From Our Government Affairs Team
Over 2,200 Bills, 39 Resolutions Filed for Session
Yesterday marked the bill filing deadline for the 2020 Legislative Session, set to begin on Monday, February 3 at noon.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives filed 1,361 bills, 16 House Joint Resolutions, and 4 House Concurrent Resolutions.
The Oklahoma Senate filed 840 bills and 19 Senate Joint Resolutions.
This is a grand total of 2,201 bills and 39 resolutions filed for the 2020 session.
As always, our Government Affairs team will provide weekly updates on relevant business legislation during session right here in our CEO Briefing.
For Manufacturers, But A Valuable Read for All Business Owners: A Free Guide to Cybersecurity
Although written for the manufacturing sector, this guide is a valuable read for all business owners. It is not possible for any business to be completely secure. But, it is possible — and reasonable — to implement a program that balances security with the needs and capabilities of your company.
U.S. Senate Passes USMCA; Agreement Heads to President Trump
The U.S. Senate passed this week the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which would replace the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The 89 to 10 vote will send the agreement to President Trump, who is expected to sign it next week.
USMCA
brings the more than 25-year-old NAFTA into the 21st century with updated provisions for digital trade, intellectual property, financial services, and agriculture trade. It is also crucial to Oklahoma’s economy. Our state exports more than $6 billion annually, with 27 percent going to Canada and 13 percent to Mexico.
In
a statement
, State Chamber President and CEO Fred Morgan praised the passage: “The new agreement comes as welcome news for Oklahoma’s economy and the more than 112,000 jobs that depend on trade with Mexico and Canada.”
Criminal Justice Reform: Gov. Stitt Touts 774 Commutations, 290 Pardons, and 101 Paroles in First Year
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced this week that he signed 62 commutations, 93 pardons, and 23 paroles, bringing the total signed during his first year to 774 commutations, 290 pardons, and 101 paroles.
“This has been a historic year for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Gov. Stitt. “Under new leadership in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and at the Pardon and Parole Board, the Board’s favorable recommendations increased by 225% over last year. I applaud everyone’s hard work and thorough management of a significant increase in casework without needing additional funds. The most impactful changes come when the right leaders are in place in state agencies, operating with a shared vision. My administration remains committed to pursuing bold changes in criminal justice reform over the next few years, to include reforming the criminal code and changing the culture in state prisons to help people return as productive members of society.”
Developing Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Join the Oklahoma Works Work-Based Learning Team for a free webinar on January 30 as they work through the five features of an apprenticeship program, a step-by-step process to develop programs, and how to register an apprenticeship program.
This training is appropriate for businesses of all sizes, partners in local workforce development regions, non-profits, individuals or private organizations that work with businesses, and anyone interested in developing registered apprenticeship programs in Oklahoma.
Event for Chamber Professionals: 2020 Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence (CCCE)
Join colleagues from the Southwest Region on February 23-26, 2020 in College Station, Texas for excellent professional education and networking at the Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence.
The Center for Chamber of Commerce Excellence (CCCE) certification program provides participants with quality, professional chamber educational development at an affordable price. The program is provided by a training consortium, including the state associations of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Training is designed for chamber executives, staff members, or seasoned professionals to learn foundational concepts, advanced topics, and the latest information relative to working in the chamber profession. With a faculty that brings many years of experience and real-world application of the principles taught, CCCE will help participants meet the challenges of operating a dynamic chamber in a rapidly changing environment.