Monday, Apr. 19 to Thursday, April 22, 2010

Monday, Apr. 19

• The Senate met Monday, approving the following bills:

-HB 3284 by Rep. Pam Peterson, creates the Statistical Abortion Reporting Act.

-HB 2780 by Rep. Lisa Billy, requires an abortion provider one hour prior to performing or inducing an abortion to perform an obstetric ultrasound on the woman, provide a simultaneous explanation of what the ultrasound is depicting.

-HB 3075 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, requires facilities that perform abortions to post a legal notice in each waiting or consultation room stating that it is illegal to perform an abortion against the patient’s will or for anyone to force the patient to get an abortion.

-HB 2656 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, states legislative intent that the birth of a child does not constitute a legally recognizable injury and that it is contrary to public policy to award damages because of the birth of a child or for the rearing of a child.

-HB 3290 by Rep. Skye McNiel, prohibits any person from knowingly or recklessly giving, selling, dispensing, administering, prescribing or providing RU-486 to induce an abortion.

-HB 1611 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, modifies workers compensation time extension period relating to surgery recommendations for soft-tissue injuries.

-HB 1658 by Rep. Joe Dorman, exempts from liability for damages as a result of any acts or omissions, except for gross, willful or wanton negligence, in rendering the emergency care any physician or healthcare provider who provides medical services at a secondary school athletic event and renders or attempts to render emergency care to an injured participant in need of immediate aid.

-HB 2573 by Rep. John Trebilcock, requires sheriffs to reimburse health care providers for medical care and treatment for inmates in county jail according too the Oklahoma Medicaid Fee Schedule.

-HB 2604 by Rep. Dennis Johnson, requires that prosecution for certain crimes related to embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds be commenced within five years after the discovery of the crime.

-HB 2652 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, provides a definition of “surgery” under the Workers’ Compensation Act to mean a medical procedure involving an incision into the skin for the insertion of an instrument or device for treatment or diagnosis.

-HB 2659 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, modifies language related to the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-HB 2695 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, exempts assisted living facilities licensed to house six or fewer residents from the requirement to install fire sprinkler protection.

-HB 2998 by Rep. Kris Steele, authorizes the Department of Corrections to implement a pilot program to provide diversion programs to reduce the high rate of female incarceration and provide re-entry services that employ evidence-based practices and techniques.

-HB 3025 by Rep. Chris Benge, creates the Task Force for the Study of Lottery and Gaming Revenue.

-HB 3029 by Rep. Chris Benge, prohibits the State Department of Education from withdrawing accreditation from or imposing a financial penalty on schools that fail to meet class-size requirements.

• Senate committees approved no legislation on Monday.

• The House convened Monday, approving numerous appropriations bills and the following substantive measures:

-SB 1908 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, removes language requiring vehicle operators to devote their full time and attention to driving and language preventing a law enforcement officer from issuing a citation for inattentive driving unless the operator of the vehicle is involved in an accident.

-SB 1903 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, creates the Oklahoma Home Service Contract Act.

-SB 2074 by Sen. John Sparks, requires certain insurers authorized to do business in Oklahoma to have a rating of B++ or better by A.M. Best Company Inc.

-SB 2073 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, authorizes any insurance producer authorized to sell life insurance products whose appointment has been terminated for certain reasons and is still the agent of record to have access to the information related to the policy of the persons who purchased a product from the producer unless the insured signs a form denying access.

-SB 2045 by Sen. Bill Brown, requires the Insurance Commissioner to develop, by a rule, a uniform health questionnaire for use by small employers applying for health insurance coverage under group health plans offered by small employer carriers, and it requires small employer carriers to accept and use the questionnaire not more than six months after its adoption.

-SB 1879 by Sen. Dan Newberry, adds language relating to the Nursing Home Care Act.

-SB 2301 by Sen. Dan Newberry, creates the Electronic Monitoring Program for certain persons registered under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Registration Act.

-SJR 51 by Sen. Mike Johnson, proposes a constitutional amendment increasing from 10 percent to 20 percent of the General Revenue certification for the preceding fiscal year the amount of surplus funds to be placed in the Constitutional Reserve Fund.

-SB 421 by Sen. Gary Stanislawki, transfers from the State Board of Education to individual school districts the authority for setting the time for administering criterion-referenced tests.

-SB 441 by Sen. Brian Bingman, sets assessment parameters for storage and recycling of waste tires from agriculture equipment and implements of animal husbandry.

-SB 1267 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, establishes a deadline for the claiming of an income tax credit for investments in qualified electric motor vehicle property.

