Monday, Feb.18 to Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013

Monday, February 18

• The Senate met Monday, approving the following legislation:

-SB 64 by Sen. Don Barrington, makes it unlawful to sell or use aerial luminaries.

-SB 422 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, removes the requirement that all applicants for licensure as electrologists be required to possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with a major course of study and the satisfactory completion of college courses as determined by the State Board of Electrology pursuant to its rulemaking authority.

-SB 197 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, revokes the CLEET certification of anyone who is elected or appointed to the position of chief of police that fails to become a CLEET certified peace officer within six months of assuming the position of police chief administration within 12 months of assuming the position.

-SB 460 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, requires the Department of Human Services to record all incoming calls to the child abuse and neglect hotline and keep all recordings on file for a period of 90 days.

-SB 852 by Sen. Greg Treat, prohibits the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators from requiring a four year degree in future licensing and certification agreements for nursing home administrators.

-SB 66 by Sen. Don Barrington, provides that the State Fire Marshal is not required to inspect or cause to be inspected portable retail fireworks stands prior to opening.

-SB 206 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, removes the administrative fine of $50.00 for individuals licensed to carry a gun in the state who fail to provide their carry license and a valid, state-issued photo ID when asked to do it by a member of law enforcement.

-SB 687 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, requires a county purchasing agent to make purchases and rental or lease-purchase agreements only after following the bidding procedures as provided for by law.

-SB 775 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, allows the issuing of a temporary handgun license for a period not to exceed six months to any person who has been granted a victim’s protective order by the court.

• Senate committees approved the following measures on Monday:

-SB 732 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, updates statutory references relating to retirement and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

-SB 733 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, modifies the calculation of final average compensation for OPERS participants whose first service occurs on or after July 1, 2013.

-SB 1096 by Sen. Bill Brown, modifies references to the Internal Revenue Code concerning the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System.

-SB 1111 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Teachers’ Retirement System Cost-of-Living Adjustment Revolving Fund.

-SB 1115 by Sen. Bill Brown, removes the requirement that the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Board adopt a cost of living adjustment actuarial assumption in its annual actuarial valuation report.

-SB 1119 by Sen. John Sparks, requires designees serving on state retirement systems to be full-time employees of the appropriate agency they represent.

-SB 266 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, amends language relating to schools and the State Department of Education.

-SB 268 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, increases the amount of time schools must be in session.

-SB 361 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, removes school support staff from rules regarding certain hearings.

-SB 635 by Sen. Clark Jolley, directs the State Board of Education to establish the lowest sample size necessary to meet applicable requirements for determining school A-F grades.

-SB 170 by Sen. John Ford, allows a teacher who is certified to teach at the secondary level to teach fifth grade for the subject area in which the teacher has received certification or endorsement.

-SB 199 by Sen. Corey Brooks, prohibits school district boards of education and administrators from inquiring whether or not the interviewee has children or where they plan to enroll said children.

-SB 207 by Sen. John Ford, allows teachers who receive a superior or highly effective rating under the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System to be evaluated once every two years instead of twice per year and requires the teachers who are evaluated twice per year to have one evaluation in the fall semester and one in the spring semester.

-SB 208 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, gives the board of education of each school district in the state the option to require students to complete intervention and prevention programs as provided by Youth Service Agencies in the state as part of an anti-bullying discipline plan.

-SB 267 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, allows the State Board of Education to sponsor the applicant of a charter school from the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board that is for the purpose of establishing a full-time statewide virtual charter school.

-SB 283 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, amends language pertaining to school district employees.

-SB 316 by Sen. John Ford, provides that teachers receiving a rating of superior and highly effective will receive a $1,000 bonus and a $500 bonus upon full implementation of the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System.

-SB 367 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, allows the sponsorship of a charter school when the applicant is the Oklahoma Department of Human Service, or the applicant has a contract with DHS to provide youth services.

-SB 380 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, specifies the purpose of the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program is to improve the literacy of children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.

-SB 535 by Sen. John Sparks, directs a superintendent to forward to the State Board of Education any recommendation that includes grounds that could form the basis of criminal charges sufficient to result in the denial or revocation of a certificate.

-SB 536 by Sen. John Sparks, allows a public school to disclose information regarding an employee’s job performance to another state agency or another public school that is a prospective employer of the current or former employee without the employee’s consent.

