Monday, April 7 to Thursday, April 10, 2008

Monday, April 7

• The Senate met Monday and approved the following legislation:

-HB 2533 by Rep. Mark McCullough, expands the Oklahoma State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision to include the executive director of the District Attorneys Council, the executive director of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System and the Administrative Director of the Court.

-HB 2958 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, prohibits age from being a reason for denying an individual who meets the minimum required age for the placement of a child.

-SCR 65 by Sen. Thomas Ivester, congratulates Justin McBride for his two PBR World Championships.

-SR 63 by Sen. Randy Bass, honors CompSource for its dedication and service to the employers and workers of Oklahoma.

• Senate committees took no action on Monday.

• The House convened Monday and approved a number of appropriations bills and the following legislation:

-SB 1685 by Sen. Jim Wilson, modifies language related to funds paid toward a mutual investment certificate or funds paid toward any other interest in a banking or financial organization.

-SB 551 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates a “Forget-Me-Not Vehicle Safety Act” to make it illegal to leave a child aged 6 or younger or a vulnerable adult alone in a car.

-SB 128 by Sen. David Myers, authorizes technology center school districts boards of education to convey surplus property to a technology center school district.

• House committees approved the following bills on Monday:

-SB 1549 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Medicaid False Claims Act, removing language relating to penalties for making an obligation to pay money or property to the state.

-SB 1794 by Sen. Charles Laster, requires those purchasing or obtaining any mixture containing dextromethorphan or any spray paint product to show a valid driver license or state-issued identification showing the birth date of the individual.

-SB 1595 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, authorizes the staff of the Office of Accountability Systems and independent contractors performing internal investigative services to be directly supervised by the director of the office, not subject to the supervision of any other State Department of Health employee.

-SB 1708 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, creates the Oklahoma Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.

-SB 1959 by Sen. Constance Johnson, creates a task force to study incarcerated mentally ill women and the roles of government agencies in their treatment and holding.

-SB 1654 by Sen. Mike Johnson, modifies the conditions under which the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission may deny an application for a license or revoke or suspend a license or impose a fine against a manufacturer or distributor.

-SB 1547 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, authorizes district court clerks to issue marriage licenses.

-SB 1533 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, creates the Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Security Act of 2008.

-SB 2153 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, clarifies requirements for the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Act.

-SJR 38 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, proposes a constitutional amendment to add new language setting forth the inherent right of state citizens to engage in hunting, trapping, fishing and which explicitly or implicitly prohibit such activities.

-SB 70 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, creates the Feral Swine Control Act and specifies license and permit requirements and authorizes the promulgation of rules by the Board of Agriculture.

-SB 1735 by Sen. John Sparks, specifies a second-offense punishment for persons who fish on land without consent and makes all offenders responsible for damages they cause.

-SB 1766 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, authorizes the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to establish and maintain an Equipment Revolving Fund to be used to loan conservation districts funds to buy equipment for installing conservation practices.

Tuesday, April 8

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved several resolutions and the following measures:

-HB 3123 by Rep. Tad Jones, removes language related to project criteria for design build and construction management project delivery methods for construction projects on public schools, CareerTech and institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

-HB 2226 by Rep. Glen Bud Smithson, modifies the requirements for hunting with a crossbow.

-HB 3060 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, would give Oklahoma families a way to donate umbilical cord blood.

-SB 923 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Zachary Eickles and Luke Davis Automated External Defibrillators in Schools Act.

-HB 3132 by Rep. John Enns, extends the life of the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Advisory Council until July 1, 2010.

-HB 2469 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, modifies language related to grandparent child visitation rights, specifying natural parents and grandparents.

-HB 2557 by Rep. Guy Liebmann, modifies language relating to municipal officers and their attendance requirement at an institute for municipal officials.

-HB 2674 by Rep. Danny Morgan, requires code enforcement officers to complete certification training within one year of employment or assignment.

-HB 2758 by Rep. Doug Cox, modifies membership of the Oklahoma Trauma Systems Improvement and Development Advisory Council to include an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.

-HB 2760 by Rep. Doug Cox, allows persons licensed as physical therapists or physical therapist assistants to provide therapy under the referral of a physician assistant.

-HB 2941 by Rep. Bill Nations, modifies language related to pre-commitment examinations by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

-HB 2974 by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, modifies language related to child custody, requiring notice of relocation be provided in writing.

