Medicaid; specifying certain qualifications for appeals; providing for recovery of certain costs. Effective...
Healthcare workers involved in Medicaid appeals will need to meet new qualification standards.
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SB 1553 — Medicaid; specifying certain qualifications for appeals; providing for recovery of certain costs. Effective date.
Last action — Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt (Republican) on May 13, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 7 recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
In plain language
The bill establishes qualifications for reviewing Medicaid appeal determinations.
This legislation specifies requirements for professionals reviewing Medicaid appeal cases and outlines the appeal process for providers. It aims to ensure that qualified individuals handle these appeals, enhancing the review process.
What this means for you
- Workers: Healthcare workers involved in Medicaid appeals will need to meet new qualification standards.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
92 added · 101 removedPlain-language change summary
The amended version of Bill SB 1553 makes two key changes to the procedures for appealing decisions made by Medicaid contracted entities. First, it specifies that a licensed physician or relevant mental health professional must review all appeals, rather than relying on automated systems, which ensures that decisions receive proper human oversight. Additionally, it allows providers six months to file appeals after a claim denial, extending the timeframe for them to challenge adverse decisions. These changes aim to improve the fairness and accountability of the Medicaid appeal process, making it easier for affected individuals and providers to receive the support they need.
ENGROSSEDAn Act ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.
Kern of the Senate and Hasenbeck of the House 5 An Act relating to the state Medicaid program;
BESUBJECT: IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
Medicaid contracted entity appeals BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
ENGR.C.
S.
B.
NO.
1553 Page 1 C.
(a) includes treatment of the condition, (b) includes treatment of complications that may result from the service or procedure, and ENGR.(c) is sufficient for the physician to determine if the service or procedure is medically necessary or clinically appropriate, or b.
for a psychologist, if:
(1) the psychologist is currently licensed in accordance with the Psychologists Licensing Act, ENR.
1553 Page 2 (c)(2) isthe sufficientpsychologist has training and experience in the testing for and treatment of the physiciancondition, and (3) the psychologist’s training and experience is sufficient to determine if the service or procedure is medically necessary or clinically appropriate, or b.c.
for a psychologist, if:
(1) the psychologist is currently licensed in accordance with the Psychologists Licensing Act, (2) the psychologist has training and experience in the testing for and treatment of the condition, and (3) the psychologist’s training and experience is sufficient to determine if the service is medically necessary or clinically appropriate, or c.
and ENGR.5.
S.
B.
NO.
1553 Page 3 5.
PassedENR. the Senate the 25th day of March, 2026.
PresidingS. Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2026.
PresidingB. Officer of the House of Representatives ENGR.
NO.
1553 Page 3 Passed the Senate the 25th day of March, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the 6th day of May, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By:
_________________________________ Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________ Governor of the State of Oklahoma OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By:
_________________________________ ENR.
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
This bill specifies qualifications for psychologists reviewing appeals in the Medicaid program and updates existing procedures.
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56 O.S. 2021, Section 4002.8
A contracted entity shall ensure that all appeals of adverse determinations made by the contracted entity are reviewed by a licensed physician or, if appropriate for the requested service, a licensed psychologist or mental health professional.
This addition mandates that a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional must be involved in reviewing appeals.
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56 O.S. 2021, Section 4002.8
The physician, psychologist, or other mental health professional who reviews the appeal shall: 1. Possess a current and valid unrestricted license in any United States jurisdiction; 2. Be of the same or similar specialty as a physician, psychologist, or other mental health professional who typically manages the medical condition or disease.
These requirements set standards for the qualifications of professionals reviewing appeals.
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56 O.S. 2021, Section 4002.8
a. for a psychologist, if: (1) the psychologist is currently licensed in accordance with the Psychologists Licensing Act, (2) the psychologist has training and experience in the testing for and treatment of the condition, and (3) the psychologist’s training and experience is sufficient to determine if the service is medically necessary or clinically appropriate.
This specifies the qualifications needed for psychologists who review appeals.
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56 O.S. 2021, Section 4002.8
c. for a mental health professional other than a psychologist, if the mental health professional’s training and experience: (1) includes treatment of the condition, and (2) is sufficient for the mental health professional to determine if the service is medically necessary or clinically appropriate;
This outlines the qualifications for other mental health professionals involved in the review process.