-SB 759 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Deployed Parents School Act of 2013.

-SB 877 by Sen. Greg Treat, authorizes the State Board of Education to waive the retention grade point average requirement for applicants seeking to teach mathematics or science if the Board has determined that a shortage of mathematics and science teachers exists.

-SB 640 by Sen. Brian Crain, amends language in the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Reform Act of 2003.

-SB 1056 by Sen. Rob Standridge, creates the Professional Services Acquisition Act.

-SB 304 by Sen. Susan Paddack, places individuals who were residents of SORC and NORCE to alternative residential settings within 60 miles of the resource center in which they formerly resided.

-SB 900 by Sen. Rob Standridge, requires any and all investigations, surveys, or other measures of facility performance occur at least once every three years for facilities licensed pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Hospice Licensing Act and states this requirement not apply to any investigations, surveys, or other measures administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

-SB 101 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Task Force on State Services for Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism.

-SB 181 by Sen. Kim David, extends the Oklahoma Suicide Prevention Council.

-SB 487 by Sen. Ron Sharp, modifies language of the Anti-Drug Diversion Act.

-SB 684 by Sen. Clark Jolley, prohibits dentists from having more than the equivalent of three full-time dental hygienists for each dentist actively practicing in the office who will supervise the dental hygienists and assistants.

-SB 725 by Sen. Kim David, clarifies language and statutory references related to licensed mental health professionals and licensed alcohol and drug counselors.

-SB 815 by Sen. Kyle Loveless, amends language relating to the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

-SB 851 by Sen. Kim David, requires that the State Department of Health require each birthing facility to perform a pulse oximetry screening on every newborn in its care prior to discharge from the birthing facility and to promulgate rules necessary to implement the measure’s requirement.

-SB 917 by Sen. Kim David, modifies definitions for child care centers and child care facilities.

-SB 970 by Sen. Brian Crain, permits members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and House Long Term Care and Senior Services Committee to receive annual updates on the progress of the 2009 Final Report of the Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease in Oklahoma.

-SB 178 by Sen. Kim David, creates the Oklahoma Responsible Exotic Cat Ownership Act.

-SB 1011 by Sen. Eddie Fields, removes the authority of the State Board of Agriculture to establish an Apiary Advisory Committee.

-SB 708 by Sen. John Sparks, creates a misdemeanor for any person who, without good cause, maliciously and knowingly cuts or damages a fence used for the production or containment of cattle or certain other animals.

-SB 716 by Sen. Eddie Fields, creates the Oklahoma Honey Sales Act.

-SB 919 by Sen. Ron Justice, removes big game commercial hunting licenses as a requirement for the issuance of a permit and modifies the definition of aircraft to include fixed wing aircraft related to depredating animals by use of aircraft.

-SB 920 by Sen. Ron Justice, creates the Oklahoma Cottage Food Law and defines terms.

-SB 8 by Sen. Harry Coates, prohibits Oklahoma Insurance Department anti-fraud unit investigators from operating specialized motor vehicles.

-SB 249 by Sen. Brian Bingman, amends language pertaining to the liability of state or political subdivision relating to the discharge and termination of group insurance.

-SB 470 by Sen. Earl Garrison, requires that members of county excise boards in all counties receive as compensation an amount established by the board of county commissioners for the county in which they serve.

-SB 511 by Sen. Greg Treat, requires the Oklahoma Historical Society to operate the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority and the NACEA transfer its authority to the OHS.

-SB 661 by Sen. Mike Schulz, creates the Task Force for the Study of Rural Housing Development.

-SB 711 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, exempts a new development on unincorporated tracts of land connected to any utility owned or operated by the municipality or an application for rezoning made by the landowner to change the land use of the tract of land to commercial or industrial use from the requirement that a city or town must obtain the written consent of the owners of at least a majority of the acres to be annexed to the municipality and provide for notice and a public hearing on the proposed annexation of the territory before the governing body of the city or town may annex any territory adjacent or contiguous to the city or town.

-SB 738 by Sen. John Sparks, amends language relating to public finance.

-SB 89 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, increases the fine for a state traffic citation for deliberately placing trash on public property without consent of the property owner.

-SB 596 by Sen. David Holt, requires the director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to develop a method of accountability for performance and efficiency to be used by state governmental agencies.

-SB 979 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates a task force for the studying the effectiveness of the Oklahoma Personnel Act.

