By Constitution Staff

The deadline for lawmakers to submit legislation for the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature was January 18. A total of 1,210 House Bills, 12 House Joint Resolutions, and one House Concurrent Resolution were filed. And, there were a total of 841 Senate Bills and 13 Senate Joint Resolutions filed. The 2024 legislative session began on February 5. After legislation is filed, it had to be reported out of Committee in the chamber of origin (House or Senate) by February 29 in order to continue. The deadline for Third Reading (and passage) of Bills in the chamber of origin was March 21. If approved in the chamber of origin, legislation then had to be reported out of Committee in the opposite chamber by April 11. The Deadline for Third Reading of Bills from the opposite chamber was April 25. These deadlines do not apply to certain legislation such as appropriations bills, which can be filed throughout the session. Upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of both chambers, a measure can be exempt from all cutoff dates in both chambers. Legislation must receive final approval in both chambers by the end of the session which must occur no later than May 21. Here is a look at just a few of the bills that were filed and their progress, or lack there of:

No State Sales Tax on Groceries

House Bill 1955 by House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC) will reduce to zero the state’s 4.5 percent portion of the sales tax on groceries. Oklahoma was one of only thirteen states that imposed a state tax on groceries. Grocery items are defined in the bill and excludes hot or other prepared foods such as would be found in a grocery deli. Local and county sales taxes on groceries will still be collected. Locally assessed sales taxes on groceries will remain, but until June 30, 2025, any city or county sales tax election must specify that it would not apply to the exempt food items. Any local government seeking a sales tax increase will have to wait until after July 2025 to do so.

The measure, which passed the House 88-7 last year on March 21, was still eligible for consideration in the Senate this year. It Senate passed the measure 42-2 on February 22. Governor Stitt approved the bill on February 27. The state grocery sales tax removal will not go into effect until August, so that retailers have time to adapt their checkout systems to identify which items are tax exempt.

Judicial Nominating System Reform

Senate Joint Resolution 34 would have allowed the people of Oklahoma to vote on a method of selecting our Supreme Court justices which closely mirrors the federal system – nomination of a justice whom the Governor believes to be highly qualified – with confirmation by the Oklahoma Legislature. SJR 34 passed the Senate by a vote of 32-14 on March 12, but failed in the House 36-60 on April 16. So, the politically left-leaning Oklahoma Bar Association and others dominating the Judicial Nominating Commission will continue to pre-select the three nominees from which the governor may choose.

Women’s Bill of Rights

House Bill 1449 by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) and Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) would enact the “Women’s Bill of Rights.” It would update state law to ensure all statutory references to women refer to a person’s biological sex and, specifically, individuals who were born female. It clarifies how state law defines females and males by defining “sex” as a person’s biological sex, a designation assigned at birth. It prohibits unfair sex discrimination while also allowing state government to make distinctions between the sexes in certain situations. The government could differentiate between the sexes to ensure privacy and safety in restrooms, athletic facilities, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, prisons and other detention facilities. The state and any political subdivisions that collect vital statistics would have to identify individuals as male or female under the updated definitions in the bill. The Women’s Bill of Rights would also take steps to codify an Executive Order Gov. Kevin Stitt signed last year. It is a carryover measure from the 2023 legislative session which only passed in the House last year. It passed the House 76-19 on March 23, 1923. It was amended and passed the Senate 35-7 on April 23 of this year. It returned to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments.

Same-Sex Correctional Quarters

House of House Bill 3022 by Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) and Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) would have required every restroom, changing room, and sleeping quarters within a state correctional facility to be used by only members of one sex. “This bill protects and provides safety for women in our correctional facilities,” Humphrey said. “It makes sure that only women go to women’s correctional facilities and men go to men’s correctional facilities.” The definition of male and female are defined in state statute as well as in the language of this bill. It passed the House 77-18 on March 11, but was not considered by the Senate committee.

Crack Down on Retail Crime

Senate Bill 1450 Senate by Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC) and Rep. John George (R-Newalla) relates to organized retail crime. The measure provides a definition of organized retail crime and establishes penalties for the crime based upon the value of the property stolen. If the value is less than $15,000, the person is subject to up to 5 years in prison or up to 1 year in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both fine and incarceration. If the value of the property exceeds $15,000, the person is subject to up to 8 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000 or both fine and imprisonment. The measure also extends from 90 days to a one-year period in which the value of stolen property may be aggregated to determine the appropriate punishment. The measure also authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to employ persons to serve as Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force officers whose primary responsibility is to prevent, investigate and prosecute organized retail crime. It passed the Senate 40-5 on March 11. It was amended and passed the House 65-14 on April 25 and returned to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.

