The Senate just concluded the first of two long weeks of hearing bills on the floor. Both chambers have sent a steady stream of bills to the governor’s desk. Meanwhile, bills that have been amended now return to their chamber of origin. A handful of Senate bills I authored and several House bills I coauthored await Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature.
One bill headed to the governor’s desk would raise legal notice rates in local newspapers for the first time in 20 years, which would support Oklahoma’s 144 community newspapers. The Legislature sets the rates for legal notices, and House Bill 2167 takes the rates from 13 or 14 cents a word to 20 or 22 cents per word. This legislation also includes important reforms to improve the accessibility of these notices that inform the public about legal, property and business matters. This bill requires news websites to put legal notices outside paywalls so everyone, not just subscribers, can read them. Not passing this legislation would accelerate the spread of news deserts across Oklahoma, leaving more communities without local news.
I also sent several other bills to the governor’s desk this past week. One bill aims to keep domestic abuse victims safe by cracking down on repeat offenders. Essentially, House Bill 1413 changes the law around stalking and violating a victim protective order so the punishments for repeat offenses or pleading guilty to these crimes match the punishments for other domestic violence crimes. Another bill going to the governor, House Bill 1062 from Rep. Ken Luttrell, allows servers 18 and older — but under 21 — to pour beer, wine, and certain pre-mixed cocktails. Only licensed bartenders 21 or older would still be allowed to mix drinks.
House Bill 2897, which requires signage in dispensaries to warn pregnant women about the dangers of marijuana use, is headed back to the House after being amended in the Senate. Another cannabis bill, this one requested by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, has returned to the House after passing the Senate. It allows licensed transporters to temporarily store products in warehouses, as long as they’re tracked in the seed-to-sale tracking system. It also clarifies pre-packaging requirements for marijuana products distributed to dispensaries.
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently advanced my Bringing Sitcoms Home From Hollywood Pilot Program, which offers tax rebates for sitcoms, talk shows and game shows filmed in Oklahoma. The goal is to build a niche entertainment sector that brings lasting jobs and investment to this state. When Killers of the Flower Moon was filmed in Senate District 10, it brought a major boost to the area, but the benefits ended when production wrapped. In contrast, sitcoms and live audience shows often run for years, giving Oklahoma the chance to benefit season after season from a single production.
On a final note, thanks to the organizers of this year’s district legislative forums. Last week, I attended the final Ponca City, Newkirk and Tonkawa forums for this year. I so appreciate these opportunities to update my constituents on what’s happening at the Capitol.
Your comments and concerns are of the utmost importance to me and my office. As always, please email me at [email protected] or call (405) 521-5581.