-SB 1090 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies statutory references to workers’ compensation.

• The House convened Monday, approving the following legislation:

-HB 1068 by Rep. Lee Denney, creates the Postconviction DNA Act.

-HB 1038 by Rep. Dennis Ray Casey, adds sets of competencies to the definition and specifics of a curriculum.

-HB 1058 by Rep. Sally Kern, provides a court, upon its own motion or upon petition by the defendant and for good cause shown, may enter an order for expungement of law enforcement and court records relating to a charge or conviction for a prostitution-related offense committed as a result of the defendant having been a victim of human trafficking.

-HB 1071 by Rep. Brian Renegar, amends language relating to the Academic Performance Index.

-HB 1364 by Rep. Dan Kirby, authorizes the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, to withhold any part of a purse or other money to a combative sports practitioner who is not competing honestly.

-HB 1414 by Rep. Elise Hall, repeals statutory language related to the submission of an affirmative action plan.

-HB 1928 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, amends language relating to hunting licenses.

-HB 1349 by Rep. Dan Kirby, requires the board of each youth sport organization in the state to develop policies and procedures relating to heat illness.

• House committees met Monday, and approved a number of bills, including the following:

-HB 1922 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, amends language relating to water and water rights.

-HB 1384 by Rep. Sally Kern, creates the Parents’ Bill of Rights.

-HB 1418 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, creates the Josephine Meade Anti-Hunger Act.

-HB 1118 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, creates the Oklahoma Truth in Adoption Act.

-HB 2241 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies the definition of emergency shelter care under the Oklahoma Juvenile Code.

-HB 2267 by Rep. John Trebilcock, establishes that a higher education student will be eligible for a full waiver of resident tuition status and mandatory fees if the student is a combat veteran.

-HB 1716 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, repeals the state franchise act.

-HB 1103 by Rep. Earl Sears, combines Gold Star Survivor license plates with Surviving Spouse license plates.

-HB 1363 by Rep. Earl Sears, clarifies definitions related to business ownership.

-HB 1393 by Rep. Jason Smalley, creates the Revenue and Taxation Technical Amendments Act of 2013.

-HB 1625 by Rep. Charles Ortega, clarifies language related to revenue and taxation.

-HB 1874 by Rep. Charles McCall, amends language relating to revenue, taxation and the collection of municipal taxes by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

-HB 1875 by Rep. Charles McCall, amends language relating to the apportionment of sales tax revenue.

-HB 1876 by Rep. Charles McCall, authorizes any county in the state to levy a tax on the severance of rock, gravel, sand, gypsum or any other natural material mined for purposes of producing aggregated within territorial limits of the county.

-HB 1515 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, creates the Oklahoma Resource Reclamation Act.

-HB 1902 by Rep. Don Armes, removes the powers of the State Board of Agriculture to establish an Apiary Advisory Committee.

-HB 1712 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, creates the Common Education Lottery Revolving Fund.

-HB 1100 by Rep. Arthur Hulbert, prohibits the Legislature from enacting any mandate on local boards of education unless sufficient funding is provided.

-HB 1742 by Rep. Harold Wright, modifies the State Aid formula for school districts.

-HB 1719 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, requires the State Board of Education to develop a program to provide training and evaluations for school districts in operational efficiency.

Tuesday, February 19

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following legislation:

-SB 295 by Sen. Tom Ivester, Adds recovery and recovery support to certification standards for private mental health and substance abuse facilities.

-SB 989 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, modifies the definition of bogus check.

• Senate committees approved the following bills on Tuesday:

-SB 1062 by Sen. Brian Bingman, establishes an administrative system for workers’ compensation law.

-SB 13 by Sen. Roger Ballanger, designates the bridge on U.S. Highway 52 located one-fourth mile north of Hanna in McIntosh County as the “Mouser Memorial Bridge”.

-SB 878 by Sen. Don Barrington, designates the bridge over the South Canadian River on State Highway 4 south of the municipal limits of Mustang as the “Pikey’s Crossing Memorial Bridge.”

-SB 584 by Sen. Mike Schulz, modifies language related to railroads.

-SB 997 by Sen. Mike Schulz, clarifies language relating to dog trainers.

-SB 542 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, designates the section of U.S. Highway 70 beginning at the municipal limits of Garvin and extending southeast to the municipal limits of Idabel as the “Wayne Crusoe Memorial Highway”.

