- With the constitutionally set deadline
for adjournment approaching, lawmakers continued working through heavy
floor agendas in an attempt to adjourn sine die before the actual
May 25th deadline. Among those measures gaining approval by the full
Senate on Monday:
-HB 1237 by Sen. Brooks Douglass modifies
Oklahoma's hog farm regulations by more clearly defining what constitutes
a recreational area. Current law requires hog farms to be at least
three miles from the nearest recreational area. Farms closer than
that cannot get water permits needed for operations. HB 1237 sets
criteria for determining whether a site constitutes a recreational
area.
-CCR SB 590 by Sen. Angela Monson would
remove a current restriction in the law that states no person in
a tag agency shall receive a salary in excess of 70 percent of the
maximum annual compensation designated by law for the agent.
-CCR HB 1297 by Sen. Bernest Cain creates
the Utilization of Unused Medications Act. Cain said the bill would
establish a pilot program and provide procedures for unused medications
to be redistributed to those in need.
-CCR HB 1728 by Sen. Charles Ford modifies
the effective date of the repeal of the motor vehicle inspection
system that the Legislature passed earlier this year. Instead of
an August 25 date, the inspections would be repealed upon the Governor's
approval of the measure.
-CCR SB 32 by Sen. Ben Robinson modifies
the duties of physician assistants to allow the prescribing of certain
drugs and the ability to send patients to physical therapists.
-CCR HB 1505 by Sen. Kelly Haney appropriates
more than $2 billion to the State Board of Education for Oklahoma
schools. The bill includes additional funding for several of the
state's other education-related agencies.
-CCR HB 1535 by Sen. Kelly Haney appropriates
money to the Arts Council, Department of Tourism and the Oklahoma
Educational Television Authority.
-CCR HB 1124 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson
increases the amount reimbursed from a victim's fund for sexual
assault examinations.
-
The House of Representatives also worked
through a heavy floor adjournment on Monday. Among those measures
gaining approval:
-CCR HB 1505 by Rep. Mike Mass appropriates
more than $2 billion to the State Board of Education for Oklahoma
schools. The bill includes additional funding for several of the
state's other education-related agencies.
-HB 1535 by Rep. Mike Mass makes appropriations
to the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
Department and the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.
-HB 1770 by Rep. Barbara Staggs provides
for acquisition of military service credit for purposes of the Oklahoma
Police Pension and Retirement system.
-HR 1015 by Rep. Bill Graves expresses
to President George W. Bush disappointment in the appointment of
pro-homosexual rights activists to positions in the Bush Administration.
-SB 134 by Rep. Bill Mitchell requires
the Health Care Authority Board to immediately provide coverage
for any new drug for Medicaid recipients.
-SB 675 By Rep. Richard Phillips allows
remote internet-based classes to be counted as being in attendance
at public schools.
- On Tuesday, the Senate continued working
through a heavy floor agenda. Among those measures being approved:
-HB 1375 by Sen. Frank Shurden would
put a constitutional amendment up for a vote of the people. If passed,
it would change the number of signatures required from 8 percent
of those voting in the last general election to 15 percent for any
initiative petition attempting to outlaw a recreational sport involving
wildlife.
-CCR HB 1266 by Sen. Jerry Smith specifies
what is not a defense for a charge of soliciting sexual conduct
with a minor. Smith said the case involved a man who solicited sex
over the Internet with an individual he thought was a 12-year-old
girl, but was actually a police detective. Smith said the case was
thrown out because it was a detective and not a child from whom
the man solicited sex. HB 1266 would prevent that from happening.
-CCR SB 157 by Sen. Ted Fisher creates
the Juvenile Sex Offender Registration Act.
-CCR for SB 440 by Sen. Kevin Easley
deletes a July 1, 2002 deadline for Oklahoma deregulation, delaying
deregulation up until at least 2003 or until the Legislature enacts
enabling legislation after a task force is generated that will study
a variety of related issues.
-CCR SB 627 creates the Oklahoma Credible
Data Act that makes a number of significant changes to the way water
samples are verified and credited in Oklahoma. Price said the bill
would make the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a "clearinghouse"
for water samples in the state.
-CCR SB 397 by Sen. Stratton Taylor
is a bill related to criminal justice. The bill adds several crimes
to the list of those for which an inmate must serve at least 85
percent of their sentence, lowers the DUI alcohol level to 0.08
and increases the felony minimum for certain property crimes from
$50 to $500.
-CCR HB 1794 by Sen. Grover Campbell
would increase the penalties for driving with a suspended license.
-
Among those measures being approved
by the House of Representatives on Tuesday:
-CCR HB 1938 by Rep. Opio Toure seeks
to offer remedy for the wrongful conviction of Jeffrey Todd Pierce.
