Capitol Report – Final month of session
Posted on: 5/3/19
May is the final month of the state legislative session. The Oklahoma Constitution requires the Legislature to adjourn no later than 5 p.m., May 31. In years past, the Legislature has concluded the people’s business by the Friday before Memorial Day, a week earlier than required. April 25 was the deadline for legislation to be voted from the opposite house (House bills considered in the Senate and Senate bills considered in the House). At the April 25 deadline, 275 bills advanced to the next level outside of budget bills. More than 2,000 bills and resolutions were introduced in the First Session of the 57th Legislature.
Governor signing deadlines: The governor has five days from the receipt of a bill, excluding Sundays, to sign or veto the measure while the Legislature is in session. If the governor takes no action, the bill becomes law. The governor has 15 days from sine die adjournment to dispose of matters passed during the final week of the legislative session. Assuming the Legislature adjourns May 31, the last Friday in May, the governor would have until June 15 to sign or veto measures. After sine die adjournment, bills not signed by the governor are considered vetoed (pocket veto). The governor is not required to give a reason for the veto.
OHA’s Ask: Maximize federal funds for health care by:
- Moving forward on developing an “Oklahoma Plan” to accept federal funds to cover the uninsured;
- Working toward restoring Medicaid provider rates to 2010 levels, including behavioral health;
- Investing in rural hospitals by appropriating state funds to draw down federal dollars for Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments and rural health clinics (RHCs).
For more information,
click here.
The status of bills supported by OHA:
HB 1089,
McEntire/McCortney,
SHOPP, extends the sunset date of the Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program to Dec. 31, 2025 – Signed by governor on April 16.
HB 2285,
Wright/Kidd, updates duties of the
Hospital Advisory Council; Council advises the State Board of Health - Signed by governor on April 25.
HB 2334,
Roberts/Quinn, creates the
Maternal Mortality Review Committee - Passed Senate Health & Human Services Committee – to House to accept Senate amendments, April 23.
HB 2351,
Caldwell/McCortney, creates the
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which provides a framework and process for multi-state medical licenses of allopathic and osteopathic physicians - Signed by governor on April 18.
SB 86,
Jech/McEntire, expands definitions of medical care providers related to
aggravated assault and battery with a firearm beyond emergency care providers – to Senate to accept House amendments, April 29.
SB 575,
Allen/Randleman, modifies the statute for parental consent for the treatment of minors to allow for written consent for a telemedicine encounter, thereby removing a barrier for implementation of
school-based telemedicine by requiring the parent to be present during the visit – To governor for action on May 2.
SB 848,
Radar/Echols, addresses the
opioid epidemic while advocating for physicians to determine patient care in post-surgical situations in the prescribing of opioids – to conference committee, May 2.
Status of bills opposed by OHA:
HB 1750,
McCall/Thompson, creates the
Hospital District Act. OHA has concerns, including a conflict with SHOPP – failed deadline.
SB 499, Standridge/McCall, is similar to HB 1750 – to conference committee, April 30.
HB 2041,
Moore/Scott, creates new licensure of
Radiologic Technologists – House author withdrew bill from consideration after SB 955 (same language) failed 9-4 in Senate Committee on Health & Human Services – failed deadline.
HJR 1017,
Pfeiffer/Paxton, proposes vote of the people to change designation of
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund – failed Senate committee deadline.
(Lynne White)