Senate approves standing committee rosters as session opens; pages and interns introduced

The Senate convened and approved standing committee rosters for the second regular session by unanimous consent, the presiding officer said. The Leader asked that “the standing committees and the members, therefore, thereof appointed for the second regular session of the sixtieth legislator as distributed be approved,” and the presiding officer replied, “Without objection, that'll be the order.”

A quorum had been established after the clerk called the roll. Senator Darryl Weaver offered the day's invocation, invoking Ephesians 6:12 and asking members to “keep our egos checked at the door.”

Following the procedural motions, members introduced this session’s week‑1 pages. Students who spoke included Estella Cruzan (Cassidy School), Annabelle Parker (Moss High School), Eliza Bridal (Silo High School), Samuel Johnson (Edmond Memorial High School), Noah Christianson (Choctaw High School), Tilden Smith (Navajo High School) and Henry Bowman (SAS High School). Each identified their sponsoring senator and post‑graduation plans.

Several senators made floor introductions of interns and guests. Senator Howard introduced Caitlin Groves, a judiciary intern from Oklahoma State University, and Israel Bianca, a 12‑year‑old homeschool student from Blair. Senator McIntosh introduced Molly Hoffman, an OSU student who will intern on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Senator Hicks introduced Hermione Prajapdi, an OU student interning on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Senator Jett introduced Gabriel Savage from Teen Pack USA.

Senator Hamilton announced that the Local and County Government Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 230 or soon after a quorum is achieved. Before recess, the Leader moved that the Senate stand adjourned until Wednesday, February 4 at 1:30 p.m.; the presiding officer called the ayes, and the motion carried.

The session’s formal action on committee appointments was by unanimous consent; no roll‑call vote on those appointments was recorded in the transcript. The next sitting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4 at 1:30 p.m.