The bill would allow victims of wrongful convictions to sue for
up to $200,000 against various entities of government in accordance
with the Government Tort Claims Act.
-HB 1291 by Rep. Russ Roach relates
to absentee voting and eliminates straight-party voting in Oklahoma.
-SB 748 by Rep Kenneth Corn allows
the establishment of maximum charges for activities at state-owned
golf courses and modifies procedures for tourism.
-HB 1308 by Rep. Joe Sweeden authorizes
fingerprint on driver license and child identification program.
- The Senate continued working through
a heavy floor agenda. Among those measures being approved on Wednesday:
-CCR SB 310 by Sen. Cal Hobson and
Sen. Kelly Haney, relating to the Constitutional Reserve Fund, authorizing
appropriations to various state entities. Includes $57.2 million
for the Department of Transportation to fund the ongoing $1 billion
highway construction program; $10.1 million to the State Emergency
Fund for the purpose of matching federal disaster funds that will
assist in the repair of ice storm damage in Oklahoma; $5 million
to the Office of State finance for statewide business system development;
$981,000 to the Department of Central Services for Building repair;
$250,000 to the University Hospitals Authority for operation of
a Child Study Center.; $2.7 million to the State Regents for costs
associated with the OU weather center; $2.5 million to the State
Regents for costs associated with the OSU-Tulsa Campus.
-CCR HB 1178 by Sen. Maxine Horner
enacting the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Reconciliation Act of 2001. HB
1178 concurs with certain findings from the final report of the
1921 Tulsa Race Riot Commission; Addresses issues related to the
funding and site location for the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Memorial
of Reconciliation; Creates a Greenwood Area Redevelopment Authority
to develop and implement a long term plan for investment in and
redevelopment of the Greenwood Area; Establishes an education and
scholarship program for residents of the Tulsa area who meet certain
qualifications, giving preference for applicants who are direct
lineal descendants of persons who resided in the Greenwood Area
on April 30 through June 1, 1921.
-CCR HB 1544 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson
which is an appropriation to the Workers' Compensation Court. The
legislation also authorizes a $1 fee for employers inquiring into
employees' previous compensation claims.
-CCR HB 1557 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson
which is a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Corrections.
-CCR HB 1530 by Sen. Rick Littlefield
relating to rural firefighters and workers compensation insurance.
-SB 803 by Sen. Kevin Easley adds "abuse
of a vulnerable adult" to the list of crimes for which inmates
must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. The measure also
deletes a statute requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to
reimburse licensee-nursing facilities that are not Medicaid certified.
-SR 23 by Sen. Charles Ford honors
Emma Lou Ragsdale-Corder who served as Ford's executive assistant
for more than 20 years.
-CCR HB 1143 by Sen. Penny Williams
would authorize the Department of Human Services to create a program
for children at a high risk of being abused.
-CCR HB 1933 by Sen. Bernest Cain reduces
the state income tax from 6.75% to 6.65% and provides for a refundable
state credit of 5 percent of the federal earned income tax credit
for families earning less than approximately $32,000 a year and
individuals earning less than approximately $10,000 a year.
-
Governor Frank Keating signed the following
Senate measures into law on Wednesday:
-SB 647 by Sen. Keith Leftwich creates
the Compete With Canada Film Act. The measure offers production
companies either a sales tax exemption or a 15 percent rebate of
expenditures made in Oklahoma.
-SB 4 by Senator Stratton Taylor which
relates to vehicle excise taxes.
-SB 119 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield
which relates to gross production, petroleum excise and income taxes.
-SB 128 by Sen. Sam Helton which designates
November 11 as Veterans Day in public schools.
-SB 170 by Sen. Angela Monson which
requires that state tax forms contain certain provisions for donations
for Oklahoma School for the Deaf/Oklahoma School for the Blind Revolving
Fund.
-SB 201 by Sen. Enoch Kelly Haney which
makes an appropriation to the Military Department, Civil Emergency
Management and the State Fire Marshall's Office.
-SB 377 by Sen. Angela Monson which
relates to the Oklahoma Nursing Practices Act.
-SB 520 by Sen. Sam Helton which relates
to removing debris from roadways.
-SB 532 by Sen. Kevin Easley authorizing
the Corporation Commission to establishes certain well spacing for
resevoir dewatering oil extraction.
-SB 619 by Sen. Jerry Smith which relates
to court clerks.
-
The House of Representatives considered
more than 40 measures on Wednesday. Among those being approved:
-CCR HB 1933 by Rep. Opio Toure reduces
the state income tax from 6.75% to 6.65% and provides for a refundable
state credit of 5 percent of the federal earned income tax credit
for families earning less than approximately $32,000 a year and
individuals earning less than approximately $10,000 a year.
