Rules

Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, passed two measures aimed at modifying governance and oversight of the Oklahoma State Board of Education through committee. House Joint Resolution 1055  would create a state question asking voters whether to make the state superintendent of public instruction an appointed position beginning in 2034.  House Bill 3327  would increase the board’s membership and give two appointments each to the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore.  "Oklahoma has witnessed extreme volatility at the State Department of Education and its board in recent years, and our constituents are demanding improved stability and oversight," Osburn said. "By involving the Legislature and the governor in appointments of the superintendent and board members, we can align the department and board with the constitutional responsibility of the people’s elected representatives. Most importantly, these measures will reinforce public trust in one of Oklahoma's most critical agencies. Best of all, we will let the people themselves decide whether the state superintendent remains an elected position or an appointed one." HJR1055 proposes a state question that, if approved by voters, would change the process by which the state superintendent of public instruction is selected. Under the proposal, the State Board of Education would gather applications, conduct interviews and produce a list of three to five candidates. The governor would appoint the superintendent from that list, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The resolution also outlines removal procedures for the superintendent. The superintendent could be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate, or by order of the governor combined with a two-thirds vote of either legislative chamber. "Over the past three years, Oklahomans have witnessed the efficiencies, or lack thereof, of both elected and appointed state superintendents," Osburn said. "I believe now is the perfect time to ask the people whether they're satisfied with the current election process or if they want the position to be appointed." Under HB3327, legislative leadership would each appoint two members to the board. The state superintendent would continue to chair the board, and the governor would also appoint four additional members. The bill also specifies that members may only be removed for cause by the official who appointed them. If both measures take effect, the governor would appoint a total of five of the nine seats on the Board, including the State Superintendent. Both measures now can be considered on the House floor.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Feeling sleep-deprived after Sunday's bi-annual time change pushed clocks forward an hour? Don't blame Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore. West authored House Bill 2217, which would send to a vote of the people a question on whether to adopt permanent standard time in Oklahoma. The measure was filed last year and assigned to the House Rules Committee but has not been heard. It is similar to legislation he's filed in the past. "I've heard from numerous constituents, parents and business owners over the course of my legislative service that there is a strong desire to stop this twice yearly time change," West said. "The only way to accomplish that is to switch to permanent standard time. I have a measure in place that would put this to a vote of the people, but we have to have the legislative will to ask the question." West held an interim study last fall to raise awareness among legislators about the history of daylight saving time and to detail the benefits of moving the state to permanent standard time. He invited experts to discuss the science of time change and the detriments of changing the clock twice yearly. West said he's been asked why the state doesn't just adopt permanent daylight saving time year-round instead of standard time. Federal regulations, however, specify states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time but not standard time. Some states have sought a waiver to be allowed to adopt daylight saving time year-round but without success. West also pointed to the Sunshine Protection Act in Congress, which would make daylight saving time permanent, but the act has not passed the last two years, and exemptions for some states would still remain. States that choose not to opt out of daylight saving time are required to set their clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. the second Sunday of March each year and back an hour at 2 a.m. the first Sunday of November. The U.S. Congress first implemented daylight saving time through the Standard Time Act in 1918 during World War I as a way to "add" more daylight hours to conserve energy. The act also established five time zones across the U.S. The Uniform Time Act in 1966 mandated the country use daylight saving time but allowed states to opt out and to stay on standard time year-round. The thought behind daylight saving time is that by setting the clocks back an hour in November, more daylight time is gained in the early mornings. When an hour is added in March, more daylight is gained in the evenings. Permanent daylight saving time was enacted in 1974, but Oklahoma and other states petitioned the federal government to repeal it because of problems caused by it being dark until after 8 a.m. in the winter. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the work day before the sun rose. The permanent act was repealed in 1975. West said there are additional concerns such as health-related risks, increased auto accidents and work-related injuries that rise when daylight comes after people start their day. West said he's received an enormous amount of positive feedback from Oklahomans who support not having to change the clock twice yearly, specifically noting the time it takes to adjust to the change. West said he'll keep pushing for legislation to put the question before state voters. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Wednesday secured passage of a resolution in the House that would expand Second Amendment protections for Oklahoma citizens if approved by voters. House Joint Resolution 1034 would send to a statewide vote a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. The amendment would specify that Oklahoma citizens' rights to possess handguns, rifles, shotguns, knives, nonlethal defensive weapons, and other arms in common use, as well as ammunition and the components of arms and ammunition, shall not be infringed upon. It does not differentiate between items used for self-defense, lawful hunting or recreation. The resolution, which is authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, was presented in the House by Rep. Kevin West. “The Second Amendment is the pillar upon which all the other amendments rest,” McCall said. “It is built into the bedrock of our nation and state, and House Joint Resolution 1034 further strengthens the already firm commitment that Oklahoma has to protecting and defending our God-given Second Amendment rights.” West said the purpose of the resolution "is to direct the courts to interpret the Second Amendment based on the original language included in the Bill of Rights attached to the U.S. Constitution. We've had several court rulings that restrict or uphold restrictions of carrying a firearm even for citizens on their own property. This would correct that." The proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution would allow the Legislature to enforce or adopt narrowly tailored time, place, and manner regulations, or authorize political subdivisions to adopt and enforce such regulations, to serve a compelling state interest. These could include restrictions of carrying firearms in government buildings or other sensitive areas, West said. There are already state and federal laws prohibiting certain convicted felons from possessing firearms. The amendment would prohibit any law from imposing registration or special taxation upon the keeping of arms including the acquisition, ownership, possession, or transfer of arms, ammunition, or the components of arms or ammunition. The resolution passed the House on a partisan vote of 81-19. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant.