The Legislature adjourned sine die Thursday.
One of the last actions taken was the approval of House Bill 1370 aimed at lowering gas prices at the pump to save Oklahomans some money. This bill repeals an obscure section of state law that required Oklahoma’s fuel tax to rise in cases where the federal fuel tax decreased. With President Trump’s call to Congress earlier this week to suspend the federal gas tax, this act would match that action here in the state. I’m hopeful the governor will sign it into law.
The governor this week did sign House Bill 1675 into law. This requires overnight youth camps and outdoor youth programs operating in the state to conduct site-specific hazard assessments before Jan. 1, 2027,andtosubmitthosetoregulating authorities. They also will need to submit emergency action plans.
The point is not to create hardships for camp operators. We just want to make sure our children are as safe as can be when they go off to camp. We also want to make sure parents and local emergency responders willknowwhatprocedures are in place should severe weather or some other emergency occur.
Camp should be a fun time for kids.Thislawshouldhelptakesome of the worry out of the situation for all involved.
Another bill signed into law on which I’m a House author is Senate Bill 1833. This bill codifies the federal waiver that went into effect in February that removes items like candy and soft drinks from being available for purchase with SNAP benefits. We want families to have access to nutritional food items when needed, but we don’t need to spend state resources on items that have not nutritional value and might actually be harmful for kids.
I was fortunate to have a page in my Capitol office during this last week of session.
Aleah Bishop, a junior at Lone GrovehighSchool,isthedaughterof Ella Burkhalter. Aleah is a member of the National Honor Society, on the Principal’s Honor roll, and the topstudentinherOklahomahistory class. She’s active in FFA and was anFFAjunior ambassador. Shehas received a full scholarship to the WashingtonLeadershipCamp,and she’s earned second in the nation for a research project.
Aleah’s future hopes are to attend Oklahoma State University to majorinagricultureleadership,and she would like to attend law school.
Aleah is a very sharp young woman. I was glad to give her the opportunity to learn more about state government and the legislative process. She got to attend our final sessions on the House floor and meet peers from across the state. One of the highlights of the week for our pages is the mock legislative session they run themselves. They write, present and vote on their own legislation as lawmakers watch. It’s always interesting to hear the issues our youth care about.
Eventhoughwe’renotinsession, my Capitol office remains open. If I can help you with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out: (405) 557-7383 or Josh.Cantrell@OKHouse.gov.
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.