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Week In Review

Monday, April 15 to Thursday, April 18, 2013



Monday, April 15

• The Senate met Monday, approving the following measures.

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

-HB 1023 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, amends language relating to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

-HB 1032 by Rep. Doug Cox, changes the accrediting authority for respiratory therapist programs from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

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

-HB 1082 by Rep. Pat Ownbey, amends language pertaining to driver licenses and expiration.

-HB 1084 by Rep. Randy Grau, amends language relating to private process servers and notice of license hearing in publications.

-HB 1085 by Rep. Randy Grau, amends language relating to criminal procedure.

-HB 1087 by Rep. Randy Grau, provides for lien filing to include payment of profits and overhead costs by mechanics and materialmen.

-HB 1235 by Rep. David Derby, states that the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners may also issue special licenses.

-HB 1242 by Rep. Steve Martin, permits district and municipal judges to carry a firearm.

-HB 1414 by Rep. Elise Hall, repeals statutory language relating to affirmative action.

-HB 1462 by Rep. Pat Ownbey, terminates fingerprint submission requirements for firearms instructors when renewing a firearms instructor’s CLEET approval.

-HB 1482 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals a study group established by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

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

-HB 1828 by Rep. Don Armes, creates the Oklahoma Private Student Loan Transparency and Improvement Act.

-HB 1829 by Rep. Don Armes, amends language relating to consumer credit.

-HB 1871 by Rep. Lisa Billy, amends language relating to crimes and punishments.

-HB 1923 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, creates the Emergency Drought Relief Fund.

-HB 2170 by Rep. Jon Echols, eliminates spring type knives from the list of prohibited carry weapons.

-HB 1035 by Rep. Dennis Casey, modifies language relating to standardized testing.

-HB 1002 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Cost Reduction and Savings Act.

-HB 1248 by Rep. Steve Martin, repeals a tax credit for business enterprises rearing specially trained canines.

-HB 1385 by Rep. Ann Coody, modifies references in the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.

-HB 1465 by Rep. Jason Murphey, requires each state agency to submit a program management and performance report each year.

-HB 1481 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals the Oklahoma Linked Deposit Review Board.

-HB 1718 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, authorizes the Corporation Commission to have access to and inspect certain equipment at natural gas fueling stations.

-HB 2005 by Rep. Skye McNiel, extends the tax credit for investments in qualified clean burning motor vehicle property.

-HB 2072 by Rep. Dan Fisher, creates Rachel’s Law.

-HB 2079 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, clarifies language related to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma.

-SCR 2 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, congratulates the Burlington High School boys basketball team on the 2012-13 State Academic Championship.

-SCR 22 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, recognizes Burlington boys basketball coach Randy Turney.


• Senate committees took no action on Monday.


• The House convened Monday, approving a number of bills including the following.

-SB 426 by Sen. John Ford, requires that every probationary teacher receive formative feedback from the evaluation process once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester of each school year.

-SB 233 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, doubles the amount of deposit required from candidates seeking an election recount if the results of the initial election indicate a margin between the first place candidate and second place candidate of ten percent or greater and only allows the candidate’s deposit to be refunded if the recount changed the outcome of the election.

-SB 169 by Sen. John Ford, provides that a virtual education provider that offers full-time virtual education to students who are not residents of the school district with which the provider is contracted shall be considered a site within each school district.

-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.

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

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

-SB 751 by Sen. Mike Schulz, directs the Commissioner of Public Safety to establish an Endangered Missing Persons Advisory.

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

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

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

-SB 853 by Sen. Greg Treat, states that the commission of health may require any hospital, clinic, laboratory, pathologist, physician or dentist to report data needed for a tumor registry.

-SB 5 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, modifies definitions relating to employment.

-SB 27 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to require providers to display information about how to report fraudulent activity.

-SB 347 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, transfers regulatory responsibility for fire extinguishers to the State Fire Marshall.

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

-SB 398 by Sen. Susan Paddack, allows any reserve peace officer who has completed the reserve peace officer certification program to be eligible to attend a 360-hour basic training academy to become certified as a full-time peace officer.

-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 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 for a teacher under the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990.

-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 584 by Sen. Mike Schulz, creates the Oklahoma Tourism and Passenger Rail Revolving Fund.

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

-SB 682 by Sen. Don Barrington, requires the development, delivery, support and evaluation of training programs for fire service by Oklahoma State University Fire Training.

-SB 697 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, modifies language relating to insurance.

