificates renewable for up to 3 years to teach early childhood education or elementary education if the alternative certified teacher meets certain qualifications.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/18/2021

HB2749
Paraphrase: HB2749, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, requires school districts receiving more than $2,500 in relation to the Reading Sufficiency Act to spend no less than 10 percent on professional development for teachers teaching prekindergarten through grade 5 and requires the State Department of Education to approve and publish a list of professional development programs that are evidence-based and directly address the cognitive science of how students learn to read.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2750
Paraphrase: HB2750, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, suggests the Legislature intends for the minimum required scores on Advanced Placement examinations at three for institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. The bill requires the credit policy be posted on campus websites effective for the 2021-2022 fall academic term and thereafter. The bill requires the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to conduct biennial reviews of the Advanced Placement credit policy, as well requiring reports of noncompliance to the House Common Education Committee, the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee and the Senate Education Committee or a similarly named committee by December 1 of each year. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2752
Paraphrase: HB2752, by Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, requires the State Department of Education, in coordination with the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, establish a micro-credential program for the purpose of permitting any teacher candidate or teacher who holds a certificate to teach to complete additional coursework and earn micro-credentials in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) endorsement areas including computer science. It requires the State Department of Education and the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability convene a working group to determine how any micro-credential awarded pursuant to any micro-credential will be used and for what purpose. It permits any course offered through a micro-credential program established may be offered in person, online or in a blended format of in-person and online instruction. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2755
Paraphrase: HB2755, by Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City and Sen. Kimberly David, R-Porter, requires a school district that sponsors a charter school to give the sponsored charter school the opportunity to submit capital projects beneficial to the charter school for inclusion in the bond proposal, for the charter school and school board of education to collaborate to ensure the value of the charter school's capital projects in the bond proposal is the least proportional as the percentage of the value of the entire bond proposal to the percentage of total students that are enrolled in the charter school. It requires any property purchased as the result of the capital project be owned by the school district except as otherwise provided, with the charter school maintaining control and possession of the property until the termination of or failure to renew the contract. (Amended by House, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2775
Paraphrase: HB2775, by Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, within the definition of cost ratio includes the loss in value that may be caused by physical deterioration, functional obsolesce or economic obsolescence and adding value of the land, allows the Oklahoma Tax Commission's Ad Valorem Division to provide from year-to-year schedules of values or personal property in accordance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices and International Association of Assessing Officers requirements.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2776
Paraphrase: HB2776, by Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, creates a revolving fund for the State Department of Education called the Ad Valorem School District Support Revolving Fund, a continuous fund without limitations with all monies received by the State Department of Education from ad valorem funds. It dedicates all monies accruing to the credit of the fund to be budgeted and appropriated by the State Department of Education to provide funding to districts affected by protested ad valorem taxes. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2777
Paraphrase: HB2777, by Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, allows a county assessor to use information to establish a market-based value for real property and personal property owned by any entity engaged in the production of electric energy by means of wind as described by the North American Industry Classification System Manual, which may include power-purchase agreements provided to the assessor by such entity or current market price information available through the southwest power pool to determine fair cash value of such real or personal property. (Amended by House, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2860
Paraphrase: HB2860, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, creates the Oklahoma Remote Quality Jobs Incentive Act, directs for a proxy establishment to obtain from remote workers proof of basic health benefits plans for the individuals included in an application and requires the proxy establishment to submit the information to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and ensure the that the basic health plans consist of no more than 50 percent of the premium paid by the employee, coverage for basic hospital care, physician care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs and prenatal care. The bill requires the proxy establishment that facilitates the attraction of remote workers to the state which meets the qualifications specified in the act in order to receive quarterly incentive payments for a 10-quarter period with the amount of such payments equal to the net benefit rate multiplied by the actual gross payroll of new direct jobs for a calendar quarter as verified by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. The bill requires, in order to receive incentive payments, that a proxy establishment have an annual gross payroll for new direct jobs projected to equal $1.5 million within 1 year of the first complete calendar quarter following the start date, a number of full-time-equivalent employees working an average 30 or more hours er week in the new direct jobs equal to o in excess of 80 percent of the total new direct jobs. The bill requires proxy establishments to apply to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with specific information. The bill allows a proxy establishment may apply for an effective date for a project, which shall not be more than 24 months from the date the application is submitted to the department. The bill requires the department to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the estimated net direct state benefits and the net benefit rate applicable for a 10-quarter period beginning with the first complete calendar quarter following the start date and to estimate the amount of gross payroll for a 10-quarter period beginning with the first complete calendar quarter following the start date. The bill directs the department to notify the Tax Commission of the copy of the contract and the results of the cost-benefit analysis. The bill creates the Oklahoma Remote Quality Jobs Incentive Payment Fund and directs the Tax Commission to withhold a portion of taxes levied in the amount deposited shall equal the sum of an amount determined by multiplying the net benefit rate provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce by the gross payroll to the fund. (Amended by House, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2861
Paraphrase: HB2861, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, states the payment bonds for an at-risk construction management contracts must be furnished by the construction manager, or a trade contractor under either an agency or an at-risk construction management contract with only those having a direct contractual relationship with the party furnishing the payment bond will have a right of action on the bond.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/18/2021

HB2862
Paraphrase: HB2862, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, changes the definition of a public construction contract to mean any contract meeting specific qualifications including that it exceeds $100,000, or any construction management trade subcontracts exceeding $50,000.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

HB2863
Paraphrase: HB2863, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, allows the Commissioners of the Land Office to sell, transfer, trade or purchase real property for other state agencies, requires no state agency sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of real property until such agency or the Office of Management Enterprise Services acting on behalf has presented to the Land Office all information on the property in order for the Land Office to provide a proposal for the acquisition or disposal of the applicable real property. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2870
Paraphrase: HB2870, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, allows the Commissioners of the Land Office to make payment of fees to investment consultants. The bill extends the amount of time the Land Office has to put out a competitive bids for each custodial bank to 10 years. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2871
Paraphrase: HB2871, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, removes real property under long-term lease of the state or state agencies or subdivisions from the calculation of investments in real property held by the Commission of the Land Office. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2873
Paraphrase: HB2873, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, allows a person living in Oklahoma to apply for licensing or certification if there is no conflict with any interstate compact or state-to-state reciprocity or equivalency agreement as determined by the Oklahoma regulatory entity. The bill requires the person show proof of residency or is married to and accompanying an active duty member of the military stationed in Oklahoma, they are currently licensed or certified by another state with a similar scope of work through a substantially similar examination, minimum education requirement and, if applicable, professional work experience, education training and clinical supervision requirements. The bill also requires the other state verifies the person has met these requirements and has maintained good standing for at least one year and sets a process to address any disciplinary action against the person. The bill also requires the person demonstrate verifiable proof as determined by the Oklahoma regulating entity of their work experience, education training and clinical supervision as applicable. The bill requires the regulating entity to apply all this information toward satisfying any requirements for issuance of the requested license or certification in Oklahoma. The bill requires the person pay all applicable fees not exceeding the cost of current in-state licensure fee. The bill requires someone issued a license or certification under this act to be subject to the same rules and laws regulating a person's practice and license or certification as others subject to the same regulating entity's jurisdiction. The bill sets requirements for proving residency. The bill requires all state occupational and professional licenses be reviewed at least once every four years to see if there is a compelling public interest that needs to be protected and if the least restrictive means that would sufficiently protect the public are being used and if the state is actively supervising the regulating entity's actions. The bill also requires regulating entities report information about those seeking licensure or accreditation through this act to the Oklahoma Department of Labor that the department will then compile into an annual report to be reviewed by the Oklahoma Occupational Licensing Advisory Commission.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2880
Paraphrase: HB2880, by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston and Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, allows Oklahoma net operating losses arising in a taxable year beginning prior to January 1, 2018, such new operating losses qualify for carryover to each taxable year following the taxable year of the loss until utilized. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HB2926
Paraphrase: HB2926, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, requires each educational institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education publish a salary report of common occupations and industries in which students are employed upon graduation from the educational institution. It establishes minimum requirements for the report. (Amended by House)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

