This year, House leadership instituted a twostep process for all policy bills. It’s the same system in place for appropriations’ measures. The hope was to give each policy bill a more thorough vetting by facing more members in first a policy committee then an oversight committee.
While creating a very busy schedule, the extra deliberation has been worth it. Many bills have been amended by policy recommendations. Unintended consequences, language cleanup and more have been addressed before legislation reaches its final oversight committee. It’s hoped by the time bills face a floor vote, they are air-tight.
We have until March 6 to advance House measures out of oversight committees, and until March 27 to pass them on the floor and move them to the Senate. We’ll then begin hearing Senate bills.
Over the next four weeks, our work on the House floor will increase.
Several of the measures I authored this year have made it through the committee process.
House Bill 1667 would establish a 14-day grace period for child care workerstosubmitdocumentationof completed required annual professional development training. It also directs the Department of Human Services to complete their portion of the licensing processing within the 14-day period so the employment status of these workers is not affected. This is on top of the 45 days for those licensed through the University of Oklahoma. We need quality child care workers and centers in Oklahoma. This will help. This bill passed unanimously in the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee and now is eligible to be heard on the House floor.
Two bills passed unanimously in the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee.
House Bill 1662 is a request requiring the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to submit an annual report detailing activities and actions relating to the Southwest Power Pool.
House Bill 1666 is negotiated language between counties and pipeline companies to allow counties togradeexistingroadsandwork on bar ditches as long as they are not changing the initial grade. This is not for new construction.
Two additional bills passed in the House Government Oversight Committee.
House Bill 1664 is negotiated language between counties and the Oklahoma Press Association to give some leeway for county commissioners to attend required training in the same place at the same time without it being considered a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Any county business would still be required to be discussed and voted upon in open meeting. The bill also wouldallowtheIndependentLiving Council to conduct online meetings, allowing statewide members with mobility issues to participate without undue travel burden.
House Bill 1665 would align the maximum pay scale for seven elected county officials to match what we did for county sheriffs last year. This would be left to the counties to do at their discretion and availability of funds.
Remember, if I can help you with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out: (405) 557-7383 or Josh. Cantrell@OKHouse.gov.
Josh Cantrell serves District 49 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Love County and parts of Carter and Marshall counties.