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Senator Jeff Rabon, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Regulatory Services, noted the recent wildfires that have swept across this state has prompted the Senate to boldly step forward with a plan that will help create a safer Oklahoma.

“The Senate felt like we had to step in, and put forth a plan that will give these rural fire departments the ability to continue to be the first line of defense against wildfires that threaten our homes, our churches, our businesses and our farm and ranchland.” Rabon said.
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As part of National Agriculture Week, which continues through March 25, State Sen. Daisy Lawler will present a resolution on the Senate Floor Wednesday proclaiming March 22, 2006, to be Agriculture Day in the State of Oklahoma. The resolution will be heard when the Senate convenes at 1:30 p.m.
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The Oklahoma State Senate approved a resolution Wednesday thanking and recognizing the efforts of firefighters in dealing with Oklahoma’s recent drought and the resulting wildfires. Senator Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne, is the principal author of SR 71. All other Senate members are coauthors of the measure.

A bipartisan bill to protect property owners from abuses of government’s power of eminent domain was unanimously approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

The Oklahoma Property Owners Protection Act would prohibit any public entity from seizing private property solely for the purpose of economic development, and would require municipalities to provide relocation assistance for those who are forced to move by an eminent domain proceeding.

The full Senate has given its approval to a measure to strengthen state retirement systems. Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, is author of Senate Bill 1894. While the legislation would apply to the retirement systems for teachers, public employees and judges, Mazzei said there’s a particular concern about the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma (OTRS), which is only 49 percent funded.
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SB 1748 Outlaws the Sale of Cell Phone Records

The full Senate has given its approval to what would be the most substantial income tax cut in the history of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 2022, authored by Sen. Scott Pruitt seeks to lower the rate from 6.25 percent to 4.9 percent. He said the measure would be a great victory for Oklahomans that would allow them to keep more of their hard-earned dollars.
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The Senate voted Tuesday to establish clear, fair guidelines for determining if a convicted murderer is mentally retarded and thereby ineligible to receive the death penalty. Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, introduced Senate Bill 1807 at the request of Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is a co-author of the bill.

Counties acknowledging the immense historical significance of the Ten Commandments would have the support of the Oklahoma Legislature if challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), according to legislation by Sen. James Williamson that was approved by the Senate on Monday.

State Senator David Myers is once again working to ensure that more governmental entities have access to the Sex Offender Registry. The legislator is author of Senate Bill 1707 which will require that the Registry be provided to the state Commissioner of Health for distribution. The measure passed unanimously today in the Senate.
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