Oklahoma Senate

Last updated
Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma State Legislature
Seal of Oklahoma.svg
Type
Type
Term limits
12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers
History
New session started
January 7, 2025
Leadership
Matt Pinnell (R)
since January 14, 2019
Lonnie Paxton (R)
since January 7, 2025
Majority Leader
Julie Daniels (R)
since January 7, 2025
Minority Leader
Julia Kirt (D)
since January 7, 2025
Structure
Seats48
Oklahoma Senate 2022.svg
Political groups
Majority
  •    Republican (40)

Minority

Length of term
4 years
AuthorityArticle V, Oklahoma Constitution
Salary$38,400/year + $153 per diem + $10,000 bonus=($58,804)
Elections
Last election
 November 5, 2024
(24 seats)
Next election
 November 18, 2026
(24 seats)
RedistrictingLegislative Control
Meeting place
Oklahoma Senate Chamber.jpg
State Senate Chamber
Oklahoma State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Website
Oklahoma State Senate

The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution. [1]

Contents

Senators approve or reject gubernatorial appointments, and contribute to the creation of both state law and an annual state budget. Every ten years, they aid in drawing new boundaries for Oklahoma's electoral districts. The Oklahoma Senate also serves as a court of impeachment.

The presiding officer of the Senate is the lieutenant governor of Oklahoma, who is the president of the Senate. Since the 1960s, the president pro tempore of the Senate has presided over daily work. Prior to that time, the president of the Senate took a leading role in the Senate, including appointing committees and members to those committees. The president of the Senate may cast a vote only in the instance of a tie vote and may not vote to create a tie.

History

Early years

The 1907 Oklahoma Constitution established the Oklahoma Senate alongside the Oklahoma House of Representatives. It met in Guthrie, Oklahoma until 1910. [2] Henry S. Johnston, the author of the initiative and referendum section of the Oklahoma Constitution, served as the first Senate President Pro Tempore. [3]

After women in Oklahoma earned the right to vote in 1918, the Oklahoma Senate gained its first female state senator. Lamar Looney was elected in 1920 over a male incumbent, G. L. Wilson. Looney was a progressive Democrat and served from 1921 to 1929. [4]

1960s through 1980s

The United States Supreme Court "one man, one vote" decision in Baker v. Carr (1962) led to a court order that forced Oklahoma to equalize representation. [5] Before that decision, Oklahoma had 48 senatorial districts that represented either a populous county or several less-populated counties, but did not provide for districts of equal population.

Since 1964, under the holding of Reynolds v. Sims , 377 U.S. 533 (1964) districts must be apportioned within a 5% margin of the average target size district as determined by the U.S. Census state population figures divided by the forty-eight districts. This allows for some districts to be slightly smaller or larger than others. The Oklahoma Senate draws its own maps of its district lines, which are subject to the approval of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the governor. Should the redistricting not occur in a timely manner, the lines are determined by a panel of five statewide elected officials.

In 1966, voters approved 90-day legislative sessions and, in 1968, they voted to create a Board of Legislative Compensation. [6]

An initiative petition championed by Governor Henry Bellmon in 1989 created a requirement that the legislative sessions end by 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May. [6]

2006 tie

The November 7, 2006 elections resulted in an unprecedented 24–24 tie in the number of seats held by Oklahoma's two major political parties, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. [7] Although the Republican Party added two seats to their prior total, [7] they had lost a seat in July due to Nancy Riley changing in her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic. [8] The Democratic Party did hold the seat of lieutenant governor, who also serves as President of the Senate, giving them a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. [7]

The result was a power-sharing agreement for the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions that split control of the presiding officer position of President Pro Tempore into two Co-President Pro Tempores, one of each party. Officially, a Democratic member held the President Pro Tempore position for 23 months and a Republican member held the position for only one month. [9] Unofficially, decisions were made with the approval of both Co-President Pro Tempores.

By winning two more seats in the 2008 elections, the Republicans assumed control of the Oklahoma Senate for the first time in state history and held a 26–22 majority, thus ending the power sharing arrangement between the parties.

Republican supermajority (2011 to present)

Since the 53rd Oklahoma Legislature convening in 2011 the Oklahoma Republican Party has held a supermajority of the seats in the senate. The party's dominance peaked in the 56th Oklahoma Legislature following the 2016 Oklahoma Senate Election with the chamber split 42-6. The 57th and 58th Oklahoma legislatures saw slightly smaller super majorities with the chamber split 39-9. The current 60th legislature has a breakdown of 40-8 continuing the Republican supermajority.

Powers and process

Legislative sessions

The Senate meets in regular session in east wing of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, from early February to the last Friday in May. [6] Special sessions may be called by the governor of Oklahoma, or by supermajority vote of the legislature. Unlike their counterparts in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, state senators are not restricted on introduction of bills and resolutions.

