[Oasfaa] [EXTERNAL] FW: Legislative Update – March 12, 2021 (please see URGENT information)

[Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)]

For those of you who have never had a chance to advocate for a student aid issue with a legislator, it can be an impactful and unique opportunity to make your voice heard on behalf of your students. Over the years, I have had more opportunities at the federal level than at the state level to do advocacy work, but I can speak from experience that it is worth it. If you feel like this legislation could be harmful for students and would like to present your view to your legislator who would vote for this if it gets that far in the process, I urge you to consider doing some advocacy work. If I may, I’d like to make a few suggestions.
First, talk to your administration at your institution. Each institution is different – some have state and/or federal liaisons employed at the institution, and some do not, and those roles vary. If your institution has someone in this role, it’s entirely likely that you will want to talk to them, filling them in on these potential changes, how it would impact your students, and why you are opposed to it. If you don’t, you may be keeping your supervisor current on this situation.
If your administration approves the idea of your advocacy, you’ll then need to know if you are acting as a representative of your institution or as yourself as a concerned citizen. Are you going to contact the legislator for where you live? Or for where your institution is located? Or for the sponsoring author(s) of the bill? Keep in mind that, while someone may not serve on the relevant committee from where the legislation originates, they’ll still get a vote if the legislation moves to that point in the process.
Once you have your case outlined – with data regarding your students, not just anecdotal stories – then your administration and/or liaison will then give you some suggestions in terms of whether you can contact the legislator yourself or whether you’ll be working with the liaison. In pre-COVID times (the good old days, in my mind), you could then arrange for the possibility of an in-person visit, which requires the planning of a whole set of logistics. However, in these virtual times, any meeting you set up will likely be virtual. Contact the legislator’s office and ask to speak with the staff member who handles higher education issues. That will likely lead to either an email correspondence or setting up a meeting. This could mean time with a staff member who will report to their boss (the legislator), or the legislator themselves. It all depends on how that office is structured.
If you get to have a meeting, 1) remember if you’re representing your school (or not), as that will dictate the way you say some things, 2) have your talking points organized, 3) have data available at the ready (your school’s total OKP recipients through the years, the graduation rate for recipients by year, the debt levels for these recipients compared to non-recipients, etc.), 4) be prepared for the fact that you may have a limited amount of time to talk in a meeting, as they do have busy days, so stay on point, 5) follow up with a thank you and provide the data you’ve collected, 6) offer yourself as a resource if they have additional questions, you are a subject-matter expert on this!, and 7) relax. I was super intimidated the first time I got to do this, but they are our elected representatives and it is their responsibility to listen to the voice of the people who elected them.
Have a great Thursday!
Mendy Schmerer, MEd, FAAC®
Director, Office of Student Financial Aid | SWASFAA President, 2020 – 2021
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
865 University Research Park, Suite 240 | Oklahoma City, OK  73104
O (405) 271-2118, x 48817 | F (405) 271-5446
Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu<mailto:Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu>
https://financialservices.ouhsc.edu/Departments/Student-Financial-Aid
www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid<http://www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid>


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This email, including any attachments, contains information from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, which may be confidential or privileged.  The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above.  If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by a “reply to sender only” message and destroy all electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.

From: Fair, Bryce <bfair at osrhe.edu>
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2021 10:13 PM
To: Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC) <Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu>; oasfaa at lists.onenet.net
Subject: RE: [Oasfaa] [EXTERNAL] FW: Legislative Update – March 12, 2021 (please see URGENT information)

Hi Mendy,
My primary role in this OASFAA forum is to provide information about legislation that affects our state financial aid programs.  For those institutions potentially impacted by SB 639, it is important that the institution’s administration be aware of the current language in the bill and consider how it might affect the institution and its future Oklahoma’s Promise students.  Any legislative advocacy on behalf of the institution needs to be coordinated with the institution’s administration.
Bryce

From: OASFAA <oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net<mailto:oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net>> On Behalf Of Schmerer, Mendy M. (HSC)
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2021 8:14 AM
To: oasfaa at lists.onenet.net<mailto:oasfaa at lists.onenet.net>
Subject: Re: [Oasfaa] [EXTERNAL] FW: Legislative Update – March 12, 2021 (please see URGENT information)

Bryce, as this is deeply concerning if it gains traction, what legislative advocacy tips can you specifically recommend for us in contacting our legislators?
Thanks!
Mendy Schmerer, MEd, FAAC®
Director, Office of Student Financial Aid | SWASFAA President, 2020 – 2021
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
865 University Research Park, Suite 240 | Oklahoma City, OK  73104
O (405) 271-2118, x 48817 | F (405) 271-5446
Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu<mailto:Mendy-Schmerer at ouhsc.edu>
https://financialservices.ouhsc.edu/Departments/Student-Financial-Aid
www.facebook.com/OUHSCFinancialAid<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.facebook.com_OUHSCFinancialAid&d=DwMF-g&c=VjzId-SM5S6aVB_cCGQ0d3uo9UfKByQ3sI6Audoy6dY&r=Jq3xh6v4hctMZ8-WfGI7l1KQkk2y_HMT2GFL5zfHaho&m=KjwEiLI2Fl6nYiSv5AOGYT9lz8a_m84GEjBooj9IQdo&s=fOuRyNaIDC79EhewWDJ395DCItwJP5ksokaqwdljq1M&e=>


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This email, including any attachments, contains information from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, which may be confidential or privileged.  The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above.  If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information is prohibited.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by a “reply to sender only” message and destroy all electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.

From: OASFAA <oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net<mailto:oasfaa-bounces at lists.onenet.net>> On Behalf Of Fair, Bryce
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2021 1:02 PM
To: oasfaa at lists.onenet.net<mailto:oasfaa at lists.onenet.net>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Oasfaa] FW: Legislative Update – March 12, 2021 (please see URGENT information)

Below is the legislative update for this past week.  Thursday was the deadline for bills to pass off the floor in their house of origin.  Six financial-aid-related bills are still alive at this point and are listed in the “Scholarships” section of the legislative update.
URGENT Information – (I apologize for the length of the following discussion, but we believe this is a very important issue.)  For colleges and career technology centers that serve Oklahoma’s Promise students, I call your attention to SB 639 that could have a dramatic impact on future students in the program.
SB 639 (by Sen. Pugh of the Senate and Rep. Baker of the House) – Last Thursday, March 11, a new version of the bill, called a “Floor Substitute” was passed by the Senate.  The text of the new version can be found at http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20FLOOR%20AMENDMENTS/Senate/SB639%20(3-09-21)%20(PUGH)%20FS%20FA1.PDF<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us_cf-5Fpdf_2021-2D22-2520FLOOR-2520AMENDMENTS_Senate_SB639-2520-283-2D09-2D21-29-2520-28PUGH-29-2520FS-2520FA1.PDF&d=DwMF-g&c=VjzId-SM5S6aVB_cCGQ0d3uo9UfKByQ3sI6Audoy6dY&r=Jq3xh6v4hctMZ8-WfGI7l1KQkk2y_HMT2GFL5zfHaho&m=6hP87xRxLFZp-P8bUbTb_huaNnmlDVU4xvo8WeuPxVA&s=VI3D1AFz2lwRunlA4gY2JPPIieq7-9WLVzosdDYATMw&e=> [The underlined text is the new language that would be added to current law.  In addition, Section 5 of the bill is entirely new law.  You can find other information about the SB 639 at http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb639&Session=2100<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.oklegislature.gov_BillInfo.aspx-3FBill-3Dsb639-26Session-3D2100&d=DwMF-g&c=VjzId-SM5S6aVB_cCGQ0d3uo9UfKByQ3sI6Audoy6dY&r=Jq3xh6v4hctMZ8-WfGI7l1KQkk2y_HMT2GFL5zfHaho&m=6hP87xRxLFZp-P8bUbTb_huaNnmlDVU4xvo8WeuPxVA&s=3Q6oADyfAhjmdX6YBx4hajBYrXfDvncXnLG0-k96aeo&e=>].   The bill now contains the following provisions :

  *   For all students applying to the Oklahoma’s Promise program beginning in 2021-22, the scholarship eligibility period would be expanded from 5 years to 6 years.
  *   Students enrolling in the program in 2021-22 and thereafter who do not complete a baccalaureate degree or “postsecondary vocational-technical program” during the 6-year period of scholarship eligibility would be subject to what the Senate author refers to as a “claw back” provision and be required to repay the full amount of Oklahoma’s Promise awards they have received.

