News

The governor recently signed legislation to provide financial grants to construct or retrofit homes against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms, and hail. Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, authored House Bill 3089, establishing the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act within the Department of Insurance. It would make grants available to residential property owners with insurable property who reside in an approved county, meet certain home conditions, and own an owner-occupied, single-family residence. "Many constituents are seeking solutions to mitigate these rising insurance costs," Tedford said. "While we cannot control the weather, we can proactively protect our homes from its destructive forces. The goal is to help Oklahoma consumers lower their insurance rates and initiate the process of fortifying homes across the state." HB3089 would establish a grant program to assist homeowners in reinforcing their roofs with impact-resistant materials that meet the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) fortified standards. These funds will enable consumers to construct or retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements. Under the measure, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-income applicants and applicants who live in areas more prone to catastrophic weather. The property owner must hire an approved evaluator to prequalify the property, obtain bids from at least three approved contractors, and follow specific retrofitting standards. The measure will become effective Nov. 1., with the first grants going out in 2025.

 Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, released the following statement applauding Attorney General Gentner Drummond's recent lawsuit against major diabetic drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS) for unfair pricing. "I commend General Drummond and his office for advocating for Oklahomans struggling to make ends meet while PBMs and health insurers continue to boast record profits year after year. Since the Attorney General's office took authority over PBMs, we have seen progress in curbing their anti-competitive and monopolistic practices. "The Oklahoma Legislature has been at the forefront of the battle against PBMs and their lack of transparency in the United States. This lack of transparency has resulted in higher drug prices and poorer health outcomes. Despite misinformation from these companies and the state chamber of commerce, the Oklahoma House and Senate have remained steadfast in fighting PBM abuses." Marti serves as the chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee. According to the petition Drummond filed Tuesday, in the past decade alone, manufacturer defendants have increased the prices of their insulins up to 1000%.

Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, extends his appreciation to Governor Stitt for signing a bill designed to help prisoners develop work skills for employment options upon their release from prison.   House Bill 3158 would modify the current school application requirements to help cosmetology and barber schools in prisons continue to educate and train students.  "The requirements for running a school within a prison are impractical, and the unique challenges that come with it need to be considered," Roberts said. "In recent years, lawmakers have worked to reduce hurdles to employment for people with a criminal record through reforms such as occupational licensing reform and expungement automation under certain circumstances. When an individual can find employment after serving their time, it significantly decreases the likelihood they will return to crime and incarceration." Under the measure, correctional facility schools are exempt from submitting a financial statement as they provide education free of charge and do not collect any funds. These schools will also obtain a memorandum of understanding from the Department of Corrections. RISE Cosmetology School currently offers training programs at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center. Witnessing former prisoners trained in cosmetology experience a transformative impact through this program, Roberts said he advocates expanding employment and educational opportunities to aid recently incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives after prison. Roberts also thanks Sen. Rader, R-Tulsa, for carrying the bill in the Senate. "I'd like to thank Senator Rader for advancing this measure in the Senate," Roberts said. "I am grateful for the governor's support and the cooperation of my fellow lawmakers in developing reforms that will help previously convicted individuals reenter the workforce." “House Bill 3158 helps make second chances possible for incarcerated Oklahomans,” Rader said. “Ensuring these individuals have marketable job skills to find gainful employment after completing their sentence improves the state's workforce and reduces recidivism rates. The governor’s support of this measure that will build on Oklahoma’s previous workforce initiatives and criminal justice reforms is greatly appreciated.” HB3158 will go into effect on Nov. 1. 

The Oklahoma House of Representatives recognized May 12 through May 18, 2024, as National Police Week and May 15, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Oklahoma. House Resolution 1050, authored by Rep. John George, R-Newalla, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, was adopted Monday, May 13. "Our police do so much for our citizens, from keeping them safe from criminals to helping direct them to needed assistance to providing community services to youth, the elderly, and so many other populations," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "We at the Oklahoma Legislature are proud to stand up publicly and say we back the blue and will always support them, and we appreciate all they do to protect us all from harm." During the past year, 136 officers nationwide have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, including Captain John Robert Randolph III of the Ringling Police Department in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House honors these brave individuals and extends its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of these fallen officers. The resolution recognizes the House's strong support for law enforcement officers in Oklahoma and across the United States in their efforts to build safer and more secure communities.

Legislation creating an online jobs center through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has been sent to the governor's desk. House Bill 3595, authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, would allow the agency to require claimants to take a skills test, create an account and add a resume to the online platform. "House Bill 3595 presents an opportunity to streamline job matching, empower job seekers and close the hiring gap in Oklahoma," Hill said. "Through this measure, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission can better connect individuals with employment opportunities while ensuring accountability in the unemployment benefits system. This legislation marks a proactive step towards a more efficient and effective job market for all Oklahomans." Under the bill, OESC could also require claimants to apply to a minimum number of jobs. Failure to apply or participate would result in the termination of benefits for a full period of unemployment. Additionally, OESC must verify the eligibility of claims filed and may cross-check various state and national databases to verify eligibility. The measure was authored in the Senate by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson. "With this measure we are modernizing our approach to anti-fraud measures that will benefit Oklahoma employees without burdening claimants," Alvord said. "In fact, the anti-fraud measures in this bill have been recommended by both republican and democrat administrators. HB 3595 strengthens job search opportunities for individuals applying for and receiving unemployment benefits and contains robust protections to stop waste, fraud, and abuse." If signed into law, HB3595 would take effect Nov. 1.

