NASL member A&A Advocates shares the latest legislative news from Oklahoma below:
Lawmakers and child nutrition advocates say there’s a “growing conversation” at the state Capitol on expanding school meal programs, but opinions among the Republican majority are mixed. Some Republican lawmakers say they want to boost the state’s investment in providing free school meals. Others say they’re not interested in footing the bill for expired federal initiatives. House Bill 1376—a bill to raise the household income threshold for a student to qualify for free meals—is still eligible for consideration when lawmakers gavel in for their next session on Feb. 5.
Two bill proposals, introduced by Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, caught national attention this week, including HB 3084, which forbids students who purport to be an imaginary animal or animal species or who engage in anthropomorphic behavior to be allowed to participate in the school curriculum or activities and HB 3133 that could label Hispanic gangs as terrorists to curb fentanyl smuggling.
The issue of taxing income for citizens of the Five Tribes within reservation boundaries may reach the U.S. Supreme Court, as suggested during oral arguments in Stroble v. Oklahoma Tax Commission—an appeal of a decision by the OTC, which denied Stroble’s claim that her 2017, 2018 and 2019 income taxes paid to the state should be refunded because the state lacked jurisdiction to collect the taxes.
On Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt called the Oklahoma Legislature into a special session for the second time in six months to discuss taxes. Stitt is seeking a .25% reduction in the personal income tax. Shortly after the call, Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat described the special session as a waste of taxpayer money. While the governor faces pushback from the state Senate, Stitt is doubling down on his efforts. State lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Feb. 5 for the first day of the regular session. The governor’s special session is scheduled to begin Jan. 29.
What We’re Watching
Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Victoria “Allie” Friesen as Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. View the appointment here.
On Tuesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt named Shelley Zumwalt Oklahoma Secretary of Tourism.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives completed bill filing on Thursday for the second regular session of the 59th Legislature. 1,210 House Bills, 12 House Joint Resolutions and one House Concurrent Resolution were filed. The full text of the bills can be found here.