Monday, Feb.11 to Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013

Monday, February 11

• The Senate met Monday, approving the following legislation:

-SCR 6 by Sen. Brian Bingman, establishes joint rules of the Senate and House for the 54th Legislature.

• Senate committees approved the following measures on Monday:

-SB 447 by Sen. Clark Jolley, changes references to criterion reference tests to formative assessments and requires that the State Board of Education administer a series of formative assessments.

-SB 402 by Sen. Ron Justice, requires the owner of any animal of the family canidae or the family felidae that kills or injures any livestock on the premises of another person be jointly and severally liable for damages caused.

-SB 79 by Sen. Brian Bingman, modifies rural fire protection coordination districts by moving Creek County from District 5 and placing it in District 6.

-SB 357 by Sen. Eddie Fields, repeals the Oklahoma Beef Improvement and Market Development Act.

-SB 365 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, clarifies the definitions of the terms license and department in the Oklahoma Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

-SB 375 by Sen. Mark Allen, permits the operation of a processing facility for horse meat for export.

-SB 907 by Sen. Greg Treat, creates the Joint Legislative Committee on Accountability.

-SB 429 by Sen. Clark Jolley, authorizes the Oklahoma Education Television Authority to develop the Oklahoma Public Events Network.

-SB 7 by Sen. Mark Allen, modifies requirements for the annual report of the Office of Management and Enterprise Systems concerning state-owned assets.

-SB 35 by Sen. Mike Schulz, extends the sunset on the Oklahoma Sorghum Commission.

-SB 87 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Task Force on Unnecessary Government Regulation.

-SB 197 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, revokes the CLEET certification of anyone who is elected or appointed to the position of chief of police that fails to become a CLEET certified peace officer within six months of assuming the position.

-SB 347 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, transfers the authority of all powers, duties, responsibilities, employees, records, administrative rules, and equipment of the State Board of Health and the State Commissioner of Health, relating exclusively to the regulation of fire extinguishers to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

-SB 396 by Sen. Clark Jolley, removes outdated reference to the Human Rights Commission.

-SB 687 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, requires a county purchasing agent to make purchases and rental or lease-purchase agreements only after following the bidding procedures as provided for by law.

-SB 848 by Sen. Ron Justice, amends language pertaining to the Commission on County Government Personnel Education and Training.

-SB 589 by Sen. Don Barrington, extends the period during which a municipal clerk is required to forward a certified statement of the amount of the actual cost of cleaning and mowing certain property.

-SB 1118 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, increases the years of credit service for 20 years to 22 years for the purposes of determining the normal retirement date for Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System members whose service begins after July 1, 2013.

-SB 847 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma Pension Stabilization Fund.

-SB 1101 by Sen. Don Barrington, modifies references to the Internal Revenue Code concerning the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

-SB 1102 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies the process of applying for retirement with the Teachers Retirement System to be executing a retirement contract.

-SB 1103 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, exempts from the Teachers Retirement System’s regular annual compensation the compensation for clinical-related activity performed in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Professional Practice Plan.

-SB 1117 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, increases the years of credited service from 20 years to 25 years for the purposes of determining normal retirement date for the Oklahoma Firefighters.

-SB 867 by Sen. Clark Jolley, transfers all personnel, powers, duties, records, property, assets and monies of OETA to the State Regents.

-SB 887 by Sen. David Holt, prohibits the transfer of any food stamps or coupons, or any benefit or debit card or any other device authorizing participation in the food stamp program to a person or entity not authorized to participate in the food stamp program.

-SB 522 by Sen. Rob Standridge, requires nonresident pharmacies to submit specified information in application of license issuance or renewal.

-SB 667 by Sen. Rob Standridge, prohibits the use of welfare benefit cards at liquor stores, strip clubs and casinos.

-SB 295 by Sen. Thomas Ivester, amends language pertaining to mental health.

-SB 327 by Sen. David Holt, repeals statutory language related to smoking and employment including employment conditional on nonsmoking and smoking conditions.

-SB 422 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, removes the requirement that all applicants for licensure as electrologists be required to possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

-SB 459 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, creates the Task Force on Regulatory Standards for Hospice Care.

-SB 460 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, requires the Department of Human Services to record all incoming calls to the child abuse and neglect hotline and keep all recordings on file for a period of 90 days.