[It is important to note that Oklahoma’s Promise students complete college degrees at a higher rate than non-Oklahoma’s Promise students.  You can find this performance measure and many others in the most recent OKPromise year-end report for 2019-20 at https://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/pdf/okp-report-19-20.pdf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.okhighered.org_okpromise_pdf_okp-2Dreport-2D19-2D20.pdf&d=DwMF-g&c=VjzId-SM5S6aVB_cCGQ0d3uo9UfKByQ3sI6Audoy6dY&r=Jq3xh6v4hctMZ8-WfGI7l1KQkk2y_HMT2GFL5zfHaho&m=6hP87xRxLFZp-P8bUbTb_huaNnmlDVU4xvo8WeuPxVA&s=qEAE5Oa0Rdp6aw4dGdCyE6NeyMsQIIqq7CF8ZRIyZts&e=>.  In addition, in a very recent evaluation of Oklahoma Promise by the new Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, Finding #1 states, “Oklahoma’s Promise Recipients are Earning Critical Workforce Degrees and Remaining in Oklahoma.”  Finding #2 states, “Oklahoma’s Promise Exceeds the Legislative Intent to Provide Post-Secondary Opportunities for Oklahoma Students.”  You can find the full report at http://www.okloft.gov/Reports/Oklahoma_Promise_Report.pdf<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.okloft.gov_Reports_Oklahoma-5FPromise-5FReport.pdf&d=DwMF-g&c=VjzId-SM5S6aVB_cCGQ0d3uo9UfKByQ3sI6Audoy6dY&r=Jq3xh6v4hctMZ8-WfGI7l1KQkk2y_HMT2GFL5zfHaho&m=6hP87xRxLFZp-P8bUbTb_huaNnmlDVU4xvo8WeuPxVA&s=Ms7TxAlRwhjFvnzZoz4EEhR4fMpgwKQE5anWVZBNoq0&e=>.]
  *   Students would be required to enter into a “repayment agreement” with the college or career technology center in which the student was enrolled.  The bill further states that, “In determining the repayment amount, the institution of higher education or technology center school in which the student was enrolled may consider hardship circumstances on a case-by-case basis.”
  *   The bill would also authorize use of the Oklahoma’s Promise award for additional career technology programs that are not eligible for federal financial aid but are “identified as a critical occupation” program through a process established in Section 5 of the bill.

The State Regents have identified an initial list of serious concerns about the “claw back” requirement:

  *   Oklahoma’s Promise students and families have few financial resources to repay awards:
     *   In 2019-20, the average family income of Oklahoma’s Promise award recipients was about $35,000.
     *   Nearly 90% of Oklahoma’s Promise recipients in 2019-20 met the low-income eligibility criteria for the federal Pell Grant.
  *   The “claw back” potentially adds more student debt for Oklahoma’s Promise students: Each year, nearly one-third of Oklahoma’s Promise recipients take out over $30 million in student loans averaging over $5,000 per borrower to help pay for non-tuition college expenses such as fees, books, and room and board.
  *   The “claw back” provision would require additional administrative responsibilities and costs for colleges and career technology centers:  Colleges and career technology centers would be required to administer the repayment requirement.
  *   The “claw back” provision may discourage enrollment in Oklahoma’s Promise: As parents and students have become more cautious of student loan debt, the fear of potential additional debt acquired through Oklahoma’s Promise may create a reluctance to enroll in the program.
We realize there are other concerns such as the complicated administrative logistics for students who transfer among institutions.  Please forward to me any specific questions or additional concerns that you have.
Bryce Fair
Associate Vice Chancellor for Scholarships & Grants
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Phone: 405-225-9162
Email: bfair at osrhe.edu<mailto:bfair at osrhe.edu>

From: Johnson, Dr. Glen
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2021 5:35 PM
To: Subject: Legislative Update – March 12, 2021

OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION


Memo


To:                  Higher Education Network
From:             Chancellor Glen D. Johnson
Date:               Friday, March 12, 2021
Subject:          Legislative Update – March 12, 2021

The update below reflects the major legislation concerning Higher Education. If you have any questions, please contact LeeAnna McNally, Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, at lmcnally at osrhe.edu<mailto:lmcnally at osrhe.edu> or (405) 301-0332.

Legislative Report
March 12, 2021

Agency Administration
House Bill 1090 (Representative Gerrid Kendrix and Senator Brent Howard) Allows the State Auditor and Inspector General to perform audits and inspections of government entities without authorization from the Governor, the Chief Executive Officer of a government entity, or a joint or concurrent resolution of the Legislature.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House General Government Committee. Passed House General Government Committee 7-0 on Wednesday, February 17. Passed off the House Floor 91-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1126 (Representative Logan Phillips) Requires employers who engage in any type of electronic email monitoring of employee accounts to give written notice to all employees prior to any monitoring electronic mail communication.

Update: Passed House Business and Commerce Committee 10-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 1146 (Representative Mike Osburn and Senator Greg Treat) Places all state employee positions under the administration of the Human Capital Management Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services effective January 1, 2022, except those employed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, or President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as well as elected officials, political appointees, and up to 5 percent of an agency's executive management.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Amended by Floor Substitute. Passed off the House floor 93-0 on Tuesday, March 9.

House Bill 1602 (Representative Collin Walke and Senator John Michael Montgomery) The bill entitles a consumer to request that a business that collects the consumer's personal information disclose to the consumer the categories and specific items of personal information the business has collected. It establishes a requirement for the consumer to request the information. It establishes procedures for the business to disclose the information.

Update: Passed House Technology Committee 6-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 85-11 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1787 (Representative Daniel Pae) Authorizes state agencies to pay employees in an on-call status.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 7-0 on Thursday, February 25. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 1888 (Representative Danny Williams and Senator David Bullard) Bans all public bodies from conducting any form of gender or sexual diversity training or counseling. Allows for sexual harassment prevention training. Anybody that violates this law will be denied any source of public funding.

Update: Passed House General Government Committee 6-2 on Wednesday, February 10. Amended by Committee Substitute. Laid Over. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 1875 (Representative Tammy West and Senator Brenda Stanley) Permits each educational institution to choose to designate specific information which will be classified as directory information for students attending the educational institution.

Update: Passed House General Government Committee 8-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 92-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate

House Bill 1921 (Representative Ryan Martinez) Modifies the authority of OMES to designate quarters for every department of state government provided no department shall be assigned quarters that results in the relocation of a department’s employees or relocation of the performance of duties imposed upon such department by law.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Laid Over. Passed House Rules Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Emergency added. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 1986 (Representative Judd Strom and Senator Bill Coleman) Requires any state agency that owns, operates or leases land in the state that is utilized for livestock grazing to enclose the area with a fence or another suitable means for the portion that contains livestock, as well as maintaining the enclosure. The bill allows the state agency to enter into a labor cost-sharing contract with adjacent landowner provided the landowner is not otherwise responsible for the cost of the enclosure or its maintenance.

Update: Passed House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 92-4 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2085 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator David Bullard) Requires the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to display the national motto of the United States in a prominently visible location in all state buildings. The bill authorizes the Oklahoma Attorney General to prepare and present a legal defense of the display.

Update: Passed House States’ Rights Committee 5-1 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 81-19 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2088 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator Roger Thompson) Exempts the legislature and judicial branches of state government from any and all fees or costs for services rendered by state agencies.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House floor 94-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2180 (Representative Ronny Johns and Senator Greg McCortney) Removes requirements for making payroll deductions for certain insurance premiums with a minimum participation of 500 state employees.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House Insurance Committee. Passed House Insurance Committee 7-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 82-12 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2185 (Representative Ronny Johns and Greg McCortney) Modifies the requirements of publications on contracts awarded by state agencies to include the address of the company and the reason to be awarded the contract. Deletes explanations on the out of state ownership percentage of contracted companies.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House Government Modernization and Efficiency Committee. Passed Government Modernization and Efficiency Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 88-3 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2294 (Representative Dustin Roberts and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Deletes the ability for employees to accumulate more than the maximum annual leave.

Update: Passed House General Government Committee 8-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 98-0 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 41 (Senator Greg McCortney and Representative Ronny Johns) Modifies the requirements for state employee payroll deductions for private insurance organizations and service companies that provide legal services. It removes the requirement that the organizations and service companies that provide legal services be regulated by the State Insurance Commissioner and have a minimum participation of 500 state employees.

