Bills Filed for 2022 Session of Oklahoma Legislature
Voting Integrity
Rep. Eric Roberts (R-Oklahoma City) filed three voting integrity bills designed to make the election process more secure, reliable and efficient.
House Bill 3364 requires online absentee ballot requests to include identification in addition to a voter’s name and birth date. Identification may include their driver’s license number, state identification number or the last four of their Social Security number. Under the bill, voters who registered prior to the requirement for additional identification information may submit a paper absentee ballot request or reregister to vote with the additional identification.
House Bill 3365 requires the cancellation of the voter registration if the associated driver’s license was surrendered to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety upon the voter being issued a driver’s license in another state. It also adds a new group of voters to the address confirmation process, which is performed in odd-numbered years. Voters with the same address of residence as five or more other voters will be sent an address confirmation.
The bill also requires voter registration cards be mailed to the physical registration address if the address is valid for mail delivery. If the physical address is not valid for mail delivery, then the designated mailing address will continue to be used. If voter registration cards are returned as undeliverable, then the voter will be required to complete an address confirmation before receiving a ballot in the next eligible election that they vote in.
House Bill 3366 requires that Oklahoma death certificates include the last four of the decedent’s Social Security number and either their driver’s license number or state identification number. The addition of identification greatly increases the accuracy of matching. The voter registration cannot be removed unless a definite match for the death certificate is located.
Cost of Living Adjustment
Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy) filed Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) legislation. “The policies instituted by the Biden Administration are leading to catastrophic inflation across the board that is hurting Oklahoma families,” Roberts said. “We are seeing the result of these un-American policies at the gas pump, at the grocery store, in our supply chain issues and in basically every facet of our daily life.
House Bill 2852 will grant COLAs based on inflation to those in the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System, the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges, the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System.
Requirements on Homeless Camps
Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) filed Senate Bill 1381 which would direct municipalities to require homeless camps to be properly permitted, just as other campgrounds are required to be. “These camps should be required to be properly permitted like any campground would be to ensure the safety of those in the camp and in neighboring homes and buildings with regards to drinking water, sewage and other waste,” Standridge said
Under SB 1381, municipalities would have 30 days to conduct inspections of homeless camps within their jurisdiction. Those camps must adhere to building codes established by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission. Municipalities failing to inspect the homeless camps by the deadline would be liable for any harm caused within and outside of the immediate boundaries of that homeless camp. If the camp doesn’t comply with building codes in the 30-day period, the municipality would be required to abolish it.
Death Penalty
Rep. Mauree Turner (D-Oklahoma City) filed legislation for a State Question on whether the death penalty should exist in Oklahoma. While Oklahomans have previously supported the death penalty in ballot initiatives, Turner says the inhumane conditions of death row, botched executions, and exposure of the racism and error rate in guilty verdicts have given many reasons to grapple with what it means for a small number of state actors to have the power to decide who lives and who dies an often torturous death, especially in the face of exclusionary evidence.
“We have seen a growing movement, in the last year especially, of people calling for Oklahoma to abolish the death penalty. And I want to give people a chance to express that on the ballot.” Turner opposes capital punishment and says she knows that Oklahomans have a broad range of views and experiences, which is why she wants to give the people another opportunity to use their voice. The last time the death penalty was on the statewide ballot was 2016.
Arrest Feds Who Confiscate Guns
In response to the growing concerns over federal violations of constitutionally-protected rights, Sen. Nathan Dahm, (R-Broken Arrow) filed a trio of bills to strengthen the power of county sheriffs. Senate Bill 1199 would prohibit federal officers from carrying out any gun confiscation measures in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1200 would require federal agents to notify the sheriff before operating in their county. Senate Bill 1201 would allow sheriffs to form posses to defend their county in times of emergency, disaster or from federal overreach.
“The Second Amendment clearly says the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” Dahm said. “It is becoming ever more evident that the current administration holds almost no regard for the Constitution or our rights. We must be proactive in protecting the people of Oklahoma against any attempts at infringements from the feds.”
SB 1199 would expand the Second Amendment Sanctuary Act passed last year by allowing a mechanism for sheriffs to arrest federal officers attempting gun confiscation. “I’ve heard from numerous sheriffs and constituents across this state who are concerned at the consistent ignoring of our Constitution happening by this rogue regime” Dahm said. “The Second Amendment was never solely about hunting unless you’re referring to hunting tyrants. It was about the people being able to protect themselves against a government that would seek to disarm them.”
