Culver gives Capitol update for second week in session

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, said week two of the legislative session at the Capitol was every bit as busy as the first.

"We moved dozens of bills through various House committees, and we even passed our first bill on the House floor," Culver said.

House Bill 1276 would require schools to adopt a cell phone-free policy by the beginning of the next school year, but it would be up to each school district and its board of education to determine the best policy for accomplishing this.

"I'm glad for the leeway given to local districts. Of course, young people may not be wild about this policy, but it's become evident by much research that cell phones are a distraction from academics and their constant use and sometimes harmful content can even hurt a young person's mental health. The bill now goes to the Senate," Culver said.

The House Appropriations and Budget Committee passed legislation that would reform the administrative rules process. Right now, when legislation becomes law, much of it requires state agencies to draft administrative rules to help those meet the requirements of the law.

Once approved by the Legislature, the rules are treated as if those were laws themselves.

"This is great when they follow legislative intent, not so great when they seek to create law outside of the legislative process," Culver said. "This bill would move some oversight functions to the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), helping us do a better job of seeing what's in each rule and how it might affect us economically."

The A&B Committee also approved a consent decree between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and plaintiffs who sued the state over the lack of services being provided to mental health patients in county jails.

The lawsuit claimed the department was allowing detainees who were deemed incompetent to stand trial to spend months or years in jail without helping restore them to competency.

"This was deemed a violation of their constitutional rights. As part of the settlement, the department would have to work with experts and community leaders to more quickly help these people obtain competency. This may be getting them on the right medication, or getting them counseling or other mental health services in a timelier manner," Culver said.

The House and Senate still have to approve the consent decree, but Culver said it looks like they're on their way. This will help those people, and it will save taxpayers money in the long run. he added.

"On Thursday, we observed Oklahoma Museum Day. We have 518 museums in the state that contribute to lifelong learning and help boost the state's economy. If you haven't visited a museum lately, I would encourage you to do so," Culver said.

Anyone needing assistance from Culver are asked to call his Capitol office at 405-557-7408 or email him at bob.culver@okhouse.gov.