HB2932
Paraphrase: HB2932, by Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, and Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, states legislative findings related to the federal CARES Act funds. It prohibits, unless expressly authorized by the Legislature, any agency, board, commission, department, council, instrumentality or other entity organized within the executive branch to utilize the federal funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) allocated to it, in a manner that will or that will be likely to increase the demand for state-appropriated funds or any other state funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, or any fiscal year thereafter. The bill also applies its limits to any federal funds allocated or otherwise made available for expenditure by an act of Congress or pursuant to federal administrative rules or directives of an agency of the federal government authorized by federal law on or after December 1, 2020. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

HB2939
Paraphrase: HB2939, by Rep. Carl Newton, R-Woodward and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, protects the addresses and names of voters requesting absentee ballots. (Amended by House, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

HJR1001
Paraphrase: HJR1001, by Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma CIty and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, proposes a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment that changes the way the maximum Constitutional Reserve (Rainy Day) Fund balance amount would be computed. It would require the maximum balance allowed be based on a percentage of total state expenditures instead of using revenue estimates provided by the State Board of Equalization for the annual appropriations process. It would provide that total expenditures include all appropriated monies and federal funds. It would exclude from total expenditures money from revolving funds which are used by state agencies, fees or similar charges that were not derived from tax revenue, and money obtained by issuing state government bonds. (Constitutional Amendment)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0002
Paraphrase: SB0002, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, clarifies and expands the duties of the School Finance Review Commission to conduct a review of all matters related to school finance, including but not limited to teacher compensation and benefits; administrative costs, including administrative functions that may be shared between districts; opportunities for school districts to be operated in a cost effective manner; variances in per pupil and administrative expenditures among school districts with comparable enrollment, demographics and outcomes on statewide assessments; and expenditures not directly or sufficiently related to improving student outcomes. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0013
Paraphrase: SB0013, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, requires a teacher whose certificate is suspended by the State Board of Education be placed on suspension while proceedings for revocation or other action are pending before the State Board of Education. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0021
Paraphrase: SB0021, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, modifies language related to school district boards of education suicide awareness and training policies. It changes permissive language to mandatory language regarding the adoption of a policy and districtwide training. It modifies the requirements for the policy. It removes the requirement that training be provided to students in grades seven through twelve and permits districts, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, to provide training to address suicide awareness and prevention to students in grades seven through twelve. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0022
Paraphrase: SB0022, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, give a nonprofit that has leased real or personal property from a school the right of first refusal to purchase the property the board of education makes the decision to dispose of it subject to the following conditions: if a board of education receives a bid or offer in a public sale, public bid or private sale for any real or personal property that it desires to accept, then it is required provide notice to the nonprofit organization leasing the property, including the identity of the prospective purchaser of the property, the terms and conditions of the proposed sale and the purchase price to be paid by the prospective purchaser, and the nonprofit organization is required to have 30 days after receipt of the notice to inform the board of education that it elects to purchase the property on the same terms and conditions set forth in the notice, in which event the board of education is required to convey the property to the nonprofit organization on all the same terms and conditions set forth in the notice; provided, however, that if any portion of the consideration included in the purchase price set forth in the notice is not in cash, then the nonprofit organization shall be entitled to pay the fair market value in cash of such noncash consideration. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0041
Paraphrase: SB0041, by Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada and Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, modifies the requirements for state employee payroll deductions for private insurance organizations and service companies that provide legal services. It removes the requirement that the organizations and service companies that provide legal services be regulated by the State Insurance Commissioner. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0043
Paraphrase: SB0043, by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry and Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, changes the licenses for commercial driver education training from one-year licenses to four-year licenses. It increases the fee for an original or renewal school license from $24 to $100 and for an original or renewal instructor's license from $5 to $20.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0048
Paraphrase: SB0048, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, creates the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act. The bill defines applicable terms. The bill prohibits an individual from acting as an athlete agent without holding a certificate of registration under the Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act. The bill provides for certain exemptions. It provides an agency contract resulting from conduct in violation of the bill's provisions is void and requires the athlete agent to return any consideration received under the contract. It establishes a process for registration and a schedule of registration and renewal fees. It establishes a process for suspension revocation, or refusal to renew registrations. It permits the Secretary of State to issue a temporary certificate of registration as an athlete agent while an application for registration or renewal of registration is pending. It establishes requirements for agency contracts. It requires certain notices of educational institutions. It establishes a student athlete's right to cancel. It creates record-keeping requirements for agents. The bill prohibits certain conduct. It establishes criminal penalties, civil remedies and civil penalties for violations. It permits the use of electronic signatures. The bill repeals the Uniform Athlete Agents Act.
Effective Date: 01/01/2022   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0051
Paraphrase: SB0051, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City and Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, removes the requirement to pass the general education portions of the competency examination for an alternative placement teaching certificate or a teacher certificate. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0054
Paraphrase: SB0054, by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton and Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, requires the State Department of Education, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, to designate a school district campus as a Purple Start Campus if the campus applies and qualifies for the designation. The bill establishes qualifications for the designation. The bill defines applicable terms. It requires the State Board of Education to promulgate necessary rules. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0063
Paraphrase: SB0063, by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton and Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, removes language related to the State Government Reduction-in-Force and Severance Benefits Act that requires an employee to repay all severance benefits on a proportional basis if an affected employee is reemployed by the agency from which separated as a result of a reduction-in-force within one year of separation and that the repayment amount of the severance benefits received by or paid on behalf of the affected employee be reduced one-three-hundred-sixty-fifths for each day after the separation of the affected employee, provided that any education voucher credit benefits shall not include agency contributions.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0066
Paraphrase: SB0066, by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, exempts any insurance policy sold to any school district from the surplus lines premium tax.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0067
Paraphrase: SB0067, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, permits the State Board of Education to grant an exception to the requirements for all certification examinations for teacher candidates who are "deaf." The bill defines the term "deaf" for the purpose of the statute to mean having a hearing loss so severe that the person cannot process auditory linguistic information with or without accommodation and whose primary language and teaching environment is American Sign Language. It permits the board to grant the exception on verification by a licensed audiologist of a hearing loss so severe that the teacher candidate cannot process auditory linguistic information with or without accommodation; demonstration of fluency in American Sign Language; demonstration of competency in the subject area of specialization as approved by the Board in lieu of certification examinations; and sponsorship by a certified deaf education teacher for a mentorship program. It permits the board to promulgate necessary rules and other requirements. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0068
Paraphrase: SB0068, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City, requires a public school student be considered in compliance with statutory residency provisions if he or she is a student whose parent or legal guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order. It requires a school district accept applications by electronic means for enrollment including enrollment in a specific school or program within the school district and course registration for students. It requires the parent or legal guardian of a student provide proof of residence in the school district within 10 days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation. It permits a parent or legal guardian to use the following addresses as proof of residence: a temporary on-base billeting facility; a purchased or leased home or apartment; or federal government or public-private venture off-base military housing. It defines applicable terms. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0069
Paraphrase: SB0069, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City, provides a student will be eligible to enroll in a statewide virtual charter school if the student's parent or legal guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within this state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order. It requires a statewide virtual charter school to accept applications by electronic means for enrollment and course registration for those students. It requires the parent or legal guardian of a student provide proof of residence in the school district within 10 days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation. It permits a parent or legal guardian to use the following addresses as proof of residence: a temporary on-base billeting facility; a purchased or leased home or apartment; or federal government or public-private venture off-base military housing. It defines applicable terms. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0070
Paraphrase: SB0070, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, increases the time period before the date of enrollment from five years to 10 years when a person was discharged or released from activity military service to qualify for in-state enrollment. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0071
Paraphrase: SB0071, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair and Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Tulsa, modifies language related to the Department of Commerce's requirement to promulgate rules for the administration of the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act. It requires the rules establish reporting requirements for successful applicants which allow data collection and analysis by the department on employment, capital investment, changes in assessed value of a project and other impacts resulting from payments and reporting of data by the department to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0076
Paraphrase: SB0076, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, exempts the Military Department of the State of Oklahoma from oversight from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services' Fleet Management division. It removes the requirement that the department annually report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of Finance the amount of savings realized from its authority to purchase motor vehicles, and if the report does not document such savings, the cessation of its authority to purchase motor vehicles on January 1, 2022.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0088
Paraphrase: SB0088, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus and Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, permits competitive bidding to be waived on bond issues by a two-thirds vote of a trust in which a county or municipality is the beneficiary that has fewer than four trustees. It modifies the termination procedure for public trusts to require the approval of a majority of the governing body of the beneficiary. It also modifies the audit requirement for public trusts, imposing a requirement that the trust have assets or revenues more than $50,000 or outstanding debt obligations. It repeals language requiring the filing of a preliminary copy of the official statement, prospectus or other offering document pertaining with the Secretary of State in certain circumstances.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0089
