Oklahoma’s Republican legislative leadership tackled their only constitutionally required task of the session last week, agreeing to a $12.5 billion state budget package for Fiscal Year 2025.

Lawmakers in both chambers will vote on the series of budget bills, mostly along party lines if past years are any indication, and forward them to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk over the next few days. Stitt vowed during the final stretch of budget negotiations not to veto the budget as he’s done in past years. 

With lawmakers facing a May 31 deadline to wrap up business and adjourn sine die, the focus won’t be entirely on budget business this week. 

Among the policy proposals eligible to advance is House Bill 1105, which would increase the challenge period for initiative petitions from 10 to 90 days. A previous version of the bill also implemented a $1,000 filing fee and mandatory background checks for circulators, but lawmakers struck that language in a conference committee. 

Another bill advancing out of the convoluted conference committee process, House Bill 3331 by Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, would raise fines for businesses who sell tobacco or nicotine products to individuals under 21. Roe said in a statement the bill is necessary to combat an uptick in teenage tobacco use. 

The Legislature could also override gubernatorial vetoes of more than a dozen bills. A two-thirds majority in both chambers is required to pass a bill notwithstanding the governor’s objection. 

Law enforcement groups are lobbying the House and Senate to override Stitt’s veto of Senate Bill 102, which would boost retirement benefits for members of the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System. In his veto message, Stitt said the increased rate lower the system’s funded ratio and the state on a “slippery slope.” 

“Fiscal discipline is always difficult, especially in seasons of economic growth,” Stitt wrote. “But we must remain vigilant to ensure that future Oklahomans enjoy the same prosperity we enjoy now.” 

Have thoughts, questions or story ideas as the session winds down? Let me know at Kross@Oklahomawatch.org.

— Keaton Ross

Recommended Reading

• Nine Teaching Certificates Suspended By State Board: One of those still awaiting a hearing is former Norman High School teacher Summer Boismier, who is suing Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters for defamation related to his statements about a QR code she posted in her classroom in August 2022 providing access to books via the Brooklyn Public Library. [NonDoc]
• Federal Government Sues Oklahoma Over New Immigration Law: The DOJ had warned Oklahoma officials: enforce the state’s new sweeping immigration law, and you’ll be sued for overstepping your authority. On Tuesday afternoon, federal officials made good on that promise, filing a 17-page complaint in the Western District of Oklahoma Federal Court. [KGOU]
• Under Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Lost Federal Funding to Help Schools Respond To Tragedies: The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the Oklahoma State Department of Education a four-year grant for $996,855 in 2019 to create a crisis team that could respond to any district facing an emergency and offer training. The agency declined to apply for renewal of the grant in 2019. [The Frontier]

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