Update: Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 9-0 on Thursday, February18. Title Restored. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-0 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 63 (Senator John Michael Montgomery and Representative Avery Frix) Removes language related to the State Government Reduction-in-Force and Severance Benefits Act that requires an employee to repay all severance benefits on a proportional basis if an affected employee is reemployed by the agency from which separated as a result of a reduction-in-force
Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 9-0 on Thursday, February 11. Passed off the Senate Floor 31-15 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 282 (Senator Frank Simpson and Representative Tommy Hardin) Amends Section 840-2.20 of the Oklahoma Personnel Act to allow for a temporary increase in the accumulation limits for annual leave following an emergency declaration period, which shall carryover to the end of the fiscal year following the year in which the emergency declaration ended. increase and carryover of annual leave time

Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 9-0 on Thursday, February 4. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 19-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-1 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 299 (Senator Micheal Bergstrom and Representative Mark Lepak) Allows for cooperative “piggybacking” purchase agreements between state agencies including on public construction contracts.

Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 7-2 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-8 on Thursday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 333 (Senator Frank Simpson and Representative Tammy Townley) Amends Section 840-2.15 of the Oklahoma Personnel Act to allow for a temporary increase in the accumulation limits for compensatory time following an emergency declaration period, which shall carryover to the end of the fiscal year following the year in which the emergency declaration ended. increase and carryover of annual leave time.

Update: Assigned to Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee. Reassigned to House General Government Committee. Passed House General Government Committee 8-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-1 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 403 (Senator Brenda Stanley and Representative Robert Manger) Makes it unlawful for any person, alone or in concert with others and without authorization, to willfully disturb, interfere or disrupt business of any political subdivision, which includes publicly posted meetings, or any political subdivision.

Update: Assigned to Senate Public Safety Committee. Amended to make the bill an Emergency. Passed Public Safety Committee with a vote of 11-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-9 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 459 (Senator Lonnie Paxton and Representative Ty Burns) Amends the Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol testing in light of medical marijuana.

Update: Passed Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee 10-3 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 484 (Senator Nathan Dahm) Allows the Legislature to approve or disapprove any agency implementation of a federal rule or law. Requires state agencies to send their interpretation of any rule or regulation before implementation.

Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 10-1 on Thursday, February 25. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 650 (Senator Kim David and Representative Jon Echols) Provides a 2 percent increase to the amount of a participant’s benefit allowance from the amount provided in the previous plan year.

Update: Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 8-1 on Thursday, February 18. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 18-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the Senate Floor 41-4 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 794 (Senator James Leewright and Representative Kevin Wallace) Requires that if the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission or its representative determines that an individual has been overpaid unemployment benefits to provisions therein relating to administrative overpayment, the individual must be sent a notice of overpayment determination. It allows that if the individual disagrees with this determination, said individual can file an appeal of the determination with the Appeal Tribunal within 10 days after the date of mailing.

Update: Assigned to Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee. Passed Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee 12-0 on Thursday, February 11. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 829 (Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Kevin Wallace) Requires state agencies who have jurisdiction over parcels of land containing 80 or more acres of contiguous land to fence it.

Update: Assigned to Senate General Government Committee. Reassigned to Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee. Passed Senate Agriculture and Wildlife 12-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 13-7 on Monday, March 1. Title stricken. Failed to pass on the Senate Floor 14-30 on Thursday, March 11.

Senate Bill 895 (Senator Paul Rosino and Representative Chris Kannady) Allows state agencies to choose to have required audits performed by a public accountant or certified public accountant registered to do business with the state.

Update: Assigned to Senate Finance Committee. Reassigned to House General Government Committee. Passed House General Government Committee 7-2 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-9 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 924 (Senator Greg Treat and Representative Kyle Hilbert) Creates a state data definition and gives OMES the authority to determine when state data is allowed to be shared between agencies or with federal entities if a request to share is initially rejected.

Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 6-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-1 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 984 (Senator Kim David and Representative Terry O’Donnell) Prohibits an agency or official of the executive branch from entering into a contingency fee contract that provides for the private attorney or firm to receive an aggregate contingency fee that exceeds amounts specified therein. It prohibits the total fee payable to all retained private attorneys in any contingency fee contract from exceeding $50 million exclusive of any costs and expenses provided by the contract and actually incurred by the retained private attorneys, regardless of the number of actions or proceedings or the number of retained private attorneys involved in the matter.

Update: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 7-2 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 38-6 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (Senator Rob Standridge) Requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to submit a report to the Legislature and to make the report available on its website by December 31, 2021, that includes a list of all persons employed in a faculty or teaching position including their position rank at their respective institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and their compensation during the 2020-2021 academic year; a list of the courses taught and the hours taught by persons employed in a faculty or teaching position at institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education during the 2020-2021 academic year; the tenure policy of each institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education for the 2020-2021 academic year; and the number of faculty employed by each institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education who had tenure during the 2020-2021 academic year.

            Update: Not assigned to committee.


Budget Bills

House Bill 1665 (Representative Kevin West and Senator Chuck Hall) Creates a Federal Funds Holding Account within the General Revenue Fund to receive all funds required to be paid to the State of Oklahoma.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 20-10 on Wednesday, February 24, Title Stricken. Passed off the House Floor 86-12 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1990 (Representative Trey Caldwell and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Allows ad valorem reimbursement fund to be used to reimburse counties for loss of revenue.

Update: Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Direct to Appropriations Committee. Passed House Appropriations Committee 28-0 Thursday, February 18. Passed off the House Floor 65-30 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2086 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator Zack Taylor) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to ensure state agencies are charged no more than the actual cost of the services provided by the Office.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 9-0 Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 94-0 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2775 (Representative John Pfeiffer and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Adds to the definition of “Cost Approach” in the ad valorem tax code to include physical deterioration, functional or internal obsolescence, and economic or external obsolescence.

Update: Passed House County and Municipal Government Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the House Floor 92-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2776 (Representative John Pfeiffer and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Creates the Ad Valorem School District Support Revolving Fund which shall consist of all ad valorem funds under protest received by the State Department of Education (SDE). The SDE may distribute this money to school districts which are affected by protested ad valorem taxes.

Update: Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed House Rules Committee 7-2 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 90-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2777 (Representative John Pfeiffer and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Allows for wind power valuation for real property and personal property in the ad valorem tax code.

Update: Passed House County and Municipal Government Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 22. Title Stricken. Passed off the House Floor 93-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2780 (Representative John Pfeiffer and Senator Dave Rader) Allows the Oklahoma Tax Commission to garnish accrued earnings of a delinquent taxpayer by contacting the taxpayer’s employer.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 27-3 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 78-18 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

House Joint Resolution 1001 (Representative Andy Fugate and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Proposes a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment that changes the way the maximum Constitutional Reserve (Rainy Day) Fund balance amount would be computed. It would require the maximum balance allowed be based on a percentage of total state expenditures instead of using revenue estimates provided by the State Board of Equalization for the annual appropriations process. It would provide that total expenditures include all appropriated monies and federal funds. It would exclude from total expenditures money from revolving funds which are used by state agencies, fees or similar charges that were not derived from tax revenue, and money obtained by issuing state government bonds.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 9-0 Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 93-0 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 79 (Senator Roger Thompson and Representative Kevin West) Exempts from sales tax the transfer of tangible personal property to or by nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities that have entered into a joint operating agreement with the University Hospitals Trust.

Update: Assigned to Senate Appropriations Committee. Amended to provide an effective date of July 1, 2022. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee as amended 20-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-1 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 181 (Senator Zack Taylor and Representative Brad Boles) Permits more than one-half of ad valorem taxes to be paid by January 1 of each year.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 12-0 Tuesday, February 2. Passed off Senate Floor 46-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 383 (Senator Robert Standridge and Representative Kevin West) Establishes that the owner or operator of a social media website who contracts with users in Oklahoma is subject to a private right of action by a social media website user if the social media website purposely deletes or censors a social media website user’s political speech or religious speech or uses an algorithm to suppress political speech or religious speech.

Update: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 5-3 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 34-12 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 498 (Senator Roger Thompson and Representative Scott Fetgatter) Permits a facility engaged in cement manufacturing to have the payroll requirements of the five-year ad valorem tax exemption waived for tax year 2021, which is based in part on the 2020 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and permits it to continue to receive the exemption for the five-year period only if all other requirements of this section are met.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Referred to Full Appropriations Committee. Laid over. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 18-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-1 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 609 (Senator Chuck Hall and Representative Kyle Hilbert) Extends the ad valorem tax exemption to manufacturing facilities, doubles the acquisition or expansion limit. Adds definitions to manufacturing facilities.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 11-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 19-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 33-1 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 753 (Senator Brent Howard) For any property acquired by a governmental entity operating as a trust, after the effective date of this act, the trust shall annually make in lieu of tax payments an amount equal to the ad valorem assessed against the property immediately prior to purchase by the trust.

