Special Legislative Session Won't Include Vaccine Mandate Bill Despite GOP Lawmakers' Call

This time next week, Oklahoma lawmakers will gather for a special legislative session and the agenda will be slim: completing redistricting.

That come despite some lawmakers calling for things like vaccine mandates to also be addressed.

A spokeswoman for the governor said Monday, that’s not happening. Instead, lawmakers will meet to solely etch new election lines in 10-year stone.

“The maps in Oklahoma are great and we will be coming to special session, and we will be passing them,” House Majority Whip Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, told News 9’s Scott Mitchell.

The governor's office said lawmakers will stick to his original call of redistricting congressional districts, state legislative districts and amending candidacy and redistricting deadlines.

That coming despite some Republican lawmakers insisting it include more.

Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, sent the governor a letter last week asking him to amend the special session.

“You must step in and stop this medical tyranny from happening at our state-run universities,” Roberts wrote. “You are their only hope, and I hope you act for their sake.”

“Since there’s no indication that it will be in the special, that legislation will certainly be introduced by members in the regular constitutional session in February,” House Speakers Charles McCall, R-Atoka, told reporters last week.

There are two ways to convene a special session; an executive order from the governor, or by a vote of two-thirds of the lawmakers.

“I have not received a letter from the members of the House of Representatives with 68 signatures calling for a special session on any issue,” McCall said.

Read also: Lawmakers Release Final Draft Of Congressional Redistricting Maps