-SB 521 by Sen. Greg Treat, directs the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a plan to create a workforce improvement program for child welfare workers.

-SB 671 by Sen. Tom Ivester, expands the definition of persons responsible for a child’s health, safety, and welfare to include any person with a reasonable expectation of responsibility over a child, regardless of where this person resides.

-SB 852 by Sen. Greg Treat, prohibits the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Long-Term Care Administrators from requiring a four year degree in future licensing and certification agreements for nursing home administrators.

-SB 853 by Sen. Greg Treat, adds that the commissioner of health may require any hospital, clinic, laboratory, pathologist, physician or dentist, or any facility which provides diagnostic or treatment services for cancerous diseases and precancerous conditions to report any or all data and information necessary for the purposes of maintaining a tumor registry.

-SB 56 by Sen. Brian Crain, prohibits the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education from issuing any waivers or otherwise allowing a student to graduate with a baccalaureate degree in accounting without having satisfied the minimum standards when the regents have established a minimum number of hours that will be taught by faculty in order to earn the degree.

-SB 58 by Sen. Brian Crain, eliminates the existing requirement that Langston University establish a campus in the Tulsa metropolitan area and replaces it with language that permits the Langston University Board of Trustees to establish a campus in the Tulsa metropolitan area.

-SB 59 by Sen. Brian Crain, requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a baccalaureate degree program in accounting at OSU-Tulsa.

-SB 226 by Sen. John Ford, allows students who fail to achieve the requirements necessary for a high school diploma to re-enroll in the school district that denied the student a diploma for remediation or intervention and the opportunity to retake the test until at least a proficient score is attained on the test or tests necessary to obtain a standard diploma.

-SB 399 by Sen. Tom Ivester, allows any student whose parent or guardian died during the student’s 11th or 12th grade year and the deceased parent or guardian of the student filed an individual or joint Oklahoma income tax return for the tax year prior to the year during which they died be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

-SB 432 by Sen. John Ford, creates the Oklahoma’s Career Promise Act.

-SB 436 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, authorizes the board of education of any school district which is contiguous to any other school district located in an adjacent state to enter into contracts with the board of education of the school district located in the adjacent state for the purpose of providing shared administrative services.

-SB 486 by Sen. Frank Simpson, creates the 9/11 G.I. Bill.

-SB 513 by Sen. Jim Halligan, replaces language related to school districts.

-SB 573 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Public Charter School Commission.

-SB 574 by Sen. Clark Jolley, directs pre-kindergarten students to undergo reading skill screenings under the Reading Sufficiency Act.

-SB 867 by Sen. Clark Jolley, transfers the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

• The House convened Monday, approving the following legislation:

-HB 2166 by Rep. Jon Echols, directs an obligor, in the case of indirect contempt for the failure to comply with an order for child support, child support arrears, or other support, to work two eight-hour days per week in a community service program if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the obligor is willfully unemployed.

-HB 2170 by Rep. Jon Echols, eliminates spring type knives from the list of prohibited carry weapons.

-HB 1117 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, adds one public school nurse to the State Department of Health’s advisory committee for student vision screenings.

• House committees met Monday, and approved the following resolution:

-HB 1923 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, creates the Emergency Drought Relief Fund.

-HB 1827 by Rep. Don Armes, creates the Emergency Drought Protection Special Fund.

-HB 2165 by Rep. Jon Echols, prohibits an eligible telecommunications carrier from receiving reimbursements from the Oklahoma Lifeline Fund until it provides documentation confirming compliance with state and federal guidelines.

-HB 2167 by Rep. Jon Echols, directs that an applicant for a cash bondsman license affirmatively show that the applicant has been a bona fide resident of the state for six months.

-HB 1721 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, lowers the income cap for eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

-HB 2182 by Rep. Charles Joyner, provides a fee of $10 for courthouse security.

-HB 1833 by Rep. Cory Williams, enacts the Uniform Auction Code.

-HB 2232 by Rep. Joe Dorman, requires each state individual income tax return form to contain a provision to allow a donation from a tax refund to the Oklahoma Attorney General for the purpose of defending constitutional challenges to Oklahoma Statutes.

-HB 1500 by Rep. Jason Smalley, would permit veterans to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at reduced rates.

