SB 38(1) (Morgan/Corn): Allows state agencies to donate obsolete or surplus equipment to public higher education institutions. Effective 1-1-99

SB 66(1) (Williams/Boyd): Deletes requirement that teacher education candidates complete ninety college credit hours to be eligible to take the competency examination. Also repeals the requirement that teacher education candidates take a two credit hour course on the exceptional child. Effective 7-1-99

SB 102(1) (Horner/Stites): Extends eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to students in the eighth grade. Allows for honors point course credit in determining grade point average for program eligibility. Also increases the amount of the student's parents' income to $32,000 for program eligibility. Effective 7-1-99

SB 196(1) (Williams/Braddock): Authorizes the State Regents to set the annual maximum award amount for Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants and specifies that the Regents shall not increase the annual maximum award amount unless funding is sufficient to serve at least the same number of students as the previous academic year. Authorizes the State Regents to set an annual award payment schedule based on a need analysis system consistent with federal student financial aid regulations. Grandfathers in students who receive grant awards during the 1999-2000 academic year and ensures they will not be denied additional awards because of inability to meet the new eligibility criteria.

The bill also creates the Oklahoma Task Force on Qualified State Tuition Plans to study and prepare recommendations concerning the viability of the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act and its potential for enhancing or detracting from the implementation of the Oklahoma College Savings Plan Act. Effective 7-1-99

SB 224(1) (Williams/Braddock): Requires licensing agencies to provide information indexed by social security number to the State Regents when such information is requested for use in default prevention efforts or collection of defaulted student loans. Requires information disclosed to be held in strict confidentiality. The bill also requires the Oklahoma Bar Association to begin proceedings by which an attorney may be suspended upon receipt of notification that a licensed attorney is in default. If suspended, the attorney may be reinstated pursuant to reinstatement procedures. Effective 7-1-99

SB 372(1) (Henry/Blackburn): Modifies terms of members of the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma College Savings Plan. Exempts the Board from the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act for purposes of selecting financial institutions to act as depositories and managers of the program accounts. Directs the Board to develop a competitive process by which the institutions and managers will be selected. Also exempts the Board from the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) but requires notice and hearing similar to the APA before any proposed changes in procedures can be implemented. Effective 7-1-99

SB 715(1) (Crutchfield/McCarter): Requires teacher candidates to study substance abuse symptom identification and prevention, classroom management skills, and classroom safety and discipline techniques. Effective 7-1-99

SCR 58(6) (Monson and Horner/Wells): Approves statewide plan for Langston University required in House Bill 1426 of the 1st Session of the 47th Legislature and reaffirms legislative commitment to preserving historical significance of Langston University and realizing potential of Langston University. Effective 11-1-99

HB 1201(1) (Ross/Horner): Relates to the Oklahoma State Regents' Academic Scholars Act. Requires reports and expands qualifications. Effective 6-1-99

HB 1296(1) (Settle/Hobson): Authorizes the Oklahoma State Regents to increase general enrollment fees (tuition) by a maximum of 8% at comprehensive universities and 7% at regional and two-year colleges. Professional programs (colleges of law, medicine, etc.) are authorized to increase tuition a maximum of 10%. Effective 7-1-99