Veto overrides could be on the way during final week of legislative session

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – With only one week left in the Oklahoma legislative session, lawmakers will be down to the wire to wrap up business by the end of day on May 30.

There have been talks swirling at the State Capitol about possible veto overrides during the final days of session. Governor Kevin Stitt has turned down an overwhelming 49 bills so far. Last year, he vetoed only 26.

Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) said he has already started conversations with legislators whose bills were vetoed about possible reversals.

"The speaker and I will meet with the governor and go with all these requests with the Governor,” said Paxton. “Just out of that, as a professional courtesy, (I will) let him know what we are considering."

Stitt surprised many lawmakers with his veto of House Bill 1389. It would have required insurance companies to cover additional screenings for mammograms. It was unanimously passed in the House.

"That one's probably top of mind. The most important bill that I'd like to see on the override list," said Minority Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City).

The bill was authored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa). She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and said she had talked to patients who could not afford expensive follow-up tests.  

"We've heard from lots of constituents who need those kinds of scans that the insurance has been making them pay cash for and we want to make sure people get that scan if they need it," said Senator Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City).

Governor Stitt released a statement after he vetoed the bill.  

"This legislation imposes new and costly insurance mandates on private health plans that will ultimately raise insurance premiums," said Stitt.

Another bill that has received overwhelming support from both sides was House Bill 1137. It would eliminate the need for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations to ask for federal funding for its Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons unit. The bill was backed by law enforcement and Tribes across the state.

Stitt gave his reason for using his veto power on the bill. 

"Every missing person - regardless of race or background - deserves equal attention and urgency," said Stitt.

The Governor also vetoed House Bill 2048 that would have allowed rural hospitals and health centers to have more pharmacy options. Two republican lawmakers spoke out about the move; Senator Brent Howard (R-Altus) and Rep. Preston Stinson (R-Edmond) said the bill was beneficial for uninsured and low-income Oklahomans.

“Out-of-state and foreign drug companies and the dark money interests working for them successfully derailed the most important legislation introduced this year to help the health care providers who serve our most vulnerable communities. By lobbying for a veto of House Bill 2048, these deep-pocketed interest groups effectively undermined protections for essential medical services, including cancer treatments and obstetrical care, across our state,” said Howard and Stinson, in a joint statement.

If lawmakers were to override any of Stitt’s vetoes, they would need to be voted on by both the full House and Senate by the end of session.