Discourage Illegal Immigration

House Bill 4156 by House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC) creates the criminal act of impermissible occupation. The measure provides that impermissible occupation occurs if the person is an alien and willfully and without permission enters and remains in the State of Oklahoma without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States. A conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 1 year, a fine of not more than $500 or both fine and imprisonment. A second or subsequent conviction is a felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine of up to $1,000 or both fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of impermissible occupation is required to leave the state within 72 hours following conviction or release from custody, whichever comes later. “The failure of the federal government to address this issue, and the lack of leadership by the Biden Administration, has turned every state into a border state. Those who want to work through the process of coming to our country legally are more than welcome to come to Oklahoma; we would love to have them here. Those who jump the line, and skip the process, cheapen the value of the work put in by those who went through the full legal process to become a citizen of our great country. We will not reward that behavior in Oklahoma, and we will protect our state borders.” said McCall. The bill passed the House 77-20 and the Senate 39-8 on April 23. It was signed by the Governor the following week.

Prohibit State Revenue for Illegal Immigrants

House Bill 3071 by Rep. Neil Hays (R-Checotah) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would prohibit state revenue from being used to provide benefits to illegal immigrants unless the costs are related to education, jailing, or transporting an illegal immigrant to an out-of-state destination. It allows for exceptions to be made for law enforcement agencies or personnel investigating incidents of domestic violence or human trafficking. It would ensure that victim service programs certified by the Office of the Attorney General to provide domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking services to a person are not restricted if the services are required under federal law. The measure would apply to all state agencies, public or private entities, meaning they must enact policies to ensure compliance or risk losing funding through state taxes. It passed the House 71-17 on March 14 and was awaiting vote in full Senate.

Preventing Illegal Immigrants in Contracting

House Bill 3623 by Rep. Erick Harris (R-Edmond) and Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) would require all contractors or subcontractors who contract with the state or a public employer to submit an affidavit to the State Purchasing Director affirming compliance with the state’s E-Verify requirements. The E-Verify system is designed to verify the citizenship status of all new employees, ensuring adherence to legal standards. Under the bill, contractors who knowingly provide false affidavits will face civil penalties. The first offense will result in an administrative penalty of $5,000, increasing by $2,000 for each subsequent violation. Additionally, contractors who breach this mandate risk having their contracts terminated. It passed the House 90-4 on March 12 and the Senate 39-5 on April 17. It was approved by the Governor on April 23.

Unlawful Occupation of Property

Senate Bill 1994 by Rep. Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow) and Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) would allow a property owner to request the sheriff of a county in which the property is located to immediately remove a person or persons unlawfully occupying real property if certain conditions are met. Ford explained that currently such matters are treated through civil process, and law enforcement officers are reluctant to get involved, forcing private property owners to hire an attorney, and the process often drags out for lengthy periods. The measure does not allow anyone in a landlord-tenant relationship to circumvent the Landlord-Tenant Act. It would create a form for the property owner to submit to their county sheriff. Once verified, the sheriff must serve a notice to immediately vacate to all unlawful occupants. If appropriate, the sheriff may arrest any person found on the property for trespass, outstanding warrants or any other legal cause. The sheriff is entitled to the fee for service of the notice. The measure also would create a crime for occupants who intentionally damage the dwelling in an amount of greater than $1,000. Those found guilty would receive a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Any person who presents a false document purporting to be a valid lease agreement, deed, or other instrument conveying real property rights would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. It passed the Senate 41-1 on March 4. It was amended and passed the House 77-16 on April 17 and was returned to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.

Combating Homeless Camps

Senate Bill 1854 by Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) and Chris Kannady (R-OKC) prohibits any person from setting up unauthorized camps on state-owned lands. An unauthorized camp is defined in the measure as any tent, shelter, or bedding constructed for overnight sleeping on property not designated as a campsite. Violators are subject to a $50 fine or up to 15 days in the county jail or both if convicted. A first offense will result in a warning and the arresting officer may not issue a citation unless the violator refuses assistance such as transportation to a shelter or food pantry, or other available indigent resources. It passed the Senate 37-6 on March 5 and the House 77-18 on April 22. It was sent to the Governor for consideration on April 23.

