It was a busy week at the Capitol as we concluded hearing House bills. We passed 422 House Bills and Joint Resolutions, just a small percentage of bills filed this year.
We passed bills covering various topics, such as public safety, education, mental health, and economic development. Over the past few weeks, I presented seven bills on the House floor that successfully passed and are now eligible for consideration by the Senate.
Our rural electric cooperative visited the Capitol this week to meet with legislators and discuss the regulatory challenges they face. The cooperative aimed to demonstrate how rural communities benefit from electrification and why investment in infrastructure is essential.
I have been keeping up with Senate Bill 1341 this week, which is focused on regulating water usage in Beckham County. I have spoken with several individuals in the district who have expressed their concerns regarding this bill.
The bill, SB1341, passed the Senate on Thursday. Senator Howard decided to strike the title because he was still working on the language but wanted to keep the bill moving through the legislative process.
Striking the title allows the bill to continue in the legislative process while recognizing that it needs further changes before its final approval. If the bill passes the House, it will have to return to the Senate floor again and ask for its title to be restored before it receives a final vote. This move allows opponents of the bill to voice their objections and advocate for changes that address their concerns, providing more opportunities to convince lawmakers against it.
It’s crucial for everyone who is concerned about this bill to stay engaged in the legislative process and voice their concerns to ensure that SB1341 does not advance further. I will continue conversing with members to voice my concerns, advocating that the bill does not progress in the House.
We will begin hearing bills from the opposite chamber next week and have until April 27 to consider them.
I intend to continually keep you informed of what is happening at the Capitol. It is truly an honor and privilege to represent you at the State Capitol. As always, please do not __hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at (405) 557-7312 or at [email protected].
Nick Archer, a Republican, serves House District 55 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian and Washita counties.