Paraphrase: SB0089, by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, creates the Health Education Act. The bill requires health education be taught in public schools and include, but not be limited to physical health, mental health, social and emotional health and intellectual health. It requires, by the 2022-2023 school year, the State Department of Education to develop a micro-credential for teachers who are assigned the responsibility of teaching health education develop professional development programs that are designed to help teachers provide instruction in health education and incorporate the curriculum into existing coursework and instruction where appropriate. It requires the professional development not be construed to be in addition to existing professional development requirements. It requires school districts, by the 2023-2024 school year, provide instruction addressing all health education subject matter standards. It permits the health education to be integrated into one or more existing subjects or provided as an addition to existing coursework. It requires teachers assigned to teach health education as a stand-alone course be certified in physical and health education. It authorizes the State Department of Education to issue a provisional certificate, valid for not more than two years, to individuals assigned to teach a stand-alone health education course in order to afford the individual the opportunity to obtain certification in physical and health education. It requires the State Textbook Committee include a review of health and physical education instructional materials as part of its textbook review and adoption cycle. The bill creates the "Health Education Revolving Fund" that will consist of all monies received by the State Department of Education from appropriations, gifts, donations and bequests. It requires the subject matter standards for health and physical education include but not be limited to the domains of physical, emotional, social and intellectual health. It requires health literacy include the ability to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions, as well as the importance of proper nutrition and exercise, mental health and wellness, substance abuse, coping skills for understanding and managing trauma, establishing and maintaining positive relationships and responsible decision making. It requires physical literacy include the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person. It requires the bill's implementation be studied by the districts' Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees. The bill permits the State Board of Education to promulgate necessary rules. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0092
Paraphrase: SB0092, by Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, establishes as an unfair claim settlement practice when a health insurer that provides pharmacy benefits or a pharmacy benefits manager that administers pharmacy benefits for a health plan fails to include any amount paid for an enrollee or on behalf of an enrollee by another person when calculating the total contribution to an out-of-pocket maximum of the enrollee, deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirement. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0119
Paraphrase: SB0119, by Sen. Mark Allen, R-Spiro and Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, requires persons, organizations or groups wishing to use the State Capitol and Capitol grounds to submit an application for a permit and a check for any applicable fees to the Office of Management and Enterprises Services (OMES) at least 10 working days prior to the beginning date of the proposed demonstration or event. It requires applicants submit their application during business hours, excluding state holidays. It provides that permits for casual, intermittent personal use, as defined by Capital Assets Management (CAM), require no advance notice. It requires CAM receive permits for demonstrations or use of the State Capitol Park 48 hours prior to the commencement of the demonstration. It requires CAM receive permits for special events that are open or advertised to the public 14 calendar days prior to the requested date(s) of use. The bill establishes requirements for use of the State Capitol and Capitol Grounds. The bill permits CAM to require liability insurance for any event open to the public. It requires CAM define limits based upon risk, spectator attendance and past loss histories from similar events. It requires a reputable and solvent insurance or surety company duly licensed to do business in the State of Oklahoma provide the policy and that the policy name the permittee and the OMES, CAM and State Capitol Park as insured or additional insured to an existing policy. It requires CAM shall receive the policy five days prior to the commencement of the event. It provides representatives of the CAM or State Capitol Patrol officers reserve the right to enter and inspect the premises used by permittee at any reasonable time. It also establishes that CAM reserves the right to deny use permits for events due to potential health and safety risks or at any other certain time when overcrowding of the park is anticipated. It prohibits discrimination against any person because of race, creed, sex, age, color, disability, religion, place of residency or national origin pursuant to any activity relating to this permit. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0121
Paraphrase: SB0121, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City and Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, requires each school district board of education to adopt a policy allowing a school district employee who is lactating reasonable paid break time each day to use a designated lactation room for the purpose of maintaining milk supply and comfort. It permits the break time to run concurrently with any break time, paid or unpaid, already provided the employee. It also requires the districts to make a reasonable effort to provide a private, secure and sanitary room or other location, other than a toilet stall, where an employee can express her milk or breastfeed her child. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0126
Paraphrase: SB0126, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, modifies the qualifications for private schools to participate in the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program to limit the prohibition on discrimination under federal law to the basis of race, color and national origin. The bill removes the requirement that a student spend at least one year in public school before being admitted to the program. It expands the program's eligibility to participate to include children placed by a court in the guardianship of another. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0128
Paraphrase: SB0128, by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa and Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, creates the Seizure-Safe Schools Act. The bill requires each school district with a student who has a seizure disorder, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, to have at least one employee who has training to administer or assist with self-administration of seizure medication and to recognize symptoms of seizures and take steps to respond. The bill requires the parent or legal guardian of the student to provide written authorization to the school, provide a statement from the student's health care provider, provide medication to the school and collaborate on a seizure action plan before seizure medication can be administered. It requires the authorization be renewed annually. It exempts from disciplinary proceedings school employees who act in compliance with the bill. It also provides immunity from civil liability to school employees who act in compliance with the bill unless the actions are reckless or intentional misconduct. It provides school nurses will not be responsible for and not subject to disciplinary actions for actions taken by a volunteer. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0132
Paraphrase: SB0132, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, expands the grade level up to which school students are to be apprised of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) and allowed to sign agreements to participate in the program to eleventh grade from ninth grade. It also increases the maximum age at which a student can sign an agreement to participate to 16 from 15. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0146
Paraphrase: SB0146, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, permits the Commissioners of the Land Office to use more than one custodial bank to settle transactions involving the investment of the funds under the control of the Commissioners of the Land Office. The bill clarifies language related to the payment of fees to the custodial banks, investment consultants, and investment managers. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0147
Paraphrase: SB0147, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, provides the calculation of the Commissioners of the Land Office's investments in real property within the 5.0 percent cap shall include the value of real property under long-term lease to the State of Oklahoma, agencies of the state or its subdivisions. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0162
Paraphrase: SB0162, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, creates the Oklahoma Decanting Act. The bill defines applicable terms. The bill establishes the procedures for the transfer of various trusts.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0179
Paraphrase: SB0179, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City and Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, relates to behavior analysts. The bill modifies certain definitions. It defines the term "Registered Behavior Technician" or "RBT." It updates statutory references. It removes the requirement that those wishing to practice be of good moral character, at least 21 years of age, and has at least the minimum graduate or undergraduate degree, appropriate for the level of certification, from an accredited institution of higher learning in a qualifying field of study. It updates references to the Department of Human Service's Developmental Disabilities Services. It prohibits a supervisee from designing intervention or assessment plans. It makes it the responsibility of the supervising Board Certified Behavior Analyst to determine which other tasks the supervisee may perform as a function of the supervisee's training, experience and competence. It requires the Board Certified Behavior Analyst to be responsible for the work performed by the supervisee on the cases overseen by the Board Certified Behavior Analyst. It prohibits a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst or Registered Behavior Technician who is a guardian or parent from providing services to his or her own child or ward. It makes the Department of Human Services Director, rather than the agency, responsible for promulgating necessary rules. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0197
Paraphrase: SB0197, by Sen. Tom Dugger, R-Stillwater and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, requires candidates who win board of education elections to be seated at the first meeting following the April election date. It clarifies language related to the April board of education election date. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Laid Over  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0211
Paraphrase: SB0211, by Sen. Tom Dugger, R-Stillwater and Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, modifies the powers and duties of the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools. It permits a school is accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the US. Department of Education for multiple years, to obtain a sustained license annually during the period of the multi-year accreditation. It modifies the fees the board may assess. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0213
Paraphrase: SB0213, by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard and Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, ~ provides a sales tax exemption for sales of commercial forestry service equipment, limited to forwarders, feller bunchers, track skidders, wheeled skidders, hydraulic excavators, delimbers, soil compactors and skid steer loaders, to businesses engaged in logging, timber and tree farming in tax years 2022 through 2027. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0222
Paraphrase: SB0222, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman and Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, modifies the definition of the term "bullying" in the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act. It changes the term "at school" to "on school premises." The bill requires each school district's policy for the discipline of all children attending public school in that district, and for the investigation of reported incidents of bullying, be updated annually. The bill modifies the requirement for those policies. The bill requires school districts boards of education to hold at least one public hearing on the proposed policy or modifications to the policy before adopting the policy or any modifications. It requires the boards provide notice of the public hearing to students and the parents or legal guardians of students using social media and at least one other communication method regularly used by the board of education. It requires the districts' boards of education to submit a copy of the policy and any modifications to the State Department of Education. It requires the superintendent of each school district to provide to the district board at least once each semester a report on the district's bullying prevention activities and reported incidents of bullying for the time period covered by the report. It requires the report be presented at a public meeting of the board. It requires district boards to provide each employee and each newly hired employee a copy of the district's bullying policy and an explanation of the employee's responsibilities with regard to the implementation of the policy. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0229
Paraphrase: SB0229, by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, allows the State Board of Education to renew an emergency teacher's provisional certification for up to five years. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0237
Paraphrase: SB0237, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee and Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, removes the requirement that a college tuition aid grant must be awarded annually to each eligible, qualified full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a program approved or accredited by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or another appropriate postsecondary agency, removes a requirement that the Regents cannot increase the maximum amount awarded, includes enrollment status, unmet financial need, nearness to completion of a degree or certificate, state employment needs, continuous enrollment and eligibility for other state and institutional student financial aid in deciding factors in awarding grants. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0238
Paraphrase: SB0238, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee and Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, directs the creation of a task force to study a requirement for high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as a graduation requirement. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0239
Paraphrase: SB0239, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, requires the State Board of Education to only sponsor a charter if the State Department of Education has made a determination and recommendation that the Board has the financial and personnel resources to sponsor a charter according to guidelines laid out in the bill, requires charter school applicants clearly demonstrate community support by members of the community within the geographical boundaries of the proposed charter school, allows the charter applicant and the local school board acting as the proposed charter to be represented by an attorney at any hearing before the Board, provides the applicant a 30-day window after denial of a revised application to file an appeal with the Board which is to be submitted to the chair of the Board in writing and state the basis of the appeal as well as provide a certified copy of the appeal to the proposed sponsor and all accompanying documents, requires the Board then schedule and hold a hearing within 60 days of receiving the appeal and allows the Board to grant a continuance of the hearing upon written notice of either party submitted at least five days prior to the hearing, allows the Board to choose to sponsor the charter if they determine the district should have accepted the applicant's proposal as long as the other requirements of the bill are met. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 02/10/2021