Rent Guarantee Program

Senate Bill 1761 by Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa) and Rep. Tammy West (R-OKC) would authorize the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) to develop and implement the Rent Guarantee Program which would allow a landlord to request financial assistance from OHFA up to a maximum of $2,000.00 per eligible tenant, or $5,000.00 per landlord. The measure would have a significant financial impact to the OHFA potentially reaching upwards of tens of millions of dollars. It passed the Senate 25-23 on March 12. It was not advanced from the Senate committee by the deadline.

Affordable Housing Commission

House Bill 2724 by Rep. Meloyde Blancett (D-Tulsa) and Sen. Julia Kirt (D-OKC) would create the Oklahoma Affordable Housing Commission to oversee the planning, coordination, and strategy to address the state’s ongoing housing shortage. “Oklahomans are struggling, and we need to make housing more affordable,” Kirt said. “Right now, Oklahoma is short 71,000 homes and we don’t have a plan to fill that gap.” Under the measure, the 15 members of commission would be appointed by the leaders of the Senate, the House, and the governor with experts in the field from rural and urban communities as well as Tribal Nations. It passed the House 52-30 on March 14 and was waiting a vote in the full Senate.

Vehicle License Plate Scanners

In 2016, the legislature made decided to authorize the use of vehicle license plate scanner technology for the purpose of insurance verification. This year, the legislature considered Senate Bill 1620 by Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Robert Manger (R-OKC) which would have authorized the use of this technology for purposes other than insurance verification. The proposal was defeated on March 14 in the Senate 13-28. It is important for the public and city councils across the state to be aware that there is no specific statutory authorization for using such systems for any other purpose.

Protect Privacy of Homemade Food Producers

House Bill 2975 by Rep. Rick West (R-Heavener) and Sen. Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain) will allow producers of homemade food products to obtain a registration number to affix to their product labels instead of the current requirement that they list their name, phone number and the physical address where the food is produced on all products sold. “The government should have record of a producer’s personal information in case there needs to be some recourse for a product sold, but the general public does not need a seller’s private phone number or physical address. This also should help cut down on identity theft or fraud,” West said. The product label must still list ingredients, including common allergens, as well as notice that they were produced in a private residence that is exempt from government licensing and inspection. It passed the House 89-0 on February 13 and the Senate 37-6 on April 15. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed it into law on April 18.

Prohibit Ranked-Choice Voting

Rep. Eric Roberts (R-Oklahoma City) filed legislation to prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting in all Oklahoma elections, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the state’s electoral processes. House Bill 3156 would ban ranked-choice voting within the state. House Joint Resolution 1048 would introduce a legislative referendum allowing voters to decide whether to add stipulations about how elections are conducted into the Oklahoma Constitution and ensure voters can select only one candidate for the same office. “Ranked-choice voting makes voting more confusing and has delayed election results everywhere it has been tried,” Roberts said. “We need to preserve the simplicity and timeliness of our current elections, along with our current ease in doing hand recounts when needed.” Ranked-choice voting requires voters to designate their top choice in a race, their second choice, and so on down the ballot. If no candidate receives a majority, the least popular candidate is then eliminated and their voters would have their votes reallocated to their second-choice candidate, with the process repeating until one candidate is calculated to have a majority. The process requires specialized computer software to handle the reallocation of votes from one candidate to another. Ranked-choice voting has already been banned in Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, Montana and South Dakota. On April 3, Governor Stitt’s Task Force on Campaign Finance and Election Threats recommended it be banned. The bill passed the House 63-16 on March 13 and the Senate 37-8 on April 24. It was sent to the Governor for consideration on April 25.

Permanent Daylight Saving Time

Senate Bill 1200 by Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens (R-Grove) and House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) filed which calls for Oklahoma to remain in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year-round. The measure would be a “trigger law” that would go into effect following the passage of the Sunshine Protection Act by Congress, which would give states the option to end the time change. The Sunshine Protection Act was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate in 2022 and is awaiting consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives, followed by the president. If approved, DST would be able to become permanent across the nation, with many states already having legislation in place to be enacted upon the approval of the act. It passed the Senate 37-9 on March 11 and the House 67-29 on April 23. It was sent to the governor for consideration on April 24. Oklahoma is the 20th state to pass legislation in support of permanent DST.

