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Week In Review

Monday, Mar. 8 to Thursday, Mar. 11, 2009

Monday, March 8

• The Senate met Monday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1319 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, directs a statewide organization representing retired educators and having at least 7,500 members to appoint a member to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees.

-SB 1267 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, establishes a deadline for the claiming of an income tax credit for investments in qualified electric motor vehicle property.

-SB 1282 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, modifies the calculation of the excise tax on a new water vessel or new motor vehicle, directing it be based on the value of the actual sales price before any discounts or credits.

-SB 1311 by Sen. Andrew Rice, modifies language related to the issuance of special volunteer licenses, allowing it to be issued for a period to be determined by the applicable board.

-SB 1369 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, modifies language related to the issuance of residential building permits, clarifying that such a permit does not include permits ancillary to the construction of the residential structure.

-SB 1384 by Sen. Andrew Rice, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court and Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to share information and coordinate efforts to detect employers who intentionally misclassify individuals as independent contractors rather than employees to affect procedures and payments relating to withholding and Social Security.

-SB 1389 by Sen. Clark Jolley, exempts the State Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health from a restriction of employing or appointing attorneys to advise or represent an officer, board or commission in any matter.

-SB 1396 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, adds a definition of “Model 4 Seller” under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Administration Act.

-SB 1397 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to notify all people within the state who have a previous registration on record of the period for registration renewal and instead allows them to provide notification.

-SB 1398 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language regarding notification from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to people within the state who have previous vessel or motor registrations on record of the period for registration that are due to be registered.

-SB 1404 by Sen. Sean Burrage, prohibits the Oklahoma School for the Visual and Performing Arts from duplicating programs offered by the Oklahoma Arts Institute for secondary school students and education enrichment programs for public school teachers.

-SB 1695 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, states that permits for construction or modification of sewer systems may only be issued to a public entity if all components of the proposed system are or will be located on property that is owned by the owner to the system or dedicated to the owner of the system in a recorded easement for the installation and operation of the system.

-SB 1699 by Sen. Andrew Rice, exempts from the requirement of lawful presence in the United States applicants for special volunteer health care licenses that specify that the eligible volunteer shall not receive any payment or compensation, either direct or indirect, for any services rendered in this state.

-SB 1723 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, directs the 2nd Century Entrenreneurship Center to develop and diversify the economy of the state through the provision of programs and services to facilitate the growth and success of entrepreneurs and promote results-driven collaboration of public and private entities under an agreement with the Department of Commerce.

-SB 1756 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits the Legislature to allow agencies of the executive and judicial branches to use space within the Capitol building that is under the Legislature’s control.

-SB 1761 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, clarifies language related to the Oklahoma Dam Safety Act.

-SB 1838 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, removes language allowing the establishment and charging of fees not to exceed $500 for services provided by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, county commissioners and municipalities in the administration of their responsibilities pursuant to the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act.

-SB 1879 by Sen. Dan Newberry, adds language relating to the Nursing Home Care Act, requiring situations where rape is suspected to be reported to local law enforcement immediately.

-SB 1886 by Sen. Mike Schulz, allows any winery in Oklahoma licensed to produce wine on its premises to sell its product to another winery licensed in this state to produce wine on its premises.

-SB 1928 by Sen. Dan Newberry, clarifies language related to escapes by persons detained in juvenile detention facilities.

-SB 1963 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, clarifies language related to use of funds for the destruction of electronic storage media equipment processed through the Department of Central Services.

-SB 1981 by Sen. Earl Garrison, makes it unlawful to upload video or digital images that contain a prosecutable offense of assault and battery involving at least one minor to any website that is accessible by the public.

-SB 2008 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits the Senate President Pro Tempore and the House Speaker, for measures containing the proposed constitutional amendments originating in their respective chambers, to submit a proposed ballot title to the attorney general for review and establishes certain guidelines.

-SB 2022 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, grants the court the power to allow a victim to monitor the position of the defendant in cases where a protective order is granted and the defendant is required by the court to wear a global positioning system device.

-SB 2043 by Sen. Bill Brown, clarifies individuals for whom the Oklahoma Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act must provide coverage.

-SB 2044 by Sen. Bill Brown, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association Act.

-SB 2055 by Sen. John Sparks, modifies eligibility requirements for certified personnel for the Academic Achievement Award Program.