-SB 1309 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, removes certain limits on fees for bond-related services obtained by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority.

-SB 1321 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, increases the penalty for vendors who willfully or intentionally refuse to honor a consumer’s sales tax exemption from an administrative fine to a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500 per offense.

-SB 1373 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Plan for Comprehensive Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Act.

-SB 1396 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, adds a definition of “Model 4 Seller” under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Administration Act.

-SB 1397 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to notify all people within the state who have a previous registration on record of the period for registration renewal and instead allows them to provide notification.

-SB 1398 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language regarding notification from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to people within the state who have previous vessel or motor registrations on record of the period for registration that are due to be registered.

-SB 1659 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, establishes the definition of the term “copy,” as it relates to the Oklahoma Personnel Act.

-SB 1700 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, directs school district boards of education to work in cooperation with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association to develop the guidelines and other pertinent information and forms to inform and educate coaches, athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury.

-SB 1759 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, adds funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Taxpayer Transparency Act.

-SB 1765 by Sen. Brian Bingman, clarifies language related to small public and individual sewage treatment systems.

-SB 1816 by Sen. Brian Bingman, clarifies language related to penalties for delinquent motor vehicle registration fees.

-SB 1838 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, removes language allowing the establishment and charging of fees not to exceed $500 for services provided by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, County Commissioners and municipalities in the administration of their responsibilities pursuant to the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act.

-SB 1882 by Sen. Brian Bingman, extends a tax on the gross production of oil based on a per barrel measurement of 42 U.S. gallons of 7 percent if the average price of Oklahoma oil equals or exceeds $17.

-SB 1907 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, recreates the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

-SB 1914 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Oklahoma Tax Return Services Oversight Act.

-SB 1915 by Sen. Tom Adelson, creates the Oklahoma All Payer All Provider Claims Database Act.

-SB 1921 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, increases the penalty for violations of the Election Code from not more than two years in the penitentiary or a fine of not more than $5,000 or both to a term of not more than five years in the state penitentiary and/or a fine of not more than $50,000.

-SB 1941 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, creates the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force to study and evaluate innovations, technologies, and new methods being employed to more adequately and equitably fund road and bridge infrastructure and to discuss proposed reforms to the Federal Highway Law funding formula that encourage states to adopt new funding methods in order to increase their share of federal-aid dollars.

-SB 1956 by Sen. Ron Justice, removes the Institute for Issue Management and Alternative Dispute Resolution as the directing authority of the Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program and places it under the Agriculture Mediation Board.

-SB 1964 by Sen. John Ford, clarifies language related to caterers’ licenses and limits their issue to those that prepare, sell and distribute food for consumption on either licensed or unlicensed premises.

-SB 1966 by Sen. Ron Justice, requires applicants for the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Act meet qualifying employment requirements within 24 months of the date of application after July 1, 2011.

-SB 1970 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, creates the Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program.

-SB 2052 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, requires the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to contract for plan year 2011 with a vendor that offers a web-based, doctor-patient mutual accountability incentive program to work as a pilot program.

-SB 2093 by Sen. John Sparks, expands the definition of trespassing on private land devoted to agriculture and of trespassing on land of a facility licensed under the Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae Act or a big game commercial hunting area to include willfully shooting from or across a public road or highway onto the land of another.

-SB 2124 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, defines specific support activities for rail transportation and specific support activities for water transportation as “basic industry” in relation to tax and incentive purposes.

-SB 2128 by Sen. David Myers, specifies within the Quality Jobs Act that a “qualified federal contract” shall not qualify unless both the qualified federal contractor and subcontractor verify to the qualified federal contractor verifier that they offer or will offer within 180 days of employment of their respective employees, a basic health benefits plan.

-SB 2173 by Sen. Cliff Branan, removes language allowing any county to direct the Tax Commission to deposit certain monies directly into the County Bridge and Road Improvement Fund.

-SB 2183 by Sen. Cliff Branan, directs the secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office to undertake a study on the possibility of the state selling land for development but retaining mineral rights.

-SB 2212 by Sen. John Ford, establishes that a charter school sponsored by a school district board of education will be considered a local education agency for federal funding purposes.

-SB 2253 by Sen. Don Barrington, modifies reference to federal law related to fireworks.

-SB 2258 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Greater Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking Act of 2010.

-SB 2259 by Sen. Todd Lamb, requires the Department of Corrections to post on its website and to transmit to the Governor, Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate a report on the department’s progress regarding its reintegration efforts through the use of work release programs.