Restrictions on Initiative Petitioners

House Bill 1105 by House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Sen. Julie Daniels (R-Bartlesville) would mandate that the Secretary of State collect a fee of $1,000 for any petition proposing a law, constitutional amendment, or referendum on legislative acts. This fee is refundable if the petition meets the qualification to appear on the ballot. Additionally, individuals collecting signatures must undergo and submit a criminal background check by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The measure extends the time frame to file a protest of constitutionality or objection to the Secretary of State’s count from 10 to 90 business days. The bill was debated against by several members of the House Democratic Caucus who believe the bill infringes on direct democracy and is a violation of the constitutional protection of anonymous speech. The bill passed the House 76-20 March 13. It was amended and passed the Senate 34-7 on April 25. It was returned to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments.

Age Discrimination in Firearms Purchases

Senate Bill 1218 by Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) and Rep. Jay Steagall (R-Yukon) provides that no person 18 years or older within the state of Oklahoma be denied the purchase of a firearm based on his or her age unless otherwise prohibited by law. “I have reviewed the Second Amendment many times and you will be relieved to know that it does not have an expiration date, nor is there one on your right to purchase a firearm,” Bullard said. “Unfortunately, we have seen where there was an attempt to deny an Oklahoman the right to own a weapon because they were too old. This is age discrimination and unconstitutional to boot.” It passed the Senate 33-6 on March 14. It was amended and passed the House 74-19 on April 23. It was returned to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.

Expansion of Right to Bear Arms

House Joint Resolution 1034 by House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would expand Second Amendment protections for Oklahoma citizens. It would have placed on the ballot for a statewide vote a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution directing the courts to interpret the Second Amendment based on the original language included in the Bill of Rights attached to the U.S. Constitution. There have been several Oklahoma court rulings that restrict or uphold restrictions of carrying a firearm. This would allow the Legislature to enforce or adopt narrowly tailored time, place, and manner regulations, or authorize political subdivisions to adopt and enforce such regulations. The amendment would prohibit any law from imposing registration or special taxation upon the keeping of arms including the acquisition, ownership, possession, or transfer of arms, ammunition, or the components of arms or ammunition. It passed the House 81-19 on March 6. But, failed to be considered by the Senate Rules Committee.

State Capitol Arch

House Bill 4012 by Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) and Sen. Brenda Stanley (R-Midwest City) would fund the building of an arch at the Oklahoma Capitol. McBride said the arch was part of early drawings of architect Solomon Layton before the Capitol was built in 1917. It was originally designed to stretch across Lincoln Boulevard much like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was one of the structures, like the dome, however, that was laid aside because of lack of funding at the time. “I believe this arch is something that will add tremendously to the aesthetics of the Capitol complex,” McBride said. “But I also wanted to make sure that it paid tribute to something significant to our state, and I think the legacy of the Oklahoma National Guard and their service and protection of our citizens is deserving of this honor.” The 30-foot tall and 60-foot long scale model arch would be constructed south of the visitor’s parking lot on the south of the Capitol. It would have a small amphitheater that could seat about 100 people, and the grassy area that now exists would be named Veterans Park. McBride said the project has been in the works since about 2014 before restoration of the Capitol began. The estimated cost of the arch is $4.3 million, which would come from the Legacy Capital Financing Fund. It passed the House 88-6 on March 6. It was amended and passed the Senate 31-12 on April 24. It was returned to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments.

Funding for Civil Rights Trail

Senate Bill 1356 by Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) and Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City) would take the next step in creating Oklahoma’s Civil Rights Trail. Last session, a measure authorizing the trail and creating a revolving fund for grants related to its development was approved by the Legislature and signed into law. This year’s legislation would provide $1.5 million for the revolving fund which may ultimately include federal dollars as well as donations for development of the trail. Matthews said the project will preserve Oklahoma’s past, inspire future generations, and promote economic development throughout the state. “The Civil Rights Trail will highlight our state’s Black towns, as well as Native American sites of historic significance,” Matthews said. “These locations are integral to Oklahoma’s identity and the role our citizens played in the U.S. Civil Rights movement. The funding bill passed the Senate 42-2 on March 11. It was sent to the House where it was failed to be considered by the Appropriations and Budget Committee.

Civil Engineer Tax Credits

House Bill 3670 by Rep. Nicole Miler (R-Edmond) and Sen. John Haste (R-Broken Arrow) would establish three tax credits for civil engineers and their employers beginning tax year 2025. Qualified engineering businesses that employ a civil engineer would receive a tax credit equal to five percent of the compensation paid to an engineer until January 1, 2030, or ten percent if the engineer graduated from an Oklahoma college or university. The credit is capped at $12,500 per employee, per year, and may claimed for up to five years. An employer can also claim another tax credit for up to 50 percent of the tuition reimbursed to an employee for up to four years of employment until January 1, 2030. Additionally, the engineer hired is eligible for a tax credit of $5000 per year, for up to five years until January 1, 2030. It passed the House 85-2 on March 7, but failed in the Senate 22-20. Notice was served to reconsider vote by which it failed.