SB0242
Paraphrase: SB0242, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant, modifies the qualifications of the Department of Career and Technology Education representative on the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Curriculum Review Board. The bill eliminates the limitation on the number of Department of Career and Technology Education centers that CLEET can authorize annually to offer courses or training. It prohibits the application developed by CLEET from exceeding 20 pages. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0252
Paraphrase: SB0252, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, requires, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all public high schools and public charter high schools offer a minimum of one computer science course to students. It also requires, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, all public middle and elementary schools and public charter middle and elementary schools offer instruction aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science. It permits the instruction to be offered through stand-alone computer science courses or through integration in other courses. It establishes requirements for the course. It establishes reporting requirements. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0261
Paraphrase: SB0261, by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton and Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, creates the Oklahoma Student Borrower's Bill of Rights Act. It defines terms used therein. It requires the Attorney General to prepare a written statement that includes an "Oklahoma Student Borrower's Bill of Rights" for a student loan borrower who takes out a student education loan that is serviced by a student loan servicer. It requires the statement to incorporate all items included therein and be made available to the public and written in plain language designed to be easily understood by the average student loan borrower. It prohibits actions specified therein by student loan servicers. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0267
Paraphrase: SB0267, by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee and Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, allows retired educators who have received benefits for at least one year and who have not been employed by a public school during that time to be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher in common or career tech school district with no limitation on earnings.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0282
Paraphrase: SB0282, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, requires that following an emergency declaration, the accumulation limits for annual leave will temporarily increase and carryover to the end of the fiscal year following the year in which the emergency declaration ended.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0292
Paraphrase: SB0292, by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, creates a task force to study concurrent enrollment needs of the state. It provides for task force membership. It requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Senate 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 November 30, 2022, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0299
Paraphrase: SB0299, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair and Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, adds language that permits any school district, including a technology school district, to piggyback purchasing agreement for the acquisition of any commodities or services including public construction contracts, with one or more public agencies, public agency procurement units or external procurement units in accordance with an agreement entered between the participants. Such cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint or multiparty contracts between public agencies, public agency procurement units or external procurement units and open-ended state public procurement contracts. It provides any school district, including a technology school district, that purchases any commodities and services including public construction contracts under the provisions satisfies the requirement of the school district or technology school district to seek competitive bids or proposals for the purchase of the commodities and services, including public construction contracts, provided that the public agency procurement unit or external procurement unit satisfied the laws of its jurisdiction in procurement of the contract. The bill defines applicable terms. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0302
Paraphrase: SB0302, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, requires, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, all visiting teams in all regular season high school athletic competition, not withstanding any policy of a school athletic association, have the same rights to radio broadcast, video stream and provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts as the home team as long as the visiting team has either a valid agreement to broadcast, video stream and/or provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts between a media organization and the school's board of education or the visiting team has a curricular program for students that typically provides streaming for the team's home games. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0310
Paraphrase: SB0310, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, adds rape in the first degree or attempt rape in the first degree committed by a 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old to the list of offenses for which the person would be charged as an adult. It adds the statements of the victim or victims for the court to consider when ruling on a motion for certification as a youthful offender or juvenile.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0317
Paraphrase: SB0317, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, defines the term "student electrical intern" within the Electrical License Act. The bill requires the Construction Industries Board, upon proper application and payment of fee, to register as a student electrical intern and issue a certificate of such registration to any person who furnishes satisfactory proof to the Board that the applicant is 16years of age or older and enrolled in high school and enrolled in a work-ready or similar program recognized by the board. The bill permits one student electrical intern to work per physical job site with direct supervision under a single journeyman or electrical contractor, provided no student electrical intern will be counted against the maximum number of apprentices who are allowed by law or regulation to work under the supervision of a single journeyman or contractor. It prohibits a student electrical intern from working on high voltage systems defined by the National Electrical Code. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0330
Paraphrase: SB0330, by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa and Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall, removes the requirement that the Oklahoma Tax Commission determine the Self-insurance Guaranty Fund balance as of March 1 and September 1 of each year, and when otherwise requested by the Workers' Compensation Commission, and advise the Workers' Compensation Commission in writing within 30 days of each such determination. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0333
Paraphrase: SB0333, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, requires that following an emergency declaration as the accumulation limits for compensatory time will temporarily increase and carryover to the end of the fiscal year following the year in which the emergency declaration ended.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0347
Paraphrase: SB0347, by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle and Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, prohibits government bodies not affected by reapportionment of districts from calling regular or special elections on the second Tuesday of December 2021, the second Tuesday of January 2022 and the first Tuesday of March 2022. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0383
Paraphrase: SB0383, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, establishes that the owner or operator of a social media website who contracts with users in Oklahoma is subject to a private right of action by a social media website user if the social media website purposely deletes or censors a social media website user's political speech or religious speech or uses an algorithm to suppress political speech or religious speech. It establishes damage available to the social media's users to include a minimum of $75,000 per intentional deletion or censoring of the social media website user's speech; actual damages, punitive damages if aggravating factors are present; and other applicable forms of equitable relief. It permits the prevailing party in a cause of action to be awarded costs and reasonable attorney fees. It permits a social media website that restores from deletion or removes the censoring of a social media website user's speech in a reasonable amount of time to use that fact to mitigate any damages. It prohibits a social media website from using the social media website user's alleged hate speech as a basis for justification or defense to the action against the social media website at trial. It establishes situations in which a social media website will be immune from liability if it deletes or censors a social media website user's speech or uses an algorithm to disfavor or censure speech. It exempts a social media website from liability for a social media website user's censoring of the speech of another social media website user. It provides only users who are 18 years of age or older will have standing to bring an action pursuant to this section. It permits the Attorney General to bring a civil cause of action on behalf of social media website users who reside in this state whose political speech or religious speech has been censored by a social media website.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0403
Paraphrase: SB0403, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City and Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, makes it unlawful for any person, alone or in concert with others and without authorization, to willfully disturb, interfere or disrupt business of any political subdivision, which includes publicly posted meetings, or any political subdivision. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0419
Paraphrase: SB0419, by Sen. J. J. Dossett, D-Owasso and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, removes the requirement to administer assessments in US history under the statewide system of student assessments. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0428
Paraphrase: SB0428, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, requires the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to initiate a request for proposal for the rationalization and determination of which state applications and databases can be immediately transferred to a cloud-based data storage platform. It requires the applications and databases to be limited to customer relationship management tools, case management tools, workflow tools and supplemental financial systems. It authorizes OMES to enter a contract for such services. It requires notice of the request for proposal to be published in the manner provided for competitive bidding. It requires the contract to be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is determined to achieve the desired goal of rationalization of technology for the state. It requires the director to promulgate necessary rules and establish procedures to implement the request for proposal.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0429
Paraphrase: SB0429, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, deletes language that requires the governor to appoint the state chief information officer and makes the position requires the Office of Management and Enterprise Services hire someone to fill the position. It removes the requirement that the chief information officer serve as the Secretary of Information Technology and Telecommunications. It modifies the qualifications for the position. It modifies the duties of the chief information officer. It removes outdated language.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0431
Paraphrase: SB0431, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, defines the term "economic impact study" in the Quality Events Incentive Act and requires the study be performed to qualify for the incentive under the act. It changes the time period from not later than six months to not later than 30 days prior to the initial date of a quality event when a host community may designate the dates during which a quality event will be hosted and the type of expenses eligible for distribution of captured revenues to the host community including, but not limited to, advertising, facility rental, promotional materials and security. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0437
Paraphrase: SB0437, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, changes language that permits public school districts to offer remediation courses. It requires public school districts provide remediation courses for high school students who score below benchmarks on subject-area portions of the American College Testing (ACT) exam or below equivalent scores on the SAT exam in the most recent year for which student performance data is available. It permits the remediation include, but not be limited to extended instructional time during the school day; a summer academy; tutoring; online coursework; repetition of any course in which the student has demonstrated academic deficiency by scoring below the benchmarks in subject-area portions of the ACT or SAT; or other supplementary services. It permits the State Board of Education to promulgate necessary rules. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Emergency Measure, Dormant)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: S Committee - Do Pass Failed  Status Date: 03/03/2021
Committee(1): S Appropriations (S)

