Alva Review-Courier -

Last week was quiet for the Senate except for conference committee work. One of my bills, HB2282, must go through the Conference Committee to restore the title. Once this occurs, then it will head to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Gov. Stitt signed HB3182, my Emergency Drought Commission bill. This bill establishes a standing committee instead of waiting for an emergency order or executive order to be called by the Governor. The committee is made up of the secretary of the Oklahoma Department of Food and Forestry, the executive director of the Water Resources Board, the executive director of the Conservation Commission, a member appointed by the Speaker of the House who resides west of Interstate 35, and a member appointed by the President Pro Temp of the Senate who resides east of I-35. This bill will provide a faster reactionary time and be more responsive as droughts occur in the future.

Gov. Stitt also signed into law SB1651, my Out-of-State Tuition bill. This bill allows schools to increase their student population by allowing out-of-state students to transfer to an Oklahoma school without paying exorbitant tuition. The receiving local school can receive out-of-state students contingent on that school district. Out-of-state parents now have a choice of education in Oklahoma schools.

Also signed into law was SB1209, Honorary Consul License Plate. This bill will eliminate issuing Honorary Consul Vanity Plates that have been misused in some states and have provided diplomatic immunity when it was not appropriate. This bill will prevent further fraud or abuse regarding the acquisition and use of this category of vanity license plates. It also assists law enforcement agencies by preventing confusion in identifying Federal Department-issued diplomatic plates to career diplomates versus vanity plates issued by states.

On Wednesday, I, along with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and Representative Daniel Pae, had the opportunity to present a Senate Concurrent Resolutions (SCR19) to Director General Yvonne Hsiao and Director Sean Wei from the Taipei Economic and Cultural located in Houston, Texas. For several years now, we have celebrated the longstanding sister-state relationship between the U.S. (Oklahoma) and Taiwan. I also had the opportunity to visit Taiwan a few years ago and was greeted by incredibly kind people. We acknowledge that Taiwan is one of our greatest allies and has been a great partner in various trade agreements, economic dealings, and investments. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office plays a large role in this partnership.

On Thursday, the National Day of Prayer held a program on the South Plaza here at the State Capitol. This time to come together to pray for us, our community, our state, and our nation is the foundation of our religious freedoms. Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18 19-20).

In closing, we have four more weeks until the end of the official session. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my office. You can reach my office at 405-521-5630 or [email protected].