Special thanks to Nancy McDaniel of Creek County for making this update possible! We hope to make this a regular column in OKGrassroots. She does a great job of tracking legislation and keeping us and others informed on legislative matters.
Note: Remember SB (Senate bills) are now in the House for consideration and HB (House bills) are in the senate for consideration. This session will close on Thursday May 8th.
If you want to see the full text of a bill please visit oklegislature.gov and click on bill track box.
ACTION ALERT – Make your calls today!
Please see our previous post on earlier part of this session here.
SB889 regarding hospitals to disclose their standard hospital charges in compliance with federal guidelines FAILED today.
For these House bills in the SENATE, call or email your PERSONAL SENATOR and the Senate majority floor leader julie.daniels@oksenate.gov to tell them you want these bills heard, supported and given a vote on the Senate floor:
HB1197 Maynard/Bullard – Authorizes the State Treasurer to establish a bullion depository and issue transaction cards that will allow a United State citizen to make debit purchases against their balance of deposits within the depository. (This bill has 28 coauthors!)
HB1199 Maynard/Bullard – Establishes a definition for specie, which is considered coins with gold or silver content or refined gold and silver bullion that is coined, stamped or imprinted with its weight and valued primarily based on its metal content. Provides that species cannot be considered personal property for taxation or regulatory purposes and no person should be subject to tax when exchanging, selling or purchasing specie. Can be recognized to pay debts. (This bill has 25 coauthors!)
HB1005 Olsen/Bullard – Modifies and expands the requirements for proof of identity for voters in elections. Key provisions include: • Amends the definition of proof of identity to specify that it must satisfy all applicable requirements; • Provides a temporary exception for voter identification cards for elections held prior to January 1, 2027; • Requires that for elections conducted on or after January 1, 2027, all voters must present proof of identity that meets the full requirements; • Tasks Service Oklahoma with developing and providing a free photo identification card to meet the voter identification requirements by January 1, 2027. The photo identification card will be valid for 10 years and only made available at state-run Service Oklahoma locations. If residents have a name or address change, they must apply for a new photo identification card; • Directs the Chief Executive Officer of Service Oklahoma to consult with the Secretary of the State Election Board to develop the photo identification card; • States that the proof of identity requirements outlined in the bill will also apply to voters appearing at in-person absentee voting sites; and • Authorizes the Secretary of the State Election Board and the Chief Executive Officer of Service Oklahoma to promulgate rules and procedures necessary to implement the requirements of this section. The second floor substitute adds language establishing that the photo identification cards will be valid for 10 years and can only be issued at state-run Service Oklahoma locations and requiring residents to apply for a new photo identification card if they have a name or address change. (basically photo ID for voter cards).
HB1865 Roberts/Bergstrom – The measure authorizes the Secretary of the State Election Board to accept written notice from tribal court clerks regarding felony convictions and cancel the voter registrations of affected individuals in their respective counties. The bill also allows the Secretary to approve additional ballot printing on election day in cases of shortages or emergencies while maintaining existing provisions for accessible ballots. Additionally, the measure establishes that vote centers, where voters can cast ballots regardless of precinct, will not be used on election day, except in emergencies affecting specific precincts, as determined by the Secretary. (primary point PROHIBITS VOTE CENTERS where any voter can vote at any precinct but E-POLL BOOKS WOULD HAVE TO BE USED THAT CONNECT TO THE INTERNET).
HB2818 Steagall/Weaver – Provides that the unlawful pointing of a firearm does not apply to a person acting in self-defense or to home or business owners in defense of their private property. Also provides for the justified defensive display of a firearm or other deadly weapon.
HB1120 Lepak/Bergstrom – New state oversight requirements for the implementation of federal election directives and the acceptance of federal election funds, and disallows the Secretary of the State Election Board and county election board secretaries from implementing any new federal election directive or guidance without prior approval from the State Legislature.
HB2191 Wolfley/Bergstrom – Amends. A notary public who is authorized to notarize more than 20 absentee ballot affidavits at a single election shall submit a copy of the log to the secretary of the county election board which shall include the name and address of the voter and the date, time, and location of the notarization. The log to be a public record. (will cut down on voter fraud risks).
TOP PRIORITY items above ^
These are additional bills of key interest below v
The following bill has passed both House and Senate but because the House made an amendment, the Senate has to approve the amendment before the bill is considered “passed” and engrossed and sent to the governor. Call or email your PERSONAL SENATOR to approve the amendment and get it sent to the governor:
SB147 Pederson/Hall – Requires the Secretary of the State Election Board to direct county election boards to conduct a post-election audit for general elections, primary elections, special elections, and presidential primary elections. Additionally, under the direction of the Secretary of the State Election Board, the secretary of the county election board can conduct a post-election audit for any election.
The following bills have passed both House and Senate but because the Senate made an amendment, the House has to approve the amendment before the bill is considered “passed” and engrossed and sent to the governor. Call or email your PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE to approve the amendment and get it sent to the governor:
HB2728 Kendrix/Bergstrom – HB 2728 creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025. The measure modifies the duties of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to include providing rule impact analyses for major rules as defined in the measure. Additionally, LOFT shall provide economic analysis when reviewing proposed administrative rules of state agencies classified as major rules. Specifically, LOFT shall determine whether a proposed rule could result in implementation and compliance costs of more than $1 million over the initial 5 year period of implementation. (basically like the Chevron doctrine on the federal level that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court recently where federal 3 letter agencies were making “rules” and tried to act as if those “rules” were “laws” undermining the legislative branch. Also, this bill has 43 coauthors!).
HB1600 Gise/Hines – Creates the “Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2025,” which outlines that each patient treated in the state must have the following rights when being treated: • The right to considerate and respectful care provided in a safe environment; • To receive information in a manner they understand; • To receive as much information about any proposed treatment or procedure in order to give informed consent; • To have an advance directive attorney or to designate a surrogate decision-maker; • To participate in the development and implementation of their plan of care; • To accept medical care or refuse treatment; • To become aware of their rights as a patient in advance of, or when discontinuing, the provision of care; • To have a family member or representative notified of their admission to the hospital; • To request no information on their admittance, diagnosis, or treatment be released; • To review records and obtain a copy of records and have the information explained; • To reasonable continuity of care; • To confidential treatment of all communications and records related to the hospital stay; • To expect that the hospital will make a reasonable response to the request of a patient for appropriate care and services; • The patient or patient’s representative has the right to participate in the consideration of ethical issues; • To be advised of the hospital’s complaint or grievance process; • To access or have accessed protective and advocacy services; • To receive an explanation of their bill; • To remain free of restraints or seclusion that aren’t medically necessary; • To receive the visitors whom they designate; and • Inform Medicare beneficiaries in advance of procedures or treatment in which Medicare may deny treatment. (This bill has 16 coauthors).
HB1863 Roberts/Rader – Increases the punishment for a person or agency who knowingly permits, assists, or encourages the release, disclosure, or use of confidential records of information for any commercial political or unauthorized purpose to up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of $5,000. Also provides that each multidisciplinary child abuse team review cases involving child sexual abuse or physical abuse or neglect. Also requires the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to provide for the creation and maintenance of a secure database that will be used by freestanding multidisciplinary child abuse teams during case review. The database will collect case information and maintain strict security as well as be subject to confidential records requirements.
And finally, the REAL ID resolution SR18 by Sacchieri to allow opt out is just sitting in the Senate with no action yet.
Original content OKGrassroots