SB0441
Paraphrase: SB0441, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, prohibits any state agency, county, municipality or political subdivision from contracting with any private corporation to provide for the use of any photo monitoring device to detect any traffic control signal violation. It defines the terms "photo monitoring device" and "traffic control signal."
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0487
Paraphrase: SB0487, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, modifies the membership of the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0498
Paraphrase: SB0498, by Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah and Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, permits a facility engaged in cement manufacturing have the payroll requirements of the five-year ad valorem tax exemption waived for tax year 2021, which is based in part on the 2020 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and permits it to continue to receive the exemption for the five-year period only if all other requirements of this section are met. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0500
Paraphrase: SB0500, by Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman and Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission, in collaboration with the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, create and publish a report by March 31 of each year documenting the amount of increments of local taxes and fees apportioned under the Local Development Act in the previous calendar year. It requires the report include an estimate of the economic impact and an estimate of the amount funds benefiting public schools were decreased as a result of the apportionments provided. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0503
Paraphrase: SB0503, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, adds the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution including the Bill of Rights, substantive selections from the Federalist Papers, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Articles of Confederation, the Gettysburg Address, and George Washington's Farewell Address to the subject matter standards for history, social studies and United States Government. It requires the assessment include multiple questions containing fundamental principles of each listed document. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0570
Paraphrase: SB0570, by Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Tulsa and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, exempts Military Department of the State of Oklahoma from certain information technology requirements of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0585
Paraphrase: SB0585, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, includes giving false testimony to a legislative committee, engaging in operations beyond the constitutional or statutory authority delegated to the agency the office is employed by or serves and repeatedly refusing to provide information to a Legislative committee or a Legislator in a timely fashion as habitual or willful neglect of duty. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0587
Paraphrase: SB0587, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus and Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, includes entities subject to jurisdiction of the State Board of Career and Technology or the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in eligibility for Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance funds.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0594
Paraphrase: SB0594, by Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada and Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall, removes an exemption for the net increase in the number of full-time equivalent employees in a manufacturing operation, in order to receive a credit requires investment in qualified property be at least $500,000 and beginning January 1, 2023, the investment required must increase by a percentage equal to the previous year's increase in national Consumer Price Index as determined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill requires credits originating from qualified property placed into service 10 years before the current tax year shall be limited to no more than $1 million of the $25 million annual limit. The bill also cleans up other language in the act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/03/2021

SB0602
Paraphrase: SB0602, by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa and Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Mulhall, removes the County Government Education Technical Revolving fund and creates an agency special account for the Tax Commission for collection of documentary stamp revenues. It allows distribution from the special account to the Oklahoma State University Center for Local Government Technology or Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service County Training Program. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0609
Paraphrase: SB0609, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, modifies the definition of the term "manufacturing facilities" for the Five-Year Ad Valorem Tax Exemption. It increases the qualifying investment cost of construction, acquisition or expansion to $500,000 respect to assets place into service during calendar year 2022 from $250,000. It requires the investment required be increased annually for subsequent calendar years by a percentage equal to the previous year's increase in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U") and requires the adjusted amount be the required investment cost in order to qualify for the exemption. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce determine the amount of the increase, if any, on January 1 of each year. It requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission publish on its website at least annually the adjusted dollar amount in order to qualify for the exemption and include the adjusted dollar amount in any of its relevant forms or publications with respect to the exemption. It reduces the qualifying salary requirement to 125 percent of the average county wage as that percentage is determined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce based upon the most recent US Department of Commerce data for the county where the jobs are located from 175 percent of the federally mandated minimum wage. It adds facilities engaged in the manufacturing, compounding, processing or fabrication of materials into articles of tangible personal property according to the special order of a customer (custom order manufacturing) by manufacturers classified as operating in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sectors 32 and 33 but does not include such custom order manufacturing by manufacturers classified in other NAICS code sectors. It requires, with respect to any entity making an application for the exemption authorized by this section on or after Jan. 1, 2022, the establishment making application for exempt treatment of real or personal property acquired or improved beginning Jan. 1, 2022, and for any calendar year thereafter, to pay new direct jobs an average annualized wage which equals or exceeds specified levels, provided no average wage requirement otherwise required by this subparagraph $25,000 in any county. It requires the maximum wage threshold be indexed and modified from time to time based on the latest Consumer Price Index year-to-date percent change release as of the date of the annual average county wage data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the US Department of Commerce. It requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission publish on its website at least annually the adjusted dollar amounts with respect to the maximum wage threshold and include the adjusted dollar amount in any of its relevant forms or publications with respect to the exemption. It requires the entity making application, the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the county assessor of each and every county in which the qualifying assets are located or are to be located to enter into an agreement, which shall contain a clause binding any successor business entity to the terms of the agreement, that establishes the fair cash value of the assets, whether real property or personal property or both, to be entered on the applicable assessment roll for the first year of the exemption period for any application filed to qualify real property, personal property or both for the exemption prior to the first year during which any of the real property or personal property can be treated as exempt. It establishes additional requirements for the agreement. It prohibits, after the expiration of the exemption period, the owner of the real property or personal property or both to modify, whether pursuant to request made to the county assessor or made to the county board of equalization, or pursuant to any protest otherwise authorized by the Ad Valorem Tax Code or other provisions of law, the fair cash value of the assets described in the agreement, and it requires the agreement operate as an estoppel and affirmative defense to any actions, formal or informal, or requests for administrative or judicial relief, to modify the fair cash values and the methodology for depreciation contained in such agreement. It requires the described agreement be a condition precedent to the exemption otherwise authorized by the section and by of Article X, Section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution. It requires a copy of the agreement be maintained by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and by the county assessor of any county in which real or personal property described by such agreement is located. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/02/2021

