Last week was a deadline week, meaning any bills that did not make it out of their committees are dead.
We can all breathe a sigh of relief that bills such as SB 803, which would have made teaching systemic racism and gender discrimination a dangerous line to toe for educators, is now dead. Problematic policy however can still show up later through amendments, as language from dead bills can be dropped into living bills still making their way through the legislative process.
The focus of the legislature will now be on getting bills out of their Chamber of Origin and the reports you will see coming out of here will mostly be on bills passing/failing on the Floor rather than out of committee.
Here are some of the highlights of this pivotal week in Oklahoma politics.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need help reaching out to your representatives.
Protest Bills
HB 1674 by West; Amends current riot laws by adding a section that if people are unlawfully obstructing streets, it removes criminal or civil liability for someone operating a vehicle fleeing a “riot”. If an organization is found to be contributing to a “riot” then they are subject to fines.
DO PASS Committee 3 AYES, 1 NAYE
Voting rights and Democracy
HB 1711 by Hill and Rosino; would give registered voters who are blind and visually impaired the option to request an absentee ballot delivered to them electronically.
DO PASS the House Floor 78 AYES, 19 NAYE
HB 1793 by Pae; Allows voters with a physical incapacity to deliver absentee ballots in person
DO PASS: 7 AYES; 0 NAYES
HB 2173 by Hilbert; Grants power to Oklahoma Governor and Speaker of the House to appoint a replacement for a sitting U.S. senator rather than going to a vote of the people.
DO PASS the House Floor 54 AYES, 42 NAYES
Emergency Clause FAILED 62 AYES; 34 NAYES
HB 2939 by Newton; Prevents the names of individual voters from being disclosed in subgroups of less than 100 people.
DO PASS: 7 AYES; 0 NAYES
Civil Rights
HB 1102 by Olsen; directs the Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision and the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners to revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions.
DO PASS Committee 9 AYES, 1 NAYE
HB 1115 by West; Allows the use of drugs to low testosterone levels of sex offenders and pedophiles. Lowers testosterone levels to almost zero.
DO PASS: 3 AYES; 1 NAYE
HB 2414 by Nichols; Request from the metro tech and their certification entity. Allows a community partner to be brought in for racial sensitivity training. Directing the creation of a Community Policing Standards Task Force to study and make recommendations on police procedures, particularly related to the use of deadly force.
BILL FAILED: 2 AYES; 2 NAYES
Immigration
HB 1118 by West; Prohibits resident aliens from being full-time peace officers
DO PASS: 3 AYES; 1 NAYE
Firearms
HB 2588 by Roberts; Allows local schools to determine who can carry firearms at the discretion of the local school board.
DO PASS Committee 3 AYES, 1 NAYE
HB 2645 by Echols; Contains a total of five firearm bills passed last year. Modifies the carrying of firearms in bar areas or restaurants selling alcohol, removes transport requirements for certain weapons, updating certain measures of the Self-Defense Act.
DO PASS: 3 AYES; 1 NAYE
HB 1630 by Hardin; Removes the ability for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to examine medical records in the firearm renewal process.
DO PASS House Floor 75 AYES, 18 NAYES
Criminal Justice Reform
HB 1551 by McDougal; Provides a mechanism for people on death row to present new evidence post-conviction. Directing the Pardon and Parole Board to establish a Conviction Integrity Review Unit to examine the convictions of persons who have received death sentences upon petition by inmates.
DO PASS: 4 AYES; 0 NAYES
HB 2729 by Pittman; Allows the dept of corrections to establish a reentry pilot program. Implement strategies and practices to help people effectively reenter society, such as mock interviews and resume help.
DO PASS: 4 AYES; 0 NAYES
See CAIR-OK Policy Platform here https://www.cairoklahoma.com/blog/cair-ok-2021-policy-platform/
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