WI NTER 2024 | better sch o o ls
Legislators have returned to the Capitol, and CCOSA will be keeping an eye on education policy and funding every step of the way. By Dr. Jeanene Barnett, Education Policy & Research Analyst The Oklahoma Legislature has had an overwhelming Republican majority since 2009. Now, the composition of the Senate sits at 40 Republicans and 8 Democrats, and State House Republicans have an 81-20 advantage over Democrats. On Monday, February 5, the 2024 Legislative Session officially began with the Governor’s annual State of the State speech. Regular Session convened the same day. This is the second year of the two-year legislative cycle. This session, legislators filed approximately 2,051 bills: The Senate filed 1,210 measures, and the House filed 841 bills and joint resolutions. There are 2,464 carryover bills still alive from last session that can be resurrected and move forward as well. Keep in mind – bill filing leads to a plethora
of bills that make headlines, but few actually become law. As we advocate with our local legislators and review the list of bills, we must keep our focus on what is important and beneficial for students and schools. Only 19% of bills filed will become law, and very few bills are signed by the Governor with the same language they had at initial filing. This reality shapes CCOSA’s advocacy efforts, where we take three approaches: promote legislation that responds to a call for help from our members
2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
IMPORTANT DATES February 29, 2024
Bills must be through Committees. March 21, 2024
Bills must be through first House of origin. April 12, 2024
Bills must be through Committees in opposite House. April 25, 2024
Bills must be heard in opposite House. May 31, 2024
Sine Die, or last day of session.
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