-SB 2070 by Sen. Harry Coates, amends the requirement that those applying to take the tests or examinations for certain professional licenses from not having been convicted of a felony to not having been convicted of a crime that substantially relates to the profession for which the individual is seeking licensure or poses a reasonable threat to public safety.

-SB 2074 by Sen. John Sparks, requires certain insurers authorized to do business in Oklahoma to have a rating of B++ or better by A.M. Best Company Inc.

-SB 2087 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, removes the linkage between statewide elected officials’ salaries and those of judicial officers.

-SB 2153 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, requires mental health court programs to establish a separate judicial processing system differing in practice and design from the traditional adversarial criminal prosecution and trial systems.

-SB 2215 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires the provisions of the Sex Offenders Registration Act to apply to any person who is homeless.

-SB 2120 by Sen. John Sparks, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to include on each state individual and state corporate tax return form an opportunity for the taxpayer to donate from a tax refund for the benefit of an Oklahoma vision research and patient care institute.

-SB 2124 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, defines specific support activities for rail transportation and specific support activities for water transportation as “basic industry” in relation to tax and incentive purposes.

-SB 2170 by Sen. John Sparks, creates the Task Force on Standardization of Courtroom Security Procedures.

-SB 2182 by Sen. Todd Lamb, allows individuals holding a journeyman or contractor license under the Electrical License Act and the Mechanical Licensing Act to pay a reduced renewal fee of 25 percent of the license’s renewal cost upon showing that they are physically injured and will be unable to work during the subsequent license year.

-SB 2199 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, directs any local school board representing a district with fewer than 30,000 average daily membership to request information concerning any felony offense conviction for any person seeking employment with the school.

-SB 2212 by Sen. John Ford, establishes that a charter school sponsored by a school district board of education will be considered a local education agency for federal funding purposes.

-SB 2241 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, creates the Clandestine Drug Laboratories Remediation Act.

-SB 2257 by Sen. Joe Sweeden, clarifies the type of property where it is unlawful to use or attempt to use self defense.

• Senate committees took no action on Monday.


• The House convened Monday, approving the following measures:


-HB 2321 by Rep. Todd Russ, directs the State Board of Education to adopt curricular standards for an elective course or courses consisting of nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, culture and politics.

-HB 2751 by Rep. Lee Denney, requires any alien unlawfully present under federal immigration law and any individual accused of murder or rape to submit to DNA testing upon arrest.

-HB 2703 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, modifies language relating to tax increment financing.

-HB 2331 by Rep. Steve Martin, removes language instituting a deadline by which the Department of Public Safety’s online verification system for vehicle liability insurance must be operational.

-HB 3220 by Rep. Chris Benge, adds language authorizing the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to build a new turnpike beginning at Interstate 44 at or near its intersection with 49th West Avenue if it is found to be feasible and economically sound.

-HB 2724 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, directs the State Department of Health to develop and maintain a database of death certificates.

-HB 2845 by Rep. Charles Joyner, requires elections for the office of county sheriff to be conducted on a nonpartisan basis beginning with the 2012 election cycle.

-HB 2325 by Rep. Jerry Shoemake, increases from 43 to 49 the maximum age for commissioned officers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol division.

-HB 2326 by Rep. Steve Martin, directs the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission to provide for off-premise displays and sales of new upfitted motor wrecker vehicles by wrecker and equipment manufacturers or their in-state or out-of-state representatives.

-HB 2582 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, changes the plan year from the calendar year to the fiscal year under the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Act.

-HB 2596 by Rep. Richard Morissette, creates the Empower-OK Act, directing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s cash and counseling program to include provisions ensuring that existing benefits are not terminated or decreased as a result of developing the program.

-HB 2610 by Rep. Guy Liebmann, removes the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from exceptions to the oversight of the fleet management division of the Department of Central Services and exempts the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control from such oversight.

-HB 2625 by Rep. Tad Jones, modifies terms related to motor vehicle dealers, salespersons, distributors and manufacturers.

-HB 2648 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies language related to jurisdiction over proceedings to terminate parental rights and for adoption of a minor.

-HB 2649 by Rep. George Faught, creates the Oklahoma Music Trail Act of 2010.