-HB 1482 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals a study group established by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

-HB 1119 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, requires the mailing address of the buyer or grantee be shown on the face of any deed, instrument or other writing by which property is conveyed prior to the recording of the deed, instrument or other writing.

-HB 1265 by Rep. Lewis Moore, amends language relating to revenue and taxation.

-HB 1430 by Rep. Mike Turner, removes the requirement that certain lease contracts not become official until submitted to the governor for approval.

Tuesday, February 12

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following legislation:

• Senate committees approved the following bills on Tuesday:

-SB 50 by Sen. Harry Coates, permits the Oklahoma Historical Society to hold a statewide contest to designate an official state cowboy song.

-SB 88 by Sen. Don Barrington, declares the fourth Saturday of July of each year as the National Day of the Cowboy.

-SB 196 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, names the pavilion located at the Victor Camping Area at Lake Wister the “Henry J. Heflin Pavillion”.

-SB 324 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, allows certain game fish to be taken by noodling.

-SB 374 by Sen. Bill Brown, requires boat rental businesses operating in a state park to have a current valid written contract with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

-SB 676 by Sen. Mark Allen, transfers the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Section from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Public Safety.

-SJR 13 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, designates Route 66 through Oklahoma as Oklahoma’s Official Bicycle Route.

-SB 70 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, permits highways, bridges and other facilities that are part of the state highway system to be considered for dedication in honor of individuals deserving of commendation for their active involvement in the project or for outstanding service to the nation, the state, or their community.

-SB 418 by Sen. Kyle Loveless, designates the portion of I-40 beginning at Morgan Road and extending east to the Oklahoma County line as the “Bill Swisher Memorial Highway”.

-SB 26 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, designates the bridge over Polecat Creek on U.S. Highway 75 within the municipal limits of Jenks the “Specialist Dylan Johnson Memorial Bridge”.

-SB 320 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, designates Highway 11 beginning at the Gilcrease Expressway and extending north to the municipal limits of Tulsa to be designated the “Wayman Tisdale Memorial Highway”.

-SB 12 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, designates the bridge over Clear Boggy Creek on State Highway 48 south of the municipal limits of Tupelo the “Specialist Howard Lee Jones Memorial Bridge”.

-SB 52 by Sen. Susan Paddack, designates the section of State Highway 59 beginning at U.S. 177 and extending east to the municipal limits of St. Louis as the “Sergeant Bret Isenhower Memorial Highway”.

-SB 330 by Sen. Clark Jolley, extends the Compete with Canada Film Act.

-SJR 8 by Sen. Brian Bingman, memorializes the President, Vice-President and Congress to eliminate or reform specified aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

-SB 322 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies the tax levy on production of oil.

-SB 323 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, clarifies language related to numerous tax credits.

-SB 331 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies the time period during which exemptions for rolling stock is applicable as written under the sales tax exemption measure.

-SB 613 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, increases the annual gross payroll for new direct jobs projected by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for Quality Jobs Program participants to equal or exceed $2.75 million within three years of the first complete calendar quarter following the start date.

-SB 619 by Sen. Corey Brooks, requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to cancel the license of any cigarette or tobacco dealer who has been determined to have violated the provisions of the Unfair Cigarette and Tobacco Product Sales Act.

-SB 659 by Sen. Ron Justice, provides that if any service or transaction which a motor license agent is authorized by law to provide is administered through any state agency by means of an electronic transaction or online system, such agency shall include a step where the individual must select between any motor license agent in the state and the agency for processing the service or transaction.

-SB 844 by Sen. Greg Treat, authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission to design and issue Crossings Christian School License Plates.

-SB 945 by Sen. Brian Bingman, clarifies that a state agency, a municipal court or a district court seeking to collect a debt, unpaid fines and cost or final judgment of at least $50 from an individual who has filed a state income tax return may file a claim with the Oklahoma Tax Commission requesting that the amount owed to the agency, a municipal court or a district court be deducted from any state income tax refund due to that individual except from those 65 years or older and those receiving a refund under the Sales Tax Relief Act.

-SB 951 by Sen. Ralph Shortey, prohibits the use of foreign law in Oklahoma courts.

-SB 40 by Sen. Tom Ivester, exempts persons participating in certain charity events from requirements of the Wildlife Conservation Passport.

-SB 250 by Sen. Brian Bingman, amends language relating to workers’ compensation provider reimbursement.