SB0619
Paraphrase: SB0619, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, allows the governing body of each school to obtain liability insurance coverage to protect a student who participates in an apprenticeship, internship or mentorship program. It prohibits the school from charging the student or parent for the cost of providing insurance. The bill requires the State Board of Education to review apprenticeships, internships and mentorships to determine if they are eligible for academic credit. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0631
Paraphrase: SB0631, by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, creates the Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act. It provides the Legislature occupies and preempts the entire field of legislation by the federal government, any agency of this state or any political subdivision in this state to infringe upon the rights of a citizen of the State of Oklahoma the unalienable right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed to them by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. It prohibits any state agency or any political subdivision from accepting any grants or funding to implement any statute, rule or executive order, judicial order or judicial findings that would have the effect of reduction, repression, diminution or subversion of the right to keep and bear arms against or upon a citizen of this state. It provides the bill's provision cannot be interpreted as an attempt to overturn the provisions of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) or the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968, notwithstanding the repealed sections of the acts. It provides the preemption includes any regulation of arms and ammunition, pursuant to the National Firearms Act of 1934, prohibited or regulated on or after the effective date of this act and any regulations or provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968, prohibited or regulated on or after the effective date of this act. It defines applicable terms. It states the act is made pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and is therefore valid and of full effect under the supremacy clause. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0634
Paraphrase: SB0634, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, requires no further debt from the school employee to a professional organization accrue if a school district employee request is to terminate a payroll deduction. The bill requires authorization for school employee professional organization dues and political contributions be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of Education and contain a statement in fourteen-point boldface font reading: "I am aware that I have a First Amendment right, as recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, to refrain from joining and paying dues or making political contributions to a professional employee organization. I further realize that membership and payment of dues or political contributions are voluntary and that I may not be discriminated against for my refusal to join or financially support a professional employee organization. I hereby authorize my employer to deduct dues and/or political contributions from my salary in the amounts specified in accordance with my professional employee organization's bylaws. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time." It requires authorization containing an employee's full name, position, professional organization and signature be submitted to the school district. The bill requires the school district confirm the authorization by emailing the employee's school district-provided email address and wait for confirmation of the authorization before starting any deduction. It permits the school district to use other means it deems appropriate to confirm the authorization if the employee does not possess a school district-provided email address. It requires an authorization expire at the start of the first full pay period each school year unless it was authorized or reauthorized during the previous school year. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0639
Paraphrase: SB0639, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, permits Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), also known as Oklahoma's Promise, awards for postsecondary career and technology programs that have been identified as critical occupation areas. It directs Oklahoma Department of Commerce executive director, in consultation with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, to publish by Oct. 1, 2021, and each June 30 thereafter, a list of critical occupation areas that meet the guidelines of identified core competencies of the state based on wealth generation, growth potential and competitive advantage. The bill also directs the State Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with the State Board of Career and Technology Education, to identify postsecondary vocational-technical programs that correlate to identified critical occupation areas. It prohibits, beginning with students who entered into participation in the program in the 2021-2022 school year, an award to be used for courses or other postsecondary units taken in excess of the requirements for completion of a baccalaureate program or a postsecondary vocational-technical program taken more than six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment. It permits the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to award OHLAP benefits for courses of postsecondary units taken more than six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment only in hardship circumstances, provided no participant may receive benefits beyond a cumulative time period of six years. It requires the student to repay the full amount of the award if the student who entered into the program beginning in the 2021-2022 school year does not complete the courses or other postsecondary units required for a baccalaureate program or a postsecondary vocational-technical program within six years after the student's first semester of postsecondary enrollment. It requires those students to enter into a repayment agreement with the institution of higher education or the technology center school in which the student was enrolled. It requires repayments be deposited into the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. The bill requires the institution, when determining the amount to be repaid, to evaluate hardship cases on a case-by-case basis. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0642
Paraphrase: SB0642, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant, removes the requirement that the statewide assessment of public school students include a nationally recognized college- and career-readiness assessment or assessments as recommended by the State Department of Education and replaces it with the requirement that the assessment include a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0644
Paraphrase: SB0644, by Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, changes a reference to the term "handgun" to the term "firearm" in reference to the places where it is unlawful for a person, including a person in possession of a valid handgun license issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, to carry any concealed or unconcealed weapon. It permits municipalities to authorize by ordinance all or certain municipal employees to carry concealed firearms for their personal protection according. It requires the employee have been issued a valid handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to be eligible to carry a concealed firearm while working and employed on a municipal property. It provides the carrying a firearm cannot be considered a requirement for continued employment with the municipality, municipal authority or municipal trust. It requires the employee, when carrying a firearm, to at all times carry the firearm on his or her person or requires it be stored in a locked and secured location which is permanently affixed or tethered at the expense of the employee and with permission of the governing body. It exempts the municipality from liability for any loss, damage or injuries that occur in relation to or caused by the possession or storage of a firearm. It provides immunity any municipal employee authorized to carry a firearm and while acting in a reasonable and prudent manner from civil and criminal liability for any injury resulting from the carrying, accidental discharge or intentional discharge of a handgun on municipal property. It also provides immunity to any municipality, public authority or trust with a municipality as a beneficiary, city council, board of trustees or participating local law enforcement agency from civil and criminal liability for any injury, act or other suit at law or in equity resulting from any act, failure to act or refusal to act committed by a municipal employee who carries, accidentally discharges or intentionally discharges a handgun on municipal property. The bill permits firearms only to be carried by a municipal employee in the place of employment of the municipal employee during working hours unless the location is a firearm-prohibited location. It makes any person who violates the provisions of the bill subject to certain penalties in addition to any employment disciplinary actions. The bill lists "firearm-prohibited locations." It provides that the legislation should not be construed as a mechanism to allow municipal employees to carry a firearm as a duty or function of their employment with the municipality. It also provides any act concerning the carrying of a firearm, a refusal or failure to act with a firearm or the accidental or intentional discharge of a firearm be considered taken on the personal behalf of the municipal employee and not on behalf of the municipality and not be considered an act performed within the scope of duties of the employee nor shall it be construed as an act by the municipality, municipal authority or municipal trust, or any employee thereof. The bill modifies the state's preemption authority to include firearm and ammunition components and any policy of a municipality or other political subdivision. The bill clarifies language regarding an individual's right to bring a civil action against the persons, municipality, agency and political subdivision jointly and severally for injunctive relief or monetary damages or both. It permits the court to require the political subdivision to pay reasonable expenses to a person in an action filed under certain conditions. The bill provides the aggrieved party will retain standing in the suit and may recover damages or reasonable expenses if the political subdivision fails to rescind, repeal or otherwise abrogate the unlawful order, policy, ordinance or regulation within 90 days of required notice and the order, policy, ordinance or regulation is subsequently rescinded, repealed or otherwise abrogated after the aggrieved party files suit. The bill defines the term "reasonable expenses" to include but not be limited to attorney fees, expert witness fees and court costs. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0658
Paraphrase: SB0658, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, requires the State Department of Education to provide and ensure each district in the state provides in any notice of publication provided to parents' immunization requests, information regarding immunization requirements for attendance to school to also include information on exemptions to such requirements and information on where to obtain an exemption form. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0659
Paraphrase: SB0659, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, directs the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission to make a clearinghouse for unmanned aircraft systems in the state and declares OAC the designated agency of the state for the promotion, enhancement and development of unmanned aircraft systems. The bill allows OAC to work with the federal government, state agencies, tribal entities, municipalities and other people or entities in the development of unmanned aircraft systems in Oklahoma. The bill directs the clearinghouse to conduct research on unmanned aircraft system rules, regulations and policies of other states and municipalities in order to provide recommendations and organize or coordinate the applications, letters of support and informational material and notices of groups for any new test site, integration opportunity, pilot program or grant funding when acting on behalf of the state.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0672
Paraphrase: SB0672, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt and Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko, removes language prohibiting someone legally allows to possess or purchase a firearm from possessing a firearm in a transport in a motor vehicle. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0682
Paraphrase: SB0682, by Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, modifies the members of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training. It reduces its size to 10 members from 13 by removing the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety or designee; the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control or designee; and the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation or designee. It also modifies the membership requirements of the remaining 10 members. The bill removes the requirement the board appointed an assistant director.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0683
Paraphrase: SB0683, by Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika and Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, permits all non-classified optional public school personnel regularly employed for 20 hours or more per week to join the Oklahoma Teachers' Retirement System upon hiring, subject to certain statutory provisions and regulations adopted by the system. The bill gives such an employee 30 days from the initial date of hire to make a one-time irrevocable written election to opt out of participation in the System. It provides if an eligible employee fails to make an election within the 30-day period, the eligible employee be deemed to participate in the system. It provides if an eligible employee elects to opt out of participation in the system the the employee will not make any required employee contributions to the system and his or her employer will not make any required employer contributions to the system. It establishes the contribution rate for participating employees. It provides the employer is not prohibited from making the contribution to the system on behalf of the employee. It requires an employee who opts out of participation in the system be ineligible for future participation in the system, provided, that if the employee is hired for a classified position, he or she shall become a member of the system but will not be eligible for prior service credit for service performed while employed in a non-classified position during which the employee opted out of participation in the system. It requires any non-classified optional employee employed on the effective date of this act make an irrevocable written election to participate in or opt out of the system, and if the employee fails to make an election within 30 days from the effective date of this act, the employee will be deemed to participate in the system. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0684
Paraphrase: SB0684, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, authorizes the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission to enter into interagency transfers among commissioned law enforcement officers. The bill requires the transfers be bilateral agreements between the appointing authorities of each agency. It requires the transfers be for a period of not less than two years and the temporary assignment period shall not exceed five years. It authorizes the agencies to promulgate necessary rules. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0688
Paraphrase: SB0688, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant and Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, provides the costs associated with the required background investigation requirements for students apply to attend Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training programs at state technology centers be the responsibility of the student.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0698
Paraphrase: SB0698, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, modifies the appointment authority to county boards of health. It provides the board of county commissioners in any county with a population of more than 225,000 but not more than 500,000 per the latest census upon expiration of the term of the current member as of the effective date of this act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0705
Paraphrase: SB0705, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, repeals all language related to the Oklahoma Center for Rural Development.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0735
Paraphrase: SB0735, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, creates the Justin Sullivan Trailer Safety Act. It allows a credit against income tax for tax years 2022 through 2026 for the purchase of a safe wheel tethering system for semitrailers and frac trucks. It defines the term "safe wheel tethering system." It caps the credit at $250,000. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0738
Paraphrase: SB0738, by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, requires interlocal agreements created for the purpose of providing insurance to be subject to examination from the Insurance Commissioner in the same manner and frequency as licensed insurance companies in a 12-month time period. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0745
Paraphrase: SB0745, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, sets actual average salary for different positions to the annual salary limit of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. The bill allows for increases in disability benefits to certain state employees based on credited years of service. The bill prohibits a member of the system receiving benefits who retired prior to July 1, 2002, from receiving a benefit of less than the amount the member was receiving as of June 30, 2002.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0783
Paraphrase: SB0783, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, requires the State Department of Education to publish a list establishing the capacity of a class for each grade level in kindergarten through twelfth grades for each of the three tiers of school districts specified therein. It requires each school district to post on its website the capacity for each grade level offered by the school district for the ensuing school year. The bill requires the school district to post on its website the number of student transfers the district can accept before reaching capacity. It requires each school district board of education to adopt an open transfer policy for the school district which specifies its criteria and standards for approval of transfers of students who do not reside in the district. It requires the policy to include the capacity for each grade level for the ensuing school year. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H General Order  Status Date: 03/09/2021

