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Committee advances several nominees and a package of bills on economic development, workforce and tourism

Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee · April 21, 2026

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Summary

The committee advanced four gubernatorial nominees and passed more than a half-dozen house bills on topics from music-industry rebates and film incentives to workforce funds and financing tools; roll-call results are included for each action.

The Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee completed an agenda that included multiple nominees and a batch of house bills on April 23, 2026. Below is a concise summary of formal actions and roll-call results taken during the meeting.

Nominations (committee votes to advance to full Senate): - Jared Lundry, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission — advanced, 8 ayes, 0 nays (nomination to unexpired term ending 07/01/2028). - Norville Ritter, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission — advanced, 9 ayes, 0 nays (six-year reappointment to 07/01/2032). - Amy Blackburn, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation — advanced, 9 ayes, 0 nays. - Jason Case, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission — advanced, 9 ayes, 0 nays.

Bills and key roll-call outcomes (selected highlights): - House Bill 18-23 (OFA/HOME committee substitute) — passed 8 ayes, 1 nay; directs OFA to publish proposed changes, requires 30-day notice before eligibility changes, limits retroactivity, and gives preference to nonprofits. - House Bill 44-76 (music-industry rebate, amended) — amendment adopted (25,000 to 28,000 threshold) and bill passed 7 ayes, 2 nays. - House Bill 33-78 (Science & Technology Research & Development Board staggered terms) — passed 9 ayes, 0 nays. - House Bill 38-80 (advertising/digital & Oklahoma Today online) — amendment adopted and bill passed 8 ayes, 1 nay; sponsor cited $270,000–$300,000 in annual savings from moving the publication online. - House Bill 30-31 (workforce revolving fund for skilled trades) — passed 7 ayes, 2 nays; no state dollars were included in the bill as introduced. - House Bill 33-69 (LP gas/fire suppression language for mobile vendors) — committee substitute adopted; bill passed 9 ayes, 0 nays. - House Bill 34-29 (ODFA bonds for career-tech projects) — passed 9 ayes, 0 nays; author said the program could issue up to $50,000,000 in obligations and run until 06/30/2032. - House Bill 36-57 (OESC cleanup & workforce data-sharing) — passed 8 ayes, 1 nay. - House Bill 42-15 (lower postproduction threshold for Filmed in Oklahoma Act) — passed 8 ayes, 1 nay. - House Bill 36-24 (county-boundary changes tied to river channel) — passed after extended debate, 6 ayes, 4 nays.

Several bills were amended on the floor or carried committee substitutes; where an amendment was adopted the committee took a separate voice roll call on the amendment before passing the bill as amended. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.