Monday, April 2 through Thursday April 5, 2007

Monday, April 2

• The Senate met briefly Monday and approved one resolution.

-SR 24 by Sen. John Sparks, recognized the many accomplishments of Rev. Dick Virtue.

• Senate committees passed a number of measures on Monday, including the following:

-HB 1708 by Sen. Randy Bass, would direct the Secretary of State to serve as Chief International Protocol Officer.

-HB 1055 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would allow territory within five miles of the corporate limits of a municipality with a population of more than 200,000 to incorporate as a new municipality if the board of county commissioners can provide proper documentation.

-HB 1797 by Sen. David Myers, would modify procedures for licensing of certain facilities under the Oklahoma Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Act.

-HB 1915 by Sen. Ron Justice, would add places on which hunters must get permission from a landowner to hunt.

-HB 1520 by Sen. Mike Schulz, would create an Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund under the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for the benefit of landowners who perform controlled burns.

-HB 1753 by Sen. Jeff Rabon, would authorize Oklahoma wineries to ship products manufactured in the state to consumers in other states, so long as the recipient is of legal age and the laws of the recipient’s state allow such shipments.

-HB 1497 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would modify the duties of a real estate license holder in the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Act.

-HB 2087 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would modify language relating to the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

-HB 2111 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, is a sunset bill that would abolish various boards, councils and committees.

-HB 1589 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would modify the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, replacing technology center districts with the State Board of Education as a sponsor.

-HB 1477 by Sen. Earl Garrison, would direct the Commission for Teacher Preparation to enhance school principal certification requirements to include leadership skills.

-HB 1051 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would prevent student-aged sex offenders from attending the same school as their victims.

-HB 1557 by Sen. Mike Morgan, would add a representative of a state association of federally funded early childhood programs to the membership of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board.

• The House convened Monday and approved the following resolutions:

-SJR 14 by Sen. Bill Brown, would urge the U.S. Department of Transportation to include the Tulsa to Springfield, Mo., line in its existing Missouri Amtrak feasibility study.

-SCR 7 by Sen. Jim Wilson, commends the public service and mourns the loss of former U.S. Rep. Theodore “Ted” Risenhoover of Tahlequah.

• House committees approved a number of bills on Monday, including the following:

-SB 481 by Sen. Charles Laster, would direct the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to contract for an independent evaluation of elementary school reading professional development program requirements.

-SB 482 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would change public education professional development program requirements to allow, rather than require, certain curricula.

-SB 483 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would require parents, prior to enrolling a student in core curriculum instead of college preparatory curriculum, to meet with school officials and provide a written statement of the reason for such enrollment.

-SB 580 by Sen. Ron Justice, would require school districts to provide alternative education programs.

-SB 496 by Sen. Jim Reynolds, would prohibit colleges and universities from entering agreements to provide student data or access to students to any creditor for purposes of marketing consumer credit to students.

-SB 658 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would authorize county commissioners to gift, transfer or assign and execute the deeds of conveyance of lands that are owned by the counties and no longer needed for county purposes to any nonprofit organization to be used for the construction of affordable housing.

-SB 929 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would modify the property description of state-owned land to be used for a Training Center to be constructed for the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training in Ada.

-SB 731 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require that a student be given the opportunity to take an approved alternative test after the second unsuccessful attempt to score at the satisfactory level or above on any specific end-of-instruction test.

-SB 486 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would require the State Board of Health to establish and maintain an advance directives registry website.

-SB 151 by Sen. Brian Crain, would authorize the expenditure of monies in the Community-based Substance Abuse Revolving Fund for contracting with statewide substance abuse organizations to establish a collaborative training network.

-SB 1032 by Sen. Mary Easley, would require chiropractic physicians to attend 16 hours of continuing education each year.

-SB 620 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would modify the requirements for a license to practice as a licensed behavioral practitioner.

Tuesday, April 3

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved one substantive bill and the following resolutions:

-HB 1914 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, would create a Feral Swine Control Act to reduce the number of feral swine in Oklahoma.

-SR 26 by Sen. Nancy Riley, congratulated Melissa Soto on being selected Mrs. Sand Springs 2007.

-SR 27 by Sen. Bill Brown, commended Chastity Anderson on her selection as Mrs. Oklahoma 2006.