Wind Energy Facilities

Senate Bill 1913 by Sen. Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher) and Rep. Carl Newton (R-Cherokee) requires all new wind energy facilities to install light mitigating technology that complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Any wind energy facility currently operating must install light-mitigating technology upon a re powering of the facility or entrance into/renewal of a new power offtake agreement. Counties are authorized to issue revenue bonds to pay for the light-mitigating technology, but any costs associated with the installation or maintenance are the responsibility of the facility operator. It passed the Senate 31-13 on March 14. It was awaiting a vote in the full House.

Increase County Road Funding

Senate Bill 1403 by Sen. Chuck Hall (R-Perry) and Rep. Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston) to increase funding for county roads and highways. A portion of motor vehicle tax collections are apportioned to county road improvement funds, but once those accounts reach a cap, additional tax collections are diverted to state Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) fund. The cap was implemented in 2015 as a result of state budget shortfalls to maintain funding going to the ROADS fund. Fiscal estimates show an additional $8.9 million would be apportioned to county roads next year if SB 1403 became law. The bill passed the Senate 37-7 on March 11. It was amended and passed the House 85-0 on April 22. It was returned to the Senate for consideration of the House amendments.

Competitive Bidding Exemption

House Bill 1019 by Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-OKC) and Sen. Todd Gollihare (R-Bristow) exempts the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) from the competitive bidding procedures for sole source acquisitions for the Nurse-Family Partnership Program and the Children First Program. It passed the House 79-10 on March 6, and the Senate 33-9 on April 15. It was vetoed by Gov. Stitt on April 22.

Marijuana Packaging

House Bill 3361 by Rep. T.J. Marti (R-Tulsa) and Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City) requires medical marijuana processors and growers to sell marijuana flower and flower-based products to dispensaries in prepackaged parcels no larger than three ounces. “Nearly every item currently sold in dispensaries comes in a package to ensure consumer safety. Requiring growers to prepackage marijuana flower limits the number of people who handle the product, allows the parcels to be tracked and ensures patients know where their medicine is coming from.” Critics say this reduces competition in the free market and limits consumer choice. It passed the House 57-23 on March 7 and the Senate 30-13 on April 17. It was approved by the Governor on April 23.

Medical Right-of-Conscience

House Bill 3214 by Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would ensure nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals and organizations in the state are not forced to participate in specific procedures or pay for services that violate their deeply held beliefs. It would protect Oklahoma’s health care providers from civil or criminal liability or discriminatory actions. The measure does not, however, override the requirement to provide emergency medical treatment to all patients. West said similar legislation is already in place in seven states and has been in place since 1977 in Illinois and 2004 in Mississippi. It also provides protections for the First Amendment rights of health care professionals, ensuring that they can’t lose their license when they speak out on matters of public importance. It passed the House 70-17 on March 14. It failed in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on April 4.

Tax Credit for Pregnancy Centers

House Bill 1788 by Rep. Cody Maynard (R-Durant) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would have provided an income tax credit of 70 percent of a donation amount contributed to pregnancy resource centers until the tax year 2028. “Our pregnancy resource centers play a crucial role in providing vital services to our communities in Oklahoma,” Maynard said. “This new legislation is proactive in promoting a culture that values and safeguards human life. Supporting these centers demonstrates our community’s tangible commitment to assisting new mothers and protecting the lives of their unborn children.”

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson (D-OKC) who opposed the bill said. “These often-deceptive pregnancy resource centers that do not support reproductive rights, nor do they provide actual medical care, already receive taxpayer incentives. These centers do not have a doctor on the premises and many of them prey on women in crisis by pushing a religious agenda.” The tax credit would be limited to $50,000 per taxpayer annually and capped at $5 million in yearly claims. Under the measure, the director of the Department of Human Services is required to identify facilities that may qualify as pregnancy resource centers based on a set of criteria. It passed the House 76-18 on March 6. It failed to be considered in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

