Video & Transcript Research : 'Oklahoma Veterans Council'

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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Rules REVISED: Start time delayed to 1:45 PM

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • What we've got here is H.J.R. 1074, which is the Veterans Lottery Bill trust fund.
  • But this is step one of a two-step process setting up the Veterans Lottery.
  • want their money to go to the veterans, they could play the veterans game; or if they want their money
  • You won't find a legislature that is more supportive of veterans, I think, than the Oklahoma Legislature
  • and has never litigated a case in the state of Oklahoma.
Summary: The committee began with HJR 1074, a proposed Veterans Lottery Trust Fund measure. After adopting a scrivener’s-error amendment, the author explained it would create a veterans lottery game as a two-step process: first establishing the trust fund and board structure, then returning later to authorize the game itself. Members questioned how the money would be appropriated and whether the legislature could direct spending, as well as whether the lottery would compete with existing education lottery revenue. The author said the intent was for the funds to go to the Veterans Lottery Trust Fund and then be distributed by the board, and argued it would create recurring revenue for veterans without relying on annual appropriations. The committee approved the measure 7-1 and reported it do pass. Next, the committee considered HB 3501, which would allow the ABLE Commission to issue multiple manufacturing licenses for one premises. A PCS was adopted as the working draft without objection, and the bill passed 8-1 after brief discussion and no substantive debate. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1070, which would require the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney. An amendment was adopted to change the required practice threshold from 10 years to 5 years to align with requirements for district judges and Supreme Court justices. Members asked about residency, whether the requirement would apply to current candidates, and why the change was needed now. The author said it would not affect current candidates but was intended for future elections so the chief law enforcement officer would be an actual attorney. The resolution passed unanimously, 9-0, and was reported do pass.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 9th, 2026

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This feature is specifically designed to allow individuals to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
  • It'll be a donation that an individual would like to make to ODVA to support our veterans.
  • And anything we can ever do for veterans, I am so thankful for that.
  • We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
  • We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043
Summary: The committee took up three Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs-related House bills. House Bill 3940 was presented as a modernization and cleanup of Guard retirement-related provisions, with a confusing pay language removed; members noted it was similar to prior versions and that any fiscal impact would not occur until after 2027. After brief questions, the bill was advanced unanimously, 7-0. House Bill 3078 would allow state agencies and executive-branch entities to add voluntary donation options to payment forms so people could contribute to the ODVA Revolving Fund when paying for items such as licenses, registrations, and tax forms. Members clarified the donations would be extra, strictly voluntary, and not tied to tax proceeds. The bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3043 would authorize ODVA to hire PRN/as-needed staff as seasonal employees under defined limits to help staff veterans homes. Supporters said it would improve flexibility and staffing during peak periods, while the minority leader raised concerns about expanding temporary employment and reducing access to stable, benefit-eligible jobs. The bill passed 5-2. The committee then laid over another item pending Senator Woods’ availability and adjourned.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs REVISED Feb 12th, 2026

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • He also spent over three decades of service in the Oklahoma City Police Department, Iraq War veteran.
  • , retired from the Oklahoma Guard, and then the Oklahoma taxpayer would be making your retirement pay
  • Oklahoma?
  • This bill establishes a program to provide any eligible person, veteran, or veteran of the Oklahoma National
  • of the State of Oklahoma.
Summary: The Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and advanced several bills related to veterans records, National Guard benefits, burial honors, and veterans home operations. Senate Bill 2026 would allow grandchildren, with proof of lineage, to access a veteran’s DD-214 filed with a county clerk; it passed 9-0. Senate Bill 1376, amended to be named the CW5 Chris Rowe Act, would revise National Guard retirement and pay provisions, including a five-year Oklahoma Guard service minimum for retirement eligibility and language intended to ensure full-time Guard members are paid at their rank; despite concerns raised about the five-year threshold and out-of-state members, it passed 9-0. Senate Bill 1355 would create a program and funds to provide memorial headstones, markers, or medallions for eligible veterans and National Guard veterans; it also passed 9-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2115, a broad measure affecting Oklahoma veterans homes and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill would allow more flexible hiring of part-time health care staff, create revolving funds for quicker purchasing of supplies, and exclude certain purchases from the state Purchasing Act. Members questioned the canceled warrant fund, the scope of the purchasing exemption, and how donations and federal funds would be handled. The author and ODVA representatives said the bill was still a work in progress and emphasized the need for flexibility and safeguards. The bill passed 9-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1533, described as cleanup language for the Dignity and Burial Act, would change eligibility to require a veteran to have been a resident of Oklahoma rather than dying in the state. It also passed 9-0. Near the end of the meeting, Chair Stanley noted plans for another committee meeting the following week and Senator Peterson mentioned an upcoming floor substitute related to the Strategic Military Planning Commission sunset issue.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 9th, 2026 at 11:00 am

