STATE ISSUES
County Government Reform
The Chamber supports empowering Oklahoma counties to alter their form of government to meet their unique needs.
Elections
The Chamber will oppose legislation that would remove flexibility from the election calendar by forcing local elections to be held on specific days, such as during the primary or general elections.
Workers’ Comp Reform
The Chamber supports defending and improving the comprehensive workers’ compensation reform legislation enacted during the 2013 session.
Economic Development Programs
The Chamber supports retaining and strengthening the state’s premier economic/community development programs which are critical in attracting new businesses to the state, assisting existing companies expand and encouraging investment in communities across the state. Following are the key programs the Chamber will seek to protect and improve:
The Chamber supports enacting meaningful strategic and structural reforms to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to ensure this key state partner agency is positioned to successfully: 1) market our state on a global and national scale; 2) recruit companies into the state; and 3) support the growth of existing companies.
The Chamber supports identifying funding streams for infrastructure and site control/development to enable the successful recruitment of high-economic impact projects.
The Chamber supports establishing “regionally focused” economic development finance tools and structures.
The Chamber supports the creation of incentives that bolster research and development efforts, catalyze early-stage capital deployment and provide the ability for key talent recruitment and retention in our market.
The Chamber will support efforts to reinstate the Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes and oppose efforts to amend the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit in a way that would deter investment in affordable housing.
The Chamber will support incentives and other state support to maximize opportunities for public and private investment in research and development, including Oklahoma businesses participating in joint research with Oklahoma’s public research institutions.
Tax Reform
The Chamber supports reforming the tax code to better incentivize companies to locate/invest in Oklahoma.
TIF Districts
The Chamber supports protecting current state law on Tax Increment Finance Districts to ensure the continued viability of this economic development tool.
Broadband/Data Privacy
The Chamber supports:
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize various industries by implementing advancements that can improve business efficiencies and our quality of life. Embracing this transformative technology requires a balanced approach. Oklahoma should foster a supportive environment that both safeguards our fundamental rights and catalyzes the innovation, development and adoption of AI while encouraging a federal solution.
Legal Reform
The Chamber supports placing a reasonable cap on non-economic damages in personal injury lawsuits.
Advanced Air Mobility/Transportation Technology
The Chamber supports the development of Advanced Air Mobility/Transportation Technology in OKC and the state, through public/private partnerships, including adequate funding of utility and power requirements necessary for the implementation of safe and reliable autonomous air vehicles (passenger/cargo).
Incentive Evaluation Commission
The Chamber supports the Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission (IEC), which was established to make recommendations to the Legislature and governor on which incentive programs are serving their intended purpose and creating economic/community development. If an incentive program cannot show a positive return to the state, it should be scaled back or repealed.
The Chamber supports re-positioning and broadening the mission of the IEC to require a thorough review of incentive programs offered by other states be conducted. The purpose of this review would be to learn “best practices” to ensure Oklahoma is offering the most effective, up-to-date and innovative incentives possible.
Business Improvement Districts
The Chamber supports protecting the current form of business improvement districts as established in 11 OK Stat
Wind Subsidies
The Chamber supports ending the Manufacturer’s Sales Tax Exemption for new wind facilities and requiring the Zero-Emissions Tax Credit to be claimed only as a credit (and not as a refund).
Gun Legislation
The Chamber supports the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the responsible expansion of gun-owner’s rights in Oklahoma. However, the Chamber will oppose legislation that would allow open/concealed carry of guns into local athletic and high-economic impact events (many of which are required by contract to prohibit weapons), including horse shows, the Oklahoma State Fair, Olympic Qualifiers on the Oklahoma River, high school and collegiate sporting events.
The Chamber will oppose legislation to allow guns to be carried on college campuses, as well as legislation to prohibit state and local governments from contracting with companies based upon the company’s position on firearms.
The Chamber will lead the efforts of the “Oklahomans for Business and Property Owners’ Rights” coalition to defend against harmful gun legislation and work with the National Rifle Association, the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association and other stakeholders to improve and clarify existing gun laws while, at the same time, ensuring the protection of property rights and public safety.
Criminal Justice/Sentencing Reform
The Chamber supports legislation and funding for sentencing reforms and rehabilitation programs to ease the financial drain on Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, lessen the burden on jails and prisons throughout the state and allow nonviolent offenders to enter the workforce more quickly.
The Chamber supports full funding for the County Community Safety Investment Fund, managed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services pursuant to the terms of SB 844 (2023) and State Questions 780 and 781 (2016).
The Chamber also supports: 1) continuing smart sentencing reform; 2) improving bail and jail practices; 3) making reentry and supervision improvements to reduce fines and fees, enhance workforce opportunities and increase public safety; and 4) securing additional treatment funding.
Marijuana
The Chamber supports additional legislation to address issues related to the state’s marijuana industry, including: 1) unlicensed growers/black market sales; 2) illegal land purchases; 3) damaging use of pesticides; 4) uncontrolled water use; and 5) impaired driving.
Pension Reform
The Chamber supports protecting the pension reforms which have improved the long-term fiscal condition of the state.
Water
The Chamber will work with the governor, state Legislature, City of OKC and other regional stakeholders to ensure the availability of a long-term water supply for central Oklahoma.
Oil & Gas Tax
The Chamber supports a stable oil and gas tax structure which promotes the investment of drilling capital in Oklahoma.
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)
The Chamber supports the constitutional provisions of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to support the public health of Oklahomans.
Treatment of Limited Conditions by Pharmacists
The Chamber supports building upon successful efforts by pharmacists during the pandemic to evaluate and initiate treatment for COVID-19 by permitting them to also evaluate and initiate treatment for conditions such as flu, strep, UTI, athlete’s foot, pink eye and head lice.
FEDERAL ISSUES
Congressionally Directed Spending Requests/Appropriations/Federal Grants
The Chamber will collaborate with our Congressional delegation to aggressively pursue Congressionally Directed Spending Requests, federal appropriations and federal grants related to the Chamber’s (and its member/partner organizations) economic development, transportation/infrastructure, aerospace/defense, education, healthcare, criminal justice and other priorities.
Tax Policy
The Chamber will engage with our Congressional delegation to protect advantageous tax policies and existing tax credit programs.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize various industries by implementing advancements that can improve business efficiencies and our quality of life. Embracing this transformative technology requires a balanced approach that fosters a supportive environment that safeguards our fundamental rights and catalyzes the innovation, development and adoption of AI. A federal solution is critical for the United States to remain at the forefront of technological innovation to ensure a secure and prosperous future for all.
Immigration Reform
The Chamber supports federal immigration reform to secure the borders and establish reasonable and effective visa policies/procedures to attract essential workers to the United States.
Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act
The Chamber supports federal legislation allowing banks to provide financial services to marijuana businesses.
BIOSECURE Act
The Chamber supports passage of legislation, the BIOSECURE Act (H.R. 8333), which prohibits entities that receive federal funds from using biotechnology equipment or services from a “biotechnology company of concern” that is designated by the federal government to be associated with a foreign adversary of the United States.
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
The Chamber supports legislation and policy to promote the domestic development and manufacturing of critical medicines, rather than having them concentrated in a foreign adversary such as China. The Chamber further supports using the CHIPS and Science Act (2022), which promotes the domestic production of semiconductor technology as a model for the effort to ensure that Americans can: 1) drive technology and innovation in the production of pharmaceutical products and 2) not be reliant on importing these products in the event of a global pandemic or other supply shortage.
