Monday, April 23 to Thursday April 26, 2007

Monday, April 23

• The Senate met Monday and approved the following bills:

-HB 2103 by Sen. Mike Johnson, would direct the State Regents for Higher Education, when determining the guaranteed tuition rates, to consider the anticipated revenue needs during the four-year period of the guarantee.

-HB 1074 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would exempt from the Explosives and Blasting Regulation Act employees of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s Plant Health Inspection Service and Wildlife Services who are trained and certified in the safe handling of explosive materials in the course of their duties.

-HB 1306 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would require “Merge Now” traffic control devices to be placed a certain distance from highway construction and maintenance areas.

-HB 1384 by Sen. Mike Johnson, would authorize public education institutions to keep confidential information regarding donors and prospective donors.

-HB 1401 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would modify education requirements for municipal officers.

-HB 1490 by Sen. Mary Easley, would create a Eucha-Spavinaw Nutrient Management Act to promote standards for the management and land application of poultry waste.

-HB 1580 by Sen. John Ford, would require the Department of Health to establish licensure requirements for companion or sitter services.

-HB 1606 by Sen. Harry Coates, would define circumstances under which a motorcycle or bicycle may proceed through an intersection when facing a steady red traffic control signal.

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

-HB 1698 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would modify language relating to design surveys for proposed improvement, construction or reconstruction of a highway.

-HB 1771 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would modify the duties of a real estate license holder in the Residential Property Condition Disclosure Act.

-HB 2077 by Sen. John Sparks, would create an Oklahoma State Employee Education Loan Assistance Act to authorize an agency to make a direct payment not to exceed $5,000 to an employee for qualified education loan expenses.

-HB 1927 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would modify requirements for background checks conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation on court-appointed special advocates.

-HB 1961 by Sen. Bill Brown, would modify language relating to uninsured motorist coverage and concerns a named insured or an applicant having the right to reject uninsured motorist coverage in writing.

-SB 398 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would modify language relating to Protective Services for Vulnerable Adults.

-SB 473 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would prohibit smoking at all parts of a zoo to which the public may be admitted.

• Senate committees took no action on bills on Monday.

• The House convened Monday and approved numerous appropriations bills and the following substantive legislation:

-SB 861 by Sen. Don Barrington, would provide a sales tax exemption for sales of clothing or footwear priced at less than $100 for sales that take place between the first Friday in August and the following Sunday.

-SB 820 by Sen. Mike Morgan, would establish procedures determining funding needs for OHLAP.

-SB 519 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would remove language allowing children 16 or older to enter into an agreement with a school administrator and a parent, guardian or custodian to drop out of school.

-SB 925 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would create a School Funding Task Force to review the statutorily created formula for funding schools in the state.

-SB 514 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would modify components of the state Department of Education’s Academic Performance Index (API).

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

-SB 586 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would require the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to emphasize recruiting efforts for high-poverty schools.

-SB 806 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would provide a sales tax exemption for sales of boxes of food by a church or tax exempt 501©(3) organization.

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

-SB 17 by Sen. Don Barrington, would designate “Celebrate Freedom Week” on the week of Nov. 11.

-HB 1797 by Sen. David Myers, would modify licensing procedures for concentrated animal feeding operations.

-HB 1399 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would require “junk dealers” to keep records regarding copper purchases.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, April 24

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved the following legislation:

-HB 1621 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would require the Department of Corrections to reimburse health care providers for medical care and treatment for inmates retained in county jails after a certified copy of a judgement and sentence has been entered.

-HB 1718 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would extend from 2007 to 2010 the tax levied upon the production of oil and gas.

-HB 2071 by Sen. Brian Crain, would create an “Oklahoma Quality Event Incentive Act”.

-HB 1035 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would call for a vote of the people to determine whether the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission should be abolished and its powers and duties transferred to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

-HB 1027 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would prohibit convicted felons from possessing or using an altered air or toy pistol.

-HB 1379 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would create an Unclaimed Gas and Electric Utility Deposit Fund.

-HB 1476 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would create the Passport to Financial Literacy Act.

-HB 1543 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would authorize banks and trust companies to invest 15 percent of the capital of the bank.

-HB 1601 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would modify language that requires at least 60 minutes per week of physical education for students to clarify that the physical education requirement is in addition to recess.

-HB 1646 by Sen. John Ford, would make it unlawful for state employees to solicit any portion of a benefit as a gratuity or kickback.

-HB 1649 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would enact a State Plan for Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Sexual Violence.

-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.

-HB 1829 by Sen. Brian Bingman, would require state agencies to develop an energy efficiency and conservation plan.

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

-HB 2010 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create a Transformational Justice Act to reduce recidivism.

• Senate committees took no action on bills on Tuesday.

• The House met Tuesday and approved numerous bills including the following:

-SB 447 by Sen. Brian Bingman, would increase from 10 to 11 the number of Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) accounts.

-SB 95 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would require that individuals have permission to hunt or fish on private land devoted to farming, ranching or forestry.

-SB 1019 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, would require county commissioners submitting a proposition to county voters to prepare and file one copy of the measure with the district attorney of the county for a determination of the legal correctness.

-SB 1112 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would specify the computation rate and factor for elected officials who are members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

-SB 565 by Sen. John Sparks, would authorize self-audits for insurance compliance.

-SB 609 by Sen. Joe Sweeden, would require that, for purposes of fuel adjustment clauses, fuel or gas removed from storage or stockpiles be taken into consideration on the basis of the weighted average cost.