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56 O.S. 2021, Section 4002.8
4. Not have any financial interest in the outcome of the appeal;
This ensures that the reviewer has no conflict of interest in the appeal outcome.
Action History
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Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
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Sent to Governor
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Signed, returned to Senate
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Enrolled, to House
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Referred for enrollment
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Signed, returned to Senate
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Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 90 Nays: 2
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General Order
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CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
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Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
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Referred to Public Health
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Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services Oversight
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First Reading
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Engrossed to House
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Referred for engrossment
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Measure passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 0
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Ayes: 42 Nays: 0
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Advanced to Third Reading
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Title restored
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General Order, Amended
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Coauthored by Representative Hasenbeck (principal House author)
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Placed on General Order
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Withdrawn from Appropriations committee
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Referred to Appropriations
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Title stricken
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Reported Do Pass as amended Health and Human Services committee; CR filed
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Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services Committee then to Appropriations Committee
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Remove as author Senator Rosino; authored by Senator Kern
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Authored by Senator Rosino
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First Reading
Sponsors
- Spencer Kern · Primary
- Toni Hasenbeck · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on · 2 voted No
Sponsors (2)
- Spencer Kern Republican
- Toni Hasenbeck Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (149)
149 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 149 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 72 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Democrat | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 90 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 2% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (100)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Alonso-Sandoval | — | Yea |
| Mr. Speaker | — | Yea |
| VACANCY: | — | Not Voting |
| Crosswhite Hader | — | Yea |
| Aletia Timmons | Democrat | Yea |
| Amanda Clinton | Democrat | Yea |
| Andy Fugate | Democrat | Yea |
| Annie Menz | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Cyndi Munson | Democrat | Yea |
| Ellen Pogemiller | Democrat | Yea |
| Ellyn Hefner | Democrat | Yea |
| Jacob Rosecrants | Democrat | Yea |
| Jared Deck | Democrat | Yea |
| John Waldron | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Melissa Provenzano | Democrat | Yea |
| Meloyde Blancett | Democrat | Yea |
| Michelle McCane | Democrat | Yea |
| Mickey Dollens | Democrat | Yea |
| Ronald Stewart | Democrat | Yea |
| Suzanne Schreiber | Democrat | Yea |
| Trish Ranson | Democrat | Yea |
| Anthony Moore | Republican | Yea |
| Bob Ed Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Brad Boles | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Hill | Republican | Yea |
| Carl Newton | Republican | Yea |
| Chad Caldwell | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Banning | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Kannady | Republican | Yea |
| Chris Sneed | Republican | Yea |
| Clay Staires | Republican | Yea |
| Cody Maynard | Republican | Yea |
| Collin Duel | Republican | Yea |
| Cynthia Roe | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Pae | Republican | Yea |
| Danny Sterling | Republican | Yea |
| Danny Williams | Republican | Yea |
| David Hardin | Republican | Yea |
| David Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Dell Kerbs | Republican | Yea |
| Derrick Hildebrant | Republican | Yea |
| Dick Lowe | Republican | Yea |
| Dillon Travis | Republican | Yea |
| Eddy Dempsey | Republican | Yea |
| Emily Gise | Republican | Yea |
| Eric Roberts | Republican | Yea |
| Erick Harris | Republican | Yea |
