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Oklahoma legislators to consider 2,800 bills

As dozens of Oklahoma state representatives and senators settle into their new elected roles, and hundreds of incumbents attempt to keep their constituents satisfied at the beginning of another two-year term, more than 2,800 bills await their consideration.

The bills—1,733 from the House, 1,040 from the Senate and a combined 42 joint resolutions—attempt to tackle a wide array of issues facing Oklahomans, ranging from raising the minimum wage to doing away with daylight saving time.

The Talon has compiled information on some of the most noteworthy bills, which will be reviewed when the state legislative session begins Feb. 4.

Daylight saving time change

House Bill 1117, authored by Kevin West, R-Moore, would exempt Oklahoma from the federal daylight saving time provision.

According to West, who formerly lived in non-daylight saving time-observing Arizona, there is research suggesting not observing daylight saving time could lead to improved statewide health and a decrease in automobile accidents.

A similar measure, Senate Bill 1309, was passed 5-4 by a Senate committee last year but was never voted on by the House or Senate.

Oklahoma is one of 26 states where legislators have filed bills to exempt their state from daylight saving time. Arizona and Hawaii are the only states who currently do not observe it.

Minimum wage increase

Proposed by Democratic Sen. George Young, Senate Bill 102 would raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.50 per hour.

The minimum wage in Oklahoma last increased in July 2009, when the federal minimum wage rose to $7.25 an hour. As the federal rate remains stagnant despite inflation, lawmakers across the nation have passed measures raising their minimum wage on a statewide level. On Jan. 1, minimum wage workers in 20 states saw their hourly pay rate increase.

It could prove difficult to convince a Republican-majority House and Senate that increased spending from low-income earners would outweigh the negative economic impact of greater payroll spending by employers, according to the Journal Record.

Reduced sentences for nonviolent offenders

House Bill 1269, a bipartisan proposal from John Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City, would qualify several hundred nonviolent offenders for a reduced sentence.

If passed, those sentenced on drug charges prior to the enactment of State Question 780 in July 2017 could be eligible for early prison release, sentence commutation or resentencing under the new guidelines. Passed by Oklahoma voters in Nov. 2016, State Question 780 reclassified several simple drug possession and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.

“We have Oklahomans that are labeled as felons, and their crimes would be legal or a much lesser crime today,” Dunningham said in a written statement. “These folks are disenfranchised, and their families are suffering. This legislation seeks to heal these wounds and continue Oklahoma down the road of responsible criminal justice reform.”

Increased speed limit on turnpikes

House Bill 1071, drafted by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, would raise the speed limit on portions of Oklahoma turnpikes from 75 to 80 mph.

According to Pae, who has had exploratory conversations with turnpike officials about the bill, many drivers already exceed the limit, and neighboring states like Texas have not seen any negative safety consequences from higher limits.

The speed increase from 75 to 80 miles per hour would decrease the drive time from Oklahoma City to Tulsa by approximately 4 1/2 minutes, a turnpike spokesperson told ABC 7 News in Lawton.

How do bills like these become laws?

Prior to reaching the governor’s desk, a bill must stop several times on the Senate and House floors.  

Once a bill is filed electronically and assigned a number, it goes to the House for a first and second reading, and is then assigned to an appropriate committee for review. There are 22 committees in Oklahoma, focusing on statewide interests including tourism, agriculture and public health.

Upon review, the committee drafts a report on the bill, in which they may decide to pass, not pass or pass as amended up the ladder to the floor leader. They may also choose not to act on the matter.

The floor leader may then schedule the bill to be reviewed and voted on in the floor agenda. It first goes to the House for a vote, and then to the Senate if at least a 51 percent majority of the House votes yes. If at least 25 of 48 state senators vote yes, the bill may then be amended further by senate committees or go straight to the governor’s desk.

The governor may choose to sign, veto or take no action on the bill. The House and Senate can override a veto with a two-thirds majority vote. If no action is taken within five days of reaching their desk, the bill automatically becomes law.

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