Today ended the second deadline week in the House. This means that today was the last day to hear all of the bills that were passed in the Senate. So far, none of the bills substantially tackle the budget; although the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget has begun meetings in order to create new budgetary measures. Hopefully, something meaningful will come out of JCAB in order to not only fix our budgetary crisis, but also give our teachers and state employees a much needed pay raise.
I am proud of one bill in particular: SB478. SB478, as originally written, would have permitted out-of-state carriers to sell health insurance in the State of Oklahoma without having to comply with Oklahoma insurance mandates. Of particular concern was the fact that this meant the autism insurance mandate that was signed into law last year would no longer be binding on out-of-state carriers selling insurance in Oklahoma. However, after much negotiation and bipartisanship, the bill now requires out-of-state carriers to comply with Oklahoma mandates. The title is off of the bill which means that this could change. But assuming it stays as is, SB478 will be good for the citizens of Oklahoma.
Our next constituent meeting will be in the middle of May, so watch out for that announcement on FB and nextdoor.com.
Thanks!
