Voter Info for April
• April 1 candidate filings for federal, state, legislative, and judicial offices begins. Statutory filing period for June 16 election is from April 1-3. Resolution for primary election and special elections due.
• April 2-3 early voting open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• April 7 is an election day! Board of Education and General Elections are on the ballot including positions for Olive, Mannford, and Drumright school boards as well as the City of Cushing and City of Yale.
• April 12 is the last day to begin special filing period for June 16 election
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Senate approved a broad package of legislation this week covering public safety, education, health care and government operations, while the Oklahoma House of Representatives also advanced a wide-ranging slate of bills addressing similar issues. All measures now move to the opposite chamber for further consideration.
Among the Senate measures, Senate Bill 1325 would require GPS ankle monitors for certain domestic violence defendants with prior abuse adjudications or violent charges, alerting victims and law enforcement if the offender comes too close.
Senate Bill 483 would allow counties to establish voluntary relocation assistance programs for homeless individuals using private donations, requiring verification of a safe destination before travel is provided.
Senate Bill 1636 creates a formal process for reviewing cold cases, including independent investigations, set timelines and required communication with victims’ families.
Senate Bill 1725 aims to protect free speech on college campuses by preventing punishment for expression that does not meet the legal definition of harassment and requiring viewpoint-neutral security fees.
Senate Bill 1778 proposes major updates to early literacy efforts, including a single statewide screening tool, expanded reading intervention and increased accountability for teacher preparation programs.
Senate Bill 63 would raise the optional stipend for school board members from $25 to as much as $190 per meeting, reflecting inflation since the rate was last updated in 1972.
In health and human services, Senate Bill 1570 would consolidate multiple child welfare agencies into a new Department of Child Safety and Well-being to streamline services and improve outcomes.
Senate Bill 1565 establishes a framework for Oklahoma to participate in a federal maternal health initiative aimed at improving care for mothers and infants through expanded services and funding.
Senate Bill 1369 creates a revolving fund to ensure continued operation of the state’s 988 mental health crisis line following the loss of federal funding.
Senate Bill 1427 expands access to early screening for Type 1 diabetes, allowing parents to request testing that can detect the disease before symptoms appear.
Public safety and criminal justice measures include Senate Bill 137, which bars individuals convicted of DUI causing great bodily injury from participating in electronic monitoring programs.
Senate Bill 1381 would establish a pilot program ensuring defendants receive bond hearings within 48 to 72 hours, aimed at speeding up the pretrial process.
Senate Bill 1618 requires courts to use validated risk assessments when determining pretrial release, helping judges evaluate potential public safety risks.
Senate Bill 1379 creates a pilot program to support victims of human trafficking by directing funding to organizations providing direct services and long-term recovery assistance.
Senate Bill 65 expands access to opioid antagonists like Narcan, allowing any person to possess and administer the medication in overdose situations without liability.
Senate Bill 1319 would establish a process for homeowners to receive assistance if their property is contaminated, including potential remediation or property purchase by the state.
Senate Bill 904 prohibits the use of state Medicaid funds or property for gender transition procedures, focusing on restrictions in public funding.
Senate Bill 504 would prohibit marriage under the age of 18, eliminating current provisions allowing minors to marry with parental consent.
Senate Bill 1436 requires hospitals to provide families with information on how to request a stillborn death certificate following a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Economic and community measures include Senate Bill 2040, which expands eligibility and funding for the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program.
Senate Bill 2061 creates the Oklahoma Food Policy Council to support local agriculture and improve access to Oklahomagrown food.
Senate Bills 1894 and 592 aim to modernize state policies by allowing more flexibility in teacher training requirements and updating certain business regulations, including alcohol distribution practices.
Senate Bill 1204 provides paid bereavement leave for teachers and school employees following the death of a spouse or child, including miscarriage.
Senate Bill 2007 targets pharmacy benefit managers by requiring fees when reimbursement rates are increased after appeal, aiming to protect local pharmacies from financial losses.
Meanwhile, the House advanced its own slate of legislation.
House Bill 4153 would restore an eighth-grade reading requirement for minors seeking a driver license, requiring proof of literacy through testing or alternative documentation.
House Bill 3240 would require schools to allow voluntary prayer or religious text reading during the school day, with participation requiring parental consent and strict limits to ensure it does not disrupt instruction.
House Bill 4294 expands insurance protections for individuals with epilepsy, prohibiting denial of coverage based on diagnosis and requiring coverage for certain medical devices used to treat seizures.
House Bill 3802 would prevent insurance companies from increasing premiums solely due to the removal of a deceased spouse from a policy, ensuring widows are not penalized after a loss.
House Bill 3660 provides additional end-of-life options for families, allowing alternative burial methods under regulated conditions with safeguards to protect public health and the environment.
House Bill 2015 updates landlord-tenant law by outlining clearer processes for tenants to seek damages or withhold rent when landlords fail to meet legal obligations.
House Bill 3781 would increase transparency in insurance rate changes by requiring companies to submit proposed increases for review before they take effect.
House Bill 3244 strengthens identity theft laws by expanding definitions, increasing penalties and addressing organized fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations.
House Bill 4265 designates multiple memorial highways and honors longtime Capitol staff member Harvey Weathers Jr., along with other community figures.
House Joint Resolution 1046 would send a proposal to voters to freeze property taxes for homeowners whose residences are destroyed by natural disasters.
House Bill 2959 strengthens school reporting requirements by mandating that allegations of abuse or neglect be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.
House Bill 3742, known as the Due Process Protection Act, updates criminal discovery laws to ensure timely sharing of evidence and improve fairness in court proceedings.
House Bill 1939 increases transparency in turnpike planning by requiring additional public notice, input and reporting for major infrastructure projects.
House Bill 3586, the “Right to Raise Act,” aims to protect parental rights by clarifying that certain beliefs or language related to biological sex cannot alone be considered abuse or neglect.
House Joint Resolution 1081 proposes eliminating income limits for seniors to qualify for property tax freezes, expanding eligibility based on age and residency.
House Bill 2933 increases insurance accountability by requiring detailed reporting, improving claims processes and establishing a Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights.
House Bill 4285 creates a revolving fund to support maternal health improvements, focusing on reducing complications and improving outcomes for mothers and infants.
House Bill 3016 establishes a pilot program to expand vision screening for young students, helping identify issues that may impact learning.
House Bill 3711 requires schools topubliclyreporthowmuchfunding is spent on classroom instruction, increasing transparency in education spending.
House Bill 3934 expands dental care access by allowing dental assistants and hygienists to perform additional services under broader supervision, particularly in underserved areas.
House Bills 3764 and 3765 increase penalties for certain crimes committed by individuals tied to foreign terrorist organizations or non-citizens convicted of felonies, including potential property forfeiture.
House Bills 3047 and 3057 improve government transparency by centralizing agency reports and eliminating outdated reporting requirements.
House Bill 4420 strengthens reading requirements by expanding early intervention, accountability and teacher training to improve literacy outcomes statewide.
House Bill 1675 requires youth camps to develop site-specific emergency plans, including severe weather protocols, training and communication systems.
House Bill 3075 allows public agencies to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel, reflecting declining use of pennies.
House Bill 4260 provides workers’ compensation coverage for first responders who suffer heart attacks or strokes following strenuous duty-related activity.
All measures now move to the opposite chamber for further consideration.