Policy committee deadline

By Rep. RICK WEST 

Thursday, Feb. 19, was the deadline for House biIlls to be passed out of initial policy committees or Appropriations & Budget subcommittees. Here’s a look at a few that advanced: 

House Bill 3056 passed in the Agriculture Committee, which I vice chair. This bill has to do with legalizing non-pasteurized, or raw milk. The author of the bill pointed out that many in rural areas were raised on non-pasteurized milk. This bill is strictly voluntary. If a consumer wants to purchase this milk, they can. If not, they don’t have to. This would apply to all forms of milk – cows, goats, donkeys, whatever. The bill also would protect the producer from liability.  

House Bill 2958 would give a nine percent pay raise to state employees. They have not had a salary increase since 2019. The author of the bill said a dollar in 2019 costs $1.27 today. This could help us retain state employees with the hopes of delivering more effective services and programs to our constituents. The anticipated fiscal impact of this bill is $174.4 million. 

I passed House Bill 2962, which would remove the statutory time limits and refund caps for claims on tax overpayments. The bill also would extend unlimited refund rights for members of federally recognized tribes and their former wards seeking reimbursement for taxes unlawfully collected on tax-exempt reservation lands. This was a constituent request. 

I also passed House Bill 2967. I’m calling this the grandpa bill. It would expand the list of vehicle ownership transfers that would be exempt from excise tax to include those between grandparents and their grandchildren. 

These bills still must go through oversight or the full A&B committee and then get scheduled on the floor, then pass in the Senate. There’s a long way to go, but progress is progress. 

On Friday, I had a meeting with the assistant director of tourism. We visited the Heavener Runestone. We met with the Heavener City Council and then with the Friends of the Runestone. This is just the beginning to bring these three groups together to discuss the possibility of some kind of state involvement in this attraction.  

Wednesday was FFA Day at the State Capitol. LeFlore County was holding its premium sale Friday, so many 4-H and FFA students were involved in that. Still, I saw a lot of blue coats around the Capitol. Always good to see future leaders. I have 101 thank you notes and pictures on two bulletin boards in my office from these students. Reminds me of what I’m doing here. 

I did have a good visit the prior week with Jeremy Jackson, the superintendent of Pocola Schools. He brought a few students and one of his educators to the Capitol. Always great to see folks from home.   

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.  

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.