By Devyn Lyon, Fox23 News
OKLAHOMA CITY — As legislative deadlines approach at the Oklahoma State Capitol, lawmakers in the Oklahoma House of Representatives are debating dozens of bills before the next key cutoff in the legislative process.
Last week marked the deadline for bills to pass out of House committees. Now, representatives are considering legislation on the House floor before measures must advance to the next stage.
Here are four recently debated bills that could impact Oklahomans if they eventually become law.
Education Reform Act would extend school year
One of the measures that passed the House is Oklahoma House Bill 3151, titled the Education Reform Act.
The proposal would extend the Oklahoma public school calendar by about one week, adding seven instruction days for students.
It also includes roughly $200 million in additional funding for the Oklahoma State Department of Education over the next two years.
During floor debate, some lawmakers questioned tying the extended school calendar to increased funding for the agency, while supporters argued the policy could stand on its own.
To read House Bill 3151, click here.
Marijuana workplace policy bill falls short for now
Another proposal, Oklahoma House Bill 3127, did not receive enough votes to pass the House, but it also did not officially fail.
The bill would allow businesses to adopt zero-tolerance marijuana policies, permitting employers to drug test workers and fire employees for marijuana use even if they hold a medical marijuana card.
Lawmakers debated how the policy could affect workers, including veterans who use medical marijuana for conditions such as PTSD or chronic pain.
Since the bill did not reach a majority vote, it could return to the House floor for reconsideration before the legislative deadline.
To read House Bill 3127, click here.
Workplace violence protection proposal passes
Lawmakers also passed Oklahoma House Bill 4198, known as the Protection from Workplace Violence Act.
The bill would allow employers to seek a protective order on behalf of a business or employee if a former employee or another individual poses a credible threat of violence in the workplace.
Supporters say the measure would give businesses another tool to intervene when an employee faces an imminent threat.
To read House Bill 4198, click here.
Pregnancy resource center bill sparks debate
Another bill that generated extensive debate is Oklahoma House Bill 3194.
The proposal would prevent pregnancy resource centers from providing, referring for or promoting abortions, abortion-inducing drugs or contraception.
Supporters say the measure aligns with the mission of many pregnancy resource centers, while critics raised concerns about oversight and the information provided to women.
To read House Bill 3194, click here.
What happens next
None of these proposals are laws yet.
The bills that passed the Oklahoma House will now move to the Oklahoma State Senate, where they will go through a similar committee and floor process before potentially heading to the governor’s desk.