Update: Assigned to Senate Finance Committee. Title Stricken. Passed Senate Finance Committee 10-1 on Tuesday, February 9. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 771 (Senator Blake Stephens) Creates the Tax Collection Modernization Act allowing each county treasurer in their sole discretion to let taxpayers make payments on the total amount of tax due, and holding these payments on trust until the amount is sufficient to pay the total due.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 11-0 on Friday, February 19. Title Stricken. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 906 (Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Todd Russ) Provides allowances for depreciation of value in ad valorem tax consideration.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 9-2 on Friday, February 19. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Joint Resolution 14 (Senator Joe Newhouse) Puts to a vote of the people increasing the cap on the Constitutional Reserve Fund from 15 percent to 30 percent.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 16 (Senator Micheal Bergstrom) Changes the way maximum balance allowed for the rainy-day fund from using the Board of Equalization estimates to a percentage of a total of the state expenditures for the previous year including all state and federal funds.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.


CareerTech

House Bill 1026 (Representative Rande Worthen and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Allows CLEET to establish and certify additional law enforcement and criminal justice programs at state-supported technology center schools in the State of Oklahoma operating under the State Board of Career and Technology Education for teaching students between 16 and 19 years of age.

Update: Passed House Public Safety Committee 7-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 97-0 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.


Common Education

House Bill 1027 (Representative Trish Ranson and Senator Brenda Stanley) Requires de-escalation training for certified teachers, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 13-0 on Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 81-11 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1046 (Representative Dell Kerbs and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Requires a copy or a hyperlink to a copy of the most recent audit of the financial statements of a school district to be on the front page of the school district website for public inspection.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor as amended 95-0 on Wednesday, March. 3 Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1073 (Representative Tom Gann and Senator Nathan Dahm) Extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board until July 1, 2024.

Update: Passed House Administrative Rules Committee 10-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 89-2 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1103 (Representative Mark Vancuren and Senator John Haste) Directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Education Department to create a set of guidelines and provide directions to schools in order to survey every public school student in grades 6,8,10 and 12 with the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey every other year beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 16. Amended to remove private schools. Passed off the House Floor 78-19 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1104 (Representative Mark Vancuren and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Requires information on a student's tribal affiliation to be included in student data collected for the state.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee on 12-0 Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 94-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1568 (Representative Jeff Boatman and Senator John Haste) Creates Maria’s Law requiring collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to adopt standards and approve age-appropriate curriculum for K-12 students as a part of normal health education curriculum.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 84-10 with Title Stricken on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1569 (Representative Jacob Rosecrants and Senator Adam Pugh) Creates the Oklahoma Play to Learn Act. States that the intention of the Legislature is to focus on the importance of child-centered, play-based learning.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 76-16 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1775 (Representative Sherrie Conley and Senator Jessica Garvin) Creates Riley's Rule, a requirement that each athletic and practice facility create an emergency action plan.

Update: Assigned to House Common Education Committee. Laid Over. Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 93-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1882 (Representative Marilyn Stark and Senator Dave Rader) Creates the "Out-of-Schooltime" task force to identify, evaluate and recommend a set of best practices for children, youth and families to improve and increase the number of quality, affordable out-of-school programs in the state. The bill sets the membership of the committee.

Update: Passed House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee as amended by Committee Substitute 5-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 82-14 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1963 (Representative Jadine Nollan and Senator Brenda Stanley) If vacancies occur which result in a loss of majority members of the board of education of a school district or technology center school district, the Governor shall appoint a member or members necessary to constitute a quorum to the board of education.

Update: Assigned to House Elections and Ethics Committee. Laid Over. Passed House Elections and Ethics Committee 7-0 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 80-16 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1968 (Representative Jadine Nollan and Senator Brenda Stanley) Deletes expenditure and program classification reporting requirements for certain gifted and talented programs.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 13-0 on Monday, February 8. Referred to full House Appropriations Committee. Laid Over. Passed House Appropriations Committee 30-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the Senate Floor 80-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2030 (Representative Terry O’Donnell and Senator Adam Pugh) Adds passing the Naturalization test to high school graduation requirements.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 11-3 on Tuesday, February 16. Passed off the House Floor 80-18 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2223 (Representative Randy Randleman and Senator Dewayne Pemberton) Requires the Oklahoma State Department of Education to maintain a dyslexia information handbook.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 96-0 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2381 (Representative Danny Sterling and Senator Frank Simpson) Directs local school districts to conduct an annual fitness assessment.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 22-9 on Wednesday, February 25. Title Stricken. Passed off the House Floor 57-37 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2388 (Representative John Talley and Senator Tom Dugger) Asks school districts to provide age-appropriate instruction about social-emotional learning.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House Common Education Committee. Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 70-22 on Wednesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2396 (Representative Todd Russ and Senator Brenda Stanley) Asks the board of education to adopt a policy regarding sex trafficking and exploitation prevention.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 86-6 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2462 (Representative Dick Lowe and Senator Brent Howard) Allows the State Department of Education to enter into contracts and agreements for the payment of food, lodging and other expenses necessary to host or participate in conferences and training sessions.

Update: Passed House General Government Committee 7-0 on Wednesday, February 17. Passed off the House Floor 86-5 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2547 (Representative Preston Stinson) Requires media timeouts at high school sporting events which are being broadcast.

Update: Assigned to House Common Education Committee. Reassigned to House Rules Committee. Passed House Rules Committee 6-0 on Thursday, February 25. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 2662 (Representative Dick Lowe and Senator Dave Rader) Creates the Seizure Safe Schools Act requiring each local school district to have at least one school employee at each school who has met certain seizure safe training requirements.

Update: Assigned to House Common Education Committee. Amended to change from a Shall to a May. Passed House Common Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 16. Author change. Passed off the House Floor 95-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2727 (Representative Ajay Pittman and Senator David Bullard) Requires subject to the availability of funds that there be a basic life skills education curriculum taught in public schools.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 67-26 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2749 (Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator Adam Pugh) Requires schools that receive more than $2,500 from the Reading Proficiency Act to spend at least 10 percent on professional development for Pre-k-5 grade teachers.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday February 16. Passed off the House Floor 90-5 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Joint Resolution 1026 (Representative Anthony Moore) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that removes debt limits for school districts.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1029 (Representative Monroe Nichols) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that authorizes a school district to raise an additional $5 million levy on taxable property within the district if approved by the majority of district voters.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

House Joint Resolution 1033 (Representative Chad Caldwell) Puts to a vote of the people a requirement that a school spends at least 60 percent of its annual budget on instructional expenditures.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 2 (Senator Micheal Bergstrom and Representative Toni Hasenbeck) Clarifies and expands the duties of the School Finance Review Commission to conduct a review of all matters related to school finance, including but not limited to teacher compensation and benefits; administrative costs, including administrative functions that may be shared between districts; opportunities for school districts to be operated in a cost effective manner; variances in per pupil and administrative expenditures among school districts with comparable enrollment, demographics and outcomes on statewide assessments; and expenditures not directly or sufficiently related to improving student outcomes.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 38-8 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 13 (Senator Brenda Stanley and Representative Rhonda Baker) Requires a teacher whose certificate is suspended by the State Board of Education to be placed on suspension while proceedings for revocation or other action are pending before the State Board of Education.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 21 (Senator Kay Floyd and Representative Marcus McEntire) Makes it a requirement, rather than permissive, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, that district school boards provide schoolwide training to all students in grades seven through twelve and staff addressing suicide awareness and prevention.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee as amended by Committee Substitute 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 54 (Senator John Michael Montgomery and Representative Daniel Pae) Requires the State Department of Education to designate a school district site or charter school site as a Purple Star School. The bill defines applicable terms. It establishes the requirements for a school district site or charter school to be designated as a Purple Star School. It requires the State Board of Education to promulgate necessary rules.

Update: Passed Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee 10-0 on Thursday, February 11. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 66 (Senator John Haste and Representative Lonnie Sims) Exempts any insurance policy sold to any school district from the surplus lines premium tax.

Update: Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to House

Senate Bill 68 (Senator Frank Simpson and Representative Max Wolfley) Requires a public school student to be considered in compliance with statutory residency provisions if he or she is a student whose parent or legal guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 89 (Senator John Haste and Representative Rhonda Baker) Creates the Health Education Act. The bill defines applicable terms. It requires health education to be taught in public schools, including but not limited to physical health, mental health, social and emotional health and intellectual health.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-1 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 128 (Senator Dave Rader and Representative Dick Lowe) Creates the Seizure Safe Schools Act requiring at least one school employee at each school to meet certain training requirements.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Title Stricken, Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 47-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 142 (Senator Roland Pederson) Requires a school district’s board of education to allow a nonresident and non-transferred pupil to determine whether to require a tuition fee equal to the per capita cost of education for a similar period in such district during the preceding year. The bill requires the tuition fee to be paid to the receiving district in advance yearly or by semester as determined by the district board of education of the receiving district.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee as amended by committee substitute 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Failed on the Senate Floor 21-26 on Wednesday, March 1. Motion to reconsider.

