A D V O C A C Y
PROTECT ING BUS INESS INTERESTS The session began with 46 bills to expand gun rights in Oklahoma, including HB 2597, legislation to authorize carrying a firearm in Oklahoma without a permit. Realizing there was overwhelming support among the Legislature and by the governor to enact this legislation, the Chamber-led Oklahomans for Business and Property Owners Rights coalition of 60 organizations focused on amending the bill to improve and expand the protections for business and property owners, event hosts, college campuses, public parks and zoos wanting to prohibit/control firearms. The coalition's efforts were successful. In addition to favorably amending HB 2597, the Chamber advocated for separate legislation (HB 2010) to afford increased protections for the OKC Zoo, Scissortail Park, the Tulsa Zoo and the Gathering Place as well as all other public parks and zoos that are owned, leased, managed or operated by a public trust or non-profit entity. Under that legislation, open carry of firearms is prohibited.
As the voice of the business community at the State Capitol, the Chamber is intensely focused on advocating for the passage of pro-business legislation that will strengthen the economic climate, making it easier to recruit companies and for existing Oklahoma companies to expand. BOOST ING OUR AB I L I T Y TO RECRUI T TAL ENT The Chamber-initiated legislation addressing an extensive statewide shortage of qualified software and cyber-security engineers was signed into law by Gov. Stitt on May 28. HB 2759 will provide a tax credit up to $2,200 annually for qualifying employees who have received a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution, or $1,800 annually for qualifying employees who have been awarded a certificate from a technology center. The Chamber advocated for this bill after hearing from many of our region’s largest employees about the need to hire more qualified software and cybersecurity engineers. This new program will benefit businesses across the state in aerospace, energy, agribusiness, banking and other industries which require an immediate and sustained effort to incentivize and grow this critical, 21st century component of Oklahoma's workforce and economy.
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