Oklahoma State Senate Legislative Summary A Review of the First Session of the 46th Legislature - 1997 Revised July 1, 1997
Senator Billy Mickle Majority Floor Leader	Senator Stratton Taylor President Pro Tempore	Senator Bill Gustafson Minority Floor Leader

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Session Overview

The 46th Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 7, 1997, for an organizational session. Seven new members of the Senate were welcomed. Senator Stratton Taylor was re-elected President Pro Tempore for a second two-year term and Senator Billy Mickle was re-elected as Majority Floor Leader. Senator Bill Gustafson was elected for his first term as Minority Floor Leader.

The Legislature reconvened on February 3, with 775 Senate bills and joint resolutions and 1,257 House bills and joint resolutions to consider. At sine die adjournment 421 of these bills and 4 joint resolutions had been approved by the Legislature and submitted for the Governor's approval. The Governor vetoed 24 bills.

Members of the Legislature dealt with several major issues in the 1997 session, including regulation of pig farms, restructuring of the electric utility industry, telecommunications, welfare reform, restrictions on consumer loans, and higher education tuition increases. Although action on several of these matters was not completed until the end of the session, a comprehensive truth-in-sentencing measure was enacted relatively early, in mid-April. The Legislature also enacted legislation on two issues of particular importance to Oklahoma businesses, workers' compensation reform and a reduction in unemployment compensation taxes. The Senate, the House and the Governor finally reached agreement on a road-building program as the end of the session approached.

These issues along with other significant legislation as summarized by Senate Committee Staff are included in this Legislative Summary. Please contact us at Room 309, State Capitol, or by phone at 405/521-5692 if you have questions or need further information.

Table of Contents (by bill number):

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