-SB 285 by Sen. Kim David, amends language pertaining to the authority of the district attorney.

-SB 294 by Sen. Harry Coates, amends language relating to voluntary emergency services.

-SB 355 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, limits the validity of letters of guardianship as evidence of the transfer of the management or administration of assets.

-SB 369 by Sen. Tom Ivester, adds powers of attorney and advance health care directives to the list of relevant documents that shall accompany any person required to undergo a mental health evaluation to the place where the mental health evaluation is to be conducted.

-SB 440 by Sen. Rob Johnson, clarifies language related to judgments.

-SB 454 by Sen. John Sparks, provides that the denial of a drug court offender’s driver license and driving privilege will be at the discretion of the court.

-SB 455 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies the language of the oath taken by general panel jury members.

-SB 580 by Sen. Rick Brinkley, amends language relating to the admissibility of evidence.

-SB 581 by Sen. Tom Ivester, amends language relating to proceedings for persons requiring treatment.

-SB 755 by Sen. Tom Ivester, provides a person holding a power of attorney, advance health care directive or guardianship of a patient be deemed as the treatment advocate for the patient.

-SB 889 by Sen. David Holt, provides that before a level-one offender or a level-two offender can be removed from the registry, the Department of Corrections sex offender level assignment committee shall make a written determination as to whether the offender has fulfilled requirements.

-SB 891 by Sen. John Sparks, allows any public or private institution that is a member of a governing authority to bring cause of action against a third party who engages in conduct in violation of the rules of the governing authority that causes the education institution to incur sanctions by the governing authority or other economic penalties or losses.

-SB 968 by Sen. Cliff Branan, establishes requirements for bringing a civil action under the Production Revenue Standards Act.

-SB 986 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, defines unauthorized practice of law.

-SB 1030 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires the victims impact panel a person convicted of driving under the influence to attend to be a live, in-person presentation of at least 90 minutes.

-SB 1036 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, clarifies language related to sentencing proceedings.

-SB 931 by Sen. Ron Justice, creates the Oklahoma Agritourism Activities Liability Limitations Act.

-SB 1041 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, provides that a court will not seal any records or files unless specifically authorized by the Oklahoma Constitution or by statute.

-SB 770 by Sen. John Sparks, repeals statutory language related to wildlife tags.

-SB 780 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, raises the fine on any person convicted of killing wildlife protected by law with the intent of abandoning the body.

-SB 819 by Sen. Ralph Shortey, prohibits the use of certain hunting aids.

-SB 216 by Sen. Eddie Fields, requires a person who is a hunting guide to have a specific type of license.

• The House convened Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 1646 by Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies provisions related to corporate boards of directors.

-HB 1085 by Rep. Randy Grau, states that an individual not eligible for pretrial release may be released upon order of a district or associate district judge under certain conditions including to participate in any monitoring or testing including but not limited to a urinalysis testing.

-HB 1324 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, updates language related to the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.

-HB 1383 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, establishes that participants in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System hired on or after a certain date will have their retirement benefit based solely on their final average earnings and service and that the top pay of an active member will not be used in determining the member’s retirement benefit.

-HB 1508 by Rep. Pam Peterson, authorizes the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control to subpoena witnesses.

• House committees approved the following bills Tuesday:

-HB 2015 by Rep. Sean Roberts, requires the Annual Abortion Report to include the number of abortions performed after which the remains of the fetus after the abortion were examined to ensure that all such remains were evacuated from the mother’s body.

-HB 1037 by Rep. Dennis Ray Casey, amends language pertaining to public finances and governmental subdivisions.

-HB 2169 by Rep. Jon Echols, would require hospice facilities to have an administrator and would put them under the regulation of the State Board of Health or the Oklahoma State Board of Long-Term Care Administrators.

-HB 2190 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, states that upon written request to the State Department of Health, an assisted living center may choose to participate in an informal dispute resolution panel offered by the department as an alternative to the informal dispute resolution meeting.

-HB 1047 by Rep. Dustin Roberts, removes the requirement that nursing home facilities and specialized facilities that do not have emergency power generators available or a written disaster plan on file during an emergency situation provide a written disclosure to any resident or resident’s caregiver stating that the facility does not have either a generator available or a written disaster plan on file during an emergency situation.

-HB 1614 by Rep. Ed Cannaday, requires application for disinterment to include proof of notice to the owner of the interment lot or burial space.

