Anti-science legislation in 2017 Oklahoma legislature

Anti-science legislation in 2017 Oklahoma legislature

Update: The 1st Regular Session of the 56th Legislature adjourned Sine Die on Friday, May 26, 2017. No anti-science education legislation was passed.
The two anti-science bills introduced for the 2017 Oklahoma legislative session are dead for now. Neither SB 393 nor SB 450 were passed this session. They could be brought up again during next year’s session. Thanks to all who sent messages to the committees. Numbers DO count!

This year the bills progressed further than they have in quite a while. It took a concerted effort to defeat the bills. We received a lot of help this year from other groups, especially the National Center for Science Education, the Sierra Club and their Climate Parents group, and also members of the March for Science Oklahoma, Indivisible Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Progressive Network Facebook groups. Credo Action also helped. We also got some support from the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce near the end.

The following state and national groups supported our efforts:

Oklahoma Science Teachers Association

Oklahoma School Boards Association

Oklahoma Academy of Science

Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration

Sierra Club, Oklahoma Chapter

National Council Against Censorship

National Association of Biology Teachers

National Association of Geoscience Teachers

National Science Teachers Association

American Institute of Biological Science

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Americans United

SB 393 was not heard on the House floor before the April 27 deadline and is dead for now. Thanks to all who sent messages. Numbers DO count. SB 393 passed the House General Oversight and Accountability Committee April 13 by a vote of 4-3. SB 393 passed the Senate by a vote of 34-10 on March 22. SB 393 passed the Senate Education Committee on Monday, February 27. The vote was 13-1. SB 393 by Josh Brecheen, the Oklahoma Science Education Act. The bill says public school officials shall “endeavor to assist teachers to find effective ways to present the science curriculum as it addresses scientific controversies. Teachers shall be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories covered in the course being taught.” This is standard creationist language to allow anti-science information into the classroom. The bill is nearly identical to SB 1322 introduced last year which was never heard in the Senate Education Committee. More info at NCSE and the Sensuous Curmudgeon. The bill is very similar to a bill defeated in the South Dakota Senate. Opponents of that bill are calling it the “Alternative Facts Bill”. You may want to use that terminology for SB 393 as well. Letters in opposition to the bill have been sent by AIBS, NSTA, National Association of Geoscience Teachers, NABT, and the National Coalition Against Censorship. See this analysis of the bill for newer talking points. Other new talking points here. Additional talking points here and here. Coverage of the House committee hearing at Huffington Post, US News and World Report, E&E News, Okie Funk, the Oklahoman, and many other venues. Other coverage of the bill at Vice News and High Plains Public Radio.

SB 450 passed the Senate by a vote of 41-3 on March 22 with only Senators Floyd, Pittman, and Sparks voting against. the bill. SB 450 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 21. SB 450 by Allen, creating the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act. Although the bill does not specifically address science education, it could possibly be used to allow non-scientific answers to science questions The bill is unnecessary to protect student expression of religious viewpoints, because most of the provisions of the bill already exist in current law. It sets forth rights already guaranteed by the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and federal and Oklahoma state law, as well as recommendations made in federal guidelines. A similar bill passed in Texas several years ago, but has not been acted upon by any Texas school district. See this analysis of a previously introduced bill for additional talking points. Additional talking points here. The bill was assigned to the House Judiciary – Civil and Environmental Committee. The bill was not heard in the House committee before the deadline and thus the bill is currently dead. Thanks to all who sent messages. Numbers do count.

OkieFunk has commentary on both bills as well as a shout-out to OESE. Letters to the editor against the bill have been published in the Tulsa World and Oklahoman.

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