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This feature is specifically designed to allow individuals to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
  • It'll be a donation that an individual would like to make to ODVA to support our veterans.
  • Just appreciate all of you being here today and anything we can ever do for veterans.
  • We want to do seasonal employees for those peak times when we have our veterans in our homes.
  • You appreciate that, and I appreciate you all's willingness to help our veterans.
Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs REVISED Feb 12th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • the Oklahoma government.
  • I could see some people maybe moving to Oklahoma to agree to serve in the Oklahoma Guard for five years
  • This bill establishes a program to provide any eligible person of veteran of the Oklahoma National Guard
  • Department of the State of Oklahoma.
  • Forward for veterans, for our veteran homes, and for ODVA.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veteran and Military Affairs REVISED: Links added Feb 5th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Veteran and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chief Oklahoma state level benefits yield for questions and move for adoption. Thank you, Mr.
  • As you know, we've got a lot of veterans in Oklahoma.
  • And according to ODVA, we have data that tells us that there are about over 100,000 veterans in Oklahoma
  • Department of Veteran Affairs' amendment submitted by Representative Fugate.
  • One example is last year we had a veteran that passed away.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veteran and Military Affairs Apr 9th, 2026

Veteran and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, again, this is very voluntary, and the veteran actually would have to, you know, would know that
  • Members, all this bill does is, as it stands right now in law, if an Oklahoma veteran dies out of state
  • , even though he's a veteran or even though he's a resident in Oklahoma, but if he dies out of state
  • All this does is change that, as long as he is a resident of Oklahoma, he's still able to get buried
  • by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.
Bills: SB1533, SB2026
Summary: The committee heard two veterans-related bills. Senate Bill 2026 would allow county clerks to retain military discharge papers and expand who may access them after a veteran’s death from the current family members to include grandchildren. The bill sponsor said the change is voluntary and intended to help grandchildren handle burial and benefits matters. After a brief question about who could access the records, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill due pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1533, which would require the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to provide burial services for an Oklahoma veteran who dies out of state, so long as the veteran remains an Oklahoma resident. The sponsor explained that current law does not obligate the state in those circumstances. With no questions or debate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass the bill. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that these were the last bills expected for the committee at that time, unless additional measures were brought forward later.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veteran and Military Affairs Apr 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Veteran and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And again, this is very voluntary, and the veteran actually would have to, you know, would know that
  • Members, all this bill does is, as it stands right now in law, if an Oklahoma veteran dies out of state
  • , even though he's a veteran or even though he's a resident.
  • I'm sorry, if even though he's a resident in Oklahoma, but if it dies out of state at another hospital
  • to get buried by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.
Bills: SB1533, SB2026
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, and this is my question: Oklahoma veterans today commit suicide at a rate that is twice
  • We want every, my goal is that we could get every veteran in the country to retire in the state of Oklahoma
  • We want every, my goal is that we could get every veteran in the country to retire in the state of Oklahoma
  • The preeminent veteran facility for veterans' homes in the country is in Salasaw, which is also in Oklahoma
  • The preeminent veteran facility for veterans' homes in the country is in Salasaw, which is also in Oklahoma
Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey. Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services. No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 16th, 2026

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Allen Jr. to serve on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission for a three-year term ending July 1, 2029.
  • Members today, we're considering the reappointment of Rob Allen, Jr. to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission
  • He's an Oklahoma City native and a decorated combat veteran who served 10 years in the United States
  • makes him well qualified to continue serving on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.
  • Chairwoman Stanley, you're recognized to present the nomination of Matthew Dukes to the Oklahoma Veterans
Bills: HB3257
Summary: The Senate Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met with a quorum and considered three nominations to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission and one bill. The committee heard presentations for Rick Munchler, Robert W. Allen Jr., and Matthew Dukes, each described as having extensive military, public service, and veterans’ advocacy backgrounds. In each case, senators moved do pass, there were no substantive questions or debate, and each nomination received unanimous 5-0 approval to advance to the full Senate for confirmation. The committee also heard House Bill 3257, which would extend certain state benefits available to veterans who are 100% disabled due to a service-connected disability to veterans who are 100% disabled as a result of negligence or malpractice at a VA hospital under federal law. The author explained the bill would align state recognition and benefits with federal disability determinations in those cases, while noting the property tax exemption issue is constrained by the state constitution. After brief questions about the bill’s scope, the committee voted 5-0 to pass the measure to the full Senate. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted another committee meeting would be needed the following week to consider additional Veterans Commission nominees, and the committee adjourned.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I invite all of Oklahoma to pray, members and guests in the gallery, please rise as you're able for the
  • If you'll look over to the North Gallery, we have here today representatives from Oklahoma Children's
  • Organized in 1939 when Democrats were in charge, Oklahoma... ...are dedicated to serving the needs of
  • Baptist Home for Children, the Oklahoma Baptist Boys Home, the Oklahoma Baptist Home for... ...Children
  • The people of Oklahoma sent us up here to do one thing.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Military Affairs Apr 16th, 2026 at 11:00 am