-HB 2710 by Rep. Judy Eason McIntyre, creates up to a $25 state income tax checkoff provision for a donation for the benefit of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

-HB 2717 by Rep. Jerry McPeak, modifies language relating to Indian housing authorities.

-HB 2731 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, creates the Any Willing Institute Task Force.

-HB 2771 by Rep. Eric Proctor, creates the Home Baker Act of 2010.

-HB 2828 by Rep. Ron Peters, authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to annually assess a Home-Based Support Quality Assurance Assessment on each contracted community-based service provider.

-HB 2844 by Rep. Charles Joyner, removes language related to who may be licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Highway Remediation and Cleanup Services Act.

-HB 2846 by Rep. Charles Joyner, allows cities, towns and counties to jointly create a transportation authority.

-HB 2865 by Rep. Samson Ray Buck, adds language requiring prosecutions for criminal violations in which a deadly weapon is used to commit or attempt to commit a felony be commenced within seven years after the commission of the crime.

-HB 2907 by Rep. Danny Morgan, modifies language related to the issuance of placards for the physically disabled stating that nothing prohibits the issuance of a temporary placard to a pregnant woman whose condition, as determined by a physician, physician assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner, meets one or more certain criteria.

-HB 2919 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates the Aircraft Pilot and Passenger Protection Act.

-HB 2929 by Rep. Ann Coody, creates the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act.

-HB 2935 by Rep. Todd Russ, directs a county assessor to change the assessment role based on any real estate conveyed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 each year.

-HB 2942 by Rep. Jason Nelson, states legislative intent that the Oklahoma Bar Association amend its rules for mandatory continuing legal education to provide any employee of the Legislature who is a licensed attorney to be given continuing legal education credit if the attorney drafts legislation for either house of the Legislature.

-HB 2946 by Rep. Fred Jordan, requires a plaintiff prior to filing a civil action based on a construction-related accessibility claim that a facility does not conform with applicable law, codes or standards for the physically disabled to first notify the defendant in writing.

-HB 2967 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, modifies language related to operators of trucks or other vehicles transporting merchandise for hire.

-HB 2968 by Rep. Mike Sanders, directs persons required to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act to provide a mappable address and zip code when submitting information to law enforcement.

-HB 2983 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies the definition of “terrorism” under the Oklahoma Antiterrorism Act to include acts of violence resulting in damage to property or injury perpetrated to coerce a civilian population or government into granting military or religious demands.

-HB 2986 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, directs the Department of Health to establish a registry for individuals providing companion or sitter services that are not employed by an agency.

-HB 2990 by Rep. John Enns, directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, contingent on funding, to establish reimbursement rates for prosthetic devices for Medicaid-eligible individuals in an amount equal to Medicare rates.

-HB 3015 by Rep. Seneca Scott, modifies definitions under the Agricultural Linked Deposit Act by including certified “healthy corner stores” under the definition of “eligible agricultural business.”

-HB 3021 by Rep. Seneca Scott, modifies landlord disclosure requirements under the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

-HB 3031 by Rep. Chris Benge, modifies the maturity date of obligations issued for funding endowed chairs and positions.

-HB 3053 by Rep. Pat Ownbey, requires real property taken by eminent domain to be used for a public purpose within 10 years before the property is declared surplus and offered for sale back to the person from whom the property was taken.

-HB 3076 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, creates an affirmative defense if the accused was forced to commit an act of prostitution under certain circumstances.

-HB 3078 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, makes it unlawful to create or attempt to create a human-animal hybrid.

-HB 3126 by Rep. Joe Dorman, directs the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board to serve as the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council.

-HB 3155 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, makes confidential and not subject to the Open Records Act information in autopsy reports of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner providing the manner of death as homicide.

-HB 3167 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, modifies the definition of “infrastructure” under the Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Act.

-HB 3173 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, transfers powers and duties of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission relating to public use and enjoyment.

-HB 3203 by Rep. Don Armes, repeals current statutes relating to the Livestock Dealers Act.

-HB 3286 by Rep. Skye McNiel, modifies language related to the authority granted the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority to issue up to $100 million in obligations for the infrastructure pool and for the economic development pool under the Oklahoma Community Economic Development Pooled Finance Act.

-HB 3387 by Rep. Randy Terrill, clarifies language relating to the duties of the Insurance Commissioner.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, March 9

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-SB 2088 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, changes the name of the Oklahoma Lottery Commission to the Oklahoma Education Lottery Commission.