-SB 585 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies income tax rates during certain periods and limits the ability to claim certain tax preferences.

-SB 804 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, creates the Oklahoma Affordable Housing Act.

-SB 339 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies brackets for corporate income tax.

-SB 341 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, repeals statutory language related to franchise or excise tax upon corporations, associations, joint-stock companies and business trusts and foreign corporations and business tax.

-SB 645 by Sen. Mike Schulz, adds an aircraft which is purchased to be used exclusively for the purpose of training relating to rotary-wing aircraft as exempt from excise tax levy.

-SB 660 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, adds custom-order manufactures to the definition of manufacturing.

-SB 678 by Sen. John Sparks, exempts from the excise tax any vehicle on which ownership is transferred by a repossessor directly back to the owner or owners from whom the vehicle was repossessed, provided ownership be assigned by the repossessor within 30 days of issuance of the repossession title and it be identical to that reflected in the vehicle title record immediately prior to the repossession.

-SB 861 by Sen. Clark Jolley, exempts from sales tax sales of admissions tickets to and hospitality packages for a national championship sports event hosted by an LLC in conjunction with a national sports association.

-SB 864 by Sen. Constance Johnson, clarifies language relating to assessment of taxes.

-SB 976 by Sen. Dan Newberry, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Quality Events Incentive Act.

-SB 954 by Sen. Ron Justice, removes outdated language concerning assessors.

-SJR 16 by Sen. John Sparks, allows a disabled veteran be entitled to claim a homestead exemption for the full amount of a manufactured home.

-SB 875 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, adds elk to the list of nuisance wildlife.

-SCR 5 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, approves the transfer of Boggy Depot State Park from the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to the Chickasaw Nation.

-SB 295 by Sen. Tom Ivester, amends mental health language.

-SB 989 by Sen. Ron Justice, applies the term “false or bogus check or checks” to payments made to a landlord under a lease or rental agreement which are not honored on account of insufficient funds or because the check or order was drawn on a closed account or on a nonexistent account.

-HB 1646 by Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies provisions related to corporate boards of directors.

-SB 433 by Sen. Ron Sharp, exempts from liability where no prior contractual relationship exists any person who in good faith renders or attempts to render emergency care by administering an opioid antagonist based on a reasonable belief or actual knowledge that the victim is experiencing an opioid drug overdose.

-SB 582 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, amends language relating to service liens on personal property.

-SB 583 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, removes language relating to garaging vehicles.

-SB 679 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, modifies circumstances that allow taking a child into custody.

-SB 927 by Sen. Greg Treat, provides that in no event will an employer required to garnish wages, earnings or other income of an employee be personally liable for any debt or obligation of the employee.

-SB 928 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, permits a marriage certificate to be reissued upon request by the certificate holder.

-SB 961 by Sen. Rob Standridge, modifies language related to divorce proceedings involving minor children.

-SB 984 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, provides that a deferred prosecution cannot be offered to a person accused of the sentence or an underlying offense which would result in a requirement to register as a sex offender.

-SB 968 by Sen. Rob Johnson, establishes requirements for bringing a civil action under the Production Revenue Standards Act.

-SB 1034 by Sen. Kim David, requires the education and training programs in juvenile law, child abuse and neglect required for any court-appointed special advocate (CASA) available for appointment to include information related to confidentiality of records.

-SB 1039 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, modifies language relating to parole.

-SB 937 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, permits a court to order the convicted defendant to be supervised by the district attorney under certain circumstances.

-SB 1043 by Sen. Rob Johnson, increases the membership of the Savings and Loan Advisory Council.

• The House convened Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 1340 by Rep. Scott Biggs, adds discharging any firearm or other deadly weapon at or into any dwelling and the unlawful manufacturing of any controlled dangerous substance to the definition of offender under the Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults.

-HB 1010 by Rep. Mike Brown, allows gigging upstream from the Horseshoe Bend boat ramp to where State Highway 51 crosses the Illinois River within certain dates.

-HB 1335 by Rep. James Lockhart, finds that if a company that provides competency examinations within Oklahoma requires payment from a teacher candidate for an examination prior to the release of the previous competency examination results for that candidate, it will be required to provide a full refund to the teacher candidate in the event he or she successfully passes the previous examination.