Senate Bill 157 (Senator J.J. Dossett) Removes language that provides State Board of Education appointees to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. It adds language that permits the Governor to remove members of the board for cause, including being found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of a felony or any offense involving moral turpitude; being found guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in relation to board duties; being found mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or failing to attend three successive meetings of the board without just cause, as determined by the Governor.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Title Stricken. Passed Senate Education Committee 10-2 on Tuesday, February 2.

Senate Bill 197 (Senator Tom Dugger) Requires candidates who win board of education elections to be seated at the first meeting following the April election date. It clarifies language related to the April board of education election date.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Laid Over. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 252 (Senator Brenda Stanley and Representative Rhonda Baker) Requires all public schools to begin teaching computer science courses in the 2024-2025 school year.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Title Stricken. Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed off the Senate Floor 41-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 419 (Senator J.J. Dossett and Representative John Waldron) Removes the requirement to administer assessments in U.S. history under the statewide system of student assessments.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 10-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 43-2 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.


Senate Bill 503 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Ryan Martinez) Adds to required history curriculum, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, substantive selections from the Federalist Papers the Emancipation Proclamation, the Articles of Confederation, the Gettysburg Address and George Washington’s Farwell Address.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 9-2 on Tuesday, February 23.  Passed off the Senate Floor 39-7 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 619 (Senator David Bullard and Representative Kevin West) Allows school districts to obtain liability insurance coverage to protect a student participating in an apprenticeship internship or mentorship program.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Title Stricken Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 20-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Title Restored. Passed off the Senate Floor 47-0 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 634 (Senator Julie Daniels and Representative Terry O’Donnell) Requires an authorization form that has the statement of understanding of the first amendment rights to not be a part of a union for public education employees. Makes that form’s authorization a yearly requirement.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Reassigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. Passed Senate Judiciary 7-4 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 25-21 on Thursday, March 4. Emergency Passed 32-14 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 642 (Senator Adam Pugh and Representative Dustin Roberts) Includes multi-aptitude battery assessments that measure developed abilities and help predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Title Stricken. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 707 (Senator Greg McCortney) Sets a deadline for parents to present immunization records or exemptions.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 on Tuesday, February 9. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 783 (Senator Adam Pugh and Representative Brad Boles) Requires the Department of Education to publish a list of the capacity for a class in each grade level K-12. Strengthens open transfer policies. Gives OEQA audit authority over transfer

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 9-3 on Tuesday, February 23. Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed off the Senate Floor 32-15 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 807 (Senator Chris Kidd and Representative Rhonda Baker) Entitles support employees to pay for any time lost when a school district is closed because of an epidemic or when an order for such a closing has been issued by a health officer authorized by law to issue the order.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 10-1 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-1 Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Joint Resolution 3 (Senator Carri Hicks) Proposes a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment that allows a member of the Legislature to be employed as a certified teacher with a public school district in this state after he or she completes his or her term in office.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.

Senate Joint Resolution 9 (Senator Mary Boren) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that changes the duty of the legislature when it comes to public education. Removes the words “Wherein all the children of the State may be educated”. Instead requires the legislature to “make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient and equitable system of free public schools”.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.


COVID-19

House Bill 2335 (Representative Jay Steagall and Senator Shane Jett) Prohibits compulsory immunization through any state entity via direct or indirect means.

Update: Passed House Public Health Committee 7-1 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House floor 71-25 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate,

House Joint Resolution 1032 (Representative Chad Caldwell) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment prohibiting a governmental entity from issuing any order or rule that requires closure of any place of worship.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 368 (Senator David Bullard and Representative Brian Hill) Prohibits any governmental declaration of a religious institution as nonessential. Requires that religious institutions be exempt from closure orders for the purpose of health or security that is greater than that imposed on any private entity.

Update: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 6-2 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 37-9 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 835 (Senator Blake Stephens) Bans any discrimination by any public accommodation towards a person on the basis of their vaccination or immunity status.

Update: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 6-2 on Friday, February 19. Dormant pursuant to the rules.



Charter Schools

House Joint Resolution 1036 (Representative Jon Echols) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment allowing a school district to become indebted after a 3/5ths vote to acquire or improve the school sites or equipment of a charter school.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 69 (Senator Frank Simpson and Representative Max Wolfley) Provides a student will be eligible to enroll in a statewide virtual charter school if the student's parent or legal guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within this state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 222 (Senator Rob Standridge and Representative Daniel Pae) Creates the Hope Scholarship Program to provide a scholarship to an eligible private school of choice for students who have experienced bullying.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 20-0 on Monday, March 1. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-1 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 239 (Senator Dewayne Pemberton and Representative Toni Hasenbeck) Creates a process for the State Board of Education to hear appeals to the charter school sponsorship process.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed off the Senate Floor 30-16 on Wednesday, February 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 658 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Kevin West) Requires the State Department of Education to provide any notice or publication on immunization requirements all information on exemptions to such requirements.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Amended to pass Senate Education Committee 8-3 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 35-10 on Thursday, March 4. Emergency Passed 36-9 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.


General Government

Senate Joint Resolution 1 (Senator Kay Floyd) Proposes a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment that would prohibit members of the Legislature from being appointed or elected to any office or commission during their term; receiving any appointment from the Governor, the Governor and Senate or the Legislature during the term; or being interested in any contract with the state or a political subdivision during the term. It would not prohibit an employee of a school district, a technology center school district or the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from continuing to serve during the term, or prohibit an appointment to a legislative committee or other legislative position. It also would not prohibit a former member from returning to his or her profession or business. It would permit the Legislature to enact laws to implement these provisions.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.


Higher Education

House Bill 1801 (Representative Nicole Miller and Senator Brenda Stanley) Grants priority enrollment and course registration to all Oklahoma resident members of the Oklahoma National Guard and to students who are eligible to receive educational financial assistance from the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Update: Passed House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Amended to allow only Oklahoma residents. Passed off the House Floor as amended 98-1 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1962 (Representative Jadine Nollan and Senator Marty Quinn) Specifies the definition of “qualified higher education expenses” to fall in line with section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Update: Passed House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee with a vote of 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the House Floor 95-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1965 (Representative Jadine Nolan and Senator Darrell Weaver) Allows a board of county commissioners to determine the years of service required for full-time county employees to qualify for a continuing education program and allows such programs to include courses offered by a college or university that is a member of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education as well as any other in-state or out-of-state programs or courses which are relevant to the employee's responsibilities as approved by the county commissioners.

Update: Passed House County and Municipal Government Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the House Floor as amended 95-0 on Monday, March 8. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2046 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator Frank Simpson) Creates the Higher Education Institution Local Funding Act. The measure authorizes the board of regents of eligible two-year colleges to adopt a resolution calling for the creation of a higher education funding district, for the purpose of providing additional sources of funding for the institution. If approved by the board of regents, the creation of the funding district and its initial operational millage rate would go to a vote of the people within the established district boundary. Additional bonds may be included in the ballot measure calling for the creation of the district. The ballot measure would require 60 percent approval to pass.

Update: Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed House Rules Committee as amended 7-0 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 79-18 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2691 (Representative Toni Hasenbeck and Senator Micheal Bergstrom) Requires the Commission for Educational Quality an Accountability to issue a report detailing factors in the public education system that contribute to graduation rates, assessment scores and the state workforce.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 76-18 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2750 (Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator Adam Pugh) States the intent of the Legislature that in establishing minimum required score on AP exams for granting course credit the Regents for Higher Education should not require an AP score above 3.

Update: Passed House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 22. Amended to allow the granting of additional credit for higher than 3. Passed off the House Floor 94-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2874 (Representative Kevin Wallace and Senator Roger Thompson) Adds the University Hospitals Trust to those exempt from sales tax.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 26-1 on Wednesday, February 10. Title Stricken. Passed off the House Floor 83-9 on Monday, February 22. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2926 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator Adam Pugh) Requires each institution of higher education to publish a salary report of common occupations and industries in which students are employed upon graduation.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 7-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 97-1 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 70 (Senator Frank Simpson and Representative Tommy Hardin) Increases the time period before the date of enrollment from five years to 10 years when a person was discharged or released from active military service to qualify for in-state enrollment.