SB0784
Paraphrase: SB0784, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, authorizes the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to establish and develop a statewide law enforcement and public safety youth program designed for high school students. It authorizes CLEET to promulgate rules to effectuate the provisions therein.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0793
Paraphrase: SB0793, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, modifies the definition of "medical care provider" to include respiratory therapists.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0802
Paraphrase: SB0802, by Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow and Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, adds a tribal member to the Oklahoma Rural Broadband Expansion Council. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0807
Paraphrase: SB0807, by Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, requires that school support employees, as defined therein, to be entitled to pay for any time lost when school is closed on account of epidemics or otherwise when an order for such closing has been issued by a health officer authorized by law to issue the order. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0811
Paraphrase: SB0811, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, requires all law enforcement agencies to have 25 percent of all employed full-time peace officers certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to be trained in crisis intervention training, as provided by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, by Nov. 1, 2024. It requires one hour of the mandatory minimum of eight hours of continuing law enforcement training include one hour of crisis de-escalation training. It also requires CLEET, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, to include in its required basic training courses for law enforcement certification a minimum of four hours of education and training in crisis de-escalation training. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0825
Paraphrase: SB0825, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman and Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, prohibits any municipality that levies a dedicated tax pursuant to a vote of the people for the purpose of funding public safety or any other governmental purpose from redirecting all or a portion of the dedicated tax revenue to another purpose without a vote of the people authorizing such action. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0838
Paraphrase: SB0838, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, creates the Oklahoma Public Safety Protection District Act. The bill authorizes the governing body of a municipality to create a public safety protection district by the adoption of a resolution and approval of the question by 60 percent of the voters of the municipality in the next general election. It provides the district be considered a political subdivision of the state and encompass the borders of the municipality. It permits an assessment of up to 5 mills to be levied by the district for the purposes of paying for police, fire, and jail operations. It exempts from the assessment real property zoned for agricultural or industrial land use, implements of husbandry, livestock employed in support of the family, and personal property owned by for-profit business entities. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0850
Paraphrase: SB0850, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow and Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, allows a licensed barber, cosmetologist, hairdresser, manicurist or certificate holder for hair braiding to provide services to a patron or customer in the patron's or customer's private residence. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 07/01/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/04/2021

SB0856
Paraphrase: SB0856, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, requires travel expenses incurred by the Director and employees of the Oklahoma Military Department for performing substantial and necessary services to the state in support of the Oklahoma National Guard be reimbursed to the individual. The bill requires the expenses claimed be approved by the Director or Chief Financial Officer prior to reimbursement.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0889
Paraphrase: SB0889, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, updates language concerning the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to conform with Internal Revenue Service Code and other federal regulations. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0893
Paraphrase: SB0893, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, allows the undergraduate and graduate programs of the same discipline of engineering at an institution to be part of the qualified program if either program is ABET accredited. The bill modifies the definition of the term "qualified person" to require such persons to possess either an undergraduate or graduate degree from a qualified program by an institution or be a licensed Professional Engineer. (Amended by Senate)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0905
Paraphrase: SB0905, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant and Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow, allows an income tax credit for an employer, for tax years 2022 through 2027, for each verified donation of blood made by an employee as part of a blood drive by an Oklahoma nonprofit blood donation organization. It makes the credit non-refundable. It permits the Tax Commission to determine by rule the documentation required to implement the bill's provisions. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/08/2021

SB0913
Paraphrase: SB0913, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, permits the Legislature repeal administrative rules adopted by a state agency, board or commission. It modifies the definition of the term "adopted" regarding proposed administrative rules. It defines the term "expedited repeal." It permits, upon request by a rule-making agency, an expedited rule repeal process to be utilized when a rule or rules meet certain criteria. It prohibits a request for an expedited repeal being initiated after May 1. It requires, upon final legislative adoption, the agency comply with additional publication requirements as provided by law. It permits an agency, at any point prior to final legislative adoption, withdraw the expedited agency rule repeal request. It defines the terms "small business" and "technical legal defect." It requires any agency exempt from all or part of the Administrative Procedures Act maintain and make available for public inspection its exempt rules on any website associated with the agency. It removes outdated language related to a review of administrative rules. The bill requires any preemptive rule approved and published by the Commission on Human Services be posted to the website associated with the commission. (NOTE: The Commission for Human Services was disbanded when voters approved SQ 765 in 2012) The bill changes the time an agency is required to respond to a request from the governor or the Legislature to review its rules to determine whether or not the rules in question should be amended, repealed or redrafted to 30 calendar days from 90 calendar days. It requires agencies respond to requests made by a small business within 90 calendar days. It requires each agency post their rules on any website associated with the agency. It requires the Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker establish by joint rule a Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. It requires current member of the Legislature be appointed to the committee. It requires the Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker name co-chairs of the committee. It requires a quorum of the committee to conduct business and provides that a quorum will be a majority of Senate committee members and a majority of House committee members. It requires the committee meet as needed during the legislative session and at regular intervals during the interim. It provides the function of the committee will be the review of all adopted agency administrative rules and emergency rules including recommending an approval or disapproval of each proposed rule to the Legislature for review. It permits the committee to recommend an agency amend or further consider a proposed rule. It requires the committee approve or disapprove a repeal of rules under the expedited repeal process established in the bill. It requires those rules approved by the committee be presented to the Legislature for final approval for repeal. It requires all committee actions on items for consideration require a majority vote of both the Senate members and the House members of the committee. It grants the committee the power and authority to study the burden of administrative rules on the regulated community, among other things. It adds the chairs of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to the list to receive notice of proposed emergency administrative rules. It permits an emergency rule to be immediately suspended by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules until the emergency rule can be subject to legislative review. It requires s, written notification of the suspension be sent to the agency, governor, Senate president pro tempore, and House speaker within three business days of the suspend. It requires the written notification also provide the reasons for the suspension. It permits the committee to reinstate an emergency rule prior to legislative review without following the approval process as provided by the bill. It requires a notice of rulemaking's information regarding a rule's specific statutory authority include statutory citations. It requires the notice of rulemaking include a notarized statement executed by the agency director affirming the legal authority and a statement of whether or not the subject of the proposed rule or rules has been included in any filed bill of the Legislature within the last two regular legislative sessions. It requires the bill number be included in the statement of the subject matter of the proposed rule or rules did appear in filed legislation. It provides the rule or rules be invalidated when notice does not contain the bill information or the information is deemed inaccurate. It requires an agency to initiate rulemaking proceedings within 30 days after an interested person petitions an agency requesting the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of a rule or provide a written response and explanation of its failure to initiate rulemaking proceedings. It permits the Legislature to disapprove all or part of a rule or rules and disapprove or approve the repeal of rules under the expedited repeal process by joint resolution. It also permits rules under consideration at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules during the interim may be acted upon by the Legislature at any time during session. It removes language that permits an agency to seek a governor's declaration approving a rule. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 09/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/11/2021