-HB 1528 by Rep. Gary Banz, adds that no teacher can be hired on multiple temporary contracts by a school district that together are for more than four semesters.

-HB 1904 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, states any municipality having a volunteer fire department that serves a 911 emergency telephone area of 50 square miles or more may increase the size of the volunteer fire department up to an additional five members.

• House committees approved many bills Tuesday, including the following:

-HB 1021 by Rep. Mike Ritze, establishes language relating to the powers of the federal government and what powers are designated according to the Constitution.

-HB 1503 by Rep. Curtis McDaniel, prohibits any person to operate a motor vehicle on any public street or highway of this state while using a cellular telephone or electronic communication device to compose, send, or read a text-based communication while the motor vehicle is in motion.

-HB 1105 by Rep. Mike Brown, prohibits the use of an electronic communication device to converse, write, send or read a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle within a school zone.

-HB 1328 by Rep. Scott Biggs, creates the Criminal Procedure Act of 2013.

-HJR 1020 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit an individual to be compelled to provide coverage for, or be discriminated against or penalized for declining or refusing coverage for abortion in a health plan.

-HB 2022 by Rep. Sally Kern, creates the Oklahoma Firearms Act of 2013.

-HB 1917 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, requires each agency subject to the provisions of the Office of State Finance Act to develop a contingency plan and corresponding budget.

-HB 1940 by Rep. John Bennett, creates the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act.

-HB 1674 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, requires the State Board of Education to endeavor to create an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that encourages students to explore scientific questions.

-HB 1056 by Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, creates the Conditional Release of Aging Prisoners Act.

Wednesday, February 20

• The Senate approved the following measures Wednesday:

-SB 375 by Sen. Mark Allen, allows the slaughter of horses for the purpose of human consumption.

-SB 196 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, names the pavilion located at the Victor Camping Area at Lake Wister the “Henry J. Heflin Pavilion”.

-SB 331 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies the time period during which exemptions for rolling stock is applicable as written under the sales tax exemptions measure.

-SB 332 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, eliminates gold and silver from the specified reporting requirements by the tax administration and eliminates language regarding the release of information on production.

-SB 347 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, requires the director of the Office of Management and Enterprise to coordinate the transfer of employees, funds, allotments, purchase orders, and outstanding financial obligations and encumbrances relating to the Fire Extinguisher Licensing Act.

-SB 931 by Sen. Ron Justice, creates the Oklahoma Agritourism Activities Liability Limitations Act.

-SB 1016 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language relating to disputes under the Consumer Credit Code.

• Senate committees met Wednesday, approving the following bills:

-SB 629 by Sen. Frank Simpson, exempts any facility operated by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs from the Nursing Facilies Quality of Care Fee.

-SB 228 by Sen. Frank Simpson, creates the Quality Workforce for Oklahoma’s Heroes Act.

-SB 237 by Sen. Frank Simpson, modifies language concerning the Oklahoma Health Care Authority relating to the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee.

-SB 576 by Sen. Kyle Loveless, eliminates the second preceding school year as part of the data used in school district funding calculations.

-SB 906 by Sen. Rob Johnson, establishes the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote.

-SB 467 by Sen. Frank Simpson, transfers the ability to appoint the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs from the War Veterans Commission to the governor.

-SB 235 by Sen. Frank Simpson, amends language relating to military veterans.

-SB 76 by Sen. Eddie Fields, increases the filing fee for declarations of candidacy.

-SB 80 by Sen. Brian Crain, permits county election boards to begin the process of opening and examining absentee ballots prior to 10 a.m. on the Thursday preceding the election at an earlier date and time.

-SB 275 by Sen. Eddie Fields, amends language regarding elections.

-SB 276 by Sen. Randy Bass, amends language regarding absentee ballots.

-SB 277 by Sen. Randy Bass, allows county election boards to appoint volunteers who will not receive compensation.

-SB 309 by Sen. David Holt, provides that refusal or failure to vote by a presidential elector for the persons nominated for the offices of president and vice president by the nominee’s party shall constitute a violation of the oath and result in the forfeiture of the elector’s office.

-SB 462 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, removes the requirement that employees provide their employers on the day preceding the election day with oral or written notification of the employee’s intention to be absent to vote.

-SB 508 by Sen. Greg Treat, prohibits any person who has filed a declaration of candidacy for a state office or who is considered a candidate for state office from accepting certain gifts from lobbyists.

