[{"_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",6301132,"mediaKeyId","2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c","parentId",2490054,"title","Committee advances inventory‑law cleanup raising threshold and adding firearm tracking","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",5512000,"endMs",5833000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c&start=5512&end=5833","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c/thumbnail_5512000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6301132/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-inventorylaw-cleanup-raising-threshold-and-adding-firearm-tracking","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301132-63969cbe741ccc9c157f4f8aa61010fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584081&Signature=TQEgaOliTtxz~raXDDJPA7k3~pHeAWHKKNp~PRrdns~XTVEd0aBoDwJRFzxyZTGiLjDZPphblgYeCII4Y9kKKNFh~FLNG8cnbzXzOui2aSNDQD6ixwMsJsnRUtthCRvSqfDcZ6h8npwQVuYmOeowdymzxzucFt01ATzyRw4zkFGB18Ld-kAkXnmXRbGMBKT7W7bpTwCZ5Hcwkff1Hp6u~b7HfkG4yPZ0cuJqwUborJ~fkX5OdpZslsgs8aBCGIxJNfVWyeDDNGDwijxsR59uVWCH74pr9cJG5rHqTUbvGp4g7MVOgFx2XBWUrs2afhwAYU49QOn2DbGdzIKh~5yU6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","OK State Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Stewart, sponsor of Senate Bill 772, said the bill was requested by the OSU county training program and the county clerks association to simplify and harmonize county inventory statutes.

\"It will increase the disposition of certain county properties $2,500 to match the required amounts and tracking the same type of county property,\" Stewart said, describing the change as a way to reduce the administrative burden of tracking low‑value items.

Committee members raised concerns about reducing inventory coverage. Senator Stanley described scenarios from aviation maintenance in which small missing tools could cause severe consequences, asking whether raising the threshold would reduce accountability for taxpayer‑owned equipment. Stewart and other supporters said the change was intended to reduce repetitive inventory work while retaining disposal procedures and audit oversight; they said county clerks and the state auditor remain involved.

The bill explicitly separates firearms into a tracked category, requiring inventory for firearms with an original cost of $500 or more. Chair and members asked whether firearms costing less than $500 would be excluded from inventory; Stewart confirmed the $500 threshold specifically applied to firearms for tracking purposes and that guns enumerated on inventory could later be sold under the bill's disposal language.

After debate the committee voted to advance the bill. The clerk recorded five ayes and four nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 772 advanced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Local and County Government Tuesday, Mar 4, 2025 2:35 PM - 4:24 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 772 raises the monetary threshold for items required on county inventory from $500 to $2,500, separates firearms into a tracked category, and clarifies disposal authority; the committee advanced the bill 5-4 after questions about accountability and public safety.","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},6301136,"Committee advances bill raising statutory cap on county officer pay scale",577,4583000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c&start=4583&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c/thumbnail_4583000.jpg","/articles/6301136/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-raising-statutory-cap-on-county-officer-pay-scale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301136-2c2a9554991d2e20e0da4fb7f6c338e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584081&Signature=izp~L2KSHHDthNiiysxFPsBw7nJChCEax1JB9FyNUhM6PrgmWmJzGNWTnkncl~Dud629tZrIfjTzBikJs7lwtoFHDaGOfZA7ruzcoNPITMNGGeYMZnmycDZ5aYECeOcDzHQlrZmZdzC4i5s3F2uHvQs07nm~pVghIXyH5HkMJB0MqBrSVsw0jWThxDqa2a7s-Sb0ZxzZjIdo59c5HknuvjdemMO4BdjNgP1Yi9FSAuGjYvmu2ahCNQdkpFDsckByjUUETaAre8-oTn8OPNIafIGD8Njg9xHsvlqtpHmtXAe0~8xCmI2eTHhd-Soqv5b8I9EHmYoXwt-Yf2AAovuKFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Albert told the committee that Senate Bill 466 revises the statutory cap used in the county officer salary schedule. \"Currently, the county's officer salary schedule is set with a cap of $49.05 except for the sheriff. This bill will change the maximum cap to $74.05,\" Albert said.

Albert emphasized the change would not automatically raise salaries: adjustments require the county formula to produce higher pay and the county excise board must approve any increases. \"This adjustment simply realigns the maximum cap for all county officials, which will give comp or 5. The revision of the county pay scale does not guarantee pay raises,\" Albert said.

Committee members asked how the new cap was calculated and about the history of state limits on county pay. The chair asked how long the state has set county salary maximums; Albert said he thought the limit had existed for more than 20 years but did not offer a legislative history.

Members discussed reasons past changes were made for sheriffs' pay, including recruitment and retention of deputies. Albert said sheriffs had received raises previously because of trouble retaining deputies and that the bill aims to make county officer pay scales more even and competitive with private‑sector alternatives.