-HB 3060 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, directs the Department of Health to collaborate with a private blood donor or blood bank organization to operate a public umbilical cord blood bank to collect and store umbilical cord blood and placental tissue donated by maternity patients.

-HB 3278 by Rep. Rex Duncan, states that a debt cancellation agreement shall not be considered a contract of, or for, insurance.

• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.

• The House on Tuesday approved numerous appropriations shell bills.

-SB 1856 by Sen. Cliff Branan, modifies the requirements of specific information junk dealers must obtain from sellers before transactions.

-SB 1797 by Sen. Brian Crain, establishes that a bail bond shall be exonerated when the defendant is arrested outside the state and the prosecuting attorney declines to extradite.

• House committees passed the following measures on Tuesday:

-SB 2186 by Sen. Tom Ivester, creates a Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease on Oklahoma.

-SB 1141 by Kenneth Corn, modifies language regarding the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) Fund by removing language requiring the Board of Equalization to certify a 3 percent growth in the General Revenue Fund before allocating $50 million to the ROADS Fund.

-SB 1168 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, modifies language relating to the liability for costs of medical care to defendants in the custody of a county jail.

-SB 958 by Sen. Clark Jolley, establishes ad valorem assessment procedures for certain property.

-SB 1148 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, authorizes the use of a simplified return or affidavit in lieu of an estate tax return or affidavit in lieu of an estate tax return when the net estate of a decedent passes to a father, mother, child or other lineal descendent, subject to applicable exemptions.

-SB 1390 by Sen. Tom Adelson, exempts an Oklahoma College Savings Plan from being considered in determining eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid and food stamps, if federal rules permit.

-SB 1392 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, exempts the Trucking One-Stop Shop Fund from being subjected to legislative appropriation.

-SB 1696 by Sen. Randy Bass, authorizes the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to establish and administer the Oklahoma Conservation Commission Municipal Infrastructure Cost-Share Program as funds become available.

-SB 1799 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, allows a taxpayer to claim three times the credit previously allowed for qualified railroad reconstruction or replacement expenditures in tax year 2009 and subsequent tax years if the credit is allocated in equal amounts over the three-year period.

-SB 1842 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, abolishes the Special Agency Account Board and transfers its duties and responsibilities to the Office of State Finance.

-SB 1866 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, changes administration of certain funds for the Rural Economic Action Plan, directing them to be administered by the Department of Commerce.

-SB 1873 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, appropriates $11,730,000 to the Employment Security Administration Fund from funds made available by the federal REED Act Distribution to be used by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to pay administrative expenses to the Employment Service program, the One-Stop Career Center and the Unemployment Insurance Program.

-SB 2061 by Sen. Randy Bass, sets a 19-cent excise tax rate on wines, regardless of alcohol content.

Wednesday, April 9

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

-SB 1878 by Sen. Todd Lamb, creates the Freedom of Conscience Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or prospective employees who refuse to participate in activities on moral or religious grounds.

-HB 1647 by Rep. Pam Peterson, permits radiologists to use the services of a radiologist assistant to practice radiology assistance under the supervision of a radiologist.

-HB 2705 by Rep. Kris Steele, modifies language related to the Maternal and Infant Care Act, directing that all prenatal classes offered include education on the risks of drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, the risks of underage drinking and information on screening, intervention and referral for treatment of substance dependency.

-HB 2758 by Rep. Doug Cox, modifies the membership of the Oklahoma Trauma Systems Improvement and Development Advisory Council to include an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.

• Senate committees took no action on Wednesday.

• The House met Wednesday and approved the following legislation:

-SB 1139 by Sen. Harry Coates, requires the State Fire Marshall Commission to adopt rules relating to the fire-resistant qualities of thermal isolating materials.

-SB 1918 by Sen. Tom Adelson, creates new definitions related to tuberculosis and clarifies language related to orders of the Commissioner of Health for those with the disease.

-SB 1672 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, prohibits the use of any electrical stun gun, tear gas weapon, mace, tear gas, pepper mace or any similar agent against another person knowing the other person to be a police officer, firefighter or an emergency medical technician or paramedic acting in the course of official duty.

• House committees approved the following bills on Wednesday:

-SB 1396 by Sen. Brian Bingman, increases the amount to be allocated to the ROADS Fund from $70 million to $120 million beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

-SB 2101 by Sen. Clark Jolley, directs the State Board of Education to collaborate with state institutions of higher education to develop a program for alternative teacher certification in partnership with an organization that recruits and trains alternatively certified teachers for one-year licensure within the state.