-HB 1589 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, amends language relating to the public health and safety.

-HB 1661 by Rep. Lee Denney, changes the name of the School Bullying Prevention Act to the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act.

-HB 1313 by Rep. John Enns, requires each school district board of education to adopt a grading policy for all students attending public school in that district for the purposes of creating an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that allows students to be exposed to, practice, and cultivate honesty and other virtues.

-HB 1756 by Rep. Jadine Nollan, amends language relating to schools.

-HB 1071 by Rep. Brian Renegar, amends language relating to schools, the Academic Performance Index and online education.

-HB 1335 by Rep. James Lockhart, finds that if a company that provides competency examinations within Oklahoma requires payment from a teacher candidate prior to the previous competency examination results for that candidate, it will be required to provide a full refund to the teacher candidate in the event he or she successfully passes the previous examination.

-HB 1528 by Rep. Gary Banz, states that no teacher can be hired on multiple contracts by a school district that together are for more than four semesters.

-HB 1658 by Rep. Lee Denney, modifies guidelines for grading school districts.

-HB 1881 by Rep. Ann Coody, creates the School Transportation Task Force.

-HB 2052 by Rep. Mike Jackson, allows the board of education of every school district to develop and implement a comprehensive program for character education.

-HB 1303 by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, allows any person under the age of 18 who has previously completed and successfully passed a reading proficiency test from another state to submit the results of such test to the State Department of Education for verification and approval.

-HB 1009 by Rep. Mike Brown, modifies definition of land by eliminating language that excludes land as a property used primarily for farming or ranching activities and expands language under “outdoor recreational purposes” to include aviation and fly-ins at private airports.

-HB 1297 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, clarifies sentencing for the crime of rape.

-HB 1336 by Rep. James Lockhart, modifies language related to the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim’s Protection Program.

-HB 1373 by Rep. Emily Virgin, creates the Alimony Guidelines Task Force.

-HB 1642 by Rep. Fred Jordan, removes the requirement that the Department of Public Safety immediately revoke the driving privilege of any person upon receiving a record of conviction in any municipal, state or federal court for reckless driving.

-HB 1941 by Rep. John Bennett, amends language relating to bail bondsmen.

-HB 2203 by Rep. Aaron Stiles, clarifies language for nominating district judges.

-HJR 1023 by Rep. Jadine Nollan, proposes a constitutional amendment to reestablish the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Reform Committee.

-HB 1240 by Rep. Steve Martin, clarifies language related to criminal background checks.

-HB 1277 by Rep. Steve Vaughn, updates statutory references on handgun licenses.

-HB 2003 by Rep. Skye McNiel, clarifies language related to municipal waste collection.

-HB 1067 by Rep. Lee Denney, clarifies language relating to crimes including prostitution.

-HB 1838 by Rep. Cory Williams, amends language relating to criminal procedure.

-HB 2188 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, clarifies language relating to medical records requests.

-HB 1434 by Rep. Mike Turner, creates the Modern Student Personal Budgeting Act.

-HB 1770 by Rep. Todd Russ, amends language related to higher education.

-HB 1361 by Rep. Randy Grau, requires a parent entitled to notice and consent for an abortion by an unemancipated minor to provide to the physician a copy of a government-issued proof of notification, and written documentation that establishes that he or she is the lawful parent of the pregnant female.

-HB 1588 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, creates the Parental Notification for Abortion Act.

Wednesday, February 13

• The Senate met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-SB 166 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, repeals the income tax credits for the installation of wind or photovoltaic energy systems.

-SB 167 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, repeals the income tax credit for the development of commercial space industries.

-SB 321 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, repeals language related to notice to sales tax permit holders of statutory penalties.

• Senate committees met Wednesday, approving the following bills:

-SB 778 by Sen. Bill Brown, reduces the amount appropriated to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority each fiscal year through 2017.

-SB 955 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would end the practice of spending lottery proceeds before they are collected.

-SB 231 by Sen. Clark Jolley, prohibits the Office of Management and Enterprise Services from transferring or allowing the transfer of monies to or from agencies disbursing funds or accounts without the specific authorization of the Legislature.

-SB 254 by Sen. Kim David, modifies language concerning Medicaid and the Medicaid Program Reform Act of 2003.

