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Beginning this year, cities and towns throughout Oklahoma will be required to develop emergency evacuation plans. State Sen. Kenneth Corn is author of Senate Bill 1709. Corn says the legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry on Friday, will better protect Oklahoma citizens in the face of a large-scale disaster.
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The Oklahoma Legislature has taken strong action to combat child abuse in Oklahoma, passing a bill that would subject child predators to the death penalty and establish the Child Abuse Response Team (CART) within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Sen. Jonathon Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1800, said the measure would create a statewide team of expert child abuse investigators who will assist local law enforcement entities in handling difficult child abuse cases.

Senator Gumm Nears Victory in Struggle to Protect Children

The original author of legislation to allow the death penalty for repeat child molesters is now only one step away from seeing the proposal signed into law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, has pressed for passage of the legislation for the entire 2006 session.

“This has been a long struggle, with many twists and turns,” he said. “Now, working with lawmakers of both parties and in both the Senate and House of Representatives, we are close to victory.”

A bill creating an online insurance verification pilot program is just one step away from becoming law. That’s according to Senate author James A. Williamson who said House Bill 3115 was approved by the full Senate on Thursday and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk.

“We believe about 25 to 35 percent of driver’s are actually on the road without insurance,” said Williamson, R-Tulsa. “When they get involved in an accident, the other motorist is left holding the bag for thousands of dollars. It isn’t right and it’s high time we take some steps to address this costly problem.”

Legislation clearing the way for the creation of a world-class diabetes research and treatment center in Oklahoma is now on its way to Governor Brad Henry for his signature.

Senate Bill 1056, authored by Senators Cal Hobson and Glenn Coffee and Representative Thad Balkman, authorizes the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents to build the center, which would have locations at the OU Health Sciences Center campuses in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The measure was approved by both chambers on Friday.
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“Every year at this time, leaders of the Legislature are asked to assign a grade to the session. Unfortunately, there is only one grade I can give to this session – an Incomplete.

“The most important job we have every year is to write the budget and fund government. This year, we haven’t managed to get that done yet. I am confident we will get the job done. There will not be a government shutdown. But I wouldn’t be telling you the truth if I didn’t say I was disappointed.

Legislation clearing the way for the creation of a world-class diabetes research and treatment center in Oklahoma is now on its way to Governor Brad Henry for his signature.

Senate Bill 1056, authored by Senators Cal Hobson and Glenn Coffee and Representative Thad Balkman, authorizes the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents to build the center, which would have locations at the OU Health Sciences Center campuses in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The measure was approved by both chambers on Friday.
read more.

Legislation clearing the way for the creation of a world-class diabetes research and treatment center in Oklahoma is now on its way to Governor Brad Henry for his signature.

Senate Bill 1056, authored by Senators Cal Hobson and Glenn Coffee and Representative Thad Balkman, authorizes the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents to build the center, which would have locations at the OU Health Sciences Center campuses in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The measure was approved by both chambers on Friday.
read more.

The Leader of the Senate today said while there is still unfinished business to attend to during a special session, he believes the Senate Democrats accomplished great things for the people of Oklahoma during the Second Session of the 50th Oklahoma Legislature.