• Senate committees approved several measures on Tuesday, including the following:

-HB 1686 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would require persons under age 18 to wear a crash helmet while operating or riding as a passenger on an all-terrain vehicle on public lands.

-HB 1616 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would prohibit individuals from providing aid or assistance to others attempting to bypass facility security checkpoints.

-HB 1804 by Sen. James A. Williamson, contains numerous sections relating to immigration and human trafficking.

-HB 2019 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, would authorize a tax exemption on the sales of tangible personal property consumed or incorporated in the construction of a hotel facility contiguous to or located not more than 150 feet from the closest point of improvements to the real property where gaming activities are conducted as authorized by the State-Tribal Gaming Act.

-HB 1094 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, would exempt group homes for mentally disabled individuals from taxes levied pursuant to the Oklahoma Charitable Games Act.

-HB 1562 by Sens. Owen Laughlin and James A. Williamson, would exempt from ad valorem taxation nonprofit continuum of care retirement community housing facilities constructed on or after Jan. 1, 2008.

-HB 1513 by Sen. David Myers, would remove the expiration date on tax credits for ethanol production.

-HB 2085 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would provide an income tax credit for employers of certain individuals in the aeronautics industry.

-HB 1777 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify language regarding load limits, extending the exemption granted to vehicles transporting sand, rock and gravel to vehicles transporting flour.

-HB 1617 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would expand the definition of “recipient’s identification number” under the Anti-Drug Diversion Act to include a valid passport or military identification card.

-HB 1606 by Sen. Harry Coates, would modify the definition of “all-terrain vehicle” under the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

-HB 1384 by Sen. Mike Johnson, would authorize public education institutions to keep confidential information regarding donors and prospective donors through college or university-related foundations.

-HB 1612 by Sen. Don Barrington, would modify language relating to sex offender registration and allow peace officers to collect DNA samples.

-HB 2044 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would create Lindsay’s Law to require that parental rights be removed, by the end of the twelfth month when a child has been placed in foster care by the Department of Human Services and the parent of the child has failed to comply with the requirements of an alcohol or drug treatment program as required by the individual treatment or service plan.

-HB 2050 by Sen. Sean Burrage, would create the Oklahoma District Court Improvement Act.

• The House met Tuesday and approved one substantive bill along with the following resolutions:

-SB 714 by Sen. James A. Williamson, contains numerous sections affecting the performance of abortions in Oklahoma.

-SCR 24 by Sen. John Sparks, recognizes the many accomplishments of the Rev. Dick Virtue and thanks him for his efforts.

-SCR 23 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, declares April 3, 2007, “Prenatal Care Awareness Day” in Oklahoma.

• House committees approved a number of bills on Tuesday, including the following:

-SB 725 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would provide an income tax deduction for costs related to supporting a close relative age 70 or older who resides in the taxpayer’s home for more than half of the year.

-SB 622 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, would repeal language relating to aircraft and airport manufacturer and dealer agreements.

-SB 630 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, is a shell bill that could be used to respond to a lawsuit filed by the Tarrant County Rural Water District.

-SB 136 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, would increase the fees for funding activities of the Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells.

-SB 790 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would clarify language relating to child abuse and neglect and add requirements for volunteer CASA workers to submit to a background check.

-SB 787 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would remove the authority of the Office of Child Abuse Prevention to designate child abuse and neglect prevention planning districts.

-SB 619 by Sen. Tom Adelson, provides for mental health competency evaluations in certain juvenile cases.

-SB 42 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would authorize the Office of Administrative Hearings to allow electronic transmittal of documents and electronic signatures if safeguards are in place to protect against unauthorized use.

-SB 896 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would prohibit the construction of or relocation of a county jail within a two-mile radius of any elementary or secondary school or technology center school site in counties with a population of 175,000 or more.

-SB 815 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would add habitual criminal status to mandatory minimum sentence requirements.

-SB 85 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would increase the amount of payments made in support of surviving children of members of OLERS from $400 to $750.

-SB 376 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would establish new procedures for the Commissioners of the Land Office to appraise the value of land.

-SB 1014 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, would authorize the Oklahoma Tax Commission to furnish information requested by the Attorney General or District Attorneys having specific authority for the enforcement of laws governing the taxation of cigarettes or tobacco products or a state agency for purposes of enforcing a compact or any tobacco tax laws and by the Governor for purposes of negotiating a compact.

