This week, I'd like to highlight important legislation concerning our military and veterans. First, Senate Bill 1345 officially includes the United States Space Force as a recognized uniformed service under thenewlyrenamedUniformMilitary and Overseas Voter Act.
Next, we’ve got Senate Bill 1707, which is great news for veterans in Oklahoma. This legislation sets up a new veterans’ home in Sallisaw, taking the place of the one in Talihina. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs plans to open this 175-bed facility in late fall or early winter, making it the seventh operational veterans' home in our state.
We’re also making some changes to the courts. Instead of the 17% pay increase for state judges suggested by the Board on Judicial Compensation, we approved a 7% raise for district, associate district, and special district judges through House Bill 2923. This raise took effect on July 1.
Additionally, the governor signed Senate Bill 1173, which raises the number of special judges in Judicial District 14, Tulsa and Pawnee counties, from three to five.
Finally, Senate Bill 473 creates a judicial office in Judicial District 7, Oklahoma County, and Judicial District 14, Tulsa and Pawnee counties. Anew11-membertaskforcewill decide how judges are picked, their pay, court staffing, and other details.
This task force will be around until January 31, 2026, and its members will be chosen by the Speaker, thePresidentProTempore,theChief Justice, and the Governor.
I look forward to sharing more updates in the coming weeks. I'm open to hearing from everyone – the more constituents involved, the better I can do my job for House District 49.
Again, thank you for electing me to serve House District 49. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7383 or josh.cantrell@okhouse.gov.
Rep. Josh Cantrell, a Republican, serves District 49 Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Carter, Love and Marshall counties.