March 2 was the deadline for all legislation filed this year to be advanced out of committee in order to stay active. The House passed 543 measures by that deadline. We are now hearing dozens of those bills each day on the House floor. We have until March 23 to pass legislation out of its chamber of origin.
Below is a summary of my legislation that passed committee and is awaiting a vote in the House.
House Bill 2240 is a request bill from the funeral industry that would lower the age limit for those receiving an industry license without lowering standards. Other states have done this to meet the demand for workers.
House Bill 2241 would exempt municipalities with a population of 10,000 or less from having to pay expenses related to removing or relocating municipally owned utilities in public rights of way due to construction projects on roads and highways maintained by a county. I worked closely with the Department of Transportation on this bill to ensure we don't create problems for them, but we do allow our smaller municipalities the freedom to move their facilities when necessary during bridge and highway upgrades.
House Bill 2242 is a constituent request modeled after a plan proposal by the City of Edmond that would allow for a waiver of a customer utility deposit if the customer is a documented victim of domestic violence.
House Bill 2243 is a request bill from the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler & Manufactured Housing Commission that would bring the state odometer standard of 10 years up to date with the federal standard of 20 years. This would allow a customer to verify mileage on a used vehicle before purchase if the vehicle is purchased within 20 years of its designated model year for those vehicles manufactured beginning in 2011 or later moving forward. Vehicles manufactured in or before 2010 are exempt.
House Bill 2244 is a request from the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association that would update standards under which franchise auto dealers operate. This is about 10 years overdue, and the changes are quite lengthy, but it is necessary to protect consumers and our auto dealers.
Once bills pass the House, they move to state Senate where their Senate authors usher them through committee and floor passage. If unamended, they move to the governor for consideration of being signed into law.
On a final note, I want to thank everyone who got out to vote on State Question 820. Voters chose not to allow recreational marijuana. With that now behind us, the Legislature can focus on its continued commitment to better equip and support the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority as it regulates medical marijuana and our state public safety agencies as they work to end the black market in the state Please remember, if I can help you with something, do not hesitate to reach out. You also can follow regular updates on my House Facebook page or call or email anytime at (405) 5577407 or Mike.Dobrinski@okhouse.go v.
Mike Dobrinski serves District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Dewey and parts of Blaine, Garfield, Kingfisher and Woodward counties.