-SB 779 by Sen. Don Barrington, authorizes the Department of Public Safety to issue an annual fleet permit to an electric utility.

-SB 1008 by Sen. Greg Treat, creates the Oklahoma Office of Privatization Act.

• House committees took no action Monday.

Tuesday, April 16

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving a number of sunset bills and the following measures.

-HB 2198 by Rep. Tommy Hardin, exempts certain persons from requirements for commercial drivers’ licenses.

-HB 1594 by Rep. Steven Vaughn, modifies language relating to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

-HB 1422 by Rep. Tommy Hardin, allows students who have been harassed or bullied to request an emergency transfer to a new school.

-HB 1622 by Rep. Sally Kern, allows for lawful carry of firearms in private schools.

-HB 1413 by Rep. Elise Hall, modifies language relating to licensed personal investigators.

-HB 1089 by Rep. Randy Grau, repeals statutes relating to county commissioners.

-HB 2232 by Rep. Joe Dorman, modifies language relating to personal tax forms.

-HB 1826 by Rep. Don Armes, modifies the definition of a funeral director.

-HB 1328 by Rep. Scott Biggs, modifies language relating to crimes and punishments.

-HB 1928 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, modifies age requirements for apprentice hunting licenses.

-HB 1921 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, modifies language regarding amateur radio equipment.

-HB 1741 by Rep. Harold Wright, allows candidates to file for candidacy with a different legal name than what would appear on the ballot.

-HB 2165 by Rep. Jon Echols, establishes regulations for the Lifeline program.

-HB 1524 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals language dealing with the duties of railroad employees and bystanders.

-HB 1523 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals statutory references dealing with railway passengers.

-HB 1522 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals statutory references related to reckless horse racing.

-HB 1441 by Rep. Mike Turner, mandates interlock device installation on commercial vehicles for certain reasons.

-HB 1431 by Rep. Mike Turner, creates the Electronic Resource Act.

-HB 2015 by Rep. Sean Roberts, modifies questions asked on the Individual Abortion Form.

-HB 1361 by Rep. Randy Grau, requires the parents of a minor seeking an abortion to provide written confirmation that he or she is the parent.

-HB 1588 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, creates the Parental Notification for Abortion Act.

-HB 2191 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, allows a small employer carrier to include an employer’s bona fide wellness program in premium rate development.

-HB 1554 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, modifies language related to the Employment Security Commission.

-HB 1397 by Rep. Dennis Johnson, modifies language relating to public schools.

-HB 2042 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates a Reentry Policy Council.

-HB 1884 by Rep. Don Armes, requires certain individuals to comply with regulation of transaction involving certain security and real estate.

-HB 1722 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, revises procedures for reprieves, commutations and pardons of sentences.

-HB 1640 by Rep. Fred Jordan, requires applications for swine feeding operations to be reviewed by the Department of Agriculture within thirty days in the Department requests additional information from the applicant.

-HB 1639 by Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies language relating to the Oklahoma Health Spa Act.

-HB 1341 by Rep. Glen Mulready, modifies language relating to authorized holders of brewer licenses.

-HB 1762 by Rep. Tommy Hardin, clarifies language relating to extreme fire hazards.

-HB 1461 by Rep. Pat Ownbey, fixes compensation for the Director of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.

-HB 1022 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, authorizes the Commissioners of the Land Office to acquire real property.

-HB 1313 by Rep. John Enns, requires school districts to adopt certain grading policies.

-HB 1756 by Rep. Jadine Nollan, allows individual school districts to create an appeals process for students denied standard diplomas.

-HB 1987 by Rep. David Brumbaugh, authorizes county purchasing officers to make acquisitions through the state purchase card program.

-HB 1512 by Rep. Glen Mulready, modifies the authority of the Insurance Commissioner.

-HB 2097 by Rep. Mike Jackson, relates to tobacco products and imposition of fines.

-HB 1343 by Rep. Dan Kirby, allows insurance companies owned or controlled by federally recognized Indian tribes to apply for authorization to conduct insurance business in the state.


• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.

• The House convened Tuesday, approving numerous bills including the following:

-SB 820 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, modifies language relating to District Court Judicial District 7.

-SB 559 by Sen. John Ford, requires students entering the 9th grade in the 2008-2009 school year to demonstrate mastery of the state academic content standards in certain subject areas in order to graduate.

-SB 200 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, establishes a program of foster care for children in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

-SB 767 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, transfers the duties of the Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells to the Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources.