-SB 2291 by Sen. Susan Paddack, requires a record of conviction for any of the offenses related to driving, operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance in a municipal court be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety.

-SB 2300 by Sen. Charles Laster, prohibits any person from obtaining or renewing a drivers license, identification card or motor vehicle registration if there is an outstanding warrant from an Oklahoma state or municipal court.

-SB 2319 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, specifies criteria for the State Board of Education’s rules regarding the implementation of online courses.

• House committees approved no legislation on Monday.

Tuesday, April 20

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-HJR 1084 by Rep. Ken Miller, proposes a constitutional amendment making the chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission a member of the Board of Equalization.

-HB 1889 by Rep. Phil Richardson, enacts the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact to provide a means through which participating states may join in a reciprocal program to effectuate policies in a uniform and orderly manner and provide for the fair and impartial treatment of wildlife violators operating within participating states.

-HB 2295 by Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Agricultural Code.

-HB 2310 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Oklahoma Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2010.

-HB 2319 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Task Force Accountability Act of 2010.

-HB 2321 by Rep. Todd Russ, directs the State Board of Education to adopt curricular standards for an elective course or courses consisting of nonsectarian, nonreligious academic study of the Christian Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, culture and politics.

-HB 2331 by Rep. Steve Martin, removes language instituting a Dec. 31, 2009, deadline by which the Department of Public Safety’s online verification system for vehicle liability insurance must be operational.

-HB 2332 by Rep. Jason Murphey, directs the state purchasing director to implement a policy to approve the ability of the department, agencies, boards, commissions and trusts to accept terms of service for use of social media services.

-HB 2567 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, modifies language to require municipalities and political subdivisions of the state with authority to regulate the standing or parking of vehicles to extend special parking privileges to a physically disabled person with the proper item displayed on that person’s vehicle.

-HB 2650 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, modifies certain immunity granted under workers’ compensation provisions, stating that such immunity does not extend to action by the employee against the employer if the injury resulted from the “willful intention” of the employer.

-HB 2698 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, creates the Oklahoma Government Website Information Act.

-HB 2717 by Rep. Jerry McPeak, modifies language relating to Indian housing authorities.

-HB 2774 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Clean Air in Restaurants Act of 2012.

-HB 2852 by Rep. John Wright, requires that if an agency deems a rule is necessary as an emergency measure, it must be first approved by the governor.

-HB 2890 by Rep. Lewis Moore, adds language relating to the Governmental Tort Claims Act.

-HB 2919 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates the Aircraft Pilot and Passenger Protection Act.

-HB 2935 by Rep. Todd Russ, directs a county assessor to change the assessment role based on any real estate conveyed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 each year.

-HB 2965 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies the punishment for anyone who willfully or maliciously engages in sexual abuse with a child under age 12 or sexual exploitation of a child under age 12 to include a maximum imprisonment for at least 25 years or life without parole and a fine of up to $20,000.

-HB 2983 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies the definition of “terrorism” under the Oklahoma Antiterrorism Act to include acts of violence resulting in damage to property or injury perpetrated to coerce a civilian population or government into granting military or religious demands.

-HB 3024 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, adds definition of “motor vehicle,” “medium-speed electric motor vehicle” and “qualified low-speed electric motor vehicle” as they relate to a one-time tax credit for investments in clean-burning motor vehicle property.

-HB 3035 by Rep. Chris Benge, creates the Oklahoma Executive Branch Agency Consolidation Act of 2010.

-HB 3061 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, creates a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to be designated the Water Infrastructure Revolving Fund in the State Treasury.

-HB 3123 by Rep. Joe Dorman, provides an income tax credit for tax years after Dec. 31, 2010, equal to $300 each year for which a volunteer firefighter provides proof of certification showing completion of the Fire Fighter I program offered by the Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training or its equivalent prior to or during the first tax year a credit is claimed.

-HB 3166 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, requires a House committee to conduct an annual review and evaluation of each tax credit authorized by state law and to make a written report of recommendation for any modifications to the Speaker of the House no later than May 1 of each year.

-HB 3213 by Rep. Charles Ortega, prohibits an insurer from offering a cash settlement for the purchase of a vehicle comparable to one determined to be a total loss and then subsequently sell the motor vehicle which has been determined to be a total loss back to the claimant.

-HB 3261 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, repeals language related to the forfeiture of a candidate’s filing fee unless the candidate is unopposed in a primary election, becomes a candidate in a primary runoff or receive more than 15 percent of votes cast.

-HB 3314 by Rep. Scott Martin, clarifies language related to the Conservancy Act of Oklahoma.

