Insurance Opt-Out Becomes Law

By Rep. Rick West

My bill that gives state employees the opportunity to opt-out of state-provided health insurance without moving to another group plan was signed into law last week by the governor.

House Bill 1187 should save state taxpayers some money just by removing the word group.

The House last week passed Senate Bill 1027, which would change how signatures are gathered for initiative or referendum petitions that could result in law or constitutional changes. This measure would help ensure voters in rural counties are better represented in matters that could affect their way of life and potentially their taxes. It also would ensure the signatures gathered are legal and valid and that state questions are easier to understand.

We all saw the sweeping changes when medical marijuana was approved and Medicaid was expanded. We want voters to be able to decided these issues. But we want voting to be more representative of the entire state instead of just allowing enough signatures to be gathered from Oklahoma City or Tulsa to make these kinds of changes.

This bill was amended and goes back to the Senate for final consideration.

House Bill 1087 would extend the teacher salary schedule from 25 years to 35 years, offering another pay step to support our veteran educators and to incentivize those with more experience to stay longer in the classroom.

This bill was amended before passing the Senate and will return to the House for final consideration.

Several bills did not make it through the process this year.

House Bill 2288 would have eliminated an existing 36-month waiting period for teachers who retire before they can return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools. This would have allowed career teachers to continue teaching past retirement age while drawing their earned retirement benefits. It was very popular among educators in our district who are nearing retirement age. It passed several Senate committees but was not considered by the full  body.

Senate Bill 6 would have moved school board elections from April to November when Oklahoma holds general elections for other elected positions. This would have increased voter turnout in these races, which historically have very low participation. School boards are extremely important, as members decide issues of great significance regarding student learning, teacher pay, facility upgrades and how taxpayer dollars are spent in our schools.

Last week was the deadline for bills to be considered in their opposite chamber. If a Senate bill didn’t pass the House or vice versa, it’s should be considered dead for this session. Wilder things have happened, and plenty of rules have been bent, so I guess its possible these bills could be resurrected this year. Most likely they’ll have to wait until next session to be breathed back to life.

We’ve got three weeks left in regular session, and we need to produce a state budget. I’ll keep you posted.

Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.

As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.

 

Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.