-SB 1973 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, allows any labor organization to opt out of the provision of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-SB 847 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, prohibits members of the Legislature from receiving compensation or reimbursement for personally engaging in lobbying for a period of two years after the member’s term of office has expired.

-SB 1040 by Sen. Mike Schulz, directs the investigators for the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to perform services as are necessary in the investigation of criminal activity or in the preparation of administrative actions.

-SB 1212 by Sen. Bill Brown, increases from $400 to $750 the amount paid for the support of each surviving child enrolled full time in a public or private school or any institution of higher education for eligible members of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System.

-SB 1624 by Sen. Susan Paddack, caps at $50 the amount a doctor, hospital or other medical institution may charge a patient for copies of all records if the patient is applying for Social Security disability insurance benefits or supplemental security income benefits or is appealing a denial of such benefits.

-SB 1648 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, clarifies language related to the Uniform Consumer Credit Code.

-SB 1689 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Oklahoma Water Center Act.

-SB 1851 by Sen. Charlie Laster, adds language modifying the definition of the practice of engineering to exclude providing a material take off or advising a person in a material take off.

-SB 1862 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, allows charter schools to be sponsored by federally recognized Indian tribes and the governing bodies of cities with populations of more than 300,000 when the charter school is located in a school district that has an average daily membership of 5,000 or more and which all or part of the district is located within the boundaries of the city.

-SB 1863 by Sen. Brian Bingman, adds language requiring municipalities with websites to publish every municipal ordinance on the site.

-SB 1876 by Sen. Harry Coates, adds language requiring a physical education curriculum to be designed to enable students to develop skills and knowledge necessary to participate in physical activity through life.

-SB 1881 by Sen. Todd Lamb, directs the Department of Commerce to maintain a website dedicated to its Boomerang Program and requires the site to include certain information.

-SB 1882 by Sen. Brian Bingman, extends a tax on the gross value of the production of oil.

-SB 1888 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language relating to oil and gas conservation.

-SB 1919 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, allows a tax credit for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2010, for any taxpayer who makes a donation to a cancer research institute.

-SB 1921 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, increases the penalty for violations of the Election Code from not more than two years in the state penitentiary or a fine of not more than $5,000 or both to a term of not more than five years imprisonment.

-SB 1961 by Sen. Clark Jolley, clarifies language related to employment discrimination.

-SB 1970 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, creates the Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program.

-SB 1973 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, allows any labor organization to opt out of the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-SB 2033 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, allows school districts to implement an incentive pay plan to reward teachers deemed effective at increasing student and school growth in achievement.

-SB 2046 by Sen. Bill Brown, creates the Health Care Choice Act to increase the availability to health insurance coverage by allowing insurers authorized to engage in the business of insurance in other states to issue accident and health policies in Oklahoma.

-SB 2053 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, creates the Insurance Bill of Rights of the Consumer.

-SB 2054 by Sen. Bill Brown, authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to require any entity obligated to submit or file documents with the Department of Insurance to electronically file the documents.

-SB 2083 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, requires the expenditure of up to $15 million for teacher performance pay programs contingent on the approval of specific legislation and the apportionment of certain funds.

-SB 2125 by Sen. Sean Burrage, limits the bond amount in any legal theory involving a non-participating manufacturer to the Master Settlement Agreement resulting from the state’s lawsuits against tobacco companies to the lesser of no more than 100 percent of the judgment, exclusive of interest and costs.

-SB 2141 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act.

-SB 2204 by Sen. Thomas Ivester, creates the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act.

-SB 2211 by Sen. Clark Jolley, states that any school district that is not in compliance with the standards and requirements established by the State Board of Education related to the state student record system shall forfeit its state aid for the time of noncompliance.

-SB 2219 by Sen. Todd Lamb, authorizes the Department of Corrections to implement a pilot program to provide a more comprehensive curriculum of reentry programs, diversion efforts and services inmates with children in order to help facilitate successful long-term reintegration.

-SB 2258 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Greater Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking Act of 2010.

-SB 2300 by Sen. Charlie Laster, prohibits any person from obtaining or renewing a driver license, identification card or motor vehicle registration if there is an outstanding warrant from an Oklahoma state or municipal court.

