[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6312934,"mediaKeyId","2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5","parentId",2390189,"title","Committee advances bill clarifying annexation language around railway rights-of-way","audioSeconds",1488,"startMs",7529000,"endMs",9017000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5&start=7529&end=9017","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5/thumbnail_7529000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312934/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-clarifying-annexation-language-around-railway-rights-of-way","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312934-46eca54dfaf9abb35a7057d4c4be3233/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181331&Signature=o8uSwJ9~inxqKc8eLPcAGe6lWm-0jawbNwUvLK7lCl15nXF~w8aGTqlpZhCPhBolBvXIMgaQ4HbyLwXCKV045s6H4rlEuWAZMktkvOcllBJffgWVJyKQwWBvXGa8tw9AD-pJspMIR9wxPs7cRXPaMdjOHXRnp0akt~HPCVNEGSDYa3VCSABjEimq7coG5QRIOfF7KhTCz3RtmSrOmhwGP8EEiYSc4O9eGiaWvP7J9QBEovKMtXqKMKdblEBYA-Ar-hLN~sKK2LMdQW4XK6NbXqwieGfZ48iHxpurmp0DKQD1fr0vVPuPM721NnJEGVDsfndAFzmp85xYXeT~gQUlqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OK State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Albert described Senate Bill 694 as an amendatory bill to clarify existing annexation law when municipality annexation lines abut former railway rights-of-way.

\"Annex is separated from the corporate limits of a municipality only by a railway right of way, comma, an intervening strip less than 4 rods wide... 4 rods is a measurement of 16 feet per rod... 66 feet,\" Albert explained, saying the change is intended to prevent municipalities from creating an \"intervening strip\" where a railway did not historically exist. Albert said the attorney general recommended the revision to restore the statute to its original intent.

Committee members asked how ownership and maintenance of historic rights-of-way currently worked; Albert said easements often remain in place even when rails and rail humps are gone and that maintenance typically varies by location. He and supporters said the change is targeted to prevent situations in which property is effectively split between municipal and county jurisdiction because of a manufactured intervening strip.

The committee recorded eight ayes, zero nays and declared the bill advanced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Local and County Government Feb 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 694, an amendatory bill intended to clarify when an intervening strip (less than four rods) describes an existing railway right-of-way rather than a newly created strip, passed committee 8-0 after sponsors said the change reflects an attorney-general recommendation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature OK, Oklahoma","taxId",78380,"location","Oklahoma","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6312936,"Committee advances bill requiring 3,000-foot spacing between homeless shelters and places children congregate",2943,4854000,7797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5&start=4854&end=7797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5/thumbnail_4854000.jpg","/articles/6312936/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-requiring-3000-foot-spacing-between-homeless-shelters-and-places-children-congregate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312936-d1122c0c6f89619c58f14f98436bf372/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181331&Signature=bdzCfIeV1sD0D-A9CIATFyw6NVetnvTwMRlp9Rdg2bDfEzNRq~M2SCAVq-s4rplVt7i7rp3LMGNiQ5XvTPztks~4tDcTQdon4FzL8gYd6cmlFs2iogiVY6xBbvOh~sZhJ0RMFrW6foWhQ50CMKvXJS15wHXRMLrwexTsGteso8gQZlyCWivKWdLzk1lpbuC3qXzXjmo9WmuiBIsBH95cJvMTgHt78pFWk0k~jvO6fOhT62Tf~2q0eiH02z0yvadK7NgNTZU5Y-v5-BR-uTuxkLZytl4G2jRIKXDFkWRVUBRSzRv7EvHWx77M70jYMIrgjjlfJGvzbolEuATNMXapVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Standridge presented Senate Bill 484, a spacing bill that would require homeless shelters in municipalities with populations under 300,000 to be at least 3,000 feet from places where children congregate. He said the measure was a constituent request aimed at public safety.

\"This bill will do that by requiring towns with a population of less than 300,000, to place homeless shelters at least 3,000 feet away from places where children congregate,\" Standridge said. He described the intent as preserving public safety and said the language drew from other spacing statutes.

Committee members debated whether the provision effectively shifts service needs to larger cities and whether the spacing definition would capture existing services such as church soup kitchens. Senator Goodwin asked whether the effect is to transfer homeless populations to municipalities of 300,000 or more; Standridge replied the bill is a spacing requirement and \"no one is moving homeless people anywhere.\" He also said the bill includes a grandfather clause for existing operations and that the definition does not mention soup kitchens.

Several senators described strong constituent responses on both sides. Opponents called the bill \"cruel\" and said it could limit shelter access and place additional burdens on larger cities; supporters said they were acting to protect children and cited reports of crime and safety concerns in downtown Norman.