SB 1200 would require that any federal agents or officers receive permission from the county sheriff before operating in their county. “The county sheriff is the highest elected law enforcement officer in the county. And it’s become evident we can’t have unelected bureaucrats or agents of the rogue regime in D.C. operating in our state without accountability.” Dahm said. “This bill will bring accountability by an Oklahoman who is elected by the people of Oklahoma, not someone over a thousand miles away.”
SB 1201 would further empower sheriffs by expanding their ability to call on the people of Oklahoma for additional support by forming a posse. “Under current law, sheriffs can call upon the people of their county to deal with certain issues such as riots,” Dahm said. “With this bill to expand the law, it would allow them to also protect against infringements by agents of the federal government.” The bill expands the reasons for a posse to include prohibiting agents, employees, and officers of the federal government from violating the constitutional rights of the people of their county.
“The Second Amendment is the provision that protects all the other rights listed in the Constitution,” Dahm said. “I’ll always continue to lead the fight to protect and expand the rights of the people, sheriffs and others who are standing with us. Even if we have to stand against those in ‘leadership’ positions who bow to the pressure of being swamped by D.C. due to their lack of backbone.”
Amendment on Right to Bear Arms
Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy) filed a House Joint Resolution that would refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to Section 26, Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. This section of the State Constitution deals with the right to bear arms. “This section of the State Constitution has never been updated, and it is long past time we took a look at some of the language,” Roberts said. “It is imperative that we reinforce the right to bear arms outlined in our constitution in order to protect that right from state court rulings that have tried to weaken it.”
Specifically, the resolution would add to the constitution specific arms that are protected and that the fundamental right to bear arms “shall not be infringed.” It will also prohibit registration or special taxation upon the keeping of firearms including the acquisition, ownership, possession or transfer of arms, ammunition or the components of arms or ammunition.
Second Amendment Rights
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed five bills offering greater protection for the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Oklahoma and push back on federal overreach. “I believe that the Second Amendment is one of the most important, if not the most important provision in the Constitution,” Dahm said. “It’s our means of protecting every other right. Unfortunately, this means it is on the top of every tyrant’s hit list.”
Senate Bill 1330 amends Oklahoma’s anti-red flag law to nullify any federal attempt to enforce red flag laws on citizens of the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1346 states that any personal firearm, accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured in Oklahoma and that remains exclusively within the borders of Oklahoma is not subject to federal law, taxation, regulation, or registration. Senate Bill 1327 would prohibit federal regulation or registration of suppressors manufactured within the state of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1341 would prevent public money from being used in any way to advocate for gun control.. Senate Bill 1329 would allow any person in lawful possession of a valid handgun license to carry inside the state Capitol.
Kyle’s Law
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1120, called Kyle’s Law, to ensure Oklahomans who use self-defense won’t have to face trial for political reasons. If the measure becomes law, victims of malicious prosecution would be able to receive compensation for expenses and damages.
Kyle Rittenhouse was recently acquitted of all charges in the deaths of two men and the wounding of a third during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 2020. Rittenhouse had claimed self-defense in the shootings. “Kyle Rittenhouse should never have been charged. The video evidence from early on showed it was lawful self-defense,” Dahm said. “This bill will ensure that what happened to Kyle Rittenhouse cannot happen to the people of Oklahoma.”
Under Dahm’s legislation, if a person is charged with murder but is found not guilty due to justifiable homicide, the state would have to reimburse the defendant for all reasonable costs, including loss of wages, legal fees incurred, and other expenses involved in their defense. When a homicide is determined to be justified and the accused establishes that they had sustained injury due to malicious prosecution, then that person will be awarded “fair and just compensation.”
SB 1120 further states that in order to support a claim of malicious prosecution, the claimant must establish that the prosecution was instituted or instigated by the prosecutor and was without probable cause; that the prosecution had legally and finally been terminated in favor of the claimant; and that as a result of the criminal prosecution, the claimant sustained injury.
Malice may be established if the motive for the prosecution was something other than a desire to bring an offender to justice, or that it was one with ill will or hatred, or willfully done in a wanton or oppressive manner and in conscious disregard of the claimant’s rights. Under the legislation, a prosecutor may be held personally liable to a claimant if malicious prosecution is established.
Modifying Medical Marijuana Laws
Rep. Sean Roberts (R-Hominy) filed legislation modifying the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Waste Management Act. “When medical marijuana was legalized in Oklahoma, it basically created a ‘Wild West’ situation as we did not have enough legal structure in place to address all future issues that could arise,” Roberts said. “As the years have passed, we have a better understanding of what we are doing right and what we need to fix. These changes that I am proposing will stop the many illegal operations in our state run by foreign actors, such as criminal Chinese enterprises or cartels, who participate in human trafficking and are smuggling their illegal narcotics out of Oklahoma to other states. We have a duty to Oklahomans, and our surrounding states, to rein in this situation before it gets even more out of hand.”
