With less than a month before the 2019 Oklahoma legislative session begins, the pace at the Capitol is picking up.
A new governor was sworn in on Monday, and both the Oklahoma House and Senate have elected their leadership for the next two years. Lawmakers and legislative staff will be working around the clock trying to finalize language for more than 2,000 bills and resolutions that will likely be filed before session begins.
Here are the key people and dates you’ll need to know for this year’s session:
Governor: Kevin Stitt
Lieutenant Governor & President of the Senate: Matt Pinnell
Senate President Pro Tempore: Greg Treat
Senate Majority Floor Leader: Kim David
Speaker of the House: Rep. Charles McCall
Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Harold Wright
House Majority Floor Leader: Rep. Jon Echols
Feb. 4: First Day of Session
Feb. 28: Deadline for bills to be heard in committee in house of origin
March 14: Deadline for bills to be heard by full body in house of origin
April 11: Deadline for bills to be heard in committee in house of opposite origin
April 25: Deadline for bills to be herd by full body in house of opposite origin
April 29: Conference committee work begins
May 31: Final day of session
There will be lots of new faces at the capitol this session. In addition to a new Governor and Lt. Governor, there are 46 new members of the House of Representatives and 12 new senators. Now more than ever your elected officials need to understand how their legislation will affect small business.
Will you take the pledge now to get involved?