Update: Passed Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education 4-0 on Wednesday, February 10. Referred to Full Appropriations Committee. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 19-0 on Thursday, February 18. Title Stricken. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 9.

Senate Bill 139 (Senator Roger Thompson and Representative Kyle Hilbert) Adds the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair and the House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chair to the list of recipients of the annual report submitted by Oklahoma State University Medical Authority.

Update: Assigned to Senate Appropriations Committee. Laid Over. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 20-0 on Wednesday February, 24. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 238 (Senator Dewayne Pemberton and Representative Kyle Hilbert) Creates a task force to study the requirement for high school students to complete the FASFA. Designates the makeup of this task force and the end date for a report. Requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Senate to provide the staff and administrative support for the task force.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-1 Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 40-5 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 261 (Senator John Michael Montgomery and Representative Melissa Provenzano) Creates the Oklahoma Student Borrower’s Bill of Rights, requiring that student loan servicers not employ any deceptive practices, maintain accurate reporting to consumer credit bureaus, and otherwise accurately inform borrowers of their rights and obligations in public and plain language.

Update: Passed Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee 11-2 on Thursday, February 11. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 292 (Senator John Haste and Representative Jadine Nollan) Creates a task force to study the concurrent enrollment needs of the State.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-1 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 614 (Senator David Bullard) Enhances higher education students’ First Amendment rights to include the “right to an unbiased education” and freedom from any endorsement, symbolism or propaganda of “socialism, communism, Marxism or anti-American sentiment.”

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 10-2 on Tuesday, February 23. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 893 (Senator Adam Pugh and Representative Scott Fetgatter) Allows the undergraduate and graduate programs of the same discipline of engineering at an institution to be part of the qualified program if either program is ABET accredited.
Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 11-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-3 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Joint Resolution 15 (Senator Rob Standridge) Puts to a vote of the people a prohibition for higher education from requiring students to enroll in a course that is not a core requirement of their chosen curriculum, a course with no tuition or fee charged, or a course that is not directly relevant to a degree being pursued.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.


Healthcare

House Bill 1006 (Representative Carol Bush and Senator Adam Pugh) Creates the Transparency in Health Care Prices Act. The bill defines applicable terms. It requires healthcare providers make available to the public, in a single document, either electronically or by posting conspicuously on the provider's website if one exists, the health care prices for at least the 20 most common health care services the healthcare provider provides.

Update: Passed House Public Health Committee 8-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 92-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2299 (Representative Dustin Roberts and Senator John Michael Montgomery) Creates the Oklahoma Medical Education Protection Act which preserves the supplemental payment programs payable to University Health Science Centers when entering into contractual arrangements with any entity for the management of Medicaid patients.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 8-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 82-3 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Joint Resolution 1041 (Representative Sean Roberts) Puts to a vote of the people an amendment repealing Medicaid expansion.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee.

Senate Bill 4 (Senator Greg McCortney and Representative T.J. Marti) Permits a pharmacist to substitute an interchangeable biological product for a prescribed biological product only if the substituted product has been determined by FDA to be interchangeable with the prescribed biological product; the prescribing physician has permitted substitution; and the pharmacy informs the patient of the substitution.

Update: Passed Senate Health and Human Services committee 10-0 Wednesday, February 3. Amended by Floor Substitute. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 100 (Senator Brenda Stanley and Representative Dean Davis) Permits an applicant for a license to practice podiatric medicine to submit an electronic application online. It requires an applicant legally reside in the United States, rather than be loyal to the US. The bill removes the requirement that the applicant be free from contagious or infectious disease.

Update: Passed Senate Health and Human Services Committee 8-3 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 107 (Senator John Michael Montgomery and Representative Todd Russ) Gives the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) the authority, beginning with the Jan. 1, 2022 plan year, to renew vision plan contracts with plan providers for succeeding one-year terms if the provider had a contract for the immediately preceding year.

Update: Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off Senate Floor 47-0 on Thursday, February 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 164 (Senator Brenda Stanley and Representative Cynthia Roe) Modifies language related to participation in a research program or experimental procedures. It requires human subject research to be approved by an accredited institutional review board rather than a local institutional review board. It requires when the patient is incapable of giving informed consent and is a minor that the consent be given by the parent or legal guardian.

Update: Passed Senate Health and Human Services Committee 10-0 Wednesday, February 3. Passed off the Senate Floor 43-2 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 207 (Senator Jessica Garvin and Senator Marcus McEntire) Authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Administrator to designate an administrative law judge to perform appeal hearings for those adversely affected by a decision of the authority.

Update: Passed Senate Health and Human Services Committee 11-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed Full Appropriations Committee 19-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 319 (Senator Robert Standridge and Representative Daniel Pae) Exempts from the prohibition furnishing anyone under the age of 21 any cigarettes, cigarette papers, cigars, bidis, snuff, chewing tobacco, or any other form of tobacco product, or vapor products persons performing activities as part of a scientific study being conducted by a research institution for the purpose of medical research to further efforts in cigarette and tobacco use prevention and cessation and tobacco product regulation, provided that such medical research has been approved by a properly accredited institutional review board pursuant to applicable federal regulations.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 11-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Thursday, February 11. Engrossed to House

Senate Bill 406 (Senator Jessica Garvin and Representative Marcus McEntire) Modifies the definitions of "University Hospital" and "Oklahoma's Children's Hospital." It authorizes the University Hospital’s authority to assign any inpatient and outpatient hospital and clinical facilities, research buildings, facilities or property and any other buildings, facilities or property under its ownership or management and control to University Hospital, Oklahoma Children's Hospital or any other division or entity which is part of University Hospital.

Update: Passed Senate Health and Human Services Committee 11-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-1 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.


OneNet

House Bill 1049 (Representative Dell Kerbs) Requires the Department of Public Safety to provide motor license agents with internet services that operate at adequate transmission speeds to allow the agents to efficiently transact business and transmit data to and from the agency.

Update: Passed House Technology Committee 5-1 on Wednesday, February 10. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 1124 (Representative Logan Phillips and Senator James Leewright) Creates the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program to direct competitive grants to applicants seeking to expand broadband internet services and directs the Corporation Commission to create the Rural Broadband Expansion Council to promulgate rules and procedures for the program.

Update: Passed House Technology Committee 5-1 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 91-6 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1132 (Representative Logan Phillips) Deletes the requirement that the Corporation Commission not approve, endorse, forward or file any application for reimbursement submitted pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, for transmission services requiring a circuit of T-1 or greater capacity unless OneNet is the circuit provider.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House Technology Committee. Passed House Technology Committee 6-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 2040 (Speaker Charles McCalle and Senator James Leewright) The measure provides a sales tax exemption, in the form of rebates, on sales of qualifying broadband equipment if the property is directly used or consumed by the provider or subsidiary in or during the distribution of internet services.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 30-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 85-14 on Thursday, March 11, Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2090 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator James Leewright) Expands the Rural Broadband Expansion Council from 14 to 16 members. One of the additional members would represent a wireless internet service provider and be appointed by the Speaker of the House. The other additional member would represent a Native American tribe and be appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem.

Update: Passed House Technology Committee 6-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Emergency Added. Passed off the House Floor 97-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2928 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator James Leewright) Directs broadband service providers in the state to submit a report containing their network area coverage map to the Department of Commerce and the Rural Broadband Expansion Council by October 31, 2021. The providers would be required to update this map and report annually. OneNet is also directed to provide mapping of all assets and network coverage.

Update: Passed House Technology Committee 6-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 97-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 802 (Senator James Leewright and Representative Logan Phillips) Increases the Rural Broadband Expansion Council by one member to be filled by a tribal leader of this state.

Update: Passed Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee 12-1 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-2 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.


Open Meetings/Records

House Bill 1876 (Representative Tammy West and Senator Brenda Stanley) Specifies what private employee information is not subject to the Open Meeting Act.

Update: Passed House General Government Committee 8-0 On Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 82-0 on Thursday, February 18. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2644 (Representative Jon Echols and Senator Kim David) Extends the provisions that allows for virtual open meetings until March 31, 2024

Update: Assigned to House General Government Committee. Laid Over. Passed House General Government Committee 8-0 on Tuesday, February 24. Title Stricken. Passed off the House Floor 92-6 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 970 (Senator Kay Floyd and Representative Brad Boles) Makes all license or certification public record, excluding an applicant’s personal address, phone number or other personal material.

Update: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 9-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 1031 (Senator Greg Treat and Representative Jon Echols) Extends the provisions that allow for virtual open meetings until the Governor declares the state of emergency to have ended.

