Senate review

It was a busy week at the State Capitol as the Legislature worked up to the deadline to advance bills from their house of origin. I’m very grateful that five measures I authored were passed off the Senate floor this week and will now head to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Among the approved pieces of legislation is Senate Bill 207, which creates the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council. The council will offer guidance to the Legislature, the public, state agencies, and other stakeholders on the needs of Oklahomans with rare diseases. This council will play a vital role in advocating for these individuals and their families, ensuring that the state allocates resources efficiently to support them, while also raising awareness of rare diseases across the state.

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 91, the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act. Under the provisions of this bill, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission would be tasked with conducting a comprehensive water quality study of this watershed located in Cherokee, Delaware, and Mayes County. This bill will also establish the Spring Creek Watershed Water Quality Advisory Group, which would allow local conservation district officials, local landowners, and other stakeholders to work together in an official capacity to support initiatives aimed at protecting the water quality and aquatic habitat of the region. I’m proud of our work on this bill that will foster collaboration in northeastern Oklahoma and help to safeguard our natural resources.

In addition, I also secured the full Senate’s approval for Senate Bill 1114, which submits to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that provides a property tax credit on the homestead of an individual head of household who is at least 65 years of age and qualifies for the limitation on the growth of fair cash value. My goal with this bill is to protect Oklahomans over 65, especially retirees, and ensure their property taxes remain stable through a true senior tax freeze. This bill will provide much-needed relief for our seniors and allow them to enjoy a secure retirement and remain in the homes they worked hard for. I look forward to seeing this bill through the rest of the process and putting this before voters in November 2026.

My final two bills that passed this week are SB 1035 and SB 469. The first would give those in the construction industry educational resources rather than a fine from the Construction Industries Board on their first offense. My hope with this bill is to reduce regulations on those working in our trade industries and allow them the opportunity to correct their mistakes before they face a monetary penalty. The final bill streamlines processes to issue rebates in a timelier manner to companies participating in the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program. SB 469 is intended to help Oklahoma businesses combat the continued effects of inflation by putting this money back in their pockets sooner.

Each of these bills was brought forward with the intention of improving the lives of Oklahomans and moving our state forward. I appreciate my colleagues’ overwhelming support of these measures and look forward to continued collaboration with the lawmakers who will be carrying them in the House.

With over 400 House Bills advancing to the Senate, Appropriations meetings, and other legislative duties, we have much work left ahead in the final nine weeks of this year’s legislative session. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can reach us by email at Tom.Woods@oksenate. gov or by phone at 405-521-5576.