| Gabe Woolley | Republican | Yea |
| Gerrid Kendrix | Republican | Yea |
| Jason Blair | Republican | Yea |
| Jay Steagall | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Grego | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Olsen | Republican | Yea |
| Jim Shaw | Republican | Yea |
| John George | Republican | Yea |
| John Kane | Republican | Yea |
| John Pfeiffer | Republican | Yea |
| Jonathan Wilk | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Cantrell | Republican | Yea |
| Josh West | Republican | Yea |
| Judd Strom | Republican | Yea |
| Justin Humphrey | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ken Luttrell | Republican | Not Voting |
| Kenton Patzkowsky | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin Norwood | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin West | Republican | Not Voting |
| Marilyn Stark | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Chapman | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Lawson | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Lepak | Republican | Yea |
| Mark Tedford | Republican | Not Voting |
| Max Wolfley | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Dobrinski | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Kelley | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Lay | Republican | Yea |
| Mike Osburn | Republican | Yea |
| Molly Jenkins | Republican | Nay |
| Neil Hays | Republican | Yea |
| Nick Archer | Republican | Yea |
| Nicole Miller | Republican | Yea |
| Preston Stinson | Republican | Yea |
| Rande Worthen | Republican | Yea |
| Rick West | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Hall | Republican | Yea |
| Robert Manger | Republican | Yea |
| Ronny Johns | Republican | Yea |
| Ross Ford | Republican | Yea |
| Rusty Cornwell | Republican | Yea |
| Ryan Eaves | Republican | Yea |
| Scott Fetgatter | Republican | Yea |
| Stacy Jo Adams | Republican | Yea |
| Stan May | Republican | Yea |
| Steve Bashore | Republican | Yea |
| T.J. Marti | Republican | Yea |
| Tammy Townley | Republican | Yea |
| Tammy West | Republican | Yea |
| Tim Turner | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Gann | Republican | Nay |
| Toni Hasenbeck | Republican | Yea |
| Trey Caldwell | Republican | Not Voting |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (13)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ellyn Hefner | Democrat | Yea |
| Trish Ranson | Democrat | Yea |
| Bob Ed Culver | Republican | Yea |
| Carl Newton | Republican | Yea |
| Cynthia Roe | Republican | Yea |
| Daniel Pae | Republican | Yea |
| Danny Williams | Republican | Yea |
| David Smith | Republican | Yea |
| Derrick Hildebrant | Republican | Yea |
| Josh Cantrell | Republican | Yea |
| Marilyn Stark | Republican | Yea |
| Preston Stinson | Republican | Yea |
| T.J. Marti | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (5)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Ellen Pogemiller | Democrat | Yea |
| Carl Newton | Republican | Yea |
| Cynthia Roe | Republican | Yea |
| Kevin West | Republican | Yea |
| Marilyn Stark | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 33 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 42 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| % of votes cast | 88% | 0% | 0% | 13% |
How each member voted (48)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Carri Hicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Jo Anna Dossett | Democrat | Yea |
| Julia Kirt | Democrat | Yea |
| Mark Mann | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary B. Boren | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael Brooks | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Nice | Democrat | Yea |
| Regina Goodwin | Democrat | Yea |
| Ronald Stewart | Democrat | Yea |
| Aaron Reinhardt | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Pugh | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ally Seifried | Republican | Yea |
| Avery Frix | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda Stanley | Republican | Yea |
| Brent Howard | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Guthrie | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Logan | Republican | Yea |
| Casey Murdock | Republican | Not Voting |
| Christi Gillespie | Republican | Yea |
| Dana Prieto | Republican | Yea |
| Darcy Jech | Republican | Yea |
| Dave Rader | Republican | Yea |
| David Bullard | Republican | Yea |
| District 24 | Republican | Not Voting |
| Dusty Deevers | Republican | Yea |
| George Burns | Republican | Yea |
| Grant Green | Republican | Yea |
| Jerry Alvord | Republican | Not Voting |
| John Haste | Republican | Yea |
| Jonathan Wingard | Republican | Yea |
| Julie Daniels | Republican | Not Voting |
| Julie McIntosh | Republican | Yea |
| Kelly Hines | Republican | Yea |
| Kendal Sacchieri | Republican | Yea |
| Kristen Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Standridge | Republican | Yea |
| Lonnie Paxton | Republican | Yea |
| Micheal Bergstrom | Republican | Not Voting |
| Paul Rosino | Republican | Yea |
| Randy Grellner | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Hall | Republican | Yea |
| Roland Pederson | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Jett | Republican | Yea |
| Spencer Kern | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Gollihare | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Woods | Republican | Yea |