The legislation would change Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) ownership residency requirements. Specifically the bill would change the requirements from 75% of owners living in Oklahoma to 100%. It also states that if an Oklahoman is found to be a middleman for an entity outside the state, their license shall be suspended and due process given to them. Finally, it would direct OMMA to determine and award incentives to Oklahomans who report illegal marijuana grow operations to them.
Give Counties Say in Marijuana Applications
Rep. Todd Russ (R-Cordell) filed legislation for the upcoming session that will give county voters the say over who is licensed to grow marijuana within their counties. House Bill 2989 would require applications to grow marijuana to be filed by June 30 each year in the county where the grow facility is to be located. County Commissioners would then set a date for a vote to be held every other year for applications to be approved or denied. If denied, an applicant would not be able to reapply for five years within that county. If growers operate in multiple counties, they would have to apply and be approved by voters in each county where they do business.
“Many of our rural voters did not approve the state question that resulted in the legalization of medical marijuana in our state,” Russ said. “Yet they are saddled with the ill consequences. And they are facing the possibility that petitioners will place a question on a future state ballot to legalize recreational marijuana.”
Since Oklahomans approved medical marijuana in 2018 with very loose regulations, the number of licensed cannabis growers in the state has ballooned to more than 7,000. This far exceeds the number of licenses issued in other states such as Colorado, California or Oregon. It has taxed rural water supplies and electricity usage as well as local law enforcement, county tax assessors and others say Russ.
Sports Betting Bill
Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City) filed House Bill 3008, a bill that would add in-person sports betting to the Oklahoma state-tribal gaming compact. “I feel the time is right for Oklahoma to partner with the tribes and ensure a level, competitive gaming playing field with the surrounding states,” Luttrell said. According to Luttrell, there are currently 30 states with legal sports betting and another 15 considering it in 2022. He said that Arkansas has legalized it in their casinos and Kansas is currently working on an agreement of their own.
“Illegal sports betting occurs throughout Oklahoma, and figures I obtained from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) show 11 offenses recently with tens of thousands of dollars seized,” Luttrell added. “This reflects only a fraction of what actually occurs in our state. The Oxford Economics Group estimates that legal sports betting would generate $240 million in revenue for Oklahoma and create over 3000 direct and indirect jobs. This legislation just makes sense.”
Revitalizing State Militia
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1251 to revitalize the Oklahoma militia and provide greater protection for the citizens of Oklahoma. “The Second Amendment states that a well-regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free state,” Dahm said. “As the feds continue to fail in almost every regard, it is becoming more and more apparent that we as a state must provide for our own security.” The bill states local guard units can be voluntarily funded and supplied, and that individuals may be required to use privately owned semi-automatic weapons if mustered into service. “State guards and militias have a rich history in our nation dating back to the Minutemen of times past,” Dahm said. “They were necessary in 1776, and they are necessary today.”
The bill also amends the age requirements for state guard participation and would create a unit of the Oklahoma State Guard in each county. “We can no longer afford to rely on the feds for protection,” Dahm said. “It falls to us as citizens of the state of Oklahoma to `secure the blessing of liberty’ to our state. I have always fought, and will continue to fight, for the citizens of the state of Oklahoma, even when others are unwilling.”
Stop Use of Unmarked Police Vehicles
After noticing an increased use of unmarked police cars for routine traffic enforcement, Sen. Cody Rogers (R-Tulsa) filed Senate Bill 1109 calling for municipal police departments to use clearly marked vehicles. “The concern is that these vehicles are being used for revenue generation as opposed to tools for public safety on our roads,” Rogers said. “I’ve heard from many constituents who have had encounters with law enforcement and had no way of identifying their vehicles or if they were even actual officers at all.”
SB 1109 also calls on municipal police to use markings that are in contrasting colors for maximum visibility. This would put a stop to the use of “ghost markings” on police vehicles and ensure that citizens would easily be able to identify police officers. “People tend to pay more attention and have better driving habits when marked police cars are around,” Rogers said. “If we’re concerned about public safety, then we should get more of those vehicles out there.”
Citizen Health Mandate Protection Act
Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) filed Senate Bill 1106, the “Citizen Health Mandate Protection Act,” aimed at both public and private entities and individuals that require vaccines or other medical treatments as a condition of employment. Those employers could be liable for $1 million in punitive damages if something goes wrong with that medication or treatment. “Many Oklahomans may not know that COVID-19 vaccines have already been given liability protection from the federal government,” Standridge said. “If an employee is required to receive the vaccine or some other medical treatment as a condition of employment and it causes that person harm, our citizens need to know they’ll have some recourse that will provide them with meaningful relief. That’s what my legislation will do.”
