Bill to make wheat Oklahoma's official state crop passes legislature

Bill Designating Wheat as Official State Crop Heads to Governor’s Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 29th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2159 today to designate wheat as the State Crop of the State of Oklahoma. Having now cleared both chambers with unanimous support, the bill now advances to the governor’s desk for final review.

The bill, by Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, was passed in the House Wednesday, coinciding with Ag Day at the Capitol festivities.

“Seeing this bill pass on Ag Day is incredibly meaningful as we celebrated one of Oklahoma’s most vital industries,” Pederson said. “Wheat is a key part of our state’s agricultural economy and plays a big role in supporting our rural communities. On a day dedicated to agriculture, this designation underscores the importance of wheat and the producers behind its success across the state.”

Gov. Stitt signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' bill into law

Governor Signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' Bill into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on the governor signing into law a bill that will require manufactured-protein food products to be clearly labeled as distinct from meat.

House Bill 1126, will require food manufacturers, distributers and retailers to clearly disclose that cell-cultivated or cultured products or those that come from a lab, plants or insect proteins are not meat. Those convicted of false advertising could face a misdemeanor.  

"I wish to thank Governor Stitt for signing House Bill 1126 into law," Grego said. "This is an effort to help protect beef producers, such as myself, against the flood of products claiming to be meat. Many of these products are derived from plants, insects, or even originate in a Petri dish. I believe if you as a consumer wish to consume these products there should be no doubt as to how they were produced. This bill really is a truth in labeling bill."

OK's Emergency Drought Committee approves new relief program

Pederson, Patzkowsky Bill Leads to Emergency Drought Committee’s New Program

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, the Emergency Drought Committee approved a new program to deliver critical drought relief for Oklahoma agricultural producers. The application period opens on Nov. 12 and will remain open through Jan. 31, 2025. Applications will be available at local conservation districts and on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission website starting Nov. 12.

State Senate passes bill to require seat belts for backseat passengers under 16

I'll be honest... I thought this was already the law:

Senate approves bill to require backseat passengers under 16 to wear a seat belt

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 22nd) – The Senate approved Senate Bill 681 Tuesday, which requires any backseat passenger that is 16 years old or younger to wear a properly fastened seat belt. Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, authored the measure that aims to reduce the number of injuries and deaths of youth involved in car accidents.

$20M in agriculture drought relief passed by legislature, signed by Gov. Stitt

Lawmakers Approve Drought Relief for Farmers, Ranchers

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature has appropriated $20 million to aid the agriculture industry across the state during the ongoing drought.

House Bill 1006XX designates $20 million to the Emergency Drought Relief Fund from any monies not otherwise appropriated from the General Revenue Fund of the State Treasury. During the regular session in the spring, lawmakers also approved House Bill 2959 to designate $3 million for the fund.

Senate passes measure keeping Planned Parenthood out of classrooms

Senate passes measure keeping Planned Parenthood out of classrooms

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to Senate Bill 1544, which would prevent public, charter or virtual schools across the state from partnering with an individual or entity that performs, induces, or provides abortions.

Authored by Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, the measure aims to prevent organizations, like Planned Parenthood, from instituting curriculum and normalizing sexual activities, behavior, and abortion in the state’s public-school systems.

State Sen. Pederson files bill to improve ag tax exemption renewal process

Sen. Pederson files bill to improve ag tax exemption renewal process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Roland Pederson has filed legislation aimed at cutting through red tape for farmers and ranchers renewing their agricultural sales tax exemption.  Pederson, R- Burlington, said Senate Bill 1655 would simplify the renewal process for those who have already met the initial requirements to qualify for the exemption.

Senate Finance Committee to study agricultural sales tax exemptions

Senate Finance Committee to study agricultural sales tax exemptions

The agricultural industry has a significant impact on Oklahoma’s economy, and Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee vice chairman Roland Pederson said it’s time to review who qualifies for agricultural sales tax exemptions in the state.

An interim study – “Finding a pathway for equitable farm tax exemptions” – will take a deep dive into this issue in the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m.

Pederson said the Oklahoma Tax Commission recently changed the process to getting an agricultural sales tax exemption card, and he’s heard from many farmers and ranchers from across the state who’ve had difficulties getting or renewing their exemption. Cards must be renewed every three years.  

“We need to conduct a fair assessment to verify legitimate farmers and ranchers when approving agricultural sales tax exemptions,” Pederson, R-Burlington, said. “While we don’t want to grant exemptions to individuals who don’t qualify and aren’t actually producers, we also don’t want to prohibit exemptions to those who are trying to make a living in ag.”

State Senate votes to kill SB13, only 4 vote to allow hearing on abortion abolition bill

Earlier today, the Oklahoma State Senate voted 38-4 to table a motion by Majority Floor Leader Kim David (R-Porter) that would have brought Senate Bill 13 (the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act) directly to the Senate floor for immediate consideration. In essence, this kills the bill for the remainder of the legislative session.

As I wrote yesterday, this was the most important vote of each senator's career to-date. 38 of them totally and completely failed the test. 38 state senators demonstrated their true stance on abortion: and that stance is that they would prefer it continue to be performed in Oklahoma.

Absolutely shameful.

Here's the roll call vote. 30 Republicans and 8 Democrats voted to kill SB13, while 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat missed the vote. All 4 votes against tabling were Republicans:

Given the opportunity to lock arms with those who want to end abortion in Oklahoma, 30 Republicans instead opted to defend the livelihood of abortionists whose fingers drip with the blood of 5,000 Oklahoma babies per year. God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). One day they will realize how wrong they were.

The following four Senators voted against the tabling motion (and thus in support of allowing a floor hearing of SB13). These noble four deserve the thanks and gratitude of those who truly wish to see abortion ended in Oklahoma:

Top: Sen. Joseph Silk and Sen. Chris Kidd
Bottom: Sen. Nathan Dahm and Sen. Roland Pederson

I encourage you to email them. These good men stood up against the peer pressure and the frowns of leadership in order to take a bold stand for the lives of babies: Joseph.Silk@OKSenate.gov, Chris.Kidd@OKSenate.gov, Nathan.Dahm@OKSenate.gov, Roland.Pederson@OKSenate.gov

Remember this vote whenever any of the disgraced 38 are on the ballot in the future. This was their defining moment, and it is a tremendous stain (of their own choosing) on their character.