It’s the law now

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More than 300 pieces of legislation took effect Nov. 1

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More than 300 new laws went into effect in Oklahoma on Nov. 1, 324 to be precise. While some of the laws have been mainstream, and in the limelight – like the permitless carry bill (HB 2597) and downgrading simple possession to a misdemeanor (HB 1269) – some are more obscure but still impact Oklahomans.

House Bill 1071 allows turnpikes to increase the speed to 80 miles per hour.

However, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is conducting studies before the speed limit is increased.

Residents will have to watch the Weather Channel to be sure they do not break the new law that enacted through House Bill 1218.

It makes burning anything illegal if the next three-day forecast calls for temperatures of more than 100 degrees. Law breakers could face up to $1,000 fine.

Two of the new laws will change things for voters going forward from Nov. 1.

House Bill 1259 allows a voter to take a digital image of their voting ballot.

House Bill 2253 is even more interesting; it restores a convicted felons’ right to vote. The felon must have completed his sentence in totality, even parole or probation.

A few of the newly passed pieces of legislation are geared toward medical marijuana and the products stemming from the plant.

Senate Bill 238 forces cannabidiol manufacturers to label the CBD products with the country of origin and if the product is synthetic or natural.

The other medical marijuana legislation is Senate Bill 882.

This law outlines how medical marijuana growing facilities can dispose of the marijuana waste.

Things like root balls, stems, fan leaves and seeds.

The facility can burn or incinerate said waste, or any other technique approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.

They also must keep a log of the waste; the weight and how it was disposed.

Some of the new laws concern children.

House Bill 2325 allows minor children in liquor stores with the supervision of their parent or legal guardian.

Meanwhile, House Bill 2339 restricts schools from administering vaccinations to a child – on school premises or a mobile unit – without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian. This permission must be for each individual vaccination, even if it is a series.

Then, there are some pieces of legislation that more difficult to classify.

First, House Bill 1292 adopted the Nebula Rosetta as the official astronomical object for the state of Oklahoma.

Then in the Senate, SB 21 designated the Ribeye Steak as the official steak for Oklahoma. Who knew states had astronomical objects and steaks?

Lastly, there is a new DUI law that everyone should know about.

Starting Nov. 1, Oklahoma law enforcement officials can suspend a person’s driver’s license if they refuse to take the field sobriety test.

The only way to get it back is to appeal it through the Department of Public Services.

For a list of the new 324 pieces of legislations that became law on Nov. 1, go to https://legiscan.com/OK/legislation/2019.