OKLAHOMA CITY – In the wake of Gov. Stitt’s flurry of vetoes this legislative session, Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on state legislators to remind the Governor that they are a co-equal branch of government.
“The power of the override is critical in these waning days of session,” said Drummond. “Gov. Stitt is forcing the Legislature to answer a fundamental question that will determine its relevance for the remainder of his final term: Do the House and Senate wish to remain a co-equal branch of government? This is a pivotal moment for these chambers.”
As of May 22, Gov. Stitt has vetoed 45 bills this session, with additional vetoes likely.
“These vetoes, a number of which are plainly inexplicable, clearly show the Governor’s contempt for the legislative process,” Drummond said. “He has utilized the veto pen far more often that his predecessors and routinely criticizes the Legislature for the bills that land on his desk. No Oklahoma Governor in recent history has issued as many vetoes as he has.”
But Stitt has also had 43 vetoes overridden during his tenure in office – far more than any of his predecessors.
“Legislators in previous sessions stepped up on behalf of their constituents when good bills were vetoed,” Drummond said. “I have every confidence the new leadership teams in both chambers will do the same.”
He urged the Legislature to take stock of the fact that the vetoed measures passed overwhelmingly – some unanimously – with veto-proof supermajorities.
“Our lawmakers have done a tremendous service for the people of Oklahoma through the passage of many of these bills,” Drummond said. “The legislation at issue would strengthen public safety, sharpen government transparency and accountability, ensure appropriate healthcare, and much more. The power is with the people, and the people are most directly represented by the men and women they have sent to the House and Senate. For the sake of making certain that the Legislature remains a co-equal branch of government, it is my hope legislative leaders strongly consider overriding these vetoes, many of which are simply baffling and bizarre.”
While Drummond urged legislators to consider overriding all the vetoes, he called particular attention to several. They include:
- HB 1029 – Extends the sunset year for the Oklahoma Funeral Board. (pending action on second bill)
- HB 1030 – Extends the sunset year for the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
- HB 1389 – Requires health benefit plans to cover supplemental examinations and imaging to screen for breast cancer.
- HB 1592 – Creates a new crime of organized retail crime, which includes retail theft committed across multiple municipalities and reestablishes the Organized Retail Crime task force to facilitate law enforcement cooperation.
- HB 2048 – Creates the 340B Nondiscrimination Act which prohibits health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers from reimbursing 340B entities for certain drugs at reduced rates or engaging in other discriminatory actions.
- HB 2131 – Modifies various provisions related to grand jury transcripts, limiting their use and viewing, and establishing modified notice and hearing procedures for them.
- HB 2163 – Creates a Public Access Counselor Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and process complaints and requests related to denied access to public records controlled by state public bodies besides the Legislature.
- SB 54 – Adds to the list of offenses that may be considered aggravated driving under the influence and clarifies that aggravated DUI is a felony. Makes a portion of the sentence not subject to probation, suspension or deferral.
- SB 574 – Allows colleges and universities to be eligible political subdivisions to receive Opioid Abatement Grants. Allows the Abatement Board to use up to 10 percent of the funds for statewide abatement projects.
- SB 631 – Includes discharging a firearm into a dwelling or building used for public or business purposes as a crime which, upon conviction, convicted persons must serve 85 percent of their sentence prior to parole eligibility.
- SB 773 – Removes administration of pharmacy discount cards from the definition of pharmacy benefits management, while ensuring cooperation with any investigation. Allows the attorney general to collect certain prescription data while investigating noncompliance complaints.
- SB 1089 – Modifies provisions related to competency determination and ensures those accused of committing the most heinous crimes are not released from civil commitment without notice to the victims and the district attorney.