Under SB 1106, an employee can bring a claim against an employer in court for actual and punitive damages for injuries or illness caused by a vaccination or medical treatment program required as a condition of employment. If the employer knowingly required the vaccination or treatment without confirming its safety based on publicly available medical testing and documentation, upon a finding of liability after a claim, the employer will automatically be subject to $1 million in punitive damages. The bill would apply to all private and public sector employers. An employer subject to a claim made pursuant to the Citizen Health Mandate Protection Act will not have the limitations of liability or immunity provided by the Governmental Tort Claims Act or the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.
Employee Liberty and Freedom Act
Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens (R-Tahlequah) filed Senate Bill 1128, called the “Employee Liberty and Freedom Act,” to ensure current employees are exempt should employers institute new mandates for vaccines or other medical treatments. Stephens,said he was particularly concerned about loyal workers suddenly being faced with a new requirement that could force them out of their jobs. “My heart goes out to the hardworking employees who’ve spent decades on the job only to be told they have to get a shot or they’ll be fired,” Stephens said. “For older workers, they may not be able to find another job in their field. My bill simply says that you cannot change the rules on your existing employees. If an employer wants to start requiring a vaccine as a condition of employment, it can’t be applied retroactively-it would only apply to new hires who would know what the rules were from day one.”
Unemployment Benefits for Unvaccinated
In response to the recent news of companies threatening to fire employees for refusing the COVID-19 shot, Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1157 to expand unemployment benefits. “The failures of this current administration didn’t effectively kill our economy,” Dahm said. “So now we see they are trying to force healthy people who want to work out of the workforce to further strangle our economy while paying other people not to return to work.” The bill would expand unemployment benefits for Oklahomans who are fired or placed on unpaid leave for their refusal to get vaccinated.
“They have completely ignored the science of natural immunity as they march towards their goal of total compliance or total destruction of the lives of those who refuse to comply,” Dahm said. Under current law, those employees who have been terminated from their job are looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine if they are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. SB 1157 would require those benefits to be provided beginning Sept. 1, 2022.
Modifying Parents’ Bill of Rights
Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman) filed legislation modifying the state Parents’ Bill of Rights. Senate Bill 1268 would add information about upcoming school elections, community “wrap-around” resources for youth, ability to use free instructional materials at home, and parents’ right to opt out of certain student testing. “The Parents’ Bill of Rights first became law in 2014 to help parents be successfully engaged in their child’s education. It’s proven that when parents are supportive collaborators with schools their children are more successful in the classroom,” Boren said. “My bill modernizes parents’ rights and gives them better access to tools to help their children be more successful in school and life.”
The bill would add the opportunity for parents to register to vote in local elections at their child’s school and learn about upcoming dates for board of education and school bond elections. It would further list procedures for parents to learn about community resources available to better equip their children to be successful at school, including, but not limited to, access to health care, dental care, eye care, assistive devices, professionals and specialists, community counseling centers, social workers, private counselors, tutors, mentors, and other resources.
“Schools are directly impacted by electing local school boards and voting on school bond issues. However, many parents are not aware of deadlines to register to vote or when elections that impact the daily education of their children will occur,” Boren said. “A child’s education can also be impacted greatly by access to supportive resources for their health and well-being – needs that may be met through community resources.”
The bill would also add the right to access free instructional materials at school and at home to the list of parental rights. Lastly, it would modify parents’ right to opt out of any data collection for inclusion in the longitudinal student data system to include district-required standardized tests, field tests, or benchmark tests.
Amending OHLAP requirements
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1274 to amend eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). “OHLAP is intended to provide students from low- and middle-income families with financial help to pay for college,” Dahm said. “There are some basic eligibility requirements, but the statute unfairly places additional requirements on homeschool and non-accredited private school students.”
According to the current statute, homeschool and non-accredited private school students must score a 22 or higher ACT composite score in order to qualify, while public school students are not required to take the ACT to be eligible.
The bill would amend the eligibility requirements by adding the same testing component for public school students. All applicants would be required to score a 22 or higher ACT composite score to be eligible.
“Rather than unfairly singling out homeschool and non-accredited private school students for extra testing requirements, this bill would implement testing for all OHLAP applicants,” Dahm said. “This could ensure some base level of competency for all students who apply for financial help through OHLAP, while eliminating a blatant form of discrimination against homeschool and non-accredited private school students.”