-SB 697 by Sen. Jeff Rabon, would authorize investment of a maximum 15 percent of permanent school funds and other education funds in foreign bonds or investments.

-SB 861 by Sen. Don Barrington, would provide a sales tax exemption for sales of clothing or footwear priced at less than $100 for sales that take place during a period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and ending at 12 a.m. the following Sunday.

-SB 780 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would expand duties for the Board of Investors for the Economic Development Generating Excellence Trust Fund.

-SB 943 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would make lump-sum payments received from personal injury or wrongful death subject to attachment for satisfaction of liens for child support arrearages.

-SB 905 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would increase the penalty for shooting a firearm with intent to kill.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 25

• The Senate met Wednesday and approved numerous bills including the following:

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

-HB 1090 by Sen. Sean Burrage, would create a misdemeanor offense for individuals who affix on his or her vehicle any insignia typically used by law enforcement.

-HB 1819 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would authorize the Department of Transportation to assume all or part of the National Environmental Policy 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 1595 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would modify guidelines governing juvenile court proceedings.

-HB 1742 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would allow applicants for concealed handgun licenses to request the license be valid for 10 years.

-HB 1772 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create a Property Rights Protection Act.

-HB 1596 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would create a Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.

-HB 1494 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would authorize a sales tax exemption on the sale of hearing aids.

-HB 1963 by Sen. Bill Brown, would increase the annual license fee a service warranty association pays the Insurance Department.

-HB 2100 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create the Commission on Accountability and Review of State Agencies

-HB 2111 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would abolish a number of task forces, boards and commissions.

-HB 1816 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would set the penalty for parents or others who willfully engage in the sexual abuse of a person 12 years of age or younger.

-HB 1593 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would expand the eligible recipients of the State Board of Educations Academic Achievement Award program.

• Senate committees took no action on Wednesday.

• The House met Wednesday and approved the following bills:

-SB 824 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require the Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instructions to include an instruction notifying the jury that taxation cannot be used as a consideration of damages.

-SB 357 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Mike Johnson and David Myers, would clarify language relating to Rural Economic Action Plan Fund accounts.

-SB 103 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require a minimum of one lockdown drill to be conducted at each public school each year.

-SB 35 by Sen. Brian Crain, would direct the Department of Public Safety to issue a distinctive license or card bearing the words “sex offender”.

-SB 734 by Sen. Mike Morgan, would state legislative intent to direct significant further legislative study to clarify legal issues resulting from the previous legislative actions for the benefit of the electric service providers and ascertain the wishes of citizens to move forward with this process.

-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 tobacco products.

-SB 489 by Sen. Constance N. Johnson, would authorize the Office of Juvenile Affairs, under the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Prevention Act, to enter into agreements pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

-SB 725 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would provide an income tax deduction for a taxpayer who provides financial support to a close relative age 70 or older.

-SB 889 by Sen. Brian Crain, would create an Oklahoma Medicaid False Claims Act.

-SB 499 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would create a 15-member Oklahoma Task Force on Hunger.

-SB 407 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would permit the Grand River Dam Authority to enter into financial agreements designed to hedge interest rate risks.

-SB 424 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would create an “All Kids Act” to require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to expand medical coverage assistance to more children 18 years of age and younger.

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

• House committees took no action on Wednesday.

Thursday, April 26

• The Senate met Thursday and approved several bills, including the following:

-SB 739 by Sen. David Myers, would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly destroy or remove the trim tag plate of a motor vehicle.

-SB 469 by Sen. Mary Easley, would state legislative intent that every effort be made to place a child with a member of the child’s family.

-HB 1034 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, would grant a general all-purpose easement to owners of land adjacent to the shore of Grand Lake.

-HB 1321 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would authorize a tax credit for years 2009 through 2013 on the purchase of poultry litter.

-HB 1926 by Sen. Nancy Riley, would create an Advantage Waiver Developmental Disability Services Rate Review Committee.

-HB 1696 by Sen. Harry Coates, would authorize the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate certain oil field equipment.

Other News

• On Thursday, the Senate approved a resolution declaring April 2007 as Autism Awareness Month in the state of Oklahoma. Autism is a neurological disorder affecting normal brain functions, causing problems in areas such as social interaction and communication skills. While the disease cannot be cured, the symptoms can improve with therapy. Children with autism do not relate to the world around them the way others do. They may have trouble understanding others or may not communicate. Normal sounds or even being touched can cause physical discomfort. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million Americans have some form of autism, and reports indicate autism is growing at a rate of 10 to 17 percent each year.

• The Senate on Monday honored the distinguished life and career of the late Senator Robert M. Kerr with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 32, dedicating the “Senator Robert M. “Bob” Kerr Memorial Highway” in Jackson County. Kerr was first elected to the state Senate in 1986 and served through his passing in 2006. Kerr was a farmer, a real estate developer and stockman who served in various positions of leadership in the Senate. After just two years in office, Kerr was named Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and would later serve as Chair of the Rules Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services. In 2004, he was appointed Assistant Majority Leader of the Senate.

• An attempt to override the Governor’s veto of SB 714 was unsuccessful. The measure contains a number of provisions relating to abortion and would prevent the use of public funding in the performance of abortions.

• On Monday, the Senate approved a resolution recognizing October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Oklahoma. Each year, approximately one million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn baby.