-HJR 1056 by Rep. Rex Duncan, proposes a constitutional amendment changing reference from the State Industrial Court to the Workers’ Compensation Court.

• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.

• The House convened Tuesday, approving the following bills:

-SB 2163 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Health Care Indemnity Fund Act.

-SB 1685 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, creates the Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act.

-SB 2330 by Sen. John Ford, creates the Empowered Schools and School Districts Act.

-SB 509 by Sen. John Ford, adjusts the minimum salary schedule for teachers to include salaries for teachers with 26 to 30 years of experience.

-SB 1284 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, creates the Oklahoma Quality Events Incentive Act.

-SJR 61 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Task Force on Taxation of Intangible Ad Valorem Property.

-SJR 66 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, proposes a legislative referendum prohibiting claims for legal services for workers’ compensation benefits filed on or after Nov. 1, 2010, from exceeding 20 percent of the amount in dispute to the employee exclusive of medical and rehabilitation expenses.

-SB 461 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, authorizes a one-time $1,500 income tax credit for investments in certain alternative motor vehicles.

-SB 805 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, creates the Oklahoma New Development Impact Fee Act.

-SB 1379 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Private Attorney Retention Sunshine Act.

-SB 1606 by Sen. Harry Coates, modifies the Public Competitive Bidding Act.

-SB 1628 by Sen. Harry Coates, repeals statutory language regarding the commissioner of labor approving a list of the most hazardous industries in the state.

-SB 1637 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, grants a 4 percent increase in benefits to persons receiving benefits from the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System or the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges as of June 20, 2009.

-SB 1662 by Sen. Mike Schulz, allows members of the Teachers’ Retirement System who retire after the effective date of the bill who have selected a retirement allowance for a reduced amount to make a one-time irrevocable election to select a different option within 120 days of the retirement date.

-SB 1686 by Sen. Harry Coates, makes mechanics and materialmen’s liens affective property occupied as a dwelling by its owner invalid unless a pre-lien notice was sent within 90 days of the last furnishing of materials, services, labor or equipment by the claimant.

-SB 1756 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits the Legislature to allow agencies of the executive and judicial branches to use space within the Capitol building that is under the Legislature’s control.

-SB 1784 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, allows school districts to spend textbook allocations for instructional expenses beginning in fiscal year 2011 and allows the districts to use the allocations for instructional expenses beginning in fiscal year 2011 and allows the districts to use the allocation for instructional expenses in any year in which there is a state revenue failure of 5 percent or more in future years.

-SB 1857 by Sen. Harry Coates, grants the State Board of Agriculture the powers and duties to maintain traceability of state standards to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and adopt standard weights and measures for products, conduct investigations to ensure compliance, inspect packaged commodities offered for sale to determine whether they contain the amounts represented and enforce standard weights and measures.

-SB 1864 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies language related to property annexation.

-SB 1871 by Sen. Harry Coates, requires that the owner of property or the owner’s agent who attempts to determine the cost estimates or a list of materials based upon a drawing or plan for a construction project not be held liable for the acts of or deemed to practice a profession or trade required to be licensed.

-SB 1887 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, adds language to the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974.

-SB 1905 by Sen. Harry Coates, requires that all monies retained or to be distributed for purses at licensed horse racing facilities to be held in trust by the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper for the duly designated horsemen’s organization for purses.

-SB 1919 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, allows a tax credit for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2010, for any taxpayer who makes a donation to a cancer research institute.

-SB 2008 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits the Senate President Pro Tempore and the House Speaker, for measures containing proposed constitutional amendments originating in their respective chambers, to submit a proposed ballot title to the attorney general for review and establishes certain deadlines.

-SB 2046 by Sen. Bill Brown, creates the Health Care Choice Act.

-SB 2199 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits a local school board of a district of any size to request a national criminal background check on anyone currently employed by the district and requires a national criminal background check be conducted on everyone seeking employment with the district.

-SB 2236 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates the Construction Project Information Sharing Act.

-SB 2303 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires any entity constitutionally or statutorily permitted to create a law enforcement agency to submit to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training a minimum of 60 days prior to creation of the law enforcement agency or police department certain information regarding reason, funding, resources and policies.

-SB 2318 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows students enrolled in any district, program or charter school that is not operated or authorized by their district of residence to be administered any test required by the Oklahoma School Testing Program Act and states a location limitation for the test to be administered.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 21

• The Senate met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 2621 by Rep. Larry Glenn, states that State Highway 25 at the junction of State Highway 25 and 59 extending west from the Ottawa County line shall be designated as the “Fern Holland Memorial Highway”.