Teacher Shortage in Oklahoma
As school districts around the state continue struggling to fill teaching positions, Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) has filed legislation to help adjunct and highly-qualified substitute teachers fill the void. Senate Bill 1119 would remove the 270-hour limitation adjunct teachers may teach per semester in a classroom. Senate Bill 1144 would allow substitute teachers with a valid, lapsed, or expired certificate or a bachelor’s degree to work as many days as needed. “Increasing pay and other recent changes haven’t helped end the teacher shortage problem, so we need to look at what assets we already have available, like adjunct and substitute teachers, and how we can better utilize them,” Garvin said. “Given that many districts are still struggling to fill essential teaching positions, being able to rely on local professionals to share their expertise in the classroom as well as former teachers or individuals with degrees to substitute has been a lifesaver. My bills will ensure these professionals can work as many hours as they’re needed and willing to.”
According to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), the number of adjunct teachers in Oklahoma schools has increased annually from around 175 during the 2015-2016 school year to more than 400 last year. The State Board of Education has also approved more than 3,600 emergency certifications this school year – further evidence of the ongoing teacher shortage crisis.
Education Reform
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed a trio of education reform bills. “Our education system is floundering,” Dahm said. “Parents are upset, teachers are leaving the profession, and students aren’t being taught what they need to know. And yet, the education establishment is very happy with the status quo.”
Senate Bill 1420 would provide any student in the state with a scholarship in the amount of their calculated state aid to attend the private school of their choice. “I believe that our education dollars should fund students, not systems,” Dahm said. “In addition, I think parents should have options. This bill, coupled with the open transfer legislation signed into law last session, goes a long way toward realizing those goals.”
Senate Bill 1382 would amend the required reading materials for high school students, adding The New England Primer, and The Law, by Bastiat, among others. “These texts have significant historical importance to this country,” Dahm said. “The founders would’ve used ‘The New England Primer,’ which leaned heavily on themes from the Bible. ‘The Law’ emphasizes the idea that government’s only legitimate purpose is to protect the rights of life, liberty, and private property.”
Senate Bill 1402, the “Professional Teacher Charter,” would create a way for teachers to become professional education practitioners.”Unfortunately, many teachers are quitting due to the stress, strain, and lack of administrative support. This bill provides them with a way out of the bureaucratic school system without leaving the profession they love. They can oversee their own practice, just like a doctor, CPA, or lawyer,” Dahm said.
Stem Outside Influences on Schools
Rep. Wendi Stearman (R-Collinsville) filed House Bill 2980, the “Keep Our Money in Oklahoma Act,” which aims to protect the parents, children and taxpayers of Oklahoma’s public school system from outside influences that do not reflect the Oklahoma Standard. In September, the National School Board Association (NSBA), of which the Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA) is a member, sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting federal assistance at local school board meetings. In this letter, the NSBA declared concerned parents and taxpayers as “domestic terrorists.” Under HB2980, schools within the Oklahoma public school system would not be able to use state appropriated funds to pay any membership dues to any organization that is owned or operated outside of Oklahoma. Further, they would not be allowed to use any taxpayer money to pay dues or membership to any organization that is a member of a national organization without the voters’ approval.
“Oklahoma taxpayers should not be forced to fund organizations that seek to silence parents,” Stearman said. “A transparent system in which families determine where their tax money is spent will benefit both the children and their education.” HB2980 would further require that school districts publish the criteria, finances and reports of an entity in which the district holds membership. If passed, any violation of this law would be punishable by a 10% reduction in annual state funding. However, this reduction must come from the money directly allocated for school administrator salaries. Stearman said, “This bill is one step in the process of returning the guidance of Oklahoma’s Education back to the local level. For too long, outside entities have controlled the direction of our education, and it is time for us to take it back.”
School District Professional Development
In order to improve transparency in Oklahoma schools and help parents better understand the education their children receive in a district, Sen. David Bullard ( R-Durant) filed Senate Bill 1125. The measure will require school districts to annually publish their professional development materials on their public website. “Parents have the right to know about the ongoing training of their local teachers as well as what curriculums districts are asking educators to teach. Taxpayers fund our education system, so this information should be readily available to improve accountability and transparency in Oklahoma schools,” Bullard said. “My fellow teachers do not deserve to be forced into training that is inappropriate or violates their conscience, and yet it happens every year in Oklahoma. What training a teacher receives will find its way into the classroom, so it’s imperative that the professional development materials be shared publicly.”
