The House this past week passed a bill that will add $500 million to public schools across the state. This includes funding for $2,500 pay raises for all teachers; $150 million to be distributed to schools receiving below-average funding from annual local tax revenue; and $300 million to be distributed to public school districts on a per-pupil basis.

This includes more than $16.8 million in additional funding for schools that constituents in House District 59 attend.

The House also passed a measure that would allow tax credits for parents that choose to homeschool their children or who send them to private schools. The vast majority of students are served well by our local schools, but there are parents that have said they want expanded educational choices for their children. These bills meet this request while adding to our historic high funding for public education.

These bills now are available for the Senate to consider.

In the meantime, the House is continuing to hear bills in various committees. Several of my bills have passed in committee and now are eligible to be heard on the House floor.

House Bill 2240 is a request bill from the funeral industry that would lower the age limit for those receiving an industry license without lowering standards. Other states have done this to meet the demand for workers.

House Bill 2241 would exempt municipalities with a population of 10,000 or less from having to pay expenses related to removing or relocating municipally owned utilities in public rights of way due to construction projects on roads and highways maintained by a county. I worked closely with the Department of Transportation on this bill to ensure we don’t create problems for them, but we do allow our smaller municipalities the freedom to move their facilities when necessary during bridge and highway upgrades.

House Bill 2242 is a constituent request modeled after a plan proposal by the City of Edmond that would allow for a waiver of a customer utility deposit if the customer is a documented victim of domestic violence.

House Bill 2243 is a request bill from the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler & Manufactured Housing Commission that would bring the state odometer standard of 10 years up to date with the federal standard of 20 years. This would allow a customer to verify mileage on a used vehicle before purchase if the vehicle is purchased within 20 years of its designated model year for those vehicles manufactured beginning in 2011 or later. Vehicles manufactured on or before 2010 are exempt.

House Bill 2244 is a request from the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association that would update standards under which franchise auto dealers operate. This is about 10 years overdue, and the changes are quite lengthy, but it is necessary to protect consumers and our auto dealers.

Please remember, if I can help you with something, do not hesitate to reach out. You also can follow regular updates on my House Facebook page or call or email anytime at (405) 557-7407 or Mike.Dobrinski@okhouse. gov.