| Warren Hamilton | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 36 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Democrat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 45 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 94% | 0% | 0% | 6% |
How each member voted (48)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Carri Hicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Jo Anna Dossett | Democrat | Yea |
| Julia Kirt | Democrat | Yea |
| Mark Mann | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary B. Boren | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael Brooks | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Nice | Democrat | Yea |
| Regina Goodwin | Democrat | Yea |
| Ronald Stewart | Democrat | Yea |
| Aaron Reinhardt | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Pugh | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ally Seifried | Republican | Yea |
| Avery Frix | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda Stanley | Republican | Yea |
| Brent Howard | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Guthrie | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Logan | Republican | Yea |
| Casey Murdock | Republican | Not Voting |
| Christi Gillespie | Republican | Yea |
| Dana Prieto | Republican | Yea |
| Darcy Jech | Republican | Yea |
| Dave Rader | Republican | Yea |
| David Bullard | Republican | Yea |
| District 24 | Republican | Yea |
| Dusty Deevers | Republican | Yea |
| George Burns | Republican | Yea |
| Grant Green | Republican | Yea |
| Jerry Alvord | Republican | Yea |
| John Haste | Republican | Yea |
| Jonathan Wingard | Republican | Yea |
| Julie Daniels | Republican | Not Voting |
| Julie McIntosh | Republican | Yea |
| Kelly Hines | Republican | Yea |
| Kendal Sacchieri | Republican | Yea |
| Kristen Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Standridge | Republican | Yea |
| Lonnie Paxton | Republican | Yea |
| Micheal Bergstrom | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Rosino | Republican | Yea |
| Randy Grellner | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Hall | Republican | Yea |
| Roland Pederson | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Jett | Republican | Yea |
| Spencer Kern | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Gollihare | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Woods | Republican | Yea |
| Warren Hamilton | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 35 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Democrat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (48)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Carri Hicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Jo Anna Dossett | Democrat | Yea |
| Julia Kirt | Democrat | Yea |
| Mark Mann | Democrat | Yea |
| Mary B. Boren | Democrat | Yea |
| Michael Brooks | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Nice | Democrat | Yea |
| Regina Goodwin | Democrat | Yea |
| Ronald Stewart | Democrat | Yea |
| Aaron Reinhardt | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Pugh | Republican | Not Voting |
| Ally Seifried | Republican | Yea |
| Avery Frix | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda Stanley | Republican | Yea |
| Brent Howard | Republican | Yea |
| Brian Guthrie | Republican | Yea |
| Bryan Logan | Republican | Yea |
| Casey Murdock | Republican | Yea |
| Christi Gillespie | Republican | Yea |
| Dana Prieto | Republican | Yea |
| Darcy Jech | Republican | Yea |
| Dave Rader | Republican | Yea |
| David Bullard | Republican | Yea |
| District 24 | Republican | Yea |
| Dusty Deevers | Republican | Yea |
| George Burns | Republican | Yea |
| Grant Green | Republican | Yea |
| Jerry Alvord | Republican | Not Voting |
| John Haste | Republican | Yea |
| Jonathan Wingard | Republican | Yea |
| Julie Daniels | Republican | Not Voting |
| Julie McIntosh | Republican | Yea |
| Kelly Hines | Republican | Yea |
| Kendal Sacchieri | Republican | Yea |
| Kristen Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Standridge | Republican | Yea |
| Lonnie Paxton | Republican | Yea |
| Micheal Bergstrom | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Rosino | Republican | Yea |
| Randy Grellner | Republican | Yea |
| Rob Hall | Republican | Not Voting |
| Roland Pederson | Republican | Yea |
| Shane Jett | Republican | Yea |
| Spencer Kern | Republican | Yea |
| Todd Gollihare | Republican | Yea |
| Tom Woods | Republican | Yea |
| Warren Hamilton | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (13)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| STRIKE THE TITLE - ADOPTED | — | Not Voting |
| Carri Hicks | Democrat | Yea |
| Jo Anna Dossett | Democrat | Yea |
| Nikki Nice | Democrat | Yea |
| Aaron Reinhardt | Republican | Yea |
| Adam Pugh | Republican | Yea |
| Bill Coleman | Republican | Yea |
| Brenda Stanley | Republican | Yea |
| John Haste | Republican | Yea |
| Julie McIntosh | Republican | Yea |
| Kristen Thompson | Republican | Yea |
| Lisa Standridge | Republican | Yea |
| Paul Rosino | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 1553?
- SB 1553 is sponsored by Spencer Kern (Republican) and Toni Hasenbeck (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 1553?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 1553?
- Track SB 1553 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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