Veterans and Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You're the sponsoring senator to present the nomination of Rick Unschler to the Oklahoma Veterans' Mission
  • Allen Junior to serve on the Oklahoma Veterans' Mission for a three-year term ending July 1st, 2029.
  • Members, today we're considering the reappointment of Rob Allen Junior to the Oklahoma Veterans Commission
  • He's an Oklahoma City native and a decorated combat veteran who served 10 years in the United States
  • makes him well qualified to continue serving on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.
Bills: HB3257
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And when we have the rural Oklahoma, the option of either letting them get out or we're going to lose
  • It's sections 12 and three is the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board.
  • , if an officer, for example, were to live in Kansas and decide to come to work in Oklahoma, then they
  • And again, I Think the main thing is that it's zero cost to the state of Oklahoma, and to that system
  • No, I think it'll be what the cost would have been if they would have been in Oklahoma.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026

Retirement and Government Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And when we have the, in rural Oklahoma, the option of either letting them get out or we're... ...in
  • It's sections one, two, and three are the Oklahoma Capital Investment Board.
  • live, say, in Kansas and decide to come to work in Oklahoma, then they would...
  • No, I think it’ll be what the cost would have been if they would have been in Oklahoma.
  • For our agencies, but also to support Oklahoma businesses that employ people with disabilities.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement and Government Resources considered a series of retirement, pension, and state employee bills. Senate Bill 1870 would let small municipalities in OPERS with populations of 2,000 or less opt out for new employees; members questioned the fiscal impact and the bill passed 8-0 after the chair struck the title to get a clearer actuarial analysis. Senate Bill 1722 passed 9-0 and would require OMES construction contract fees to be based only on construction costs, not interior design and furnishings, with members discussing how to define those terms and whether historical or specialized projects could still be accommodated. Senate Bill 1639 passed 9-0 after an amendment removed provisions affecting the Indian Education Act commission, leaving a bill to repeal several dormant boards and commissions. The committee also passed Senate Bills 715 and 716, which would increase municipal contributions to firefighter and police pensions, respectively; members raised concerns about city budgets, and the sponsor said he was open to phasing in the increases. Senate Bill 182 passed 5-2 to add certain DHS Inspector General officers and OJA residential care specialists to hazardous duty retirement, and Senate Bill 609 passed 7-0 to allow police recruits to buy up to five years of prior out-of-state service credit as a recruitment tool. The committee then passed Senate Bill 169 5-2 to increase state employee longevity pay by 50%, with supporters citing high turnover and opponents warning about budget pressure and the need for broader raises. Senate Bill 134 passed 7-0 to shorten the waiting period for county employees to return to work from one year to six months. Senate Bill 432 passed 6-0 to raise volunteer firefighter pension benefits, and because it was double-assigned it would next go to Appropriations. Senate Bill 1407 passed 7-0 after an amendment requiring OMES to provide the Commission on the Status of Women an itemized accounting of funds; the bill generally clarifies staffing and financial reporting authority for the commission. Finally, Senate Bill 2039 passed 8-0 after an amendment narrowing the bill to military personnel who are also teachers and defining salary for buyback purposes; the sponsor said the measure would help service members return to teaching and buy back up to five years of credit. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1356 7-0, a broader OMES cleanup bill moving certain functions elsewhere, though members flagged concerns about relocating the state use program and the pay-for-success fund and suggested further study on those sections.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 9th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill that you see before you establishes the Oklahoma Food Policy Council Act, creating a nine-member
  • council within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to advise and coordinate efforts
  • We do have an Oklahoma Food Service Advisory Council for the state of Oklahoma, which is a 14-member
  • to feed our communities pertaining to this particular Oklahoma Food Policy Council and the members that
  • Oklahoma.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 9th, 2026

