We’ve had an eventful few weeks at the Capitol. Last week, the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate held a joint session to honor Veterans Awareness Day. Oklahoma takes pride in its military and veteran presence, with over 286,000 veterans making up 8.7% of its population.

Oklahoma’s five military installations, which train servicemembers and manufacture equipment, are crucial to national security. These bases also significantly impact the state, providing employment to over 133,000 people and creating thousands of private-sector jobs. Additionally, these installations have generated millions of dollars in investments.

A state like Oklahoma prides itself on offering veterans a chance to thrive. In Oklahoma, veterans experience a lower unemployment rate (4%) than the state’s (5%). Additionally, veterans in Oklahoma earn a higher median household income than the average household in the state, making an average of $9,000 more annually.

We should support and appreciate our troops, regardless of political beliefs, by taking concrete action to ensure their safe return while encouraging their families at home.

Recently, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1215 into law. It helps disabled veterans in Oklahoma who were at risk of losing their sales tax exemption status.

The law removes the deadline for disabled veterans to register on the veteran’s registry, originally set for November 1, 2023.

Some veterans and surviving spouses previously denied by the Oklahoma Tax Commission will automatically receive new cards. If veterans or surviving spouses submitted registry verification letters to the Oklahoma Tax Commission but were unable to receive new Exemption Cards due to missing the registration deadline of July 1, 2023, or if they filed a protest or requested a hearing in response to the denial letter for new Exemption Cards, no further action is required.

To register with the Oklahoma Veterans Registry, individuals can visit registry.odva. ok.gov/registration. If you are a veteran or a surviving spouse and have any questions regarding this registration, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

This past week, we continued hearing bills in committee. I am currently authoring two Senate bills, Senate Bill 1520 and Senate Bill 2001, which are waiting to be heard in their respective committees. I will keep everyone informed about any updates regarding this legislation in the upcoming weeks.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns at 405-557-7302 or neil. hays@okhouse.gov.

Rep. Neil Hays, a Republican, serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Mc-Intosh, Muskogee and Wagoner County.