Under the measure, districts may post links to the professional development materials or resources, titles of materials or resources to be used, or the actual materials or resources. “In recent years, it’s come to the legislature’s attention that some districts are pushing inappropriate agendas, like Critical Race Theory, that parents and other taxpayers are vehemently opposed to. Teachers should not be forced to teach such theories, but out of fear for their jobs, they do what they’re told,” Bullard said. “Requiring the publishing of professional development materials will ensure teachers are being properly trained, but also protected, along with their students, from improper agendas and that parents and the public know exactly what’s being required of educators.”
Currently, school districts are required to offer professional development programs for their certified teachers and administrators. Program recommendations come from the district appointed professional development committees, which consist of classroom teachers, administrators, school counselors or licensed mental health providers, and parents, guardians, or custodians of students. These committees also consult with faculty from higher education institutions.
Teach Historical Thanksgiving Proclamations
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1121, to help Oklahoma students understand the importance of Thanksgiving in our nation’s history. “It’s important that students and all future generations understand the value of Thanksgiving,” Dahm said. “Some of these proclamations date back all the way to our founding fathers and have serious historical significance that should be explored.”
The new bill requires students to read, or have read to them, five Thanksgiving proclamations in the five days leading up to Thanksgiving. There are many Thanksgiving proclamations throughout the history of the United States, however this bill seeks to narrow the list down to five historically significant proclamations including:
The Proclamation by the Continental Congress for a day of Thanksgiving in 1777
The First Presidential Prayer Proclamation issued by George Washington in 1789
The Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944
The Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by Ronald Reagan in 1985
The Thanksgiving Proclamation issued by Oklahoma City Mayor Sidney Clarke in 1889
“These five proclamations were chosen because they hit on all aspects of what Thanksgiving means historically and religiously,” Dahm said. SB 1121 would apply to all public schools, including virtual and charter schools, as well as state career techs, colleges and universities.
Indoctrination in Schools
Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) filed two bills addressing the indoctrination of children in school classrooms and on college campuses. The first deals with sexually-graphic books in public schools, public charter schools, and school libraries while the second tackles diversity course requirements in colleges and universities.
Senate Bill 1142 prohibits public school districts, public charter schools, and public school libraries from having or promoting books that address the study of sex, sexual preferences, sexual activity, sexual perversion, sex-based classifications, sexual identity, gender identity, or books that contain content of a sexual nature that a reasonable parent or legal guardian would want to know about or approve of before their child was exposed to it. The bill allows a student’s parent or legal guardian who believes a book violates this bill to submit a written request to the school district superintendent or charter school administrator to remove it within 30 days. If not removed during that time, the employee tasked with the book’s removal would be dismissed or not reemployed, subject to due process provisions, and he or she could not be employed by a public school district or public charter school for two years. The measure further creates a cause of action for a parent or legal guardian against a public school district or public charter school that violates the bill’s provisions, allowing the individual to seek monetary damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and court costs. Senate Bill 1141 prohibits institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from requiring students to enroll in a course that is not a core requirement of their chosen curriculum addressing any form of gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion curriculum beginning with the 2022-23 academic year. Students could not be financially penalized for choosing not to enroll in such courses. It also prohibits institutions from including or making part of a course that is a core requirement for a degree program certain concepts related to gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion. The bill clarifies that its provisions do not prohibit concepts related to gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion that align to a degree program focused on gender, sexual, or racial studies.
Ban 1619 Project School Curriculum
House Bill 2988, authored by state Representative Jim Olsen (R-Roland), would restrict the use of curriculum content extracted from the controversial “1619 project” which is being taught in many classrooms across the country. The 1619 Project is a collection of essays on race that first appeared in a special issue of The New York Times Magazine in 2019. Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones led the project and wrote the opening essay. It won a Pulitzer Prize for journalism and the essays were later published as a book, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, which spent many weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list. The New York Times education division partnered with The Pulitzer Center to turn the endeavor into a school curriculum.
The 1619 Project links the foundational origins of the birth of America, not to the American Revolution of 1776, but instead to 1619, the year that the first enslaved Africans arrived on the shores of Jamestown, Virginia. It postulates that the patriots fought the American Revolution to preserve slavery in North America. Schools found in violation of the bill could lose part of their state funding.
Olsen says the bill does not prohibit teaching that slavery existed in America. He said the important thing is to teach slavery in context. America was guilty of slavery, but other nations and cultures were guilty, too. It was not unique to America. “That’s not to excuse America or the evil of American slavery, but some of the folks behind this type of curriculum, they really hate America. And if you teach America with only its faults and flaws out of context, then young people grow up hating America,” says Olsen.