-SJR 51 by Sen. Mike Johnson, proposes a constitutional amendment increasing from 10 percent to 20 percent of the general revenue certification for the preceding fiscal year the amount of surplus funds to be placed in the Constitutional Reserve Fund.

• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.


• The House convened Tuesday and approved the following measures:

-HB 2641 by Rep. Steve Martin, directs that any tax credit based upon an expenditure to acquire tangible personal property be reduced in an amount equal to any federal income tax credit that may be claimed by the same acquisition.

-HB 3024 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, addresses duplicative tax credits for electric vehicles.

-HB 2545 by Rep. John Wright, directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to prepare, maintain and post on the internet a list of all taxpayers who claim a tax credit in excess of $10,000.

-HB 2994 by Rep. John Enns, creates the Firearms Freedom Act.

-HB 2774 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Clean Air in Restaurants Act of 2012.

-HB 2753 by Rep. Lee Denney, restores population restrictions and adds language allowing a school district that has a school site listed on the school improvement list under the No Child Left Behind Act to sponsor a charter.

-HB 2814 by Rep. Charles Key, directs the State Board of Education to adopt a social studies core curriculum with instruction that includes the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Emancipation Proclamation, Gettysburg Address and George Washington’s Farewell Address.

-HB 2584 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, creates the Oklahoma School Testing Program Review Task Force.

-HB 2320 by Rep. Steve Martin, modifies the definition of “lock” and “locksmith industry” under the Alarm and Locksmith Industry Act.

-HB 2332 by Rep. Jason Murphey, allows any agency, board, commission or institution of the state to purchase postage electronically.

-HB 2646 by Rep. Fred Jordan, allows boards of county commissioners to construct, improve, repair or maintain any streets of a municipality subject to an agreement between the county and municipal governing bodies.

-HB 2720 by Rep. Mark McCullough, modifies punishments for certain crimes of theft.

-HB 2749 by Rep. Lee Denney, creates the Music Therapy Practice Act.

-HB 2772 by Rep. Weldon Watson, creates the Oklahoma Appraisal Act.

-HB 2345 by Rep. Phil Richardson, creates the Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board.

-HB 2573 by Rep. John Trebilcock, requires sheriffs to reimburse health care providers for medical care and treatment for inmates in county jail according to the Oklahoma Medicaid Fee Schedule.

-HB 2653 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, creates the Municipal Sinking Fund Technical Amendments Act of 2010.

-HB 2723 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, establishes fines and punishments for second or subsequent offenses of statutes on operating a vessel on waters while intoxicated.

-HB 2783 by Rep. Lisa Billy, allows the director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to directly accept monies, gifts, grants or services from any public or private source.

-HB 2831 by Rep. Ron Peters, modifies language relating to the Department of Consumer Credit.

-HB 2920 by Rep. John Trebilcock, creates the Oklahoma Maternal-Infant Quality Care Act and the Oklahoma Maternal-Infant Quality Care Collaborative Act.

-HB 2962 by Rep. Harold Wright, creates a felony for any executor, administrator or party to a probate proceeding convicted of embezzlement from an estate.

-HB 3052 by Rep. Dan Kirby, modifies official days off for the Christmas holiday.

-HB 3055 by Rep. Dan Kirby, states that two or more county commissioners of the same county are not prohibited from naming the same person as their first or chief deputy or assistant.

-HB 3061 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, creates a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to be designated the Water Infrastructure Revolving Fund in the State Treasury.

-HB 3166 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, requires a House committee to conduct an annual review and evaluation of each tax credit authorized by state law and to make a written report of recommendation for any modifications to the Speaker of the House.

-HB 3204 by Rep. Don Armes, modifies language relating to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.

-HB 3206 by Rep. Don Armes, clarifies that no one can breed, possess or raise cervidae for commercial or noncommercial purposes without obtaining a farmed cervidae facility license from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

-HB 3213 by Rep. Charles Ortega, prohibits an insurer from offering a cash settlement for the purchase of a vehicle comparable to one determined to be total loss and then subsequently sell the motor vehicle back to the claimant.

-HB 3240 by Rep. David Derby, creates the Aaron Gillming Act.

-HB 3241 by Rep. David Derby, adds four substances to a list of hallucinogenic substances under the Schedule I list of controlled substances.

