Bill would put ‘In God We Trust’ in classrooms

A Senate panel on Monday passed a bill requiring schools to display “In God We Trust” in classrooms, if funds are available.

Senate Bill 1016 by Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, passed the Senate General Government Committee by a vote of 6-4. The measure moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

The measure passed despite concerns from Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, that it could put teachers in a difficult position if a student asked the instructor for more information about God.

She said those discussions are better left between students and their parents. Teachers engaging in those discussions could be in violation of the law, she said.

Shaw said the Pledge of Allegiance and coins also contain a reference to God. He didn’t believe it would create a problem.

Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, said local boards and teachers should be able to decide how to decorate classrooms, adding that they do not need legislative direction on it.

The bill says that if funds are available, a poster or framed image of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” the U.S. flag and the Oklahoma flag shall be placed in each classroom, library and in any public building or facility maintained or operated by state funds.

An amendment making it nonmandatory failed to secure approval.

The measure said the images may be donated or paid for through contributions.

The effective date of the measure is Nov. 1.

A similar measure, Senate Bill 1378, by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, also passed.

The measure also requires the display of the Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, pending available funding.

It also has a Nov. 1 effective date.

It passed by a vote of 6-4 and moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

The panel also passed another Dahm measure that would require “In God We Trust” to be displayed in the Capitol visitor’s center, which is under construction.

The Capitol is currently undergoing renovations and repairs. Dahm said he has been told the cost of the requirement would be negligible.

The vote was 10-0. Senate Bill 1350 heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. The effective date is Nov. 1.

Finally, the panel passed Senate Bill 1309 by Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, which would make daylight saving time the year-round standard for the state and its political subdivisions.

The measure passed by a vote of 5-4 and heads to the full Senate. The measure has a Nov. 1 effective date.