The last two weeks have been full of meaningful work at the Capitol, especially within the Government Oversight Committee. I’m proud to report that as the vice chair of the committee, we’ve now completed our committee work on Senate legislation, which is an important step in the legislative process.

Every Senate Bill and Senate Resolution had to be passed out of its respective oversight, administrative rules, rules, or appropriations committee by this week’s deadline. Thanks to long hours we’ve cleared that hurdle and are one step closer to final decisions on impactful legislation.

Looking ahead, our next big deadline is Thursday, May 8.

That’s the final day for bills to be passed off the floor in the opposite chamber, meaning House bills must be approved in the Senate, and Senate bills must clear the House, in order to remain alive this session.

I want to take a moment to address House Bill 2751.

This legislation was the result of dedicated work in the House on behalf of Oklahoma’s landowners.

HB2751 would have established setback requirements for industrial wind and solar facilities, requiring wind facilities to be located at least a half-mile from an occupied dwelling and solar facilities at least a quarter mile away. Importantly, it also allowed landowners to waive these requirements under specific conditions, respecting their property rights.

Unfortunately, despite our efforts, this bill has failed in the Senate.

Currently, a similar measure, Senate Bill 2, is under consideration in the House. While this bill shares many aspects of HB2751, it includes different setback distances. We believe the House version was stronger and more protective of landowners, and we fully intend to amend Senate Bill 2 to reflect those better standards.

It is frustrating when a bill that was crafted carefully with the best interests of Oklahomans in mind is stalled or killed. But let me be clear, the House remains committed. We will continue working to ensure that the final legislation upholds the rights and interests of Oklahoma landowners. That’s our priority, and we’re not backing down.

Among the Senate bills moving forward in the House are a few I believe Oklahomans will find especially noteworthy, they are Senate Bill 995 and Senate Bill 672.

SB995 adds a muchneeded layer of accountability by requiring all proposed administrative rules be approved through a joint resolution of the Legislature before taking effect. It passed our House Administrative Rules Committee unanimously and is now eligible to be heard on the House floor.

SB672 ensures that future public health decisions are rooted in science. It would prohibit the governor from closing any business during a pandemic unless there is scientific evidence that the specific type of business contributes to the spread of disease.

Beyond the legislative process, we also had the opportunity to recognize a group of true champions from District 13. Along with two of my legislative colleagues, I was honored to celebrate the Conners State College men’s basketball team on the House floor.

Coach Bill Muse, who has now earned an incredible 804 career wins, helped lead the Cowboys to four consecutive Region II championships, the first time that’s ever happened in the history of the region. Coach Muse has a long legacy of excellence and belongs in the same conversation as any great coach who has been recognized in the House of Representatives. I was very proud to have the chance to recognize him on the House floor.

This year’s team had a phenomenal run. They finished the season 324, claimed the regular season and conference titles with a 12-2 OCA record, and were both Region II and South Central District champions. Their hard work culminated in a runnerup finish at the NJCAA Division I national tournament.

These young men and their coaches, have made our state proud. Recognizing them at the Capitol was a privilege and a reminder of how strong leadership and teamwork can achieve great things, whether on the court or in the chambers of government.

It’s an honor to serve you at the Capitol, and I’m always here to listen. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at neil.hays@okhouse. gov or call my office at (405) 557-7302. I’d love to hear from you!

Neil Hays serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner counties.