-SB 670 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, modifies the time period for processing county purchase orders.

-SB 765 by Sen. Greg Treat, modifies language relating to benefits for cancer treatment.

-SB 1118 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language relating to retirement for firefighters.

-SB 708 by Sen. John Sparks, modifies penalties for damaging a fence used for production or containment of livestock.

-SB 387 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language relating to surviving spouse license plates.

-HCR 1010 by Rep. Charles McCall, approves the transfer of certain personal and real property.

-SB 1103 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, adds compensation for clinical-related activity performed in the University of OU Health Sciences Center Professional Practice Plan to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma.

-SB 191 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, allows for the notification of drilling to land owners to be delivered by a process server.

-SB 965 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, modifies appointments to the Water Resources Board.

-SB 272 by Sen. Kim David, enables the Health Care Authority to create a pilot program for administering the Medicaid program and its enrollees to provide managed care for all Medicaid populations within the community selected for the pilot program.

-SB 343 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, removes the tax credit for clean burning motor vehicles except for compressed natural gas.

-SB 35 by Sen. Mike Schulz, extends the sunset on the Oklahoma Sorghum Commission.

-SB 659 by Sen. Ron Justice, expands the procedure for state agency transactions for motor licenses.

-SB 71 by Sen. Mark Allen, directs the Department of Public Safety to issue a vehicle permit to a transportation company to move oversize portable buildings.

-SB 819 by Sen. Ralph Shortey, prohibits the use of laser sighting devices as hunting aids, with certain exceptions.

-SB 788 by Sen. Dan Newberry, creates a study for the purpose of improving the workforce climate.

-SB 966 by Sen. Mike Schulz, requires persons under the age of 18 who are receiving a motor vehicle license to obtain a notarized affidavit signed by a custodial legal parent or guardian submitted by the person under the age of 18 with their application.

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

-SB 692 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, clarifies that insurance and insurance department are interchangeable unless the context dictates otherwise and requires specific wording.

-SB 613 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, limits the average wage requirement for Quality Jobs Program applicants.

-SB 745 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires a contingency plan for a major election emergency.

-SB 177 by Sen. Harry Coates, allows a merchant to impose charges on a customer for not honoring a check.

-SB 315 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language relating to Alzheimer’s disease and CLEET training.

-SB 1083 by Sen. Rob Johnson, modifies gender references relating to oath and bonds.


• House committees took no action Tuesday.


Wednesday, April 17

• The Senate approved the following measures Wednesday:

-HB 1661 by Rep. Lee Denney, creates the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act.

-HB 1109 by Rep. Ann Coody, allows the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to commission certified employees within the Office of the Inspector General as peace officers.

-HB 1115 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, modifies language related to municipal fire departments.

-HB 1031 by Rep. Doug Cox, modifies the method of calculating net hospital patient revenue.

-HB 1324 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, updates language relating to the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.

-HB 1830 by Rep. Don Armes, modifies language relating to county officers.

-HB 1039 by Rep. Dennis Casey, amends language relating to revenue and taxation.

-HB 1098 by Rep. Jerry Shoemake, amends language relating to motor vehicles and all-terrain vehicles.

-HB 1109 by Rep. Ann Coody, allows the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to commission certified employees within the Office of the Inspector General as peace officers.

-HB 1314 by Rep. John Enns, raises the limit of instructor to student ratio in required firearms safety and training courses from ten students to one instructor to 20 students to any one instructor and removes outdated language related to CLEET.

-HB 1335 by Rep. James Lockhart, modifies language related to competency examinations.

-HB 1751 by Rep. Lisa Billy, amends language relating to motor vehicles.

-HB 1766 by Rep. Justin Wood, amends language relating to prisons.

-HB 1890 by Rep. Josh Cockroft, amends language relating to crimes and punishments.

-HB 1919 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, relates to individual income tax deductions for cash contributions to churches.

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

-HB 1092 by Rep. Jadine Nollan, removes the daylight operation restriction on golf carts.

-HB 1113 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, authorizes county commissioners to provide incentive awards for wellness programs.

-HB 1117 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, adds a public school nurse to the State Department of Health’s advisory for student vision screenings.

-HB 1241 by Rep. Steve Martin, amends language pertaining to crimes and punishments.

-HB 1247 by Rep. Mike Christian, amends language pertaining to motor vehicles and wrecker services.

-HB 1297 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, clarifies language relating to certain crimes.

