Last Thursday was the deadline to pass bills through the opp os i t e chamber. In total, both chambers approved 491 bills, with the House approving 230 Senate measures and the Senate passing 261 House bills. On Monday, the Governor signed 35 bills into law, including two that I authored.

House Bill 1805 will impact the retirement benefits of licensed emergency medical personnel employed by the state. Under this legislation, emergency medical personnel are designated hazardous duty members of the retirement system. The goal is to support emergency workers, ensuring they receive enhanced retirement benefits and increased contributions that more accurately align with the hazardous nature of their jobs.

Qualifying emergency medical personnel includes emergency medical responders, technicians and paramedics working for a participating OPERS employer. Under HB1805, hazardous duty members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) receive increased retirement and pension benefits than non-hazardous duty employees.

The other signed measure, House Bill 3085, permits retail and wholesale fireworks distributors to sell skyrockets with sticks to state-licensed outdoor display operators and authorizes the use of such skyrockets in commercial aerial displays performed by these operators.

I greatly appreciate the Governor’s and my colleagues’ support in the Legislature. With just a few weeks remaining in session, it’s important to note that the Oklahoma Constitution mandates that the Legislature’s regular session conclude by five p.m. on the last Friday in May each year.

Lastly, I would like to express my condolences and offer my thoughts and prayers to those affected by the recent tornadoes and severe weather. I want to thank all the volunteers, elected officials, and law enforcement who assisted in the relief efforts. Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed.

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 McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner County.