Teaching about the Atrocities of Communism
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed legislation to make sure Oklahoma students are taught about the suppression of speech, poverty, starvation, migration, and systemic lethal violence against civilians that has occurred under communist regimes worldwide. Dahm said that since 2017, the president has issued an annual proclamation declaring November 7 as Victims of Communism Day. Senate Bill 1102 would require Oklahoma social studies courses to include at least 45 minutes of instruction on Victims of Communism Day, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. The mandatory lesson would be taught on or around that date.
“It’s been more than 100 years since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, and Lenin’s formation of the first communist government,” Dahm said. “Since that time, communist regimes throughout the world have murdered more than 100 million people and subjected countless more to unthinkable atrocities. We must ensure our citizens understand the brutality of these regimes and the real danger they pose to our freedoms and lives.”
Designating Use of King James Bible
Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) introduced legislation for schools offering elective courses on Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament to utilize the source that influenced the work of America’s Founding Fathers – the King James Bible. He’s filed Senate Bill 1161 to ensure that version is used for the courses and is available in school libraries.
“Our Founding Fathers relied heavily upon the scriptures in the formation of our country, and the Bible they used was the King James Bible, which makes it an important historical document,” said Burns. “It influenced the writing of the major documents that created this country, including the Constitution. It’s historically accurate to use that version, and it is in the public domain, which is also important.”
Current state law already allows schools to teach elective courses on the Bible, teaching students the influence of Scripture on law, history, government, values, culture and the arts. Under Burns’ legislation, the King James Bible would be designated as the primary text for those courses. SB 1161 also directs other texts for the courses may be a parallel translation Bible or multi-translation Bible that uses more than one translation for side-by-side comparison chosen by the school district. Preference would be given to those translations that exist in the public domain. Any additional resources used would be subject to all applicable copyright laws.
While existing law requires teachers for such courses to be certified in social studies or literature, SB 1161 would allow school districts to choose an ordained or licensed member of the clergy to teach the courses, as long as they teach as a non-compensated volunteer.
Help Secure the Border
As lawbreaking foreigners continue to pour across the open southern border, Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed two bills to help secure the border. “As the feds continue to leave the border wide open, either due to utter incompetence or done intentionally to cause disruption in our nation, it has become obvious we as the states will have to pick up where the feds have failed,” Dahm said. “With these bills, Oklahoma will be able to help secure the border and stop the massive influx of human trafficking, illicit activities, and illegal immigrants.”
Senate Bill 1228 would send CARES funds received by the state of Oklahoma to border states to help them build the wall along the southern border. “The federal government is spending billions of dollars to secure the borders of other countries while intentionally leaving our border wide open,” Dahm said. “The border states are willing to do the job being neglected by this rogue regime but they need additional resources from other states.”
Senate Bill 1231 would empower the governor to send Oklahoma National Guard members to border states in order to help them secure their portion of the southern border. “Several states have already sent their law enforcement personnel to help secure the border,” Dahm said. “This will clarify existing law to ensure the governor has additional authority to send members of the National Guard to those border states that need the support.”
Only U.S. Citizens/State Residents Vote
Sen. Micheal Bergstrom (R-Adair) filed legislation calling for a vote of the people on a Constitutional Amendment he says will further enhance the integrity of Oklahoma’s election process. Senate Joint Resolution 27 would clarify that only citizens of the United States are eligible to participate in elections. “We must protect the integrity of the ballot,” Bergstrom said. “In addition to the attacks by liberals on such basic requirements as requiring a valid form of identification to vote, there is now a concerted effort to undermine the value of citizens’ votes by allowing non-citizens to vote in elections. This ballot initiative simply says that only U.S. citizens who are residents of Oklahoma may vote in Oklahoma elections.” The measure seeks to amend Section 1 of Article 23 of the Oklahoma Constitution to clarify voting qualifications. If approved by both chambers, SJR 27 would be placed on the November 2022 general election ballot.
No Anchor Baby Citizenship
Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1226 to prohibit illegal alien anchor babies from receiving citizenship in Oklahoma. “Birthright citizenship was never the intent of the 14th Amendment,” Dahm said. “We remain one of the last western civilized nations that grants citizenship to anchor babies.” The bill requires each birth certificate for a child born in Oklahoma to include the citizenship of the parents. If neither of the parents are citizens of the United States, the child will not be granted U.S. or Oklahoma citizenship. “We should not be rewarding people with the rights of citizenship when they’ve broken our laws” Dahm said. The bill also clarifies that those born to U.S. citizen parents residing in Oklahoma also have Oklahoma citizenship as required in the 14th Amendment. “We must secure our border and eliminate birthright citizenship. If our current ‘leaders’ refuse to step up, we in Oklahoma can use our power to take a stand.”
