SIGNED INTO LAW

2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

Modernize the Unemployment System: Long-standing systematic inefficiencies and lessons learned during the global pandemic force the need for modernization of Oklahoma’s unemployment system to keep Oklahoma competitive.

SB 789: Modernizing the unemployment system. Right now, if the state’s unemployment insurance fund drops below $25 million, the state can automatically assess a surcharge to all employers. SB 789 removes the automatic trigger.

Authors: Sen. and Rep. Kevin Wallace Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: July 1, 2021

Restructure the State’s Civil Service System: A reorganization of Oklahoma’s civil service system focused on recruiting top talent and rewarding employee performance will improve state agency efficiency and effectiveness. This will provide the certainty Oklahoma citizens and businesses need from state government.

HB 1146: A prime example of good government, modernizing the way Oklahoma hires and terminates employees, allowing the state more flexibility to find and recruit top talent. This will ultimately provide more efficient and effective state government.

Authors: Rep. Mike Osburn and Sen. Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2022

Encourage Choice and Accountability in all Oklahoma Schools: Oklahoma families and businesses want a high-quality education system that offers opportunities for the next generation of our workforce. Students seeking new options need more transfer opportunities and low performing schools need access to highly qualified consultants and experts to assist in the redesign and improvement of their school.

SB 783: Giving parents control over where their child goes to school based on need and not a zip code will ensure students reach their fullest potential and optimize their future career options. Authors: Sen. Adam Pugh and Rep. Brad Boles Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: March 31, 2021

HB 2078: Ensuring schools are appropriately funded based on their actual attendance by modifying the state’s education funding formula from a three-year average to a two- year average will improve public schools in Oklahoma, leading to a better workforce now and in the future.

Authors: Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Sen. Zack Taylor Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2022

Create a Transparent Judicial System: To restore confidence in the judiciary, we need to open the judicial branch to public view and establish consistent rules and processes for how the courts will operate. A fair and transparent court system is essential for all Oklahomans.

SB 155: Creating transparency in the third branch of government through the creation of a public docket at the Oklahoma Supreme Court is a big step forward for the Oklahoma business community. Currently, there is no way to tell what cases the Oklahoma Supreme Court is considering or when they will consider them. SB 155 directs the Oklahoma Supreme Court to provide a list of cases being reviewed as well as hearings, court conferences, session dates and proceedings.

Authors: Sen. Brent Howard and Rep. Gerrid Kendrix Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: Nov. 1, 2021

Deliver Quality and Performance in Medicaid: As the state’s Medicaid program prepares to expand, delivering reforms that establish robust care coordination through public-private partnerships will improve health outcomes for Oklahomans on Medicaid and provide the state with budget predictability.

SB 131: Creates the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Act. It places certain requirements on private managed care organizations contracting with the state to ensure compliance with contract provisions, as well as additional rules developed by the legislature.

Authors: Sen. Greg McCortney and Rep. Marcus McEntire Status: Became law without Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature Effective Date: Sept. 1, 2021

Strengthen the State Question Process: Oklahomans have a unique power to influence the public policy process through ballot initiatives. It is vital any changes to state law or the constitution are representative of the entire state and originate based on what is best for Oklahoma.

SB 947: Gives voters more information when heading to the ballot box to vote on initiative petitions. Initiative petitions will now have to indicate if there is a fiscal impact that would result in a new tax, increase an existing tax or eliminate existing services. It also increases the allowable word count when there is a fiscal impact.

Authors: Sen. and Rep. Tammy West Status: Signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Effective Date: Nov. 1, 2021