-HB 3258 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, directs the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to outsource foster care and related services statewide.

-HB 3259 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, modifies language related to the issuance of alternative placement teaching certificates.

-HB 3304 by Rep. Mike Thompson, creates the Tax Adjustments Act.

-HB 3378 by Rep. Randy Terrill, authorizes the Department of Corrections to utilize the service of prisoners in the delivery of products and services as may be needed for the construction, operation, maintenance or use of any department supported in whole or in part by the state.

-HB 3380 by Rep. Randy Terrill, creates the Oklahoma Methamphetamine Offender Registry Act.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.


Wednesday, March 10

• The Senate met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1392 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, directs the Department of Human Services to establish a random drug testing program for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

-SB 1845 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, adds language prohibiting semitrailers, trailers and truck trailers from driving in the left-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

-SB 1251 by Rep. Jim Wilson, prohibits health benefit plans from denying coverage, refusing to issue or renew coverage, cancel or otherwise terminate, restrict or exclude any person from any health benefit plan on the basis of the applicant’s or insured’s status as a victim of domestic abuse.

-SB 1350 by Sen. Don Barrington, modifies the definition of “nonfiscal retirement bill” under the Oklahoma Pension Legislation and Actuarial Analysis Act.

-SB 1379 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Act.

-SB 1385 by Sen. Jim Wilson, creates the Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program.

-SB 1393 by Sen. Mike Schulz, increases the fee for a five-day nonresident fishing permit license to $34 and requires $5 of each license fee to be deposited in the Oklahoma Wildlife Land Stamp fund.

-SB 1594 by Sen. Mike Schulz, sets the cost of annual hunting licenses for nonresidents hunting game other than deer, antelope or elk at $141 and at $355 for antelope and elk.

-SB 1610 by Sen. Jim Halligan, requires students entering the ninth grade to complete four rather than three units of mathematics.

-SB 1615 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language related to the Oil and Gas Owners’ Lien Act.

-SB 1631 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language related to trusts for furtherance of public actions.

-SB 1656 by Sen. Joe Sweeden, clarifies language related to the Oklahoma Municipal Code.

-SB 1787 by Sen. Mike Schulz, states legislative intent to restrict the permanent severing of airspace over real property for developing and operating commercial wind or solar energy conversion systems.

-SB 1793 by Sen. Susan Paddack, states that a party who requests a jury trial and fails to appear may be deemed by the court to have waived the right to a jury trial related to the termination of parental rights.

-SB 1794 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, directs a court to inform an offender of the Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults.

-SB 1849 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, modifies language related to the Legislature’s ability to delegate rulemaking ability to agencies.

-SB 1850 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, extends the back-to-school sales tax holiday.

-SB 1887 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, adds language to the Public Competitive Building Act of 1974.

-SB 1890 by Sen. Todd Lamb, prohibits any person for knowingly or recklessly performing or attempting to perform an abortion with knowledge that the pregnant female is seeking the abortion solely on account of the sex of the unborn child.

-SB 1891 by Sen. Todd Lamb, creates the “Freedom of Conscience Act”.

-SB 1902 by Sen. Todd Lamb, prohibits a person from knowingly or recklessly giving, selling, dispensing, administering, prescribing or providing RU-486 for the purpose of inducing an abortion in a pregnant female, unless the person who gives, sells, dispenses, administers, prescribes or provides the RU-486 is a physician who meets certain qualifications.

-SB 1908 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, removes language requiring vehicle operators to devote their full time and attention to driving and language preventing a law enforcement officer from issuing a citation for inattentive driving unless the operator of the vehicle is involved in an accident.

-SB 1915 by Sen. Tom Adelson, creates the Oklahoma All Player All Provider Claims Database.

-SB 1955 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, creates the Oklahoma Employee Stock Ownership Plan Linked Deposit Program Act.

-SB 1965 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates the Task Force on the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.

-SB 1985 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies the definition of “interpreting physician” as it relates to sleep testing, requiring that they be board certified in a specialty approved by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision of the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

-SB 1999 by Sen. Mike Schulz, defines “animal husbandry” and “teeth floating” and adds animal husbandry, teeth floating and farriery to the list of acts not prohibited under the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.

-SB 2034 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, requires that all accountants or partnership of accounts that will conduct required audits of public schools meet certain requirements to the satisfaction of the state auditor and inspector.