-SB 425 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows students who meet the requirements to graduate from a public high school with a standard diploma in fewer than four years and who are found to not be in need of remediation to be eligible to receive a scholarship.

-SB 495 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language related to the Oklahoma State Regents Endowment Trust Fund.

-SB 630 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requires any bid submissions made by a state agency or any political subdivision that substitute an item with one that is alike in quality and design or which meets the required specifications of the bid be considered and not be prohibited.

-SB 646 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Recovery Audits for Government Overpayments of Tax Dollars Act.

-SB 648 by Sen. Mike Schulz, modifies the apportionment of income tax revenue.

-SB 779 by Sen. Don Barrington, authorizes the Department of Public Safety to issue an annual fleet permit to an electric utility.

-SB 863 by Sen. Clark Jolley, authorizes the governor to seek, accept and analyze proposals for the privatization of the Oklahoma Education Lottery.

-SB 942 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, adds language concerning a fire that is the result of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture methamphetamine.

-SB 557 by Sen. Clark Jolley, removes language requiring the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to be under the Merit System.

-SJR 32 by Sen. Greg Treat, directs the Department of Human Services to use potential savings from the closure of the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center and the Northern Oklahoma Resource Center to reduce the size of the Development Disabilities Service Division waiting list.

-SB 639 by Sen. Kim David, modifies language related to the duties and powers of the State Auditor and Inspector.

-SB 272 by Sen. Kim David, authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to create a pilot program in one community within the state for a fully capitated managed care program for managed care services.

-SB 578 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Department of Health Civil Monetary Penalty Revolving Fund.

-SB 228 by Sen. Frank Simpson, would allow nurses working at veterans affairs centers to receive money for college tuition in exchange for an agreement to stay on staff for a certain number of years.

-SB 527 by Sen. Brian Crain, authorizes the Advisory Committee on Medical Care for Public Assistance Recipients to establish and monitor a pilot program for training caregivers providing assistance to Oklahoma National Guard members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

-SB 772 by Sen. Tom Ivester, adds an Oklahoma army or Air National Guard NGB Form 22 to the list of approved documents in order to earn a veteran designation on driver licenses or identification cards.

-SCR 4 by Sen. Don Barrington, recognizes March 29, 2013 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Oklahoma.

-SJR 4 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, declares the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park located in Enid as the State of Oklahoma’s official Vietnam War Memorial.

-SJR 16 by Sen. John Sparks, allows a disabled veteran to be entitled to claim a homestead exemption for the full amount of a manufactured home owned and occupied by the disabled veteran as his or her primary residence.

-SB 237 by Sen. Frank Simpson, amends language concerning the Oklahoma Health Care Authority in regards to the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee.

-SB 629 by Sen. Frank Simpson, exempts any facility operated by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs under control of the Oklahoma War Veterans Commission from the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee.

-SB 385 by Sen. Jabar Shumate, creates the Oklahoma Charter School Facilities Funding Task Force.

-SB 541 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, authorizes the board of education of any school district which is contiguous to any other school district located in an adjacent state to enter into contracts with the board of education of the school district located in the adjacent state for the purpose of providing shared administrative services.

-SB 576 by Sen. Kyle Loveless, eliminates the second preceding school year as part of the data used in school district funding calculations.

-SB 423 by Sen. John Sparks, modifies language relating to in-state tuition standards.

-SB 34 by Sen. Ron Justice, authorizes the Oklahoma Historical Society to purchase and manage the ownership of vehicles deemed necessary using appropriated or other funds exempt from the requirements of the Office appropriated or other funds exempt from the requirements of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services fleet management division requirements.

-SB 376 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, prohibits the Medical Expense Liability Fund from falling below $1 million for purposes of reimbursing counties for detention officer training provided by the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association.

-SB 985 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, modifies the additional assessment allowed for those convicted under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

-SB 1002 by Sen. Dan Newberry, establishes that a $10 fee that will be paid to the Department of Corrections and deposited in the Sex Offender Monitoring Revolving Fund upon a conviction for any misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in any jail and for which no fine is prescribed by law and upon a conviction for any misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in prison and for which no fine is prescribed by law.

-SB 233 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, doubles the amount of deposit required from candidates seeking an election recount if the results of the initial election indicate a margin of ten percent or greater.

-SB 282 by Sen. John Ford, amends language pertaining to voter identification.

