State Legislative Update: APRN bill heads to governor’s desk

Posted on: 3/22/24

As many Oklahomans are enjoying spring break this week, so are members of the Oklahoma Legislature. Typically an abbreviated week, the House and Senate conducted their business on Monday and Tuesday and adjourned until Monday, March 25. But, even with a shortened week, the Senate took up a couple of measures of note. 

APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) prescriptive authority was given the green light by the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday. SB 458 (Sen. Stanley/Rep. McEntire) requires 6,240 hours of supervision and does not allow APRNs to dispense schedule IIs. It now heads to the governor’s desk. 

Also taken up by the Senate this week, Senate Resolution 31 is the culmination of the Senate’s new budget transparency process and will serve as the basis for budget negotiations with the House. In a press release, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Roger Thompson, stated “Although there’s always more work to be done, this proposed budget prioritizes funding for education, public safety, transportation and health care.” Both the House and Senate base their budget proposals on the State Board of Equalization’s estimates, which were certified on Feb. 15. (Scott Tohlen)