Veteran and Military Affairs

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday ceremonially signed a bill supporting the health and well-being of military personnel. House Bill 3673, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, establishes the Oklahoma Tricare Reserve Select Reimbursement Program to provide grants to military members on state active duty orders for more than 30 days. These grants will reimburse eligible personnel for the cost of purchasing Tricare Reserve Select insurance coverage, benefiting both the service members and their immediate family members.  "This legislation represents our commitment to the men and women who serve our state," Miller said. "By alleviating the financial burden of healthcare costs, we are ensuring that they can focus on their vital duties without worrying about the health and well-being of their families." Miller said the Oklahoma Tricare Reserve Select Reimbursement Program will be a critical resource for those who serve on extended state active duty, providing them with peace of mind and essential healthcare coverage. Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, coauthored the bill. Her district includes Tinker Air Force Base. "This program ensures that those on state active duty are supported not only in their critical roles but also in securing the healthcare coverage they need for themselves and their families," Stanley said. "I appreciate Representative Miller, Governor Stitt, and the special guests who joined us for the ceremonial signing of this legislation. It is always an honor to come together in support of our service members and to celebrate policies that serve those who have served us." Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, also attended Wednesday's ceremonial signing. "As a veteran who was wounded in combat, I can't stress enough the importance of having the proper amount and the right type of insurance coverage not only for ourselves but for our family members," West said. "I'm grateful to see this bill signed into law to begin helping our military members with the cost of such coverage." Miller worked on the legislation with the National Guard Association of Oklahoma (NGAOK). "The National Guard Association of Oklahoma is excited on the signing of HB 3673 as it will provide another needed benefit to our Oklahoma Guardsmen while they are serving the state," said James Hight, who serves as president of NGAOK. "We would like to thank the many legislators, Governor and the Oklahoma National Guard for putting in the work to ensure Oklahoma Guardsmen have all the tools they need to complete any mission they are given. The Oklahoma National Guard is always ready and always there because of the countless efforts of so many to ensure they are the best Guardsmen in the country." The program will be administered by the Oklahoma Military Department. HB3673 takes effect Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, passed the Veterans' Families First bill on the House floor Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 3747 offers veterans in need of long-term care that are located more than 100 miles from a state veteran's center the option to contract and stay in a local nursing home. "With the closure of the Talihina Veterans Center in my House district, this displaced several veterans moving them far from their family members," Grego said. "I wanted to ensure they had the option to remain closer to home and those they love. It's important that our veterans receive family support and that we not ask family members to drive long distances to visit their loved ones. "This should help other veterans throughout our state as well should they be faced with similar circumstances." Grego said he worked with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs on the measure. It would require the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to contract with private long-term, skilling nursing facilities to offer services to eligible veterans who live over 100 miles from a state veteran's residence. The bill passed the House on a vote of 84-10 and now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. 

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Veterans Caucus elected Army veteran Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, as the new House chair for the next legislative session. Members also elected Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, as the House vice chair. "It's a privilege to support the men and women in our state Legislature who have bravely served in our nation's defense and to represent the needs of our fellow veterans in Oklahoma," Burns said. "I want to thank Representative Steagall for his leadership for the past five years. As the newly elected Chair of the Oklahoma House Veterans Caucus, I am committed to promoting policies recognizing our veterans' and their families' sacrifices. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met." "I am honored that my colleagues have placed their trust and confidence in me by electing me as the Vice Chair of the Oklahoma House Veterans Caucus," said Duel, who is an Army Ranger. "It is not only our duty but also a privilege to support our veterans, and I hold this responsibility in the highest regard. Through this caucus, we can better serve the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our state and nation." Current Chair Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, who served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and the Oklahoma Air National Guard, has been chair of the caucus since 2019 and offered his congratulations to Reps. Burns and Duel. "It has been an honor to serve my fellow legislative veterans in this capacity for the last five years," Steagall said. "Together, we've led the charge to effect several statutory changes that benefit our state's veterans and their families. The work of this caucus is far from over, and I'm certain that with the leadership of Representatives Burns and Duel, this caucus will continue to fight for our veterans to ensure that those who wore the uniform and fought for our freedoms and way of life receive the benefits and care they have earned and deserve." The Veterans Caucus is a bipartisan, bicameral caucus consisting of over 20 veterans in the state legislature.