-SB 287 by Sen. Susan Paddack, amends language pertaining to candidacy for office.

-SB 820 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, amends language relating to courts.

-SB 668 by Sen. Rob Johnson, modifies signature requirements for petitions to form a political party by limiting it to 5 percent of the total votes cast at the last general election for governor only.

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 1596 by Rep. Steve Vaughn, requires an individual seeking a lifetime fishing license to have maintained a permanent abode in Oklahoma for a period of no less than one year immediately following the date of application for the lifetime license.

-HB 1595 by Rep. Steve Vaughn, allows all legal residents who have resided in the state for one year to purchase lifetime fishing, hunting or combination licenses from the State Wildlife Director.

-HB 1597 by Rep. Steve Vaughn, states that no person is exempt from the permit requirements pertaining to the hunting of a Sandhill Crane.

-HB 1480 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals the Fire Ant Research and Management Advisory Committee.

-HB 1484 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals the Oklahoma Volunteerism Act.

-HB 1522 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals language to reckless horse racing.

-HB 1523 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals language that provides any person or railroad, transportation or transmission company violating the provisions of Section 13, Article 9, of the Constitution, will be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not more than $25.

-HB 1524 by Rep. Bobby Cleveland, repeals language that provides it is the duty of railroad conductors and brakemen without warrant or other process to arrest persons on railroad trains.

-HB 1743 by Rep. Harold Wright, requires that when a defendant is convicted of a crime and no death sentence is imposed, the court may suspend the execution of sentence in whole or in part.

-HB 1924 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, amends language relating to the procedure for the sale of certain property.

• House committees met Wednesday, approving the following bills:

-HB 1424 by Rep. Scott Biggs, requires proof of insurance and certificate of operations for all facilities operating an elevator under the Elevator Safety Act.

-HB 1911 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, states that an individual from another state will be employed in Oklahoma for three months prior to being eligible for unemployment benefits.

-HB 1323 by David Brumbaugh, requires any state agency providing a grant or contracting with any entity organized as a nonprofit corporation will require the contract contain an audit clause which acknowledges that the State Auditor and Inspector has the authority and power to audit the financial records, books, accounts or other documents of said entity as may be required at the discretion of the State Auditor and Inspector.

-HB 1872 by Rep. Lisa Billy, amends language relating to cities.

-HB 2160 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies language related to civil actions against students.

-HB 1721 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, reduces the qualifying income level for OHLAP eligibility.

-HJR 1032 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, proposes a legislative referendum providing for a majority vote for approval of ad valorem exemptions for manufacturing firms.

-HJR 1011 by Rep. Elise Hall, proposes a constitutional amendment requiring legislative appropriations for any fiscal year to be limited to a sum not to exceed the total amount appropriated from all funds in the preceding fiscal year, plus seven percent, adjusted for inflation for the previous calendar year.

-HB 1353 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, allows a member or an employee of the Ethics Commission to accept from any source allegations and related information concerning a violation.

Thursday, February 14

• The Senate met Thursday, but did not approve any legislation

Other News

• Income tax collections to the general revenue fund, the state's main operating fund, were $578.3 million in January, the highest monthly total for the first seven months of the current fiscal year. The amount is an increase of $53.4 million, or 10.2 percent, compared with last January. Income tax collections are outperforming expectations by double digits through the first seven months of 2013 fiscal year, which began July 1. Net income taxes over the seven-month period are above estimates by almost 15 percent and personal income taxes are above estimates by 10 percent, he said.

• A portrait of one of America’s most successful businessmen and generous philanthropists, T. Boone Pickens, was dedicated Thursday in the Governor’s Blue Room. The portrait, by Oklahoma artist Mike Wimmer, wass sponsored by State Sen. James Halligan, and was a project of the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund.

• A recent Federal Trade Commission study found that one in four consumers found an error in a credit report issued by a major agency. The study also said 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products. Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report each year from each of the three reporting agencies.

• If you buy something in Oklahoma, the government is going to take a bigger bite than just about anywhere else in the nation, according to a Monday report from the Tax Foundation. The average combined state and local sales tax rate in Oklahoma is the fifth highest in the nation. Only Tennessee, Arizona, Louisiana and Washington have higher combined rates. The average combined rate in the state is 8.67 percent. Tennessee had the highest combined rate, 9.44 percent.