Rep. Duel: Third-Reading Deadline

The deadline for third reading and final passage of bills and joint resolutions from chamber of origin in the Legislature was March 26.

House members considered more than 200 measures in the final four days leading up to the deadline. In total this session, we sent 456 measures to the state Senate. We’re receiving 285 measures from that chamber.

I passed five measures on the House floor last week.

House Bill 3495 would make straw purchase of land in our state a felony crime. Oklahoma land should not be controlled by individuals or entities seeking to bypass our laws or who undermine our state’s security. When foreign actors or criminal organizations attempt to hide behind straw purchasers, it creates serious risks for our communities. Illegal marijuana grows, human trafficking operations and threats to critical infrastructure have all been linked to illicit land operations within our state. It’s time we have stronger punishments for those who participate in this harmful and illegal activity.

House Bill 3497 would clarify when the state can appeal pretrial orders in criminal cases.

House Bill 3500 would clean up statute regarding transfer-on-death deeds, which allow property to be transferred outside of the probate process, avoiding unnecessary legal fees. This would remove the requirement that a beneficiary affidavit be filed within nine months of the grantor’s death. 

House Bill 3501 would allow the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission to issue multiple licenses for manufacturing beverages on the same premises. The bill would still require separate licenses for brewing, distilling or winemaking, but currently these can’t be done under the same roof. This would cut some unnecessary red tape and regulation, allowing all three to be done on the same premises if the applicant is in good standing with ABLE and the Oklahoma Tax Commission. 

House Bill 3505 would modernize and standardize Oklahoma’s wage garnishment process in hopes of standardizing this across the state and the country. Current inconsistencies make enforcement difficult, especially across state lines, and create unnecessary burdens for businesses and workers alike.

Also passed last week was the Strong Readers Act. HB4420 would require third graders to pass the statewide reading test prior to promotion to fourth grade, with certain exemptions. It would require parental notification within seven days after a child is identified with a reading deficiency and require monthly progress updates. The State Department of Education would be required to adds 15 regional literacy coaches and maintain at least one reading specialist for each elementary school in the state. Additionally, SDE would develop summer academies for early literacy micro-credentials with higher education institutions. The bottom line is our kids need to be able to read. It’s a fundamental life skill that will help them in every aspect of academic learning, future careers and more.

Now that our third-reading deadline has passed, the House will begin considering Senate bills in committee. We’ll be working with the Senate authors to make sure our legislation makes its way through that chamber. The state budget also should soon take center stage.

As always, it is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (405) 557-7350 or collin.duel@okhouse.gov if I can ever be of service to you.