State Lawmakers Gavel Out Legislative Session

State lawmakers wrapped up their first full session in two years after COVID-19 truncated last year's proceedings. Lawmakers headed home, ending a four-month session Thursday. 

“This has been by far the most successful session I’ve been a part of,” Senate President Pro Tem.Greg Treat, R-OKC, said. 

On the House floor, there was bipartisan celebration ending a session that saw tax cuts, boosts to education, investments in broadband, controversial bills on race, vaccinations and rioting and a slew of abortion bills signed into law. 

“We pushed hard this year. We pushed ourselves very hard,” House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said. “The mentality within the body this year was ‘let’s maximize our time, let’s maximize our outcome, let’s not make this the light session.” 

McCall said only two members tested positive for COVID-19 this session.

“I got more than I wanted, more than I expected and more than anyone thought was possible,” Treat said. “[We] worked extremely well with the governor and the house.”

Lawmakers will likely be back for a special session in October to finalize redistricting.