Cellphones in schools, vaping and vouchers: Oklahoma Senate to study 39 issues in interim

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma senators during the interim are expected to take a deep dive into cellphones in schools, voucher costs and other topics.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, approved 39 interim study requests. The requests have been assigned to committees.

The committee chairperson will determine whether or not the study will proceed.

Senate interim studies are expected to be concluded by Nov. 1.

“Interim studies are a great way for lawmakers to dig into topics that are important to Oklahomans as they craft legislation for next year,” Treat said. “These studies provide legislators with the opportunity to thoroughly investigate complex issues, gather relevant data, and engage with experts and stakeholders outside of the regular legislative session.”

Studies will look at banning cellphone use in schools, addressing youth vaping

Senate Education Committee Chairman Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, requested a study on banning cellphone use in schools, something already done in some districts.

Pugh filed legislation last session to incentivize schools to ban cellphones, but it didn’t make it across the finish line.

He said lots of other states are tackling the issue.

“It’s a crisis among young people,” he said.

Young people are struggling with mental health, depression, teen suicide, loneliness, despair and bullying, and cellphone use is contributing factor, he said.

Opinion: Readers reacted to a question of whether cellphones should be banned on school campuses.

Districts that have banned cellphones have seen a drop in disruptive behavior, an increase in academic performance, less bullying and more socially engaged students, Pugh said.

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, has an interim study on youth vaping and policy solutions.

The outcome could be a bill that would raise the age to purchase the product to 21 years old and more regulations, Hicks said.

She said vaping has serious negative impacts on health.

Do voucher programs impact public school funding? Study intends to investigate

Hicks has another interim study looking at the impact voucher programs have on funding for public schools.

The state recently enacted a law allowing for tax credits for parents who send students to private schools or homeschool their children.

Hicks said she would love to know who is accessing the voucher program and get the outcomes.

Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, has an interim study on restarting a prison rodeo in McAlester.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections last session sought $8.3 million to restart the program at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, but backed off the request and opted for a study to answer critical questions.

In 2010, state budget cuts, low attendance and crumbling facilities contributed to the rodeo closing.

Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, was granted an interim study on self-managed abortions.

Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, has a study on business courts.

Gov. Kevin Stitt made the creation of business courts a priority during recent budget negotiations.

Friday was the deadline to request interim studies in the lower chamber, said a House spokesperson.

The House-approved studies are expected to be announced later this month.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com . Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter .

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cellphones in schools, vaping and vouchers: Oklahoma Senate to study 39 issues in interim