Wednesday, April 4

• The Senate met Wednesday and approved the following legislation:

-HB 1038 by Sen. Sean Burrage, would exempt government-owned power providers from the Oklahoma Open Records Act under certain supply contracts.

-SR 28 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, honored the career and accomplishments of former state Senator Gary Gardenhire upon his retirement.

-SR 25 by Sens. Ron Justice and Charles Wyrick, declared April 4, 2007, as 4-H Day at the Oklahoma state capitol.

• Senate committees approved the following bills on Wednesday:

-HB 1490 by Sen. Mary Easley, would require the development of master plans for the discharge of phosphorous.

-HB 1714 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would authorize judges to prohibit sex offenders from using the internet to contact children under the age of 18.

-HB 1816 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would set a minimum imprisonment of 25 years for the crime of sexual assault against a child 12 years of age or younger.

-HB 1895 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, would create the Oklahoma Anti-Gang Task Force.

-HB 1042 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, would modify age and safety requirements for obtaining a hunting license.

-HCR 1010 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would create the Core Health Benefit Task Force.

-HB 1035 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would transfer the duties of the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

-HB 1327 by Sen. John Ford, would modify certain definitions relating to the Oklahoma Prison Overcrowding Emergencies Act.

-HB 2104 by Sen. John Ford, would exempt minors from entry fees at Oklahoma historical sites.

• The House met briefly Wednesday and adjourned to resume committee work.

• House committees approved a number of measures Wednesday, including the following:

-SB 811 by Sen. Charles Laster, would clarify that inmates are responsible to pay for their own medical care for pre-existing conditions.

-SB 138 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would increase the per diem rate earned by inmates during their incarceration from $27 per day to $40 per day.

-SB 1019 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, would revise the requirements for ballot titles in certain county elections.

-SB 990 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would create a Judicial and District Attorney Redistricting Task Force.

-SB 709 by Sen. Ron Justice, would modify the scope of certain requirements under the Oklahoma Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Act. The bill would ensure that manure is not classified as a harmful or toxic substance.

-SB 161 by Sen. Ron Justice, would give landowners the authority to shoot certain animals found on their land and harassing their livestock.

-SB 677 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would establish the crime of aggravated trafficking and set penalties.

-SB 861 by Sen. Don Barrington, would provide for a back-to-school Sales Tax Holiday.

Thursday, April 5

• The Senate did not meet Thursday.

Other News

• The Senate was visited by Mrs. Oklahoma on Tuesday. Chastity Anderson won the title of Mrs. Oklahoma on June 24, 2006 at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma. She went on to compete in the Mrs. America Pageant held August 23-September 6 in Tucson, Arizona, where she won the barrel-racing event. Diagnosed over three years ago, Anderson, as Mrs. Oklahoma, has had the opportunity to promote Lupus awareness. She is a Certified Facilitator with the Lupus Foundation of America, Oklahoma Chapter, where she leads a support group and assists with fund-raising.

• On Wednesday, the Senate honored the public service career of former Senator Gary Gardenhire, passing a resolution wishing him well upon his retirement. Gardenhire’s most recent role in public service concluded in February, when he retired from his position as General Counsel for the Oklahoma Health Department. His state service began in 1981 when he served as Assistant State Attorney General, Chief of the Civil Division. 1986, he was elected to the state Senate, representing District 16. While in the Senate, Gardenhire served as Assistant Whip and as both Republican Party Caucus Secretary and Chair. He served on the state’s first Bond Oversight Committee, coauthored the endowed chair program for Oklahoma Higher Education, and participated in the creation of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology. From 2000 to 2006, he served as General Counsel for the Department of Health.

• The Senate on Wednesday celebrated 4-H Day at the capitol. 4-H is the largest youth organization in Oklahoma, serving nearly 150,000 youth between the ages of 5 and 19 through the fourfold development of the "Head, Heart, Hands, and Health" of every member. Oklahoma's 4-H program has around 1,000 youth volunteers and 3,400 adult volunteers. Present on the Senate Floor to celebrate 4-H Day were Dr. Robert Whitson, Vice President, Dean and Director for the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University along with 4-H Northwest Vice-President Shelby Latta from Gage, Sarah Brockhaus, an Ambassador from Noble and Matt Taylor, an Ambassador from Ada.