-SB 1951 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, creates the School Investigative Audit Revolving Fund for the holding of 10 percent of bonds forfeited by school districts found guilty of illegal activity during a state audit.

-SB 2100 by Sen. John Ford, directs the State Board of Education to establish a maximum 10-district School District Deregulation Pilot Program and modifies language and definitions relating to the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.

-SB 1687 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance Program.

-SB 1738 by Sen. Mike Schulz, establishes equal access for privat and on-campus bookstore advertising for institutions of higher learning.

-SB 1769 by Sen. Susan Paddack, directs that school districts be eligible for funding designated for the Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005 under certain conditions for remediation, with funding to be distributed annually by the Department of Education.

-SB 1880 by Sen. Clark Jolley, extends the lifespan of the Achieving Classroom Excellence II Task Force.

-SB 1881 by Sen. Todd Lamb, creates the Oklahoma School Security Act.

-SB 2037 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, permits parents or guardians of multiple birth siblings to request that the children attend the same school and be placed in the same or separate classrooms if the children are in the same grade level.

-SB 1059 by Sen. Charles Laster, prohibits health benefit plans offered or renewed after Jan. 1, 2009, to exclude otherwise allowable claims that occur in conjunction with the arrest or pretrial detention of the policyholder prior to adjudication of guilt and sentencing to incarceration.

-SB 1961 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Drug Money Laundering and Wire Transmitter Act.

-SB 156 by Sen. Brian Bingman, creates the Small Hospitals Self-Help Act for the establishment of health care districts to promote efficient administration of health care service delivery.

-SB 2100 by Sen. John Ford, would give up to 10 schools across the state the ability to voluntarily deregulate.

-SB 2101 by Sen. Clark Jolley, is the omnibus alternative teaching certification bill.

-SB 1656 by Sen. Constance Johnson, creates the Person-Centered Medical Home Task Force.

-SB 1865 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, creates the Accountability and Innovation Act, the Joint Committee on Accountability and Innovation and the Office of Accountability and Innovation.

-SB 2070 by Sen. John Sparks, requires that all United State and Oklahoma flags purchased by the state be manufactured in the United States.

Thursday, April 10

• The Senate met Thursday and approved the following bills:

-HB 2606 by Rep. Pam Peterson, modifies the scope of prohibited acts related to loitering.

-SCR 71 by Sen. Mike Morgan, modifies the date on which the 2nd session of the 51st Oklahoma Legislature may adjourn sine die.

-HB 3354 by Rep. Randy Terrill, enacts the Oklahoma Tax Codes Comprehensive Review Act of 2008.

-HB 2474 by Rep. Purcey Walker, relates to motor vehicles and makes certain activities illegal within a construction zone.

-HB 2765 by Rep. Doug Cox, authorizes the administration of certain treatment to persons committed to the custody of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

-HB 2522 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, modifies eligibility requirements for Oklahoma Drug Courts.

Other News

• The Senate on Wednesday dedicated a painting of American Rough Rider and Territorial Governor Frank Frantz at the state Capitol. The piece of art, by Timothy Tyler, depicts Frantz fighting in the bloodiest and most famous battle of the Spanish-American War, the Battle of San Juan Hill. Frantz's skill during the battle would forever gain him Roosevelt's friendship and trust. During one battle, the commanding officer of his company was killed and Frantz immediately took over and led the company to a successful charge. In recognition for his service, Roosevelt promoted Frantz to the rank of Captain and commander of A Company of the Rough Riders. Roosevelt later named him as postmaster of Enid where he served for two years. Roosevelt then appointed him Indian Agent for the Osage Agency at Pawhuska and elevated him to the governorship of the Oklahoma Territory. Frantz assumed office on January 5 and was inaugurated on January 16, 1906, being the seventh and youngest governor to serve in the territory's history.

• A report issued this week by a national non-profit group ranks Oklahoma 23rd in the nation in the amount of funds the state receives to improve public health. The Trust For America’s Health says Oklahoma received $23.01 per person in fiscal year 2007.

• The Oklahoma National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division was honored at the state Capitol on Tuesday. A joint session of the Legislature was held to honor the Division on 45th Infantry Division Appreciation Day.