Update: Assigned to Senate General Government Committee. Withdrawn from General Government Committee. Direct to Calendar. Passed off the Senate Floor as amended by Floor Substitute with a vote of 45-0 on Wednesday, February 3. Direct to House Calendar. Passed off the House Floor 88-5 on Monday, February 8. Signed by Governor Stitt on Wednesday, February 10.

Senate Bill 1032 (Senator Greg Treat and Speaker Charles McCall) Requires livestreaming for virtual open meetings

Update: Passed Senate General Government Committee 7-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 47-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.


Scholarships

House Bill 1739 (Representative Sheila Dills and Senator Brenda Stanley) Creates the Connecting Futures Act. It allows the Department of Human Services to, subject to available funding, create a pilot program to address needs of any minors who are separated from their parents or legal guardians, are not supported by their parents or legal guardians and are not in the custody of the Department of Human Services or in the custody of any Indian tribe. It requires the pilot program to allow the Department to provide assistance in securing necessary services to allow eligible minors to become self-reliant and productive citizens.

Update: Passed House Children Youth and Family Services Committee 5-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 82-6 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1821 (Representative Toni Hasenbeck and Senator Dewayne Pemberton) Increases flexibility in the use of Tuition Aid Grants, by removing language directing the Regents for Higher Education to direct tuition aid grants to all eligible applicants, and adding factors to the way the awards are prioritized including: Enrollment status, unmet financial need, continuous enrollment, nearness to degree completion or certificate, state employment needs, and eligibility for other State and institutional funds.

Update: Passed House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the House Floor 94-2 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2399 (Representative Todd Russ and Senator Marty Quinn) Extends the qualification for Oklahoma’s higher learning access program to those students whose parents died after the students tenth grade year, and meet the other financial requirements.

Update: Assigned to House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee. Amended by unanimous consent passed to House Higher Education and CareerTech Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the House Floor 93-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 132 (Senator David Bullard and Representative Rhonda Baker) Extends application window for Oklahoma’s Promise to the eleventh grade.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Title Stricken. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Title Restored. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 237 (Senator Dewayne Pemberton and Representative Mark McBride) Increases flexibility in the use of Tuition Aid Grants, by removing language directing the Regents for Higher Education to direct tuition aid grants to all eligible applicants, and adding factors to the way the awards are prioritized including: Enrollment status, unmet financial need, continuous enrollment, nearness to degree completion or certificate, state employment needs, and eligibility for other State and institutional funds.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 44-1 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 639 (Senator Adam Pugh and Representative Rhonda Baker) Extends qualification for Oklahoma’s Promise to those enrolled in an area that has been identifies as a critical occupation area. Requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the State Regents for Higher Education to publish a yearly list between October and June of the critical occupation areas that meet the guidelines. Requires the Regents, in consultation with CareerTech, to identify postsecondary vo-tech programs that correlate to the critical occupation areas. Sets a 6-year completion timeline for a baccalaureate or other postsecondary education credential and requires that the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship recipient repay the scholarship if the credential is not earned within 6-year time frame.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Amended by Floor Substitute, which provides a 6-year time period to earn a baccalaureate or other postsecondary education credential or requires that the Oklahoma’s Promise recipient enter into a repayment agreement with the institution of higher education or career technology center. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-9 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.


Teacher Retirement System

House Bill 2293 (Representative Dustin Roberts and Senator Lonnie Paxton) modifies the matching of TRS funds to be based only on the member’s regular annual compensation regardless of the source of funds, except federal funding.

Update: Passed House Banking Financial Services and Pensions Committee 6-2 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the House Floor 51-38 on Thursday, March 11. Emergency Failed. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2486 (Representative Avery Frix) Terminates the OPERS defined contribution plan created by the Retirement Freedom Act and provides that all state employees will participate in the OPERS defined benefit plan upon November 1, 2022, or the last date required for distribution of the plan account balances. Employees currently participating in the defined contribution plan will be considered 100 percent vested in their account balance as of November 1, 2021, including employer matching amounts and any gains resulting from management of the account, and will have the option to use their account balance to purchase service credit or to transfer their balance to a qualifying retirement plan.

Update: Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed House Rules Committee 7-0 on Thursday, February 25. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 267 (Senator Dewayne Pemberton and Representative Jadine Nollan) Allows retired educators who have received benefits for at least one year and who have not been employed by a public school during that time to be eligible to be reemployed as an active classroom teacher in common or career tech school district with no limitation on earnings.

Update: Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 9-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the House Floor 36-11 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 683 (Senator Chris Kidd and Representative Mark McBride) Removes the one-year regular employment requirement for full-time non-classified optional personnel to join the TRS.

Update: Assigned to Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee. Laid Over. Passed Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee 8-1 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the House Floor 41-2 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.

Senate Joint Resolution 18 (Senator Lonnie Paxton) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that requires any COLA to include funding.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.



Teacher Certification

House Bill 1593 (Representative Melissa Provenzano and Senator Brenda Stanley) Requires 7th-12th grade teachers to have workplace safety training emphasized into curriculum. The program shall be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school district.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 13-0 Tuesday, February 16. Passed off House Floor 74-19 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1773 (Representative Sherrie Conley and Senator Jessica Garvin) Requires teaching candidates in early childhood elementary, secondary and special education to study the philosophy framework and implementation of a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) designed to address the core academic and nonacademic needs of all students.
Update: Assigned to House Common Education Committee. Amended by committee substitute. Passed House Common Education Committee 8-1 on Monday, February 8. Passed off the House Floor 91-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1796 (Representative Nicole Miller and Senator Adam Pugh) Allows the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Commission for Education Quality and Accountability to grant subject area examination exceptions for initial certification in a field that does not require an advanced degree if the candidate already has an advanced degree in the subject essentially comparable to the content assessed in the examination.

            Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 13-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House Floor 91-1 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to Senator.

House Bill 2329 (Representative Mark Lawson and Senator Frank Simpson) Allows the State Board of Education to grant an exception to the certification examination to teacher candidates who are deaf.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 8-0 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 97-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2693 (Representative Toni Hasenbeck and Senator Brenda Stanley) Updates the name of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. Rewards teachers who are renewing their National Board Certification by awarding them a portion of the renewal application fee.

Update: Assigned to House Rules Committee. Reassigned to House Appropriations Committee. Passed House Appropriations Committee 28-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the House Floor 81-11 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2748 (Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator Brenda Stanley) Requires the State Board of Education to issue one-year alternative teacher certificates renewable for up to 3 years to teach early childhood education or elementary education if the alternative certified teacher meets certain qualifications.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the House floor 86-0 on Thursday, February 18. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2752 (Representative Rhonda Baker and Senator Brenda Stanley) Requires the State Department of Education in coordination with the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish a micro-credential programs for teachers who hold a certificate to complete additional coursework and earn STEM credentials.

Update: Passed House Common Education Committee 14-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 93-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 51 (Senator Carri Hicks and Representative Danny Sterling) Removes the requirement to pass the general education portions of the competency examination for an alternative placement teaching certificate or a teacher certificate.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 11-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off Senate Floor 33-12 on Monday, March 1. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 67 (Senator Frank Simpson and Speaker Charles McCall) Permits the State Board of Education to grant an exception to the requirements for all certification examinations for teacher candidates who are "deaf."

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Passed Senate Education Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed off the Senate Floor 46-0 on Thursday, March 4. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 229 (Senator John Michael Montgomery and Representative Kyle Hilbert) Allows the State Board of Education to renew an Emergency or Provisional Teacher Certification for up to five years.

Update: Passed Senate Education Committee 10-2 on Tuesday, February 23. Title Stricken. Passed off the Senate Floor 37-8 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to House.


Weapons on Campus / Gun Laws

House Bill 1629 (Representative David Hardin and Senator Micheal Bergstrom) Preempts any federal, state county or municipal law rule or regulation that orders the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories of ammunition.

Update: Passed House Judiciary-Criminal Committee 7-2 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House Floor 77-19 Tuesday, March 9. Emergency added. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1630 (Representative David Hardin and Senator Dewayne Pemberton) Modifies the Unlawful Intent to Carry and Penalty Portions of Firearms Act to allow flexibility in punishment upon conviction. Deletes the ability to permanently revoke a handgun license. Amends background checks to remove criminal history records fingerprints and FBI searches on license renewal.

Update: Passed House Judiciary-Criminal Committee 8-1 on Wednesday, February 10. Passed off the House floor 78-18 on Monday, February 22. Engrossed to Senate

House Bill 1662 (Representative Kevin West and Senator Nathan Dahm) If a defendant claims self-defense the State of Oklahoma must then have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defensive force was not justified.

