Sen. Hall: Supporting wildfire recovery

My heart goes out to the Oklahomans who lost homes, businesses, and irreplaceable belongings in the devastating wildfires that tore through Stillwater, Payne County, and other parts of the state this weekend. I’m deeply saddened by the loss of a Pawnee County resident who tragically died due to the fires. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families who lost loved ones and all the Oklahomans suffering from injuries and losses.

I’m grateful Governor Stitt and emergency management officials joined me on Saturday to assess the damage in Senate District 20. So far, the Governor has declared a state of emergency in 12 counties, including Logan, Pawnee and Payne, to speed up relief and ensure communities get the resources they need to recover. I’m in constant contact with local leaders, emergency management teams, and relief organizations who are providing aid and support across the district. If you need help connecting to recovery resources, please contact my office. The American Red Cross shelter at the Payne County Fairgrounds in Stillwater remains open for anyone needing assistance. Thanks to the firefighters, first responders and emergency personnel who risked everything to keep us safe. I also want to thank the volunteers helping in the aftermath of these devastating wildfires. The people of Senate District 20 are strong and resilient. By helping our neighbors during this difficult time, I know we will recover and rebuild in the coming months. Please stay alert over the next few days as a fire weather watch remains in effect due to high winds.

The Senate recently passed the committee deadline for bills to clear the first step in the legislative process. One important bill that passed the full Senate proposes a much-needed update to Oklahoma’s eminent domain laws. I was proud to support this legislation from my colleague, Senator Todd Gollihare, that comes after the federal government planned to use eminent domain to build a 645-mile transmission corridor across Oklahoma. Before the project was canceled, the proposed corridor was set to cut through Senate District 20, sparking widespread concern among my constituents about the possibility of their land being seized by the federal government. Senate Bill 352 protects landowners’ rights by requiring high-voltage transmission projects to get approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission before using eminent domain. The bill also prevents the use of eminent domain for wind, solar and hydrogen energy facilities and battery storage units. I’m pleased the full Senate unanimously backed this critical reform.

The Senate also recently approved a settlement agreement that allows the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to settle a two-year-old lawsuit that alleged the agency violated the rights of pretrial defendants who were declared incompetent to stand trial and faced long wait times for treatment. This settlement negotiated by agency leaders, Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond will keep the state from being embroiled in drawn-out and costly litigation. This settlement will reduce wait times for competency restoration treatment, increase the number of beds in mental health facilities and create in-jail restoration treatment programs. The Senate Appropriations Committee has tentatively earmarked $17.8 million in funding for ODMHSAS next year to carry out this agreement. 

Meanwhile, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency is looking into the agency’s finances after the new ODMHSAS director uncovered a pattern of financial mismanagement. LOFT will report its findings to the legislative oversight committee in the coming weeks to inform our decision-making as we build a state budget for next year. The Legislature has increased funding for mental health services in recent years, and my colleagues and I want to be sure that money is being used to help Oklahomans in need.

As always, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Senate District 20.

Please feel free to contact my Capitol office with any questions or concerns you may have about legislation or other issues impacting our state at 405-521-5628 or at Chuck.Hall@oksenate.gov.