-HB 1331 by Rep. James Lockhart, modifies language relating to boards of trustees for library systems.

-HB 1340 by Rep. Scott Biggs, modifies language under the Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults.

-HB 1352 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, creates the Legion of Merit Medal Recipient License Plate.

-HB 1399 by Rep. Dennis Johnson, modifies eligibility to obtain direct payment permits.

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

-HB 1423 by Rep. Scott Biggs, adds any person who attempts to prevent another from giving testimony to those punishable with a felony.

-HB 1508 by Rep. Pam Peterson, modifies language relating to the functions of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

-HB 1547 by Rep. Mark McCullough, increases the value of an estate eligible for summary administration.

• Senate committees took no action Wednesday.

• The House met Wednesday, approving a number of measures including the following:

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

-SB 550 by Sen. David Holt, changes the name of the Unfair Sales Act.

-SB 292 by Sen. Brian Crain, amends language pertaining to property and county treasurers.

-SB 495 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language related to the Oklahoma State Regents’ Endowment Trust Fund.

-SB 522 by Sen. Rob Standridge, requires nonresident pharmacies to submit specified information in applications for license issuance or renewal.

-SB 581 by Sen. Tom Ivester, amends language relating to proceedings for persons requiring treatment.

-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 government agencies.

-SB 630 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language relating to bid submissions by political subdivisions.

-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.

-SB 755 by Sen. Tom Ivester, modifies language related to power of attorney.

-SB 330 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language related to the Compete with Canada Film Act.

-SB 25 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, indicates that a fee is to be charged to waste producers in addition to any charges specified in any contract or elsewhere.

-SB 37 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, amends language related to the transportation of dead bodies.

-SB 107 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, modifies language relating to precious metal and gem dealers.

-SB 294 by Sen. Harry Coates, amends language relating to voluntary emergency services.

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

-SB 900 by Sen. Rob Standridge, modifies language related to the Hospice Licensing Act.

-SB 926 by Sen. Rob Johnson, removes the deadline by which the Legislature encourages a goal of recycling 10 percent of the state’s solid waste stream.

-SB 1000 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language relating to auto rental licenses.


• House committees took no action on substantive bills Wednesday.

Thursday, April 18

• The Senate met Thursday, approving the following bills:

-HB 1984 by Rep. David Brumbaugh, creates a working group to study automobiles managed by the state.

-HB 1464 by Rep. Jason Murphey, allows the state purchasing director to exempt purchase of pre-owned items from provisions of the law in unusual circumstances.

-HB 1107 by Rep. Glen Mulready, creates the Oklahoma State Employees Health Insurance Reform Act.

-HB 1069 by Rep. Lee Denney, modifies language related to driving while impaired.

-HB 1265 by Rep. Lewis Moore, changes language relating to ad valorem taxation.

-HB 2052 by Rep. Mike Jackson, authorizes programs in character education.

-HB 1233 by Rep. Ann Coody, allows for the issuance of standard and one-year provisional certificates in special education areas.

-HB 2068 by Rep. Mike Jackson, removes bonding requirements for used car dealers.

-HB 1875 by Rep. Charles McCall, modifies references in sales tax revenue apportionment law.

-HB 1532 by Rep. Gary Banz, increases the amount of unclaimed lottery prize money distributed to the Department of Mental Health.

-HB 1558 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, updates statutory language concerning imprisonment for forcefully seizing control of a bus.

-HB 1104 by Rep. Earl Sears, modifies law relating to production tax, sales tax, and production information.

-HB 1103 by Rep. Earl Sears, modifies license plates for surviving spouses.

-HB 1325 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, modifies requirements under the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

-HB 2201 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates the CompSource Mutual Insurance Company.

-HB 2145 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, alters salaries for Department of Public Safety employees.

-HB 2045 by Rep. Mike Jackson, modifies language relating to workers compensation.

-HB 1914 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates the Public Agency Fee Moratorium Justification and Disclosure Act.

-HB 1419 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, modifies language relating to pain management prescriptions.

-HB 1783 by Rep. Todd Russ, prohibits more than two refills for any product containing hydrocodone.

-HB 1782 by Rep. Todd Russ, allows first responders to administer opiate antagonists without prescriptions.

-HB 1781 by Rep. Todd Russ, restricts information collected at the central repository pursuant to the Anti-Drug Diversion Act from being open to the public.

-HB 1740 by Rep. Harold Wright, prohibits scrap metal dealers from entering into cash transactions in excess of $1,000.