Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt took action on a slate of legislative bills, signing six into law while issuing vetoes for seven others. The signed bills cover a range of topics, from child welfare and higher education to transportation and wildlife. The vetoed measures addressed housing authorities, opioid grants, rehabilitation services, service animals, traffic laws, conservation, and film industry tax incentives.
Here's a breakdown of the bills signed into law:
• Senate Bill 658: This bill modifies the Oklahoma Children's Code, prohibiting certain actions by the Department of Human Services concerning adoptive and foster parents. It will take effect on its designated effective date.
• Senate Bill 796: This measure impacts higher education by prohibiting specific activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. It takes effect immediately due to an emergency clause.
• Senate Bill 911: This bill modifies conditional factors within the Employment Security Act of 1980 and will take effect on its designated effective date.
• House Bill 1021: This legislation removes a limitation on the height of motorcycle handlebars and will take effect on its designated effective date.
• Senate Bill 216: This bill concerns driver licenses, extending certain licenses and requiring the mailing of licenses to specific individuals. It will take effect on its designated effective date.
• Senate Bill 1077: This bill relates to fish and wildlife and the transportation of wildlife. It will take effect on its designated effective date.
Governor Stitt also issued vetoes for the following seven bills, with his reasoning, were outlined in a release from the governor’s desk:
• Senate Bill 333: This bill sought to modify the definition within the Oklahoma Housing Authorities Act. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, stating that it would allow local public housing authorities to operate statewide for construction and rehabilitation projects, thus expanding their reach and their eminent domain powers beyond their local jurisdictions. In his veto message, the Governor argued that this threatens private property rights and undermines local control. He believes that housing authorities are meant to serve local needs under local oversight and that broadening their authority statewide could lead to confusion, overreach, and less effective service. Governor Stitt also expressed his view that government should not interfere in private industry to dictate housing needs across the state, drawing a parallel to his veto of SB 580 the previous year.
• Senate Bill 574: This measure aimed to broaden the approved purposes for opioid grant awards and authorize certain uses of funds by the Attorney General. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, expressing concern that it would expand the Attorney General's discretionary authority over settlement agreements in opioid-related litigation, handing more power to someone he believes has shown a willingness to abuse it. The Governor stated this could pave the way for the Attorney General to further entrench a 'sue-andsettle' strategy that favors political allies over the state's best interests, drawing a comparison to actions by the Biden administration's EPA and DOJ. Additionally, Governor Stitt expressed concern that the bill could allow the Attorney General to divert funds intended for opioid abatement projects – money he believes should go to the General Revenue Fund and potentially a tax cut. He also noted the Attorney General's budget has already increased significantly since taking office and is requesting a substantial increase for the next year.
• Senate Bill 770: This bill proposed expanding the membership of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, stating that it would alter the commission's composition by shifting appointment power from the executive branch to the legislative branch. The Governor expressed deep concern over this change, calling it a clear violation of core constitutional principles. He argued that the executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws, while the legislative branch creates them. Granting the Legislature a majority of appointments to an executive board, according to Governor Stitt, undermines the independence of the executive branch and allows the legislative branch to improperly insert itself into executive functions, which he views as an affront to the essential checks and balances of a functioning democracy.
• House Bill 1178: This legislation would have made certain acts unlawful regarding service animals and established penalties. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, stating that while the issue of animals being mislabeled as service animals can be frustrating, criminalizing the practice is an overreaction. He believes there are alternative ways to address the issue without adding more criminal statutes to the state's code.
• House Bill 2263: This bill aimed to make certain uses of cellular telephones and electronic devices unlawful on specific stretches of road, along with establishing penalties and affecting municipal ordinances. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, emphasizing that while the safety of children is a top priority, creating a complicated patchwork of laws makes it harder to ensure their safety. He pointed out that Oklahoma has already criminalized texting while driving statewide and argued that the focus should be on enforcing existing laws rather than adding new ones.
• House Bill 1543: This bill proposed expanding the powers and duties of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, stating that the Conservation Commission should work in conjunction with the 84 local conservation districts across the state. He argued that this bill would significantly expand the authority of the statewide Conservation Commission at the expense of existing local input and control. Governor Stitt also pointed to the Conservation Commission's own website, which emphasizes 'locally-led, nonregulatory solutions,' and suggested that this bill would change that approach.
• House Bill 2374: This legislation concerned revenue and taxation related to the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021, including procedures for withholding tax, income tax treatment, a set-aside amount for economic impact reviews, and carried an emergency clause. Governor Stitt vetoed this bill, stating that the original intent of the Filmed in Oklahoma Act was to attract more film-making efforts to the state. He believes that any effort to 'water down' the intent of the original bill and allow Oklahoma taxpayer funds to flow out of the state would be irresponsible.