The Oklahoma Senate advises and consents to numerous appointments of the Governor, including the entire Governor's Cabinet. Nominations are heard by respective standing committees rather than through a committee on nominations.

Redistricting

Originally, the Oklahoma Constitution based Senate districts on Oklahoma's counties. The 19 most populous counties, as determined by the most recent federal census, were each to elect one senator. The 58 less populous counties were to be joined into 29 two-county districts, each of which was to elect one senator. In apportioning the Senate, the Oklahoma Constitution required that consideration be given to population, compactness, area, political units, historical precedents, economic and political interests, contiguous territory and other major factors, to the extent feasible.

In 1964, the United States Supreme Court ruled this method violated the federal Constitution. Since then, every ten years, the Oklahoma Senate is responsible for passing into law new district boundaries for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma Congressional delegation. The Senate and House have traditionally drawn their own lines without any comment from the other body and work together with the Congressional delegation to draw lines appropriate for the next election. The Governor must sign these bills into law or a statewide panel is convened to draw the disputed lines.

Court of impeachment

The Oklahoma Senate serves a dual role as both a legislative body and as a judicial court. As the court of impeachment, it is an independent court in the Oklahoma court system. Impeachment charges are brought by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but heard by the court of impeachment, with Oklahoma's chief justice presiding over the court. If the chief justice or a member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court is charged with impeachment, a state senator can preside over the court of impeachment.

Impeachment charges may only be brought against the governor, other statewide elected state officials and justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed while in office. Impeached officials are immediately suspended in discharging their duties. Should the impeachment fail, the official returns to their duties. If the impeachment is successful and the defendant found guilty, the official is removed from office.

Party composition

Oklahoma Senate districts after the 2020 elections. Democratic Party Republican Party Oklahoma Senate map November 2020.png
Oklahoma Senate districts after the 2020 elections.
  Democratic Party
  Republican Party
AffiliationParty
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Republican Democratic Vacant
50th legislature (2004–2006)2226480
51st legislature (2006–2008)2424480
52nd legislature (2008–2010)2622480
53rd legislature (2010–2012)3216480
54th legislature (2012–2014)3612480
Begin 55th legislature (2014–2016)408480
End 55th legislature399
Begin 56th legislature (2016–2018)426480
End388462
Begin 57th Legislature (2018–2020)399480
Begin 58th Legislature (2021–2022)389481
After 2021 Oklahoma State Senate special election 399480
Begin 59th Legislature (2023–2024)408480
Latest voting share

Current members

DistrictNamePartyHometownFirst ElectedSeat Up
Lt-Gov Matt Pinnell Rep Oklahoma City 20182026
1 Micheal Bergstrom Rep Adair 20162028*
2 Ally Seifried Rep Claremore 20222026
3 Julie McIntosh Rep Tahlequah 20242028
4 Tom Woods Rep Westville 20222026
5 George Burns Rep Pollard 20202028
6 David Bullard Rep Durant 20182026
7 Warren Hamilton Rep McCurtain 20202028
8Vacant [10] 2026
9 Avery Frix Rep Muskogee 20242028
10 Bill Coleman Rep Ponca City 20182026
11 Regina Goodwin Dem Tulsa 20242028
12 Todd Gollihare Rep Kellyville 20222026
13 Jonathan Wingard Rep Ada 20242028
14 Jerry Alvord Rep Wilson 20222026
15 Lisa Standridge Rep Norman 20242028
16 Mary B. Boren Dem Norman 20182026
17 Shane Jett Rep Tecumseh 20202028
18 Jack Stewart Rep Yukon 20222026
19 Roland Pederson Rep Burlington 20162028*
20 Chuck Hall Rep Perry 20182026
21 Randy Grellner Rep Stillwater 20242028
22 Kristen Thompson Rep Edmond 20222026
23 Lonnie Paxton Rep Tuttle 20162028*
24 Darrell Weaver Rep Moore 20182026
25 Brian Guthrie Rep Broken Arrow 20242028
26 Darcy Jech Rep Kingfisher 20142026*
27 Casey Murdock Rep Felt 2018†2028
28 Grant Green Rep Wellston 20222026
29 Julie Daniels Rep Bartlesville 20162028*
30 Julia Kirt Dem Oklahoma City 20182026
31 Spencer Kern Rep Waurika 20242028
32 Dusty Deevers Rep Elgin 2023†2026
33 Christi Gillespie Rep Tulsa 20242028
34 Dana Prieto Rep Tulsa 20222026
35 Jo Anna Dossett Dem Tulsa 20202028
36 John Haste Rep Broken Arrow 20182026
37 Aaron Reinhardt Rep Tulsa 20242028
38 Brent Howard Rep Altus 20182026
39 David Rader Rep Tulsa 20162028*
40 Carri Hicks Dem Oklahoma City 20182026
41 Adam Pugh Rep Edmond 20162028*
42 Brenda Stanley Rep Midwest City 20182026
43 Kendal Sacchieri Rep Duncan 20242028
44 Michael Brooks-Jimenez Dem Oklahoma City 2017†2026
45 Paul Rosino Rep Oklahoma City 2017†2028
46 Mark Mann DemOklahoma City2024†2026
47 Kelly E. Hines RepOklahoma City20242028
48 Nikki Nice DemOklahoma City2024†2026
† Elected in a special election
* Term Limited

