Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Wednesday passed a bill in the Public Health Committee that would allow ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold over-the-counter in pharmacies. House Bill 4124 would permit a pharmacist to supply ivermectin to a person without requiring a prescription from a health care professional. Notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacy would not be criminally or civilly liable for supplying ivermectin. "Many people throughout Oklahoma and the nation take ivermectin for a variety of ailments," Fetgatter said. "And while it can be prescribed by doctors, many currently choose to purchase this product over the counter at the local farm supply store. We're just asking that pharmacies be able to offer this the same way." Fetgatter said the bill was a constituent request. He said in rural communities, it can be a long commute to get to a healthcare practitioner if one is available. This bill would give his constituents the freedom and discretion to purchase a product they feel works best for them. The bill passed in the House Public Health Committee on a vote of 5-1. It now is eligible to be heard in the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to protect Oklahomans from the harmful use of artificial intelligence and deepfake content passed unanimously out of the House Criminal Judiciary Committee. House Bill 3299 , authored by Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, would make it unlawful to create and distribute digitized or synthetic media depicting another person’s name, image, voice or likeness without written consent when done with the intent to cause emotional, financial, reputational or physical harm. "As we awaken each day to more sophisticated AI-generated media, we must recommit to the fundamental truth in advertising and the basic rights of every Oklahoman," Hays said. "Every Oklahoman deserves to control their name, likeness and voice and to know that when they are depicted, especially in an effort to influence the public, that they’re portrayed accurately." Under the measure, violations would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. If the offense results in financial harm exceeding $25,000 or involves extortion, coercion or blackmail, the crime would be elevated to a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The bill also addresses political advertising. Any digital or synthetic media used in political ads would have to be clearly disclosed. Failure to disclose would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail or a fine of up to $2,500. Media advertising agencies would be required to obtain a signed attestation from content creators stating whether the advertisement contains digitized or synthetically altered material. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, House Bill 3299 would place Oklahoma alongside Tennessee, which enacted the Ensuring Likeness, Voice, and Image Security Act (ELVIS Act) in 2024, in extending these protections to all individuals. While some states have enacted similar laws for minors or public figures, Hays said this measure recognizes that every person has a fundamental right to control his or her own name, image, likeness and voice as personal property. "This technology is moving faster than most people realize," Hays said. "We need guardrails in place to protect individuals from having their identity manipulated and used against them." HB3299 now moves to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee.

Legislation directing postsecondary educational institutions to designate certain degrees, certificates, licenses and industry-recognized credentials as "credentials of value" has passed its first committee.  House Bill 2398 , authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, would establish a statewide framework allowing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to designate “credentials of value.” To receive the designation, programs must demonstrate a positive return on investment for students and align with state and regional workforce demand.  Hill said the goal of the legislation is to ensure Oklahoma students are set up for long-term success while strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline.  "Our students deserve data-driven information about which programs will help them build meaningful careers and achieve financial stability," Hill said. "House Bill 2398 ensures education leads to opportunities for students and a strong return on investment for the state. By aligning education with real workforce demand, we can strengthen families, businesses and communities across Oklahoma."  The measure also includes safeguards to protect and support high-need workforce areas, including education and public safety, which Hill said would help keep critical government services roles strong and sustainable for Oklahoma's future. Additionally, HB2398 also requires annual reporting on program outcomes, including completion rates, employment, earnings and cost information.  HB2398 passed the House Postsecondary Education Committee on Wednesday and can now be heard in the House Education Oversight Committee.