After debate and closing remarks the committee recorded six ayes and three nays and advanced the measure for further consideration.","Senate Bill 484, sponsored as a constituent public-safety measure, passed the committee 6-3 after extended debate about impact on smaller municipalities and whether the measure transfers burdens to larger cities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6312941,"Committee advances bill removing printed copy requirement for municipal ordinances in county law libraries",202,4605000,4807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5&start=4605&end=4807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5/thumbnail_4605000.jpg","/articles/6312941/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-removing-printed-copy-requirement-for-municipal-ordinances-in-county-law-libraries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312941-5ff48f4f24f0ec7887bc934e5728fefc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181331&Signature=m8JbAeeeiAVWSGZs0VOHoA9gu4Nf3umChow23U8-xVZbrrA5k~y9teduRIffc6hMdpCZkzvyixbtq1FzuUEYwLI8X5msRV0D8uaANIdGCVvbJnnEk54LhET8Jq8kQemIQgbLRh4nzrpibRXSpyXlNXAcjy6w~fwFrEfkpDoFDzb36QxwyB~Lmj9PgT-bIjXzhRp580N7I~RrecGS92bVlMIntr7LiaOXwxVdtP5xJS0rQZ8WPByF5P9tHwgaI4LfDBtfD1Z0hOy1W-0cx8KFXKTVqryq4z6Kdf10Ju5h8jVWZgEoCzsLiyWE4zCBSdKBKM7Fh6EtwtgLeFG~Ln~V9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Guthrie, presenting Senate Bill 354, told the committee the bill removes an outdated requirement that municipalities provide free printed copies of local ordinances to county law libraries.

\"Today, most ordinances are available online and only 2 law libraries in the state remain staffed, which is Tulsa County and Oklahoma County,\" Guthrie said, and described the change as eliminating \"an unnecessary burden on municipalities while keeping ordinances fully accessible to the public and the courts.\"

Guthrie said municipalities would still be required to file ordinances with the county clerk so records remain publicly available. Committee members asked whether the bill should explicitly require municipal postings online; Guthrie replied that ordinances filed with the county clerk remain available as a printed copy at the clerk's office and that online access ordinarily is free to the public.

Committee members raised no further questions and the clerk recorded a unanimous roll call in favor. The committee chair announced 9 ayes and 0 nays and declared Senate Bill 354 advanced from committee.","The committee advanced Senate Bill 354 on a unanimous vote; the bill removes a requirement that cities provide free printed copies of ordinances to county law libraries while retaining filing requirements with county clerks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6312946,"Senate committee advances bill aimed at streamlining municipal zoning to boost housing supply",1453,3113000,4566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5&start=3113&end=4566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390189-4a8697f714366a55b24ec9f42d87e7f5/thumbnail_3113000.jpg","/articles/6312946/Oklahoma/Senate-committee-advances-bill-aimed-at-streamlining-municipal-zoning-to-boost-housing-supply","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312946-f7d0dae2490040641930fa4f37368fa2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181331&Signature=bDoHAtpVi2P4UqdBCIkxkRL29VOJcXKHiS2MRdBogspPehbXRVObxuzqKFgQtUneSQJx1mUb0N9lIHfzaDiZQCWYqvYkBV~w6VTjTZg6fcxqO~pUEBgH~7~gqaPC8JwrFm6W8B5A9PK1jCNukrJFb8dneK1wWFsfGQe1xP7A-U1UqCZ84OEsp784EXcqPLI-jLTnAjH5PYQzKAZLZmSRRMNWdEYl5aU9z1BIuzKoBA6E0rLjVonrDWU-0SzdCrqHcWpU6JpOjeVDWYCeRNni45I8S3z9YtUYhloJyXezQZcpFusuo0BqTB-4zq3YeHid3ZlRzEtP3T3ir92ZM4RGvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Fritsch, author of Senate Bill 647, told the Oklahoma Senate Local and County Government Committee the measure is intended to speed development approvals so more housing can be built in the state.

\"We are working on this bill and it's a request from, some folks working on housing issues in our state,\" Fritsch said, adding the measure seeks to \"streamline the process to build more houses in the state of Oklahoma.\" The committee record shows the bill was advanced by a 7-2 roll call vote.

The bill’s sponsor and several members framed the legislation as an effort to reduce litigation and clarify how municipalities handle zoning and plats. Fritsch said the committee substitute is a work in progress and repeated that the aim is to \"reduce litigation, streamline the process, and build more houses in the state of Oklahoma.\" He also said the measure would \"ensure that property owners are provided a basis for planning denials on the record by the city attorney\" and that \"objective and relevant facts must be used\" in land-use decisions.

Opponents raised concerns about local control and potential unintended consequences. Senator Goodwin cited an example in Tulsa in which she said a senior housing development did not follow plans, resulting in construction and safety defects; she described that history as a \"huge red flag\" when the bill would make compliance with comprehensive plans optional for plat approval. Goodwin and others pressed the author on where in the bill the streamlining mechanisms appear and which stakeholders were consulted; Fritsch said he had worked with home builders and the Home Builders Association and said he remained open to additional suggestions.

Senator Nye argued the processes the bill seeks to standardize already exist in many municipalities and said it was difficult to see how SB 647 as written would accelerate production of affordable housing. Fritsch and others replied the bill seeks to clarify appeals and standards so that decisions are based on \"objective facts\" rather than the mere presence of protest at hearings.

After closing remarks from the author, the clerk recorded seven ayes and two nays. The committee chair declared the bill to have advanced.

Votes at a glance: Clerk roll call recorded Senators Albert, Prieto, Sakieri, Stanley, Stewart, Vice Chair Burns and Chairman Hamilton voting aye; Senators Goodwin and Nye voting nay. The clerk announced \"7 ayes, 2 nays.\"","The Oklahoma Senate Local and County Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 647 on a 7-2 vote after debate over whether the measure would limit local control and whether it would meaningfully increase affordable housing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill clarifying annexation language around railway rights-of-way

Committee advances bill requiring 3,000-foot spacing between homeless shelters and places children congregate

Committee advances bill removing printed copy requirement for municipal ordinances in county law libraries

Senate committee advances bill aimed at streamlining municipal zoning to boost housing supply