News 9's Haley Weger Previews Oklahoma's 59th Legislative Session

This year's legislative session is just a few days away, and over 3,000 bills will be presented at the Capitol. We'll hear about reform in education, crime and punishment, healthcare and more. 

One of the most controversial and talked about topics going into this session is education. Senator Adam Pugh outlined over a dozen bills that would cost $541 million in his education agenda. Some of his bills would give paid maternity leave, a minimum teacher salary with increased raises, mentorship and incentive programs.

In total, about 300 bills dealing with education will be proposed beginning next week. Two bills that would create voucher programs in the state will be introduced. 

State Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, has filed Senate Bill 822 to create the Oklahoma Education Freedom Act while state Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, has filed Senate Bill 943 to create the Oklahoma Parent Empowerment Act for Kids Program (OK PEAK).

HB1031, written by Democratic Representative Jacob Rosencrants, is called the Restoration of Sanity in Education Act. This would repeal the highly controversial HB 1775 that was passed last session.

HB1339 would require written notification when an alleged violation is being investigated by the State Department of Education. Any violations are also now required to be discussed at each State Board of Education meeting. This was authored by Rosencrants.

HB2139 would authorize handgun licensees to carry on school property under certain circumstances. It was written by Rep. Kevin McDugle (R). 

SB663 would allow school personnel who have a handgun license to carry on public school property under certain circumstances; providing for biannual training; providing for continuing education and training. This was written by Sen. Rob Standridge (R).

Written by Sen. David Bullard (R), SB863 would direct the State Department of Education to develop a plan to phase out use of federal funds. 

Oklahoma has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, and this year, some legislators are looking to make some amendments and exceptions. 

Written by Republican Representative Marcus McEntire, House Bill 1656 gives some exceptions to criminalizing abortions. It reads that "a person shall not purposely perform or attempt to perform an abortion unless the pregnancy is the result of a rape, sexual assault or incest that has been reported to law enforcement."

Republican Senator Warren Hamilton authored a few abortion bills.

Senate Bill 402 would create the "Prenatal Equal Protection Act." This would allow a mother to be prosecuted for an abortion. It also specifies that the same criminal code relates to an unborn child to any other victim.

SB614 would prohibit gender reassignment medical treatment for minors.

SB878 would create the "Oklahoma Save Adolescents from Experimentation" (SAFE) Act prohibiting gender transition surgeries. 

SB 1100 would increase certain penalties and remove certain probation eligibility for fentanyl trafficking. At least 30 bills deal with medical marijuana.

SB163 otherwise known as the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act, would increase minimum wage. It was written by Senator Hicks. SB 156 would also increase minimum wage, It was written by Senator Young.

The session will kicks off Monday afternoon with Gov. Stitt’s State-of-the-State address.