Every Mother Matters Act
Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) filed Senate Bill 1167, the “Every Mother Matters Act,” also known as EMMA. The legislation is aimed at ensuring that any woman seeking an abortion is given access to resources and programs she may not realize are available. Burns said the goal is to give women the support they need to choose life, instead of abortion.
According to the Abortion Surveillance in Oklahoma Report published by the Oklahoma State Department of Health in August 2020, between 2002 and 2020, there were 99,543 abortions performed in Oklahoma, an average of 5,239 a year. During that period, the abortion rate was higher among women between the ages of 20 and 29. Black women, women with less education, and those who were unmarried had higher rates of abortions compared to other women of child-bearing age.
Under SB 1167, a woman seeking an abortion must be given a pre-abortion resource access assistance offer. If the woman accepts the offer, she’ll be connected with a care agent who will provide, at no cost to her, an assessment of eligibility and offer assistance in obtaining support services, other than abortion, for her or the unborn child’s biological father. Those services include housing, employment, childcare, health care, counseling, adoption services, financial assistance and more.
The bill also specifies professional qualifications for care agents and disqualifies anyone who has worked as or for an abortion provider within the last two years. It also requires care agents to undergo training to help identify human trafficking indicators and comply with state and federal privacy laws.
“My ultimate goal is ending abortion altogether, and that fight continues,” Burns said. “But we must also do all we can as a state to help present compassionate options for those faced with unexpected pregnancies that promote the preservation and dignity of life for mothers and their babies.”
Day of Mourning for Aborted Babies
Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, more than 62 million abortions have been performed. To mourn the loss of those precious lives, Sen. Jake Merrick (R-Yukon) and Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, (R-Piedmont) filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 14. SCR 14 seeks to recognize January 22 as the Day of Tears in Oklahoma and encourage Oklahomans to lower their flags to half-staff in mourning of the infant lives lost.
“It’s a common practice in our country to have special days or fly flags at half-staff to mourn the loss of great Americans,” Merrick said. “We want to do both in recognition and honor of the millions of children whose freedoms and lives have been taken from them so brutally. They’ll never have the opportunity to be great because they’ll never get to pursue their dreams or fulfill their destinies. For that tremendous loss, we will take time on the anniversary of that awful day when abortion was made legal to mourn their sweet souls.”
“It’s heartbreaking that abortion is legal in our country, and to think of the millions of lives that have been ended is just unimaginable,” Crosswhite Hader said. “To put this into perspective, around one million American soldiers have died in combat since the Revolutionary War, which was nearly 250 years ago, and we have thousands of monuments and holidays in those men and women’s honor. Why not do the same for the more than 62 million children who never got to take their first breath?”
Transporting Political Prisoners
Citing growing concerns of the federal government violating the rights of the people, Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 1166 to prohibit political prisoners from being transported through Oklahoma. “We’ve seen hundreds of American citizens being politically targeted by feds in this rogue regime,” Dahm said. “Many of them are having their rights that are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights denied to them.”
The Prohibition on Political Prisoners in Oklahoma Act would define a political prisoner as a citizen of the United States who has been arrested, charged or convicted of any crime, other than a felony, relating to the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. “It’s well past time we stand up to this political thuggery being imposed on people who entered a building – a building which they own as citizens – through doors opened by police and security personnel to grant them access,” Dahm said. “Especially while the feds refuse to bring charges against dozens of their informants and agitators who seemingly instigated much of the chaos of the day.”
The bill would prohibit any federal agency, entity or agent of the federal government to transport any political prisoner through Oklahoma via any means, including, but not be limited to, the use of any roads, conveyances, highways, interstates, airspace or any other points of transit.
Transport of Deceased from Vehicle Scenes
Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) filed Senate Bill 1123, calling for a change in the way motor vehicle accident deaths are handled. Under current statute, once law enforcement has completed their investigation, the body cannot be moved from the scene until a Medical Examiner (ME) has arrived and conducted their own investigation. Burns said this is a statewide problem with not enough MEs available for all 77 counties. This can result in hours-long delays before the body can be moved.
Burns said he was contacted by a constituent after a fatal accident last summer in his district. “Family members had arrived on the scene long before the medical examiner, and it was a very distressing situation for them as they waited hours for the body to finally be removed from the accident site,” Burns said. Burns also noted that while the family waited for their loved one to be transported, a massive traffic back up occurred, causing more danger on the roadway than necessary. SB 1123 would allow EMTs to transport deceased individuals, upon completion of a thorough law enforcement investigation, to a hospital where the medical examiner would complete their work. This would enable law enforcement to clear the accident scene more quickly.
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