-HB 2831 by Rep. Ron Peters, allows the Administrator to Consumer Credit to determine and collect all fees related to the Commission on Consumer Credit.

-HB 2696 by Rep. Paul Roan, designates multiple portions of state highways, a bridge, and a portion of Interstate Highway 44 as the various named memorial highways.

-HB 2882 by Rep. Ken Luttrell, designates a portion of State Highway 177 as “Tribal Elder Parrish Williams Memorial Highway”.

-HB 3343 by Rep. Mike Christian, increases the license fee for private investigators, armed security guards, armed private investigators, security agencies, and investigative agencies.

-HB 2800 by Rep. Ryan Kiesel, denotes control of a deceased person’s social networking sites to the executor.

-HB 3170 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, provides restrictions for reimbursement of excess cost funding for out-of-state residential placements for students with special needs.

-HB 3259 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, reduces the work experience requirement for the Troops to Teachers Program from three to two years.

-SB 1442 by Sen. Mike Johnson, establishes budget limits for the Office of State Finance.

-HB 2363 by Rep. Ken Miller, creates the “Voluntary Buyout Agency Revolving Fund”.

-HB 2348 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, allows the production of beer for use by the maker, his or her family, and guests provided that the maker applies and possesses a permit issued by ABLE.

-HB 2753 by Rep. Lee Denney, eliminates the requirement that a charter school be in a district of less than 5,000 students and less than 500,000 residents.

-HB 3397 by Rep. Skye McNiel, amends expenditure requirements of qualified investments before a tax credit can be authorized.

-HB 3173 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, transfers all powers, functions, duties and donated funds of the Scenic Rivers Commission to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission.

-HB 2569 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, prohibits the Department of Public Safety from embedding, affixing, adhering or assigning any data collection to any drivers license.

-HB 3354 by Rep. Rex Duncan, allows judges and justices to carry a weapon if they have a valid permit.

-HB 2831 by Rep. Ron Peters, allows the Administrator of Consumer Credit to determine and collect all fees related to the Commission on Consumer Credit.

-HB 3241 by Rep. David Derby, adds various chemicals to the list of controlled dangerous substances.

-HB 3000 by Rep. Kris Steele, allows the state to participate in a structured settlement if the payments to the claimant or assignee are completed within the fiscal year in which the settlement is agreed to.

-HB 2990 by Rep. John Enns, directs the Health Care Authority to conduct a study about reimbursing individuals on Medicare for prosthetic limbs.

-HB 2328 by Rep. Jason Murphey, mandates that the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council shall conduct an annual planning meeting.

-HB 3054 by Rep. Chris Benge, requires that bills which would have a direct adverse fiscal impact be assigned to the respective Senate/House standing committee or subcommittee that is primarily responsible for bills pertaining to municipalities.

-HB 3258 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, requires the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to outsource the provision of foster care and related services.

-HB 3161 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, requires the exclusion of minors from any advertisement or promotion of the lottery and lottery games.

-HB 1641 by Rep. Scott Inman, relates to the care of pets by providing for court appointment of a trustee in certain circumstances.

-HB 2811 by Rep. Charles Key, increases the period for which the Department of Public Safety may revoke the driving privileges of individuals found guilty of certain actions.

-HB 3267 by Rep. Mike Jackson, transfers oversight of the Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Account to the Administrative Office of the Courts and creates a Court Services Unit therein.

-HB 3236 by Rep. Mike Jackson, allows business districts to annex adjacent property by a vote of those to be annexed.

-HB 3260 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, requires the Wildlife Commission to declare an open season in counties adjacent to states who have called an open season for the same species.

-HB 1043 by Rep. Earl Sears, creates the Oklahoma Medical Loan Repayment Program.

-HB 3167 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, adds railways to the definition of “infrastructure” under the “for profit businesses” category as it relates to the Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Act.

-HB 3383 by Rep. Randy Terrill, states that military personnel may enter the state with more than one liter of alcoholic beverages when on temporary active assignment outside the contiguous United States.

-HB 1319 by Rep. Jerry Shoemake, provides for conveyance of certain mineral interests.

Other News

• The Senate completed their business one day early this week, adjourning Wednesday after working through a heavy legislative workload in three days. This week marked the deadline for passing House measures on the Senate floor. The early adjournment will save the state more than $5,000.

• The state Senate on Tuesday congratulated the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team for a season that saw the Lady Sooners reach the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year. The team is the first in state history to appear in consecutive Final Fours, and one of just eight programs in women’s college basketball history to achieve the feat.