Membership

Terms and qualifications

In order to file for election to the Senate, candidates must be twenty-five years of age at the time of their election. [11] The candidate must also be a qualified elector in their respective counties or districts and shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their term of office. [11] No person is eligible to serve as a member of the legislature if they are serving as an officer of the United States or State government. Furthermore, any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony is not eligible to election to the legislature. If a member of the Senate is expelled for corruption, they are not eligible to return to the legislature.

The senators are elected to four-year terms on alternating cycles. [1] The odd senatorial districts are elected in the same cycle of every presidential election year (years divisible by four, e.g., 2012, 2016); the even numbered senatorial districts are elected during the gubernatorial election year (even-numbered years not divisible by four, e.g., 2010, 2014).

Senators serve a four-year term and are limited to three terms or 12 years. A term-limited member cannot run for election to the House of Representatives as both representative terms and senate terms are added together in determining the total number of legislative years in office. [12] When term limits were implemented in 1992, they were not applied retroactively, which meant that senators elected prior to their implementation could serve up to three full terms following the implementation of term limits. For example, the longest-serving member of the Oklahoma Senate, Gene Stipe was first elected in 1956, but would not have been term limited out until after the 2004 election, had he not resigned the previous year. [13]

Salaries and benefits

The majority of Oklahoma legislators receive $35,000 (reduced in 2018) in annual pay while presiding officers earn a larger salary. (Also, they do not receive any Bonuses.) Additionally, legislators can seek reimbursement for expenses related to meals and lodging during the legislative session, and for certain travel expenses related to their duties at any point during the year. They also have access to benefits received by state employees, including health and life insurance as well as retirement savings plans.

Leadership

The Lieutenant Governor serves as President of the Oklahoma Senate, but by custom only casts a vote in the case of a tie and presides less frequently since the 1960s. The President Pro Tempore is the one who serves as leader of the Senate, managing legislative votes and is the head of the majority party. The President Pro Tempore appoints the majority floor leader and the chair of the appropriations committee. Along with the elected officers of the majority caucus (caucus chair, caucus vice chair, three assistant majority leaders and four majority whips), they comprise the leadership of the Senate majority caucus. The leader of the minority caucus is called either the Republican Leader or Democratic Leader, depending on which party is in the minority. Along with the elected officers of the minority party (assistant leaders, assistant whips and the caucus chair and vice chair), they comprise the Senate minority leadership team.

Notable past members

Past composition of the Senate

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Section V-9A: Senatorial districts - Tenure, Constitution of the State of Oklahoma at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 1, 2018)
  2. ↑ Farmer, Rick. "Legislature," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/L/LE010.html Archived 2015-01-17 at the Wayback Machine (accessed April 16, 2013)
  3. ↑ Burke, Bob. Johnston, Henry Simpson Archived 2013-10-05 at the Wayback Machine Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed May 9, 2013)
  4. ↑ Pappas, Christine. Looney, Lamar (1871–1935), Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed May 9, 2013)
  5. ↑ Agnew, Brad. Twentieth-Century Oklahoma, Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture (accessed May 10, 2013)
  6. 1 2 3 A Century to Remember Archived 2012-09-10 at the Wayback Machine , Ok.gov (accessed April 30, 2013)
  7. 1 2 3 Krehbiel, Randy. GOP victories create a tie in state Senate, Tulsa World, November 8, 2006 (accessed May 14, 2013)
  8. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara and Mick Hinton. "Senator bolts abhorrent GOP", Tulsa World (accessed May 14, 2013)
  9. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara. "Senate's power-sharing accord carries a cost", Tulsa World, July 12, 2007 (accessed May 14, 2013)
  10. ↑ Republican Roger Thompson resigned on November 1, 2024
  11. 1 2 Section V-17: Qualified electors, Constitution of the State of Oklahoma at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed May 3, 2010)
  12. ↑ Section V-17A: Limitation of time served in the Legislature, Oklahoma Constitution Online (accessed May 23, 2013)
  13. ↑ Continuing Coverage of Gene Stipe (NewsOK.com) Archived 2007-12-08 at the Wayback Machine

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