GOP caucus selects leadership

Work at the Capitol is once again picking up as we begin the bill filing process. We welcomed eight new members to the Senate on Statehood Day, Nov. 16.

Our Republican Caucus recently held our annual retreat to create our legislative agenda for the 59th Legislature, which will include the 2023 and 2024 sessions. I’ll have more details about what issues we’ll be focusing on as a caucus closer to session beginning. At the retreat, we also chose our leadership team, who will be formally elected by the full Senate on our constitutionally required organization day on Jan. 3. On that day, we’ll also approve the rules for the 59th Legislature and take care of other Senate business ahead of the 2023 session.

Last week, we learned what our new committee assignments will be for the upcoming session. I’m pleased to say, given my background and passion for rural Oklahoma, I’ve been appointed as the new chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Agriculture has been the backbone of our great state since its founding. I’ve served on this committee since first elected and now I’m honored to have this opportunity to lead it. I’ll also continue serving on the Appropriation Subcommittee for Education and will now sit on the Rules and newly created Energy and Telecommunications and Aerospace and Transportation Committees. The Energy Committee was expanded to cover telecommunications being the committee handles legislative issues related to the regulation of this growing industry. Aerospace was also added to the Transportation Committee as it is our state’s second largest industry. It’s imperative that we do all we can legislatively to support and grow this vital industry. 

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, a special ceremony took place in Stephens County — a bridge dedication for one of Oklahoma’s heroes, Army SSG Rodney Aaron Hagan. It was my honor author the legislation this past session to memorialize Rodney’s life and service to our country through dedicating the bridge at the interchange of U.S. Hwy 81 and SH 7 in Duncan. The Guthrie native passed away on Oct. 22, 2019, in Killeen, Texas, at the age of 32 and was laid to rest on Nov. 4 with full military honors at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin. He enlisted in the Army in 2006 at the age of 18, a year after graduating from Comanche High School. Rodney was deployed to Iraq for just over a year and was also stationed in Korea for a year. His military awards and accommodations were many.  

Our hearts go out to his family, friends, military comrades, and other loved ones. His humor, generosity, and dedication to helping others will never be forgotten and his legacy will live on through this memorial bridge. 

If I can be of any assistance, you can reach me at (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov.