Senate advances bill to include rocket engine testing in Oklahoma program; emergency status granted

Senate Bill 135 passed the Oklahoma Senate and was later designated an emergency measure after floor debate about scope and funding.

Senator Hace explained SB 135 as inserting the words "rocket" and "space propulsion" into an existing statute so the state's aircraft engine testing grant program can apply to rocket engine testing as well as jet engines. He told colleagues that he removed a proposed $20,000,000 funding section in committee, making the bill a policy change only.

Senators asked several questions about funding and program details. Senator Boren asked whether an existing revolving fund in the state treasury covers grants; the author said the legislature appropriated $17,000,000 to that revolving fund last session and that the full amount remained available. Senator Bourne asked how much of that fund has been dispersed; the author answered that the full $17,000,000 is still in the fund. Senator Hicks asked whether a statutory definition exists for "rocket"; the author said the language came from multiple sources and was intended to encompass launches and in-space propulsion relevant to national defense. Senators also discussed program structure: the author said grants would require at least a 40% match and that multiple applicants would be evaluated, and that building a new jet-engine test cell could cost up to about $100 million.

On the first roll call related to passage the clerk recorded 42 ayes and 3 nays; the chair declared SB 135 passed. Later, Senator Hayes asked unanimous consent to treat that roll call as the vote on the emergency designation. After a brief period for members to change votes, the final recorded tally for the emergency designation was 40 ayes and 5 nays, and the chair declared SB 135 passed as an emergency measure.

The bill does not appropriate the $20,000,000 removed in committee; appropriations remain subject to the regular budgeting process.