Update: Passed House Judiciary-Criminal Committee 7-2 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 77-19 on Thursday, March 11. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 1898 (Representative Sean Roberts) Adds statutory references to the Oklahoma Self Defense Act.

Update: Passed House Judiciary - Criminal Committee 3-1 on Thursday, February 25. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 2334 (Representative Jay Steagall and Senator Micheal Bergstrom) Authorizes the possession of firearms on streets, plazas, sidewalks and alleys. Authorizes open carry on property of nonprofit entities and public trusts.

Update: Passed House Public Safety Committee 5-2 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the House Floor 79-18 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2401 (Representative Todd Russ and Senator David Bullard) Changes the ban on all felons from carrying firearms to a ban on anyone convicted of a specifically classified violent felony from carrying firearms for a period of 5 years.

Update: Passed House Judiciary-Criminal Committee 7-2 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 77-19 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2588 (Representative Sean Roberts and Senator David Bullard) Allows a board of education of a school district to adopt a policy to authorize the carrying of a handgun onto school property by school personnel if the person possesses a valid handgun license and meets other requirements authorized by the board of education.

Update: Assigned to House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. Amended by Committee Substitute. Passed House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee 3-1 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 79-18, Emergency Passed 68-18 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2645 (Representative Jon Echols and Senator David Bullard) Allows the carrying of firearms in bars and restaurants as long as the carrier is not consuming alcoholic beverages. Reduces fines and punishments from $1,000 and two years in prison to $250. Removes the revocation of a handgun license upon violation of this statute.

Update: Assigned to House Public Safety Committee. Reassigned to House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. Passed House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee 3-1 on Thursday, February 25. Passed off the House Floor 78-19 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to Senate.

Senate Bill 106 (Senator Mark Allen and Representative Terry O’Donnell) Defines the term "completed application" within the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to mean all fields are completed, questions answered and contains all required signatures on the Application for Self-Defense Act License and all required documents including legible fingerprints, if applicable. It removes the 90-day grace period for handgun license renewals.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Friday, February 19. Passed off the Senate Floor 35-8 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 186 (Senator David Bullard) Removes language that prohibits a person convicted of a felony from operating a motor vehicle or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle in which there is any pistol, imitation, or homemade pistol, altered air or toy pistol, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or sawed-of rifle, or any other firearm. It modifies the qualifications for restoring the right to carry a firearm.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 11-0 on Friday, February 19. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 442 (Senator Nathan Dahm) Makes its unlawful for any person to carry or use shotguns, rifles or pistols in any circumstances while under the influence of medical marijuana obtained under a valid medical marijuana patient license. It exempts an applicant or licensee in legal possession of a medical marijuana patient license from the preclusion for a person from being eligible for a handgun license pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 11-0 on Friday, February 19. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 631 (Senator Warren Hamilton and Representative Sean Roberts) Makes Oklahoma a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State” pre-empting any legislation or rule at any level that would infringe upon the right to bear arms.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the Senate Floor 38-8 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 644 (Senator Blake Stephens and Representative Sean Roberts) Allows municipalities to, by ordinance, authorize all or certain municipal employees to carry concealed firearms.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 10-1 on Friday, February 19. Passed off the Senate Floor 39-8 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 646 (Senator Micheal Bergstrom and Representative Jay Steagall) Allows the carrying of firearms in bars and restaurants as long as the carrier is not consuming alcoholic beverages. Reduces fines and punishments from $1,000 and two years in prison to $250. Removes the revocation of a handgun license upon violation of this statute.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Monday, February 22. Title Stricken. Passed off the Senate Floor 37-9 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 672 (Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Kenton Patzkowsky) Allows unmitigated transport of firearms for any person not otherwise prohibited from purchasing or carrying firearms.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Friday, February 19. Passed off the Senate Floor 39-7 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 711 (Senator John Haste) Adds county owned buildings to the locations a sheriff may authorize certain employees to carry a firearm.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Friday, February 19. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 730 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Jay Steagall) Bans any person, property owner, tenant, employer, or business entity from establishing or enforcing any rule that prohibits transporting carrying or storing firearms.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-8 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 732 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Jim Olsen) Allows anyone whose Second Amendment rights are violated to bring a lawsuit against any order or regulation or other political subdivision of the state. Defines responsibilities of the court in such a case.

Update: Assigned to Senate Public Safety Committee. Laid Over. Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Monday February, 22. Passed off the Senate Floor 38-8 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 767 (Senator David Bullard) Allows superintendents to authorize anyone with a valid handgun license and has demonstrated proficiency in handgun training and campus-specific active shooter training to carry weapons on school grounds.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-1 on Monday, February 22. Title Stricken. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

Senate Bill 925 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Jay Steagall) Modifies language related to self-defense with a firearm. It adds "occupied premises" to the list of places the Legislature recognizes that the citizens of the State of Oklahoma have a right to expect absolute safety and that a person legally is allowed to defend.

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-2 on Friday, February 19. Passed off the Senate Floor 36-8 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 926 (Senator Nathan Dahm and Representative Eric Roberts) Extends the firearms law preemption to air powered pistols

Update: Passed Senate Public Safety Committee 9-0 on Monday, February 22. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.

Senate Joint Resolution 21 (Senator David Bullard) Puts to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment prohibiting any future legislation, taxation or rules that would infringe upon Second Amendment rights.

Update: Assigned to Senate Rules Committee.


Workforce Development

House Bill 1981 (Representative Mark Lepak) Creates a Universal Licensing Recognition Act. Allows a person living in Oklahoma to apply for licensing or certification if there is no conflict with any interstate compact or state-to-state reciprocity or equivalency agreement as determined by the Oklahoma regulatory entity. The bill requires the person to show proof of residency or be married to and accompanying an active duty member of the military stationed in Oklahoma, be currently licensed or certified by another state with a similar scope of work through a substantially similar examination, have minimum education requirement and, if applicable, professional work experience, education training and clinical supervision requirements.

Update: Passed House Business and Commerce Committee 9-2 on Wednesday, February 24. Dormant pursuant to the rules.

House Bill 2860 (Representative Kevin Wallace and Senator Roger Thompson) Creates the Oklahoma Remote Quality Jobs Inventive Act. Provides for the Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Tax Commission to create policy’s attracting growth industries that employ remote workers.

Update: Passed House Appropriations and Budget Committee 29-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House floor 96-0 on Wednesday, March 3. Engrossed to Senate.

House Bill 2929 (Speaker Charles McCall and Senator Greg Treat) Requires the Department of Commerce to post on its website information related to its business recruiting efforts with an emphasis on possible business site locations or relocation decisions within the state.

Update: Passed House Rules Committee 9-2 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the House Floor 68-22 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to the Senate.

Senate Bill 71 (Senator Micheal Bergstrom and Representative Kevin McDugle) Modifies language related to the Department of Commerce's requirement to promulgate rules for the administration of the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act. It requires the rules establish reporting requirements for successful applicants which allow data collection and analysis by the department on employment, capital investment, changes in assessed value of a project and other impacts resulting from payments and reporting of data by the department to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 10-0 on Tuesday, February 9. Passed off the Senate Floor 45-0 on Tuesday, March 2. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 211 (Senator Tom Dugger and Representative Ken Luttrell) Modifies the powers and duties of the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools. It permits a school to be accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education for multiple years, and to obtain a sustained license annually during the period of the multi-year accreditation. It modifies the fees the board may assess.

Update: Assigned to Senate Education Committee. Title Stricken. Passed Senate Education Committee 10-2 on Tuesday, February 2. Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 20-0 on Wednesday, February 24. Passed off the Senate floor 42-5 on Wednesday. March, 3. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 587 (Senator Chuck Hall and Representative Brad Boles) Adds the delivery of industry focused instruction from Common Education, CareerTech or Higher Education to the definitions in the Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance Act.

Update: Passed Senate Finance Committee 12-0 on Tuesday, February 23. Passed off the Senate Floor 42-0 on Wednesday, March 10. Engrossed to House.

Senate Bill 936 (Senator Chuck Hall and Representative Kevin Wallace) Combines the various quality jobs programs under the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act.

Update: Passed Senate Business, Commerce and Tourism Committee 11-1 on Thursday, February 11. Passed Senate Appropriations and Budget 20-0 on Thursday, February 18. Passed off the Senate Floor 43-2 on Tuesday, March 9. Engrossed to House.


Thank you.

Glen

Glen D. Johnson
Chancellor
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
405.225.9122
gjohnson at osrhe.edu<mailto:gjohnson at osrhe.edu>
follow us on Twitter @okhighered


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