-SB 742 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates a referendum relating to vacancies in state offices.

-SB 745 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, amends language relating to election emergencies.

-SB 752 by Sen. Tom Ivester, modifies language relating to military identification cards.

-SB 869 by Sen. Brian Bingman, requires that names appearing on ballots be rotated.

-SB 256 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language relating to schools.

-SB 257 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, modifies language related to school buildings.

-SB 258 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language related to Mental Health.

-SB 259 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language related to firearms.

-SB 310 by Sen. David Holt, creates the Spring Cleaning Commission.

-SB 441 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, modifies language related to the Pardon and Parole Board.

-SB 747 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, amends language relating to the Open Records Act.

-SB 838 by Sen. Ron Justice, establishes certain requirements for counties.

-SB 899 by Sen. Brian Bingman, grants the Office of Management and Enterprise Services management and control space in the Capitol basement.

-SB 908 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies persons authorized to accept gifts to the state.

-SJR 33 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, establishes certain prohibition for state office holders.

-SJR 21 by Sen. Clark Jolley, proposes a constitutional amendment to require Senate approval of judicial nominees.

-SJR 22 by Sen. Clark Jolley, proposes a constitutional amendment to require the governor to appoint the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

-SJR 24 by Sen. Clark Jolley, proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the period of time a person may serve as Justice or Judge of an appellate court.

-SB 7 by Sen. Mark Allen, modifies requirements for the annual report of the Office of Management and Enterprise Systems concerning state-owned assets.

-SB 16 by Sen. Mark Allen, requires hunters to attach a tag to black bear.

-SB 59 by Sen. Brian Crain, requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a baccalaureate degree program in accounting at OSU-Tulsa.

-SB 71 by Sen. Mark Allen, requires the Department of Public Safety to issue an annual vehicle permit to a transportation company or manufacturer of portable buildings.

-SB 72 by Sen. Mark Allen, increases the penalty for crimes against a police dog.

-SB 220 by Sen. Eddie Fields, modifies language relating to the Waters and Water Rights Act.

-SB 226 by Sen. John Ford, allows students who fail to achieve the requirements necessary for a high school diploma to re-enroll in the school district that denied the student a diploma for remediation.

-SB 272 by Sen. Kim David, authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to create a pilot program for a fully capitated managed care program.

-SB 365 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, clarifies the definition in the Oklahoma Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

-SB 376 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, prohibits the Medical Expense Liability Fund from falling below $1 million.

-SB 385 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, creates the Oklahoma Charter School Facilities Funding Task Force.

-SB 395 by Sen. Clark Jolley, establishes requirements relating to roofing contracts entered into by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

-SB 396 by Sen. Clark Jolley, removes outdated references to the Human Rights Commission.

-SB 399 by Sen. Tom Ivester, modifies language relating to OHLAP.

-SB 423 by Sen. John Sparks, modifies requirements for in-state tuition.

-SB 429 by Sen. Clark Jolley, authorizes the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to develop the Oklahoma Public Events Network.

-SB 432 by Sen. John Ford, creates the Oklahoma’s Career Promise Act.

-SB 447 by Sen. Clark Jolley, changes references to criterion reference tests.

-SB 461 by Sen. David Holt, modifies language relating to state purchasing contracts.

-SB 486 by Sen. Frank Simpson, creates the 9/11 G.I. Bill.

-SB 488 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Inmate Farm Worker Act.

-SB 512 by Sen. Clark Jolley, consolidates the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

-SB 513 by Sen. Jim Halligan, replaces outdated language related to school districts.

-SB 527 by Sen. Brian Crain, authorizes the Advisory Committee on Medical Care for Public Assistance Recipients to establish and monitor a pilot program for training caregivers.

-SB 541 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, authorizes the board of education of any school district to contract with adjacent districts for providing shared administrative services.

-SB 574 by Sen. Clark Jolley, directs pre-kindergarten students to undergo reading skill screenings.

-SB 578 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Department of Health Civil Monetary Penalty Revolving Fund.

-SB 621 by Sen. Ron Justice, consolidates the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center into the Oklahoma Energy Initiative.

-SB 639 by Sen. Kim David, modifies language related to the duties and powers of the State Auditor and Inspector.

-SB 652 by Sen. Don Barrington, defines drivers license.