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • And to the members, this bill that you see before you establishes the Oklahoma Food Policy Council Act
  • , creating a nine-member council within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to
  • And to the members, this bill that you see before you establishes the Oklahoma Food Policy Council Act
  • , creating a nine-member council within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to
  • We do have an Oklahoma Food Service Advisory Council for the state of Oklahoma, which is a 14-member
Summary: The committee laid over several bills at the start of the meeting, including SB 1550, SB 2173, and SB 2114, and announced a new rule prohibiting video recording on phones in the committee room. The committee then took up a series of agriculture-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on feral hog control, lab-grown meat, hunting regulations, local food policy, open-range cleanup, and prescribed burn liability coverage. SB 2108, as amended, was presented as a feral swine control bill. Supporters said it would reduce property damage, disease spread, and regulatory barriers for landowners and hunters, while opponents raised concerns about people who capture hogs for food and the impact on self-provisioning. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-2. SB 2121, which would ban the sale of cell-cultured, lab-grown meat, drew debate over free-market choice versus protecting Oklahoma agriculture and food safety; it passed 9-3. SB 2171, which would extend the residency requirement for a lifetime fishing license from six months to one year and create a velvet buck season under controlled hunts, passed 12-1 after debate about trophy hunting, commercialization, and deer management. SB 2061 would create an Oklahoma Food Policy Council within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to coordinate local food networks and producer-to-consumer access. Testimony from the agency said some related work is already being done through its Market Development Division, but the council would formalize broader representation; the bill passed 12-1. SB 2112, as amended, cleaned up prior open-range language to include leased land and passed unanimously. SB 2138 would establish a prescribed burn indemnity fund to help cover damages from escaped prescribed burns; members discussed coverage levels, funding, and whether it primarily protects the burner or neighboring landowners. It also passed unanimously. The meeting ended with an announcement about a Marshallese group performing in the rotunda and then adjournment.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whereas the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Oklahoma Film and Music Office
  • Council, and the Oklahoma Film and Music Office and that copies of this resolution be distributed.
  • We've had a long-time relationship with them and the Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council, and Amber,
  • Senate Bill 1721 extends the sunset of the Oklahoma advisory Council on Indian Education.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs indigent veteran burial program and the Oklahoma Department of Veteran
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 9th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Historical Society, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Oklahoma Film and Music Office have partnered
  • sincere thanks to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Oklahoma Film
  • We've had a longtime relationship with them and the Arts Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and Amber
  • Senate Bill 1721 extends the sunset of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Indigent Veteran Burial Program and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of guest introductions recognizing doctors, nurses, psychologists, interns, students, civic groups, and special honorees, including a tribute to Senator Paul Rosino’s military service and a citation for 2025 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Melissa Yvonne. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 32 recognizing March 9 as Bob Wills Day at the Capitol, with remarks from Carolyn Wills and musical guests from the Texas Playboys. The Senate then took up and passed a long list of bills. SB 1238 made domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense and passed 42-3 after questions about sentencing impacts and equity concerns. SB 1277 codified weekly work-search actions and passed 46-0. SB 1304 clarified alcohol sample serving sizes and passed 30-15, with one senator recorded as not voting. SB 1378 created the Olympics and Oklahoma revolving fund and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. SB 1423 repealed the Hospital Advisory Council and passed 39-7. SB 1484 expanded sudden unexplained infant death investigations and passed 46-0. Later measures included SB 1501, which clarified medical marijuana grow remediation and notice requirements, passing 41-5 amid concerns about pending renewals and law-enforcement notification; SB 1502, repealing the Alzheimer’s Disclosure Act Advisory Council, passing 46-0; SB 1721, extending the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education and passing 40-6 as an emergency; SB 1735, a CareerTech/SDE accreditation cleanup bill, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1832, reauthorizing veterans’ tax checkoffs, passing 46-0 as an emergency; SB 1847, allowing certain Medicaid waiver recipients in assisted living to age in place, passing 34-10 as an emergency; SB 1859, creating an OSBI cybercrime and financial fraud division, passing 37-8 despite concerns about duplication with another agency; SB 1876, modernizing service of process for foreign insurers, passing 45-0; SB 2170, requiring supervised visitation after DHS findings of child sexual abuse, passing 45-0; and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, passing 44-0. The Senate concluded with announcements about the Bible Reading Marathon and an upcoming Ireland-related economic development event, then adjourned until Tuesday, March 10 at 9 a.m.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • license, hunting permits, and stuff, and where they can check it off if they want to donate to the Oklahoma
  • Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Senate Bill 134 allows a retired member of the Oklahoma Public Employee's retirement system to please
  • I'm The Oklahoma County assessor explains that the reason this is important for assessors is that there
  • It will prevent in Oklahoma County.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 15th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whereas, the Oklahoma State Legislature is pleased to welcome Coach Morris to Oklahoma State University
  • , right here in Oklahoma.
  • the Oklahoma State Senate designates April 1st as Purple Up for Military Child's Day in Oklahoma and
  • Leader, House Bill 36 extends the sunset on the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education to 2031
  • to donate from their tax refunds to support the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Equipment and Capital