The Latest in Oklahoma: April 126, 2024 Update
A&A Advocates
A Texas-style immigration bill, House Bill 4156, passed through the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday with a vote of 39-8 and will now be sent to the governor’s desk. The bill would create the offense of “impermissible occupation,” which on the first offense would be punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to a year in jail or both. The second offense would be punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up $1,000 or both. After conviction or release from custody a person would have 72 hours to leave the state.
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Thursday morning that he has instructed schools within the state not to comply with the Biden administration’s changes to Title IX, which include gender identity protections. Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. announced a similar intention to fight the Title IX changes on Wednesday, calling the new guidelines absurd.
Shelley Zumwalt—executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the governor’s choice for tourism secretary—could face a difficult confirmation process in light of a newly released audit, Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat said on Thursday. The audit questioned how Zumwalt approved $8.5 million in contract payments to Phase 2, a firm where her husband is employed. The Second Session of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature ends at 5 p.m. May 31.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicaid and CHIP Managed Care Access rules on Monday. For more information, click here.
Oklahoma Secretary of Energy Michael Ming announced Wednesday that he will step down from his cabinet-level position by the end of May.
A measure making Oklahoma’s state employee management agency and the Chief Information Officer subject to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, House Bill 3057, authored by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, has been sent to the governor’s desk.
“As governors, we are very concerned by the Biden Administration’s move to pause approvals of new liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects, especially after Iran’s attack on Israel last week. The U.S. is the world’s leading exporter of LNG, and the decision to pause new approvals undermines our economic and national security, and the security of our allies. It creates instability and threatens future energy security throughout the world at a time when our allies need us the most. It sends a message that the U.S. is not a reliable energy partner. We call on the Biden Administration to reverse course and lift the pause, allowing America to retain its global energy advantage ensuring Americans and our allies abroad have access to a steady supply of affordable energy.” – Gov. Kevin Stitt, alongside half of the nation’s governors calling on President Joe Biden to lift the pause on new approvals of liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects.