Each legislative chamber is busy consideringbillsamendedbytheopposite chamber.
This week, the House approved Senate Amendments on House Bill 1664. This would allow a board of county commissioners to attend conferences, trainings, press and social events, and proceedings of the Legislature, even if a quorum ispresent,provided that no official action is taken. Official votes still would have to take place in open meeting.
Forcountieswithabudgetboard, county commissioners and other elected officials are allowed to discuss budgetary matters provided a quorum is not present and no official action is taken. Additionally, the measure allows the Independent Living Council to conduct meetings and executive sessions via videoconferencing.
This bill now moves to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.
Also sent to the governor this week was House Bill 1666. This is negotiated language between county governments and the pipeline industry to allow counties to grade existing roads and work on bar ditches as long as they are not changing the initial grade. This is not for new construction.
Several of the bills I authored this year will now become law.
House Bill 1663 permits county treasurers to conduct their yearly sale of delinquent tax property – also referred to as the June resale – through an online auction instead of just in person at the county courthouse. The goal is to get these delinquent properties back in private hands so taxes can be paid on them as this money supports our public schools.
Senate Bill 403 allows county purchasing agents to select the next lowest bidder in certain cases if the original bidder is unable to fulfill an awarded contract.
Senate Bill 405 authorizes the board of county commissioners to work with ambulance service districts to minimize costs for the entities and the people they represent.
The governor vetoed Senate Bill 694, which specified that a territory attached to a municipality shall not be detached if it includes an intervening strip less than 66 feet wide without the consent of the political subdivision tasked with taking care of it. The governor said he felt the law is fine as it is.
The Senate, meanwhile, has readHouseamendmentsonSenate Bill 1039. This measure deals with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s licensing process. The bill is still a work in progress, so we struck the title. I expect the Senate torejectHouseamendmentsandrequest a conference committee so we can continue our work on this bill.
In the meantime, the House and Senate alongside the governor announced a $12.6 billion budget agreement this week. The biggest proposal is a quarter-percent income tax cut on the top three brackets and elimination of the bottom three brackets. Also included is a path to zero income tax via a series of revenue triggers. This should grant some needed relief to Oklahoma taxpayers.
The budget bills are still a work in progress, so I’ll give more details in my next column.
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.