Today the Oklahoma Legislature gavels in for the legislative session. Hundreds of bills written by the members of the legislature enter the committee process, to be voted by the committees, amendments being made, and then brought to the floor for votes.
Three important bills include House Bill 3958, House Bill 3112, and House Bill 2970
House Bill 3958
Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, has filed HB 3958 that would require school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a student to include the student’s parent or guardians.
“This protects everyone,” Conley said. “This protects the student from receiving inappropriate content from an educator, and it protects the educator as well from any allegation of impropriety. This law also would ensure the parent is involved in their child’s education.”
House Bill 3112
Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, said he is taking a proactive step toward safeguarding Oklahoma’s public school students with the introduction of House Bill 3112. The bill would prohibit schools and school districts from accepting financial donations or gifts from countries designated as “hostile” or “Countries of Particular Concern (CPC)” by the United States Secretary of State.
“We must never allow an avowed enemy of America and of freedom direct influence over the education of our children,” Gann said.
House Bill 2970
House Bill 2970 comes in response to what Gann termed are growing concerns over the Oklahoma Road User Charge (RUC) Task Force’s controversial “Road User Charge” proposal.
“Under their Orwellian proposed plan, Oklahomans would be monitored on every mile they drive, and pay a tax for each of these miles,” Gann said.
He said he believes this could lead to excessive government control over personal travel and play, and that he is echoing the worries that many citizens have expressed. He sees the proposal as unfairly penalizing motorists, especially those in rural areas of the state who do not have alternative options for commuting.