Trafficking of Chemical Abortion Pills

House Bill 3013 by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader (R-Piedmont) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would penalize with a felony anyone who distributes or possesses with the intent to distribute abortion-inducing drugs when the intent is to cause an abortion for another person. “My goal is to protect the physical and mental health of women,” Crosswhite Hader said. “This bill addresses people that are trafficking abortion-inducing drugs to young women with little to no thought to the consequences. all to make a profit from a woman during one of the most vulnerable times of her life.” The bill does not restrict the Plan B or Morning After Pill, and it defines and specifies that nothing in the act would prohibit the use, sale, prescription or administration of a preventive contraceptive measure, such as birth control pills or devices. Crosswhite Hader said there are numerous reports of women being given these medical or chemical abortion-inducing drugs by non-medical professionals who do not understand what the medications can do to a woman if administered incorrectly. The drugs are often taken in isolation, leaving the woman to go through cramping and bleeding and the shedding of her pregnancy with no medical expert on hand to help her through not only the physical pain and after-effects of the drugs, but also the mental anguish that can result from seeing her pre-term pregnancy in a non-viable state. It passed the House 77-18 on March 14 sent to Senate but failed to be considered by the Judiciary Committee.

Social Media Age-Limit

House Bill 3914 by Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid) and Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore) would require social media companies to verify that account holders are over the age of 18 or to confirm parental consent for those aged 16 to 18. “We know that social media is incredibly harmful to teens and that social media platforms have intentionally targeted our children through the use of algorithms,” Caldwell said. “While the dangerous effects of social media are felt by all ages and all sexes, social media is especially harmful for teenage girls as demonstrated by rates of self-harm and anxiety increasing by 100% and 140% respectively.” said Caldwell. “I want to be clear, this bill in no way targets the content that is found on social media. Instead, we are simply taking the necessary steps to protect our children from an addictive product that is verifiably dangerous to children and teenagers just like we do with alcohol, tobacco, adult websites, gambling, etc.” He said similar measures have passed in several states, most recently in Florida, and there is pending bipartisan federal legislation as well. The bill passed the House 69-16 on March 14, but failed to be considered by the Senate Business and Commerce Committee.

Allow Former Legislators to Teach in Public Schools

House Joint Resolution 1002 by Rep. John Talley (R-Stillwater) and by Sen. Carri Hicks (D-OKC) proposes a ballot initiative allowing members of the legislature to employed as a certified teacher by a

public school district after their time in office. Currently, the Oklahoma Constitution prohibits a former legislator from holding a state-paid job for two years after leaving public office. If the resolution was approved, it would be sent to the Secretary of State to be placed on a statewide ballot. It passed the House 72-11 failed to be considered by Senate Rules Committee.

Teaching Cursive Writing

House Bill 3727 by Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC) and Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) will require that beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, each public school district and charter school must provide instruction in cursive handwriting for students in the third through fifth grades. “Even though children are learning keyboarding from an early age, there is still a need for instruction in cursive handwriting,” Matthews said. “Research tells us it can improve children’s motor skills, improve neural connections, and encourage faster writing speed. It reinforces learning and can enhance intelligence.” Lowe points out that additional benefits of learning cursive writing include improved grammar and spelling, but also will help children to read historical and primary source documents, such as the Declaration of Independence. It passed the House 90-8 on March 6 and the Senate 38-8 on April 16. Governor approved the legislation on April 23. Oklahoma joins 24 other states that require cursive handwriting instruction.

Chaplains in Public Schools

Senate Bill 36 by Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) and Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore) would allow a school district to employ or accept volunteer services from a chaplain. The chaplain is not required to have a teaching certificate. The bill passed the Senate 45-0 on March 23. It was amended and passed the House 54-37. It returned to the Senate for consideration the House amendments.

4-H Excused Absences

House Bill 1006 by Rep. Rick West (R-Heavener) and Sen. Casey Murdock (R-Felt) will grant 4-H students an excused school absence when participating in an approved activity. West said he has pushed the legislation for the past four years as a way to provide fairness for students that participate in 4-H. “Students that participate in FFA and other school activities already get excused absences,” West said. “Our 4-H students deserve the same consideration to not have their grades negatively affected when they participate in an activity that is recognized by the county 4-H facilitator.” This will allow students to make up any missed work, West said. The 4-H is not offered through local school districts but is instead part of the Oklahoma State University Extension Program. FFA, by contrast, is offered through local school districts, but overseen by the state Department of Career and Technology Education. That was part of the challenge West said he had to overcome in convincing other lawmakers to vote in favor of the bill. The measure passed the House in 2023 by a vote of 74-22 on March 21, 2023. It passed the Senate 40-4 on March 19 this year. It was then sent to the governor who quickly signed it into law on March 26.