-HB 1727 By Rep. Larry Rice which is
the Nursing Home Care Act. The measure also includes language which
holds abortion providers libel for subsequent costs if a minor child
undergoes an abortion without parental consent and then develops
medical complications.
-SB 648 by Rep. David Braddock relates
to revenue and taxation by modifying definitions under Oklahoma
Quality Jobs Program Act and modifying certain dates.
-HB 1530 by Rep. Mike Mass authorizes
volunteer firefighters to obtain workers' compensation insurance
from the State Insurance Fund.
-SB 32 by Rep. Randall Erwin relates
to health and mental health by modifying definitions relating to
special parking for physically disabled persons and modifying definitions
and authority of physicians' assistants.
-HB 1161 by Rep Jari Askins relates
to regimented juvenile training programs under the Youthful Offenders
Act.
-SB 495 by Rep. Larry Rice allows credit
against certain taxes for purchases or extractions of Oklahoma-mined
coal, royalty interest owners and new or expanded aircraft repair
facilities.
-
Governor Keating vetoed HB 1388 by
Rep. Lloyd Fields on Wednesday, which is the Oklahoma Workforce
Investment Act, stating that it inappropriately limits the flexibility
of the Workforce Investment Board. However the following House measures
were signed into law on Wednesday:
-HB 1728 by Rep. James Covey which
made the repeal of yearly vehicle inspections effective immediately.
-HB 1033 by Rep. Gary Taylor which
updates language relating to county commissioners.
-HB 1070 by Rep. Bill Mitchell which
modifies travel reimbursement rates for state employees.
-HB 1072 by Rep. Bill Mitchell which
requests the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma to establish
a cancer treatment and research program.
-HB 1084 by Rep. Mike Wilt which prohibits
bail after conviction of drug manufacturing or sexual abuse of a
child.
-HB 1134 by Rep. Richard Phillips which
relates to the Oklahoma Real Estate License Code.
-HB 1156 by Rep. Raymond McCarter which
modifies the probationary period for certain OSBI employees.
-HB 1189 by Rep. Raymond McCarter which
updates language related to teachers' salaries.
-HB 1200 by Rep. Mike Ervin enacting
the Oklahoma Economic Opportunities Act.
-HB 1224 by Rep. M.C. Leist which provides
that county assessors utilize certain information provided by the
State Department of Education.
-HB 1422 by Rep. David Braddock which
adds provisions to the Viatical Settlement Act and the Life Settlement
Act.
-HB 1433 by Rep. Barbara Staggs which
exempts certain school districts from certain reporting requirements.
-HB 1681 by Rep. Bill Case which relates
to the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.
-HB 1702 by Rep. Al Lindley which relates
to certain income tax liabilities.
-HB 1723 by Rep. Larry Rice which relates
to dues and cancellation of license for nonpayment.
-HB 1934 by Rep. Opio Toure which establishes
the Racial and Social Economic Statistical Analysis on Imprisonment
Task Force.
- Among those measures being approved
on Thursday by the Senate:
-CCR 660 by Sen. Kevin Easley relating
to the Department of Agriculture, adding poultry waste plan monitor.
-CCR HB 1467 by Sen. Glenn Coffee relating
to public schools and property.
-CCR HB 1935 by Sen. Jerry Smith allowing
judges to explain definition of "life without parole"
at the request of juries.
-CCR HB 1454 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson
relating to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and specific
employee classifications.
-CCR HB 1354 by Sen. Glenn Coffee relating
to special guardians.
-
The measure gaining final approval
by the House of Representatives on Thursday included:
-CCR SB 310 by Reps. Mike Mass and
Jack Bonny, relating to the Constitutional Reserve Fund, authorizing
appropriations to various state entities. Includes $57.2 million
for the Department of Transportation to fund the ongoing $1 billion
highway construction program; $10.1 million to the State Emergency
Fund for the purpose of matching federal disaster funds that will
assist in the repair of ice storm damage in Oklahoma; $5 million
to the Office of State finance for statewide business system development;
$981,000 to the Department of Central Services for Building repair;
$250,000 to the University Hospitals Authority for operation of
a Child Study Center.; $2.7 million to the State Regents for costs
associated with the OU weather center; $2.5 million to the State
Regents for costs associated with the OSU-Tulsa Campus.
-SB 803 by Rep. Jack Bonny, which is
the Long Term Care Reform and Accountability Act.
-SB 711 by Rep. Jari Askins relating
to mammography screening.
-SB 499 by Rep. Joe Eddins relating
to schools and residential programs.
-SB 199 by Rep. Randall Erwin relating
to recycling of waste tires.
- The Senate adjourned the first regular
session of the 48th legislature Sine Die at 4:25 p.m. on Thursday,
May 24th, a day before the constitutionally mandated adjournment.
