Legislature Adjorned for the Year

The Oklahoma Legislature has adjourned Sine Die for the year after an extremely productive legislative session that included passing a balanced state budget, as is required by the state Constitution, and sending a slate of conservative reforms to the governor’s desk and to the ballot.

One of the most impactful reforms just signed into law will give Oklahomans tax relief at the gas pump, as high gas prices are hitting everyone hard. After President Donald Trump called for a suspension of the federal gas tax, I worked with Oklahoma Tax Commission officials to determine how this federal policy change would affect the state. In doing so, I learned that Oklahoma had an antiquated trigger law that would have automatically increased Oklahoma gas taxes by the same amount as any federal decrease. That would have wiped out any savings for Oklahomans, so I worked with my Senate colleagues to quickly repeal the law. I look forward to the President working with Congress to provide tax relief at the pump for all Americans.

The Legislature also referred several constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide in the August or November elections. One of these state questions strengthens our election security by putting a voter ID requirement in our state Constitution. While already in statute, this change would ensure that only registered Oklahoma voters who are U.S. citizens cast ballots in our elections. Another question proposes giving Oklahomans property tax relief and expanding the “senior freeze” so more retirees are shielded from property tax hikes.

In addition to taking steps to slow the growth of property taxes, the Legislature also passed major insurance reforms that will give the Oklahoma Insurance Department more power to deny insurance companies’ excessive rate hikes. This change will keep the premiums paid by homeowners and business owners from continuing to skyrocket.

We also passed a full slate of public safety reforms that prevent domestic abuse, combat the fentanyl crisis and make it a felony crime for someone to impersonate a law enforcement officer. Several pro-life bills have also become law, including a measure that cracks down on abortion pills coming into this state.

Both chambers also unanimously passed legislation that prevents data centers from passing on their utility or infrastructure costs to Oklahoma ratepayers. This measure also included transparency reforms that require companies to notify the surrounding community of proposed data center developments. The Senate also passed legislation, which I supported, that would have established the state’s first residential setback requirements for wind turbines. Unfortunately, the House did not advance this measure to the governor’s desk.

Education was by far the biggest topic this session. I was proud to support pay raises for all teachers, major investments in early childhood literacy and math initiatives and making school security funding for all public schools a permanent line item in the state budget. Retired educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and judges will also see costof- living adjustments in their pension benefits due to legislation passed this year. I’m proud of these things and so many others that the Senate accomplished this session.

As always, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Senate District 20.

Please feel free to contact my Capitol office with any questions or concerns you may have about legislation or other issues impacting our state at 405-5215628 or Chuck.Hall@oksenate.gov.