2019 gallery: Gov. Kevin Stitt signs criminal justice reform measure, bill to limit 4-day school weeks
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed 516 new laws from the 2019 legislative session. He has vetoed 16 measures:
- Senate Bill 841 (Stitt says similar legislation in other states "has been struck down for impermissibly attempting to regulate health plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974”);
- SB 134 (it would have created a special exemption from an IT-related law and contradicted an executive order regarding IT-related hiring, Stitt says);
- SB 685 (it would have allowed the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners to "violate both the spirit and the text of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act," Stitt says);
- House Bill 2465 (it would "require state agencies to pay employees for overtime ... regardless of the desire of the agency or employee," Stitt says);
- HB 1968 (it "would insert state government into contract disputes between firefighter and police officer unions and municipalities," Stitt says);
- SB 566 (allowing private hunting on public lands is not allowed for under the Oklahoma Constitution, Stitt says);
- SB 44 (it "would define the term 'instructional expenditure' to mean expenditures for instruction and instructional staff support services ... (which) does not align our state with the federal definition," Stitt says);
- HB 1205 (it would have created a citizen task force regarding in-home and community-based care and services);
- HB 1940 (on school attendance);
- SB 251 (on medical expense recovery);
- HB 1018 (on HIV/AIDS education);
- HB 2036 (on driver's license procedure);
- HB 2289 (on requirements for liens);
- HB 1979 (on traumatic brain injuries);
- HB 2477 (on licensing fees); and
- SB 1066 (which would have created a revolving fund at DHS).
After first signing constitutional carry into law, Stitt has celebrated legislation on state agency controls and funding for economic development.
Stitt on Tuesday signed a bill cracking down on antipsychotic drugs being administered to nursing home residents. Senate Bill 142 prohibits the use of antipsychotic drugs unless a patient was previously diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, with some exceptions.
Among notable measures, Stitt signed a bill into law that will increase the speed limit on Oklahoma turnpikes from 75 to 80 miles per hour and on certain state highways from 70 to 75 miles per hour.
Recent headlines:
Pharmacy and eyecare bills signed by governor
Here are some highlights of measures signed into law by the governor.
Senate Bill 441
Signed May 28, the measure is designed to reduce the number of school districts in the state on a four-day school week. It would require schools to be in session for a minimum of 165 school days, 158 of which must be instructional days. Districts seeking an exemption would have to apply for a waiver from the state. The waiver would exempt districts from the minimum school day requirement for three years.
Read more: Senate approves bill to reduce the number of school districts on four-day week schedule
Senate Bill 608
Under current law, which had been changed by State Question 792 in 2016, manufacturers of alcohol brands have the ability to designate exclusive distributors of their products, whereas before they were forced to make their products available to all distributors. This measure, signed May 13, require all wholesalers get the opportunity to distribute the 25 top-selling liquor and wine brands.
House Bill 1030
The ABLE Commission may issue employee licenses to those with non-violent felony convictions. Previously, only specific felony convictions could be allowed and only if they occurred more than five years before licensing.
MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Senate Bill 238
Signed May 13, this law requires products containing cannabidiol (CBD, the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis) be labeled with the country of origin and whether the product is synthetic or natural, unless the product is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It also allows for industrial hemp and hemp retail sales without a license if the product was grown and produced legally. Hemp and hemp-derived cannabidiol may be added without a license to cosmetics, personal care products and products intended for human and animal consumption, subject to the state's health code.
Senate Bill 21
A Republican rancher from Felt succeeded in getting rib-eye added by law to the list of "official state" products for Oklahoma.
Read more: Senate backs measure to make the rib-eye the official state steak
Senate Bill 882
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Waste Act, signed May 9 by Gov. Kevin Stitt, mandates the use of a licensed medical marijuana waste disposal company. Businesses across the state will be limited to contracting with one of only 10 businesses that will be granted $5,000 licenses to handle marijuana waste. The bill notes additional licenses may be added if OMMA determines a need after the first year.
Senate Bill 162
The measure signed May 7 expands the list of physicians that are permitted to recommend medical marijuana in Oklahoma. Here, a medical marijuana patient is examined at Greenwood Wellness Clinic in north Tulsa.
House Bill 2010
Under a measure signed April 30, people will be able to carry concealed weapons but not carry them openly in locations such as Gathering Place and the Tulsa Zoo. Facilities under a public trust, such as Gathering Place and the Tulsa and Oklahoma City zoos, can prohibit open carry at their facilities. However, people can bring in concealed weapons.
Senate Bill 566 VETOED
Vetoed by the governor: The measure would have authorized the Wildlife Department to regulate and assess fees for hunting guides and outfitters in Oklahoma’s public hunting areas, which historically have been off limits to for-profit operations.
Senate Bill 1003
Called an incentive for regulated businesses to monitor themselves and self-report environmental and safety infractions to the state, the measure allows companies to enter into agreements to conduct their own audits of their regulatory compliance. Those audits would be submitted to state agencies but in most cases would be exempt from open records laws.
Senate Bill 614
A temporarily blocked law requires those who perform medication abortions using Mifepristone to tell the patient in writing that it may be possible to reverse the effects of the drug. The measure requires those who perform medication abortions to post a sign indicating the drug is not always effective in terminating a pregnancy and that it may be possible to reverse the effects of the drug if the second dose is not taken.
Click here to read more about the measure and the lawsuit contesting it
Senate Bill 813
A new law allows certain service establishments, such as bridal shops and nail salons, to offer complimentary wine and strong beer for customers 21 and older: no more than two alcoholic beverages — 12-ounces of wine or 24 ounces of beer — per day to a guest.