-SB 653 by Sen. Clark Jolley, relieves the Regents for Higher Education of certain bonded indebtedness obligations.

-SB 667 by Sen. Rob Standridge, provides that no debit or electronic benefit cards containing state or federal funds may be used in strip clubs, liquor stores or casinos.

-SB 785 by Sen. Ron Justice, includes monies transferred to the Insurance Department Anti-Fraud Revolving Fund in the State Insurance Commissioner Revolving Fund.

-SB 792 by Sen. Rob Johnson, creates the Oklahoma Crusher Act.

-SB 847 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma Pension Stabilization Fund.

-SB 867 by Sen. Clark Jolley, transfers the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

-SB 887 by Sen. David Holt, prohibits the transfer of any food stamps or coupons to a person not authorized to possess or use such items.

-SB 933 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, increases the punishment for violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act.

-SB 985 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, modifies the additional assessment allowed for those convicted under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

-SB 995 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates a felony for any person who conspires to commit an act of mass violence at a school.

-SB 996 by Sen. Ron Justice, creates the Emergency Drought Protection Special Fund.

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 1999 by Rep. Skye McNiel, would allow for the operation of a horse slaughtering facility.

-HB 1078 by Rep. Mike Sanders, amends language pertaining to motor vehicles and home manufacturing facilities.

-HB 2078 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, states that a member who participates for the first time in the Deferred Option Plan may participate for a period of time greater than the period otherwise prescribed.

• House committees met Wednesday, approving many bills, including the following:

-HJR 1041 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, proposes a constitutional amendment permitting bottle openers, corkscrews and other beer, wine and spirit accessories to be sold on the premises of retail package stores.

-HB 1796 by Rep. Mike Christian, creates the Oklahoma Public Finance Amendments Act of 2013.

-HB 2134 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, provides that a minimum of 5,000 registered voter signatures be provided to the Secretary of the State Election Board for the recognition of a political party.

-HB 1250 by Rep. Steve Martin, states that in conjunction with any protective order or restraining order authorized, the court may order the defendant to use a real-time monitoring device.

-HB 1622 by Rep. Dan Fisher, allows a concealed or unconcealed handgun to be carried onto private elementary or private secondary school property by a person who is licensed pursuant to the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act.

-HB 2021 by Rep. John Bennett, creates the Firearms Freedom Act.

-HB 1789 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, allows foster parents to receive payments for their services faster by removing a requirement for approval of the payments.

-HB 1091 by Rep. Randy Grau, repeals a law requiring the Legislature to fully fund common education by April 1.

-HB 1113 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, authorizes county commissioners to provide incentive awards to employees participating in voluntary wellness programs.

Thursday, February 21

• The Senate met Thursday, approving the following measures:

-SB 945 by Sen. Brian Bingman, relates to interception of tax refunds.

-SB 522 by Sen. Rob Standridge, requires out-of-state pharmacies to submit an affidavit and pharmacy inspection form at the time of a license issuance.

-SB 320 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, designates a section of highway as the “Wayman Tisdale Memorial Highway”.

-SB 26 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, designates a section of a bridge over the Arkansas River as the “Specialist Dylan Johnson Memorial Bridge”.

Other News

• On Tuesday, the State Equalization Board certified the $7.04 billion budget for the 2014 fiscal year. This is a nearly $213 million increase from last year's budget. The certified budget is $2 million less than what was estimated in December. Governor Mary Fallin hopes that portions of this money will go to education and paying for her proposed tax cuts of the state's top personal income taxes from 5.25 percent to 5 percent. The board also approved estimations of the state's main operating fund projecting a surplus of $83.3 million at the end of the 2014 fiscal year.

• After negotiations, Attorney General Scott Pruitt finalized a pact with the state of Arkansas regarding study and protection of the Illinois River. This water-quality agreement aims to protect the Illinois River against watershed and study the amounts of phosphorus in the water. Arkansas will be funding this $600,000 phosphorus study, which is expected to last three years and limit phosphorus pollution. The Tahlequah-based group, Save the Illinois River, Inc., is hopeful that this pact will improve conditions of the Illinois River.

• The 2010 bribery case against former State Rep. Randy Terrill and former State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is moving forward to trial following the resolve of a legal issue putting the case on hold. Prosecutors attempted to add conspiracy counts to the felony case, but the attempts were rejected by two initial judges and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.