OK Capitol: Busy session as bills held over from last year are brought back
We're keeping up with what's happening at the Oklahoma Capitol.
Yesterday was day one of the legislative session, but today was when state legislators went to work, and it will be a busy session as many bills held over from last year are being seen again this session.
On average, the Oklahoma legislature sees about 380 bills a session.
Last year, due to COVID, only about 137 bills actually got signed by the governor.
Two-hundred and ten bills that didn't make the cut last year are being reintroduced this session, meaning legislators will have to work quickly to get it all done.
Due pass are two words we might hear often this session.
"Normally, there's kind of a dead week here at the first week with the sheer number we're trying to get everything started as soon as we can," said State Sen. Brent Howard, (R) - OK District 38.
Sen. Howard said at least 13 of his bills from last year are being brought to this session.
"While you might not see heavy debate process like you might see in the House, I think a lot of it still has been debated, it's just more happens in the office and in conference rooms," said Sen. Howard.
And it all must still go through the process.
"Because we are a new legislature being the 58th instead of the 57th we've got whole new members and take whole new votes on anything that passed last year," said Sen. Howard.
Some of those bills from last year that are being brought back to this year would help kids from military families transition to Oklahoma.
"What that does is that makes the child ready for starting the school from day one when they arrive in the state often times a child might miss two weeks of school," said State Sen. Frank Simpson, (R) - OK District 14.
Sen. Simpson's bills would allow kids to enroll in school and virtual charter school before they even move.
"We're trying to bring professional to Oklahoma and this could be something that if it works and it's effective in this aspect of military families this is something we could probably consider to families who relocate who are not necessarily military families," said Sen. Simpson.
Another bill Sen. Simpson introduced in session would add American sign language to teacher certification.
"It's going to be effective in helping to bring more teachers into the classroom to teach our deaf children. There's a teacher shortage statewide, but if you look at teachers that are qualified to teach deaf children, there's a serious, serious shortage there," said Sen. Simpson.
Sen. Simpson said that all three of those bills passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee meeting, and he hopes to get them on the Senate floor as early as next week.
Every day of the legislative session we'll have recaps from the Capitol.