-SB 2052 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, requires the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to contract for plan year 2011 with a vendor that offers a web-based, doctor-patient mutual accountability incentive program to work as a pilot program.

-SB 2064 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, expands the zone of safety concerning registered sex offenders around schools, licensed child care centers, playgrounds and parks from 300 to 500 feet.

-SB 2133 by Sen. Constance Johnson, eliminates the Oklahoma Task Force to Eliminate Mental Health Disparities.

-SB 2145 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, requires the State Board of Health to promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of the Oklahoma Sleep Diagnostic Testing Regulation Act.

-SB 2150 by Sen. John Sparks, makes assault and battery against a former spouse of one’s current spouse to be punishable by not more than one year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

-SB 2180 by Sen. Dan Newberry, creates the Roofing Contractor Registration Act and designates the Construction Industries Board to register roofing contractors.

-SB 2196 by Sen. Steve Russell, prohibits the Department of Human Services from making application to the Veterans Administration for garnishment or assigned wages from any type of service related injury compensation or combat related disability compensation for the purposes of assisting in the care of a child.

-SB 2200 by Sen. Joe Sweeden, directs the district attorney to file a motion to expunge a person’s arrest and criminal records maintained by the courts, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the National Crime Information Center and all other law enforcement agencies if the offense was a nonviolent felony and ten years have passed since conviction.

-SB 2229 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, permits Department of Public Safety licensing agents to verify an individual’s identity through alternative means and to override the finger imaging system if the finger cannot be scanned.

-SB 2259 by Sen. Todd Lamb, requires the Department of Corrections to post on its website report on the progress of the department’s efforts through work release programs.

-SB 2263 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, exempts those convicted of public urination from registration under the Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act.

-SB 2290 by Sen. Todd Lamb, changes the name of the Department of Public Safety’s Lake Patrol Section to the Marine Enforcement Section.

-SB 2292 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, creates the Drug Offenders Sentencing Task Force.

• Senate committees took no action on Wednesday

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following legislation:

-HB 3384 by Rep. Randy Terrill, creates the Quality of Education Assessment for Oklahoma Citizens Act of 2010.

-HB 2634 by Rep. Mark McCullough, requires applicants for a $5 marriage license to submit proof they have completed at least eight hours of an approved premarital counseling program.

-HB 2927 by Rep. Ann Coody, authorizes the State Board of Education to grant emergency exemptions to any or all school districts from any education-related statutory requirement for fiscal year 2011.

-HB 3250 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, prohibits a person from using a hand-held mobile telephone to write, send or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle.

-HB 3035 by Rep. Chris Benge, transfers all powers, duties, functions and responsibilities of the Oklahoma Liquefied Petroleum Gas board and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Research Marketing and Safety Commission to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

-HB 2005 by Rep. Harold Wright, makes it unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle if that person has a blood test resulting in a measurable quantity of a Schedule I controlled substance within two hours of that person’s arrest.

-HB 2310 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Oklahoma Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2010.

-HB 2328 by Rep. Jason Murphey, directs the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council to have an annual planning meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

-HB 2574 by Rep. John Trebilcock, authorizes county commissioners to clear waterways of debris as needed for public safety.

-HB 2746 by Rep. Lee Denney, clarifies language related to revocation of driver licenses for certain drug-related convictions.

-HB 2811 by Rep. Charles Key, creates the Driver License Security Act.

-HB 2829 by Rep. Ron Peters, states that services deemed competitive by the Corporation Commission provided by telecommunications service providers are no longer to be regulated or subject to certain requirements.

-HB 2886 by Rep. Lewis Moore, allows the Risk Management Division of the Department of Central Services to assist any state agency in obtaining quotes for workers’ compensation insurance at the request of any state agency.

-HB 2895 by Rep. Purcy Walker, modifies the definition of “political subdivision” to include a circuit engineering district.

-HB 2910 by Rep. Danny Morgan, requires state agencies awarding contracts to give preference to goods and services manufactured or produced in Oklahoma and then goods and services from other states over foreign goods or services.

-HB 2918 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission to design and issue the Buffalo Soldier license plate and the Oklahoma Blood Institute license plate.

-HB 2922 by Rep. John Trebilcock, modifies language related to a county jail reaching its inmate capacity, stating that such circumstances may be as prescribed by the Department of Health.