After minimal debate the committee voted to advance the bill. The clerk recorded eight ayes and one nay; the chair declared the bill advanced.","Senate Bill 466 would increase the maximum figure used in the county officer salary formula from the current statute to a higher cap; sponsor said the change does not automatically raise salaries and counties and excise boards would still control actual pay. The committee advanced the bill 8-1.",{"_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},6301142,"Committee advances bill removing notarization requirement from municipal bid affidavits",1110,3464000,4574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c&start=3464&end=4574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c/thumbnail_3464000.jpg","/articles/6301142/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-removing-notarization-requirement-from-municipal-bid-affidavits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301142-256021af4fba62504914b1ca1ef028d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584081&Signature=Qy1L7ERuAcBXuHisFXSbdgK3KJ6rtCqAuiwKIB-5E7y4tZPV1uuXk01svgXbJCvzlzU33RkYl6syWP4IQTolugHfQ-61EsxXhmb8BreCWCWky7CrJEU-icAe21inuzCKN33r3vnWvbqNHWiaZm4a2C03IiK2bJY22MWMprCj4lMJQCHntZFn0KetL3E5mRIcSxQJIZx32WJf~fUWRAGPhjTUnLwd2ysxgm2ewGMck2T4zvML7XR-WhYUyJEnDlL890ww5ibd38a2g2ijXrQA7ROqwvHJlqSHor-OypgFILDaJ04y1GshciGNlk4eCrvttiyRmM9jCRh92duPm~vq2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Pugh told the Local and County Government Committee that Senate Bill 898 is the product of discussions among municipalities, contractors and construction trades to modernize municipal bidding processes.

\"When bids are submitted, the contractors have to sign an affidavit and then have it notarized. This is becoming more challenging as bids are more and more being submitted electronically,\" Senator Pugh said, explaining that the bill removes the notarization requirement for a business‑relationship affidavit used in municipal bids.

Committee members pressed on accountability and the phrase \"under oath.\" Senator Goodwin asked, \"What actually holds these folks to some degree of accountability if it's no longer under oath?\" Pugh and a city representative explained the proposal preserves a signed written statement but eliminates the notarization step to reduce bid rejections for missing notarizations.

Supporters argued notarization often causes administrative delays and that other government procurement—state and federal—does not require notarized bids. Critics said removing notarization could reduce safeguards against false statements. Senator Nyesha said she would vote no and urged changes to protect small contractors and fairness in municipal procurement.

After debate and additional questions about the scope of the affidavit and the role of notaries in verifying identity, the committee voted to advance the bill. The clerk reported six ayes and three nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 898 advanced.","Senate Bill 898, which deletes a notarization requirement for certain municipal bid affidavits and modifies language referring to 'under oath,' advanced after extended debate on bidder accountability and electronic bidding. The committee voted 6-3 to advance.",{"_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},6301146,"Committee advances bill to let municipalities act on long-unoccupied buildings",965,2443000,3408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c&start=2443&end=3408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2490054-fad9d2f74a2192c4e8f11095bc52798c/thumbnail_2443000.jpg","/articles/6301146/Oklahoma/Committee-advances-bill-to-let-municipalities-act-on-long-unoccupied-buildings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6301146-b615ca55a493d5149d857813e475970b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584081&Signature=ONAYTYpb37X4phGVZ~jfbSfw1ZHjmu6jy~gq9YyZUQmh9Yc~erQjWFIBQphDfAESABi5BjqXLPQ~~bkgMEIiE2bo7-7EJ1fYC5vYrtqYm0hKbb37-IakmhOSjGd0YzXk95knsIGLxsXqKZPl~O6OoahswUPUAp-Ov0mkZH-P0KmqS5Yv9De7cZ4RfFJHMJRlKwZQXxeSOdObnpSSVGp2613v5L-LJ0nQjRuqd8iehg6Vf6B~t-Cfwnx9GmAlpO2JuTgW0Qq52Y2ClN7PJj4IZNZ3464QR88fxILut8VXqud6hY4qoQB0voOxsD1fL6VFirvt8RcPHwwoC0yc~m5L~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Coleman, sponsor of Senate Bill 400, told the Local and County Government Committee that the bill responds to a request from the city of Ponca City to give municipalities authority to address buildings that are unoccupied but not abandoned.

\"The beauty shop continues to get cockroaches from the abandoned building that is unoccupied,\" Senator Coleman said, describing a single property in Ponca City that has been vacant for about 20 to 30 years. He said the owner continues to pay property taxes but has not maintained the building.

The bill would add an \"unoccupied\" definition to the existing statutory framework that lets municipalities address abandoned properties, and includes notice and enforcement procedures. Coleman said the goal is to target the most severe cases: buildings left vacant for decades and causing blight or public‑health concerns.

Committee members questioned several provisions. Senator Saccheri asked whether the 10‑day notice period on page 9 was sufficient, noting owners may live out of state. \"Are you willing to work on that 10 day notice? I feel like 10 days just isn't a sufficient amount of time to notify someone,\" Saccheri said. Coleman said he would work with the chair to revise timing and other details.

Committee members also discussed how the bill would differ from existing code‑enforcement and nuisance statutes and whether proof of insurance or payment of taxes should affect the classification. Senator Goodwin asked whether continued tax or insurance payments should affect a finding of \"unoccupied.\" Coleman replied that taxes can be checked but said he was not certain whether municipalities could require proof of insurance.

Several senators signaled support while urging changes. Senator Stanley said he has dealt with abandoned retail property and supported further work on the bill; others stressed guards for due process for property owners who are current on taxes. Coleman said he expected substantial changes while working with the committee chair.

The committee recorded a voice roll call after debate. The clerk reported nine ayes and zero nays; the chair declared Senate Bill 400 advanced.

The measure will return for further drafting and committee work before any floor consideration.","The Local and County Government Committee advanced Senate Bill 400 to add an \"unoccupied\" category to statutes now limited to \"abandoned\" buildings, after debate over notice periods and property‑owner protections; the measure passed on a 9-0 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances inventory‑law cleanup raising threshold and adding firearm tracking

Committee advances bill raising statutory cap on county officer pay scale

Committee advances bill removing notarization requirement from municipal bid affidavits

Committee advances bill to let municipalities act on long-unoccupied buildings