CAPITOL UPDATE: Culver discusses bills heard by subcommittees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, said House policy and Appropriations & Budget subcommittees heard 264 bills in four days last week.

"This is the largest number of bills heard in committee in one week's time that I can remember. The bills that passed now move to oversight committees and full A&B," Culver said.

House Bill 1276 would require Oklahoma public school districts to develop a policy restricting use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices by students during the school day, starting next school year. Local school boards could opt out. The bill was approved in the Senate Education Committee.

The Senate also has a version of this bill. Senate Bill 139 started without an opt-out policy for schools, but now has some compromise language in it.

"We're still a ways from seeing which of these bills makes it through the legislative process to be signed into law," Culver said.

There are several bills that would either ban lab-grown "meat" or force new labeling of these products. The most extreme of the measures is House Bill 2829 that would prohibit the manufacture and sale of cultivated meat products in the state.

"Some have questioned the safety of these products. Others say they threaten Oklahoma's ranchers and beef producers. Again, we'll see how these bills perform through the remainder of the legislative process," said Culver.

Culver was honored to recognize the Cherokee Nation on the House floor during Cherokee Day at the Capitol. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. spoke to the House about the nation's partnership with the state and in Culver's House district. The Cherokee Nation is the largest tribe in the United States with nearly 470,000 citizens, and they have a $3.1 billion economic impact.

Under Chief Hoskin's leadership, they have made record investments in health care and addiction treatment, language revitalization, workforce and economic development, housing, education, and a lot more.

"It was a pleasure to get to welcome the chief and several additional dignitaries of the nation to the House," Culver said.

Among those in attendance on the House floor were Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, Speaker of the Council Mike Shambaugh, Delegate to Congress Kim Teehee, Attorney General Chad Harsha, Marshal Daniel Mead, Miss Cherokee Ella Mounce and Junior Miss Cherokee Dayci Starr. Cherokee Nation cabinet members, tribal councilors, employees and citizens also joined in the House gallery.

Culver said they held a joint session with the Senate to recognize the contributions of the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard.

"Guard members are so helpful to us in so many ways, from assisting with the recent wildfires, to other natural disaster, to the COVID pandemic, to the response after the bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in 1995," he said. "It's always good to recognize the service of these and other members of our military. I truly appreciate their sacrifice and their willing service to keep us all safe and free."

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