SB0922
Paraphrase: SB0922, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus and Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, creates the Invest In Oklahoma Act. It directs the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to create the Invest In Oklahoma Fund to provide entities funds with opportunities to invest in Oklahoma-based venture capital funds and venture capital funds that make substantial investments in the state. It directs the department to select venture capital funds to qualify for investments within the Invest In Oklahoma Fund based on certain factors. It permits qualified public entities may invest up to 5 percent of their principal into the fund. It permits the following public entities to invest no greater than 5.0 percent of their principal with the Invest In Oklahoma Fund: The Board of Investors of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund; The Commissioners of the Land Office; The Teachers' Retirement System; The Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; The Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; The Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; The Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; The State of Oklahoma Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; and The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department Retirement Fund. It requires the department promulgate rules to enforce the provisions of the Invest In Oklahoma Act. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0936
Paraphrase: SB0936, by Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow and Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, makes numerous changes to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0941
Paraphrase: SB0941, by Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, adds space maintenance, space technology and space personnel to the definition of the term "aerospace sector" for purposes of the Tax Credit for Aerospace Employees and the Tax Credit for Aerospace Employers. It also provides the aerospace sector will include but not be limited to those aerospace product and parts manufacturing activities defined or classified in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Manual under U.S. Industry Group No. 3364.
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0946
Paraphrase: SB0946, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, identifies the Judicial Nominating Commission as a public body for purposes of the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act. It permits the commission to meet in executive session to discuss the merits and qualifications of candidates for judicial office, to determine which candidates will be interviewed or solely to meet with a candidate to discuss confidential information relating to financial disclosure information or background checks. It provides candidate interviews will not be conducted in executive sessions and commissioners will not vote or indicate how they intend to vote in executive session. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0962
Paraphrase: SB0962, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, modifies school board election dates. The bill aligns school board elections with county, state and federal elections with filing in April, the primary election in June, the primary runoff in August and the general election in November. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 01/01/2023   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB0970
Paraphrase: SB0970, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City and Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, exempts from the definition of the term "record" in the Open Records Act any information provided to a state agency or entity that will be utilized to provide a license or certificate to an individual including, but not limited to, an applicant's personal address, phone number, other contact information or any other material provided in order to qualify for or receive a license or certificate, provided the license or certificate shall be a public record. It modifies language related to public bodies keeping personnel information confidential to say that it is at the sole discretion of the public body. It requires public bodies that provide services to the public redact personal email addresses from any records and any portion of any record that contains the name or any other identifier of the occupants of any residential structure. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/01/2021

SB0999
Paraphrase: SB0999, by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair and Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, creates the Oklahoma Courier Application Services Act. It defines applicable terms. It prohibits courier application service companies or courier application service drivers from being considered motor carriers of property, nor shall CAS or CAS drivers be considered for-hire motor carriers. It requires courier application service companies to implement a zero-tolerance policy against CAS drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol while providing courier services and to provide notice of this policy on its digital network. The bill requires upon receipt of a credible complaint alleging a violation of the zero-tolerance policy, the CAS must suspend the CAS driver's access to the CAS's digital network and conduct an investigation into the reported incident. It requires the suspension to last the duration of the investigation. It requires every courier application service to require that any motor vehicle that a CAS driver will use to provide courier services meets the equipment standards required of private motor vehicles. It requires a courier application service driver or courier application service on the CAS driver's behalf to maintain liability motor vehicle insurance that recognizes that the driver is a CAS driver or otherwise uses a vehicle to transport property for compensation and covers the driver while the driver is engaged in providing courier services. (Amended by Senate, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB1031
Paraphrase: SB1031, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, reinstates the temporary amendments to the Open Meetings Act to permit fully virtual meetings until Feb. 15, 2022, or until 30 days after the governor's COVID-19 state of emergency ends, whichever comes first. It also requires any documents or other materials provided to members of the public body or shared electronically between members of the public body during a meeting utilizing teleconferencing or videoconferencing be immediately available to the public on the website of the public body if the public body maintains a website. It requires a public body that gives public notice of a meeting for which there will be a videoconference option not modify the method of meeting described in the notice prior to the meeting and conduct the meeting according to the methods described in the notice. The bill requires a code or password be included in the public notice if a code or password is required to access the videoconference meeting. (Amended by Senate, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: 02/10/2021   Emergency: Yes
Status: Governor Action - Signed  Status Date: 02/10/2021

SB1032
Paraphrase: SB1032, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka, allows a public body that maintains a website and utilizes a high-speed internet connection to stream live all meetings on such website and posted on the website after the meeting during a state of emergency declared by the Governor. (Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB1034
Paraphrase: SB1034, by Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, changes the name of the Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma's Energy Resources to the Legacy Oil and Gas Well Innovation Committee and separates it from the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board. It establishes membership requirements. (Amended by Senate, Stricken Title, Committee Substitute)
Effective Date: 11/01/2021   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

SB1041
Paraphrase: SB1041, by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, appropriates $100,000 from the FY2022 General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (Appropriation Bill, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: Second Reading - Referred to Joint Committee  Status Date: 02/18/2021
Committee(1): Joint Comm on Appropriation & Budget (Senate) (S)

SB1042
Paraphrase: SB1042, by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew, appropriates $100,000 from the FY2022 General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (Appropriation Bill, Emergency Measure)
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: Yes
Status: Second Reading - Referred to Joint Committee  Status Date: 02/18/2021
Committee(1): Joint Comm on Appropriation & Budget (Senate) (S)

SCR0002
Paraphrase: SCR0002, by Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education submit a report to the Legislature and to make the report available on its website by December 31, 2021, that includes a list of all persons employed in a faculty or teaching position including their position rank at their respective institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and their compensation during the 2020-2021 academic year; a list of the courses taught and the hours taught by persons employed in a faculty or teaching position at institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education during the 2020-2021 academic year; the tenure policy of each institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education for the 2020-2021 academic year; and the number of faculty employed by each institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education who had tenure during the 2020-2021 academic year.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: S Introduced  Status Date: 02/01/2021

SCR0003
Paraphrase: SCR0003, by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, expresses the Legislature's support for the mission of the Oklahoma Veterans Pilot Program. It requests the Cabinet Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military and the Chairman of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to collaborate with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a statewide public information program designed to educate the public and elicit support for the Oklahoma Veterans Pilot Program.
Effective Date: / /   Emergency: No
Status: H Introduced  Status Date: 03/10/2021

2021 Legislative Deadlines
March 2021
March 29: Deadline for SBs/SJRs out of a House subcommittee

April 2021
April 8: Deadline for House & Senate Measures to be reported from Committees in opposite house
April 16: Deadline for Senate measures out of full A&B House Committee
April 22: Deadline for third reading of House and Senate bills in the Opposite Chamber

May 2021
May 28: Sine Die Adjournment – no later than 5 p.m.