Week In Review

• The legislature did not meet on Monday, the 26th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The legislature returned on Tuesday to begin the task of completing work on the budget and other substantive issues still awaiting final passage before the end of the 2003 session. Among those measures winning approval by the Senate on Tuesday:

- SB 20 by Sen. Mike Morgan and Rep. Bill Mitchell contains an appropriation to the State Board of Career and Technology Education reflecting a 10.6 percent cut compared to the current fiscal year.

Monday, May 19th

• The Senate continued working through conference committee reports awaiting action. Among those winning approval on Monday:

-CCR for HB 1259 by Sen. James Williamson and Rep. Dale Wells dealing with visitation rights for grandparents of unmarried children after a court rules that the parent is unfit or that the child would suffer harm or potential harm if visitation rights were not granted. The measure would also provide for denial of visitation if evidence exists of domestic abuse or child abuse by the grandparents.

Monday, May 12th

• The Senate continued working through conference committee reports awaiting action. Among those winning approval on Monday:

-CCR for HB 1449 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Jerry Ellis would restrict employee vehicle searches.

-CCR for SB 4 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Ray McCarter would require the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahomans to provide teachers with applications to join a retired teacher’s organization and forms to withhold dues.

Monday, May 5th

• Governor Brad Henry signed Senate Bill 3 into law on Monday. The measure, authored by Senator Keith Leftwich and co-authored in the House by Representatives Dan Boren and John Nance will move Oklahoma’s Presidential Primary to the first Monday in February. Other measures signed included:

-SB 395 by Sen. James R. Dunlap and Rep. Susan Winchester, adding terrorism to those topics that can be discussed in executive sessions of governmental agencies.