A&A Advocates of Oklahoma, NASL member firm, provides a legislative update below:
Gov. Kevin Stitt delivered his State of the State address to kick off Oklahoma’s 59th Legislature. The speech highlighted his priorities for the 2024 regular legislative session, including economic growth, tax reform, civil asset forfeiture reform, eliminating redundancies in higher education, and encouraging strong family values.
On Monday, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board unanimously approved revised commutation eligibility requirements, including the implementation of a waiting period for state prisoners to argue their sentence is unjust or excessive and a requirement for prisoners to serve the lesser of five years in prison or one-third of their sentence to become eligible for commutation, which must receive final approval from the Legislature to take effect.
Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford continued Monday to support a $118 billion Senate package designed to address the migrant crisis at the southern border and also provide additional aid for Ukraine, Israel, and other U.S. allies, which Lankford’s own Republican Party has criticized. The border policy is the result of months of negotiations with his Democratic Senate colleagues.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, along with 41 other attorneys general, is asking U.S. House and Senate leadership to ensure the federal Crime Victims Fund is replenished. The Victims of Crime Act of 1984 has traditionally been one of the biggest sources of revenue for nonprofit victims’ support organizations in Oklahoma. However, in 2024, the fund balance is estimated to be 41% lower and has a $700 million shortfall.
What We’re Watching
State Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, has announced that he will step down from his Senate District 48 seat effective November 15, 2024.
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Dr. Corey Finch as the newest addition to his cabinet Thursday, filling the Secretary of Health and Mental Health role.
“We’re making sure the next generation can live out their American Dream – their Oklahoma dream.” – Gov. Kevin Stitt delivering the 2024 State of the State Address