-HB 2928 by Rep. Ann Coody, requires written evaluation policies for teachers and administrators to be based on measures of teacher and leader effectiveness that include quantitative data regarding growth of student learning and an evidence-based performance rubric.

-HB 2941 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies language related to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Combined DNA Index System.

-HB 3102 by Rep. John Trebilcock, creates the Uniform Collaborative Law Act.

-HB 3230 by Rep. Mike Jackson, creates the Census Reference Amendments Act of 2010.

-HB 3236 by Rep. Mike Jackson, allows improvement districts to be used to fund the acquisition, construction, installation or maintenance of capital improvements with an estimated useful life of five or more years.

-HB 3238 by Rep. David Derby, modifies language relating to Health Savings Accounts.

-HB 3264 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, removes language defining an “ignition interlock device” as it relates to certain penalties and instead defines it as a device approved by the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence.

-HB 3287 by Rep. Skye McNiel, provides a tax credit for tuition reimbursed to a qualified employee if they have been awarded an undergraduate or graduate degree in a recognized engineering field.

-HB 3288 by Rep. Skye McNiel, creates the Task Force on the Oklahoma Quality Investment Act.

-HB 3290 by Rep. Skye McNiel, prohibits any person from knowingly or recklessly giving, selling, dispensing or administering RU-486 under certain circumstances.

-HB 3291 by Rep. Skye McNiel, creates the Local Economic Action and Development Act.

-HB 3341 by Rep. Mike Christian, creates the Illegal Immigration Act.

-HB 3343 by Rep. Mike Christian, increases the fee for an original application or license renewal to $50 for each original application or renewal of a private investigator or unarmed security guard and $100 for each original application and renewal of an armed security guard or an armed private investigator.

-HJR 1061 by Rep. Chris Benge, proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize the Legislature to provide for the use of municipal sinking fund revenues not otherwise required for repayment of debt.

-HJR 1056 by Rep. Rex Duncan, proposes a constitutional amendment changing reference from the State Industrial Court to the Workers’ Compensation Court.

-HJR 1058 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of surplus funds or money placed in the Constitutional Reserve Fund.

-HJR 1069 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, proposes a constitutional amendment allowing for the use of state tax revenue to pay for county roads and county bridges.

-HJR 1084 by Rep. Kenneth Miller, proposes a constitutional amendment making the chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission a member of the Board of Equalization.

-HB 2706 by Rep. Wallace Collins, creates the Casey Lewis Act.


• House committees approved no measures on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 11

• The Senate met Thursday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1936 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, authorizes the Office of Juvenile Affairs to sell surplus real estate under the jurisdiction of the office located in LeFlore County and Talihina.

-SB 1976 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, states that when a drug court judge enters a stay against an order by the Department of Public Safety revoking driving privileges of the offender, the time period set in the order by the Department shall continue to run during the stay.

-SB 2148 by Sen. Jim Wilson, modifies language relating to Medicare reimbursement rates for licensed medical professionals.

-SB 1340 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, creates the Kennel Definitions Act.

-SB 1741 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, modifies language by striking additional usage of the word “ethics” subsequent to its initial use regarding the Ethics Commission.

-SB 1328 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, eliminates the sales tax on food and beverages.

-SB 2099 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, states that the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission shall establish fees for deposit into the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission Revolving Fund.

-SJR 61 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, proposes a constitutional amendment allowing for binding arbitration as a means to settle any claim pursuant to the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-SB 1996 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, creates a private enterprise company to assure an open market for workers’ compensation and states that CompSource shall enter into a public-private partnership with an enterprise company for the transitioning of CompSource into a private company.

-SJR 66 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, limits the amount in claims for legal services for workers’ compensation benefits.

-SB 1650 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, changes the tax on oil from 7 percent to a graduated system based on oil prices.

Other News


• The price of oil dropped below $82 a barrel this week, while gasoline dropped 1.41 cents to $2.271 a gallon. Oil remains up from February prices of approximately $69 a barrel.

• Oklahoma’s January unemployment rate of 6.7 percent was the nation’s sixth-lowest. The number is down from December’s rate of 6.9 percent.

• State revenue collections in February exceeded the official estimate for the first time since Dec. 2008, but fell short of prior year collections for the same month.