Senate Bill 111
Signed by Stitt on Thursday, the measure makes Oklahoma Native American Day fall on the second Monday in October. A similar bill was vetoed by former Gov. Mary Fallin, who said then “I believe combining a new Native American Day designation with the current Columbus Day holiday could be viewed as an intentional attempt to diminish the long-standing support of November being proclaimed annually as Native American Heritage Month in Oklahoma, and the third Monday in November as ‘Oklahoma Native American Day.”
Read more: Gov. Kevin Stitt signs bill designating second Monday in October as Native American Day
House Bill 2253
The measure clarifies that a person convicted of a felony has their voting rights restored after the completion of their sentence.
House Bill 1292
The state now has an official astronomical object: the Rosette Nebula.
House Bill 1050
Effective Nov. 1, 2019, substitute teachers may be employed for a maximum of 135-145 school days (depending on certification/education) instead of 90 days. Here, substitute Katie Taylor talks with fourth-grader Kendall Burch at Rosa Parks Elementary School in 2016.
House Bill 2454
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals, the lights shall apply to drivers of vehicles and bicycles, as well as pedestrians. This measure signed April 16 permits, in certain situations, bicyclists to proceed through red lights.
Senate Bill 923
The measure signed April 16 establishes a three-day special-use permit for landowners (with 200 acres or more) to allow veterans and nonprofit organizations to hunt and fish on the land.
Senate Bill 967
Rape kits used by the Tulsa Police Department to collect evidence are shown. The measure directs the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to develop a statewide tracking system for rape kits. “The first part of the bill is trying to set up a system that works in a big city or a little city,” House sponsor Rep. Jon Echols said. “The second part of the bill sets up a priority system for the backlogged cases. Then we have to decide that we’re never going to allow this again.” John Clanton/Tulsa World file
House Bill 2640
The law named for missing Tulsan Francine Frost requires law enforcement agencies across the state to enter all missing persons and unidentified bodies into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System within 30 days. Those under the age of 18 or missing under suspicious circumstances must be entered into the system immediately. Five other states have a similar law. Here, Sheriff Vic Regalado discusses missing persons cold cases in Tulsa.
Click here to read more about the measure signed by Gov. Stitt
Senate Bill 4
Effective Nov. 1, 2019, the second Saturday of December is designated "A Day of Remembrance" honoring soldiers buried at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery and the Fort Sill National Cemetery. On or before the second Saturday in December, holiday wreaths will be placed on the graves of those soldiers in remembrance of their service and to show respect during the holiday season.
House Bill 2597
Individuals may carry firearms in Oklahoma, open or concealed, without a permit or training starting Nov. 1, 2019. It also changes the requirements for reporting possession of a firearm to law enforcement during a traffic stop.
Read more: 'Constitutional carry' becomes first legislation signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt
House Bill 2739
A $5 million supplemental appropriation goes the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, typically used to pay for infrastructure to assist in specific business recruitment or expansion efforts.
Click here to read the about discussion on the bill when it passed in the House
Senate Bill 728
Effective immediately, golf courses, marinas and country clubs may sell strong beer and wine, unopened, for off-premises consumption, closing a loophole that was created with alcohol modernization efforts.
Read more: Hit the links, drink your beer: Stitt signs bill to close loophole on alcohol sales
House Bill 2373
Effective Nov. 1, 2019, some damages in nuisance lawsuits against farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma will be capped. Noneconomic damages, also called “pain and suffering” damages, would be limited to $250,000 or three times the amount awarded for compensatory damages, or whichever is greater.
House Bill 2479, HB2480, HB2483, Senate Bill 456 and SB457
A new law allows the governor to hire, fire and set the salary of directors at five large state agencies: Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Corrections, Health Care Authority, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Department of Transportation. Directors were previously hired by the governing boards of the agencies.
House Bill 2612
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act grants rule-making powers to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, allowing the agency to hire its own investigators to look into alleged violations and outlines the process for disciplinary proceedings. The bill protects patients’ rights in state law to have firearms, but it remains a federal offense to possess cannabis and a gun at the same time. It allows employers in “safety sensitive” fields such as the operation of heavy machinery to inquire as to whether employees have patient licenses. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which must occur by 5 p.m. May 31.
Read more: Medical marijuana 'Unity Bill' signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt
Awaiting Gov. Stitt's signature
House Bill 2472
Sent to the governor's desk: The measure would authorize local law operators to cite train owners or operators for blocking a road-rail intersection for longer than 10 minutes without good reason.
Get to know the Oklahoma State Legislature
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office announced Thursday he had signed a bill to let golf courses, marinas and country clubs sell strong beer and wine for off-premises consumption.
The bill, signed Monday, applies to school vehicles, school-sponsored and school-sanctioned events and activities. The measure becomes effective July 1.
Senate Bill 614, by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, requires abortion providers to inform women who have begun drug-induced pregnancy termination of an "antidote" that supporters say can reverse the abortion drug.
A bill signed earlier this week would let the OTA and ODOT raise speed limits after conducting studies. The OTA and ODOT in the past have been against bills that automatically raise limits, saying some of the roadways were not engineered for higher speeds.
Tuesday marks Stitt’s 100th day as governor, an early benchmark of his political tenure that is the equivalent of one game played in a 16-game football season.
Gov. Kevin Still on Thursday signed a bill designating the second Monday in October as Oklahoma Native American Day.
New laws signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt plus those still awaiting his signature
He called it judicial reform and vowed that additional measures would be forthcoming.
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed a bill that will allow people to carry concealed weapons but not carry them openly in locations such as Gat…
Public education would receive a $203 million increase, with $157.7 million for common education.
Lawmakers finished their business on Thursday, but left the door open should they need to return.
Gallery: Gov. Kevin Stitt signs 429 new laws, issues 13 vetoes; several measures await his signature