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The state Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution congratulating Rumble the Bison on his first birthday with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and declaring February 17, 2010, “Rumble the Bison Day”.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary on Wednesday approved legislation that would allow Oklahoma law enforcement officials to monitor the state’s most dangerous sex offenders through electronic monitoring devices.

The Senate Rules Committee unanimously approved two measures Wednesday to help discourage members of the Legislature from voting on bills that could personally or financially benefit them. Sen. Andrew Rice, author of SJR 53 and SB 1671, says his bills are an effort to keep members honest while at the same time helping increase public trust in the legislative process.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved legislation allowing for expungement of a person’s criminal record if the offense was a nonviolent felony, the person has not been convicted of subsequent crimes and ten years have passed since the initial conviction.

Sen. Joe Sweeden said his proposal would empower people to rebuild their lives after they have paid their debt to society.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would end state recognition of common law marriage in Oklahoma. The measure is Senate Bill 1977 by Sen. Earl Garrison, a Democrat from Muskogee. Garrison said only 10 states still recognize common law marriages.
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State Sen. Randy Brogdon continued his push to better protect the individual rights of Oklahomans on Tuesday with committee approval of the Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1685, no firearms or ammunition manufactured in Oklahoma and remaining in the state could be subject to any federal regulations, including federal registration requirements.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee has given unanimous approval to legislation mandating a two year cooling off period before a former lawmaker could become a lobbyist. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 847. She’s championed the bill since first becoming a member, introducing the legislation three separate times, but this is the first year the bill has been heard in committee.
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A bill to ensure law enforcement can contact next of kin in case of an accident or emergency has been approved by the Oklahoma State Senate. Sen. Sean Burrage is the principal author of Senate Bill 1779, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Under this legislation, anyone applying for a driver license or identification card or renewing their license or ID would have the option of providing an emergency contact person. The Department of Public Safety would maintain that database,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “I want to stress participation would be strictly optional.” read more.

A measure to let voters enact a constitutional amendment enabling cuts in legislative pay is awaiting action by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Kenneth Corn is the author of the legislation. The proposed amendment is contained in a committee substitute for SJR 2. Corn said while the pay cut would certainly not offset the budget shortfall, it would ensure legislators are shouldering part of the burden.
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