Oklahoma could soon become a frontrunner in digital currency legislation after the Oklahoma House of Representatives sent House Bill 3594 to the governor's desk on Wednesday. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, and outlines landmark regulations of blockchain applications, which allows transparent information sharing within a business network. Blockchain technology is common in cryptocurrency, as well as other industries. "House Bill 3594 lays a foundation for protecting individuals' rights to their digital assets," Hill said. "By providing clarity and protection now, we can ensure free market practices remain the guiding principles in this burgeoning industry." HB3594 outlines actions that the state and local governments are prohibited from doing to hinder the use of digital assets for purchases, commercial asset mining, home asset mining, staking or operating nodes on a blockchain network. Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, carried the bill in the Senate. "Oklahoma currently has no laws addressing or regulating bitcoin and blockchain, but I hope that’s about to change," Coleman said. "House Bill 3594 will put our state on the forefront of the exploding digital asset industry by ensuring our residents have a right to use cryptocurrency for legal transactions." If signed into law, HB3594 would take effect Nov. 1.

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, today celebrated the signing of Alanda's Law, House Bill 2478, which expedites the legal process for victims of domestic abuse seeking temporary relief in custody cases. Under HB2478, courts are required to schedule a hearing on temporary custody orders within 10 days of a domestic abuse victim filing a request for temporary custody orders unless both parties mutually agree to waive this timeline. Harris said this provision specifically applies in cases where the application contains allegations of domestic abuse and either an emergency temporary protective order is already in place against the accused party or the accused has been criminally charged with domestic abuse. "For victims of domestic violence, the timing of a judge's availability should not be a barrier," Harris said. "It is crucial to ensure that domestic violence victims appear timely before a judge to expedite the decision-making process." The measure will require the court to issue a ruling on the matter versus arbitrarily scheduling another hearing for a later date, enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of legal proceedings in these critical situations. "Often, children are involved in these situations," Harris said. "It is imperative that judges swiftly act to ensure families avoid unnecessary heartache during an already traumatic time." Harris named HB2478 Alanda's Law after Alanda Bradshaw, a victim of domestic abuse, in honor of her memory and her beautiful daughter. He said the sustained abuse Alanda endured tragically contributed to her premature passing. "I hope this legislation will honor Alanda and other victims of domestic abuse," Harris said. "The most dangerous moment for a domestic violence victim is when they try to leave their abuser. Alanda's Law protects victims and their families during this critical time." HB2478 will go into effect on Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House today adopted Senate amendments to a bill that would require school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a student to include the student's parent or guardians. House Bill 3958, authored by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, now moves to the governor. "There have been absolutely too many reports of inappropriate digital communications shared between educators and students, whether that be inappropriate pictures or texts of a sexual nature," Conley said. "These have long-term devastating effects for young people and can ruin the lives of educators when they are wrongly accused. It's our desire that teachers and coaches be able to share homework assignments or team communications freely with their students, but including a parent or guardian protects the students and the educators from any potential impropriety. This also keeps parents fully engaged in their child's education." Exceptions may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian. The measure stipulates that school personnel shall make reasonable efforts to use school-approved platforms, systems or applications that allow automatic inclusion of parents or guardians in communications with students. HB3958 specifies that schools shall provide training, developed by the State Department of Education, for school personnel on the student communication requirements within the act. Any school personnel reported to be in violation of the new act shall be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the local and state boards of education. If the investigation finds no misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated with the incident noted in the employee's file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel's employment shall be terminated, and the incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to state statute. The act would become effective July 1. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the Senate author of the measure. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday signed into law a bill that modifies continuing education requirements for electrical contractors, journeymen and apprentices. House Bill 3215, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, seeks to address the worker shortage facing the electrical industry. "This bill was the work of many groups and individuals in the industry coming together to address the problem of finding licensed, competent electrical workers to meet Oklahomans' needs," West said. "In addition, it will help individuals take the next step in their career as an electrician." West said the measure returns the pass rate of the journeyman test to 70%, which was the passing score on the test up until 2008. It also increases the continuing education requirements to help ensure the work performed is by a trained and knowledgeable electrician. "Finally, this act levels the playing field for state electricians by matching requirements with surrounding states that have reciprocal license agreements with Oklahoma," West said. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the Senate author of the measure. "The electrical industry is in dire need of workers entering the trade and obtaining their journeyman’s license," Daniels said. "Every day the need for new workers grows as the electrician workforce ages and more retire." Daniels said the average age of electricians in the United States is 41 years old, and every year over 75,000 electricians are needed throughout the country to meet the growing demand. "We believe these changes are one step to help address this need in the electrical industry while ensuring that the workforce continues to be safe and well educated in the trade," she said. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, contractors and journeymen must complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years for license renewal. The courses must be approved by the Committee of Electrical Examiners and cover specified topics. Apprentices must complete three hours of continuing education annually for registration renewal. Continuing education is not required for apprentices who are students or enrolled in an approved course.