Monday, Mar. 1 to Thursday, Mar. 4, 2009

Monday, March 1

• • The Senate approved numerous budget measures and the following substantive bills on Monday:

-SB 1712 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Commercial Pet Breeders Act.

-SB 1281 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, increases from $5 to $25 the fee charged by the State Board of Cosmetology for registration as an apprentice or student.

-SB 1282 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, modifies the calculation of the excise tax on a new water vessel or new motor vehicle, directing it be based on the value of the actual sales price before any discounts or credits.

-SB 1289 by Sen. Harry Coates, expands circumstances under which a long-term care facility employer is prohibited from hiring an individual to include if the results of a criminal history background check reveal he/she pled guilty or no contest to or received a deferred sentence for certain crimes.

-SB 1303 by Sen. Harry Coates, modifies language related to the Public Competitive Bidding Act.

-SB 1349 by Sen. Brian Crain, authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to develop and implement an obesity treatment program to treat a Medicaid patient who has a body mass index equal to or greater than 30 and who has a comorbidity related to obesity.

-SB 1357 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, directs the Department of Health to develop a universal transfer form to ensure the secure transition of health information between health care settings when a patient is transferred from one facility to another.

-SB 1616 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Health Carrier Access Payment Revolving Fund.

-SB 1626 by Sen. Harry Coates, requires minimum wage notices advertised for sale by individuals, partnerships, associations, corporations, business trusts, limited liability companies or other business entities to include a notice that such notices are available from the Department of Labor at no cost.

-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 1633 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, creates the School District Transparency Act.

-SB 1651 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, makes new and used motor vehicle, travel trailer and commercial trailer dealers liable to reimburse the purchaser of a vehicle for the penalty assessed when a new or used vehicle is not registered, titled and tagged within 30 days from the date of transfer of ownership if the dealer who affixed a temporary license plate to the vehicle does not provide necessary documentation to the purchaser within 10 business days from the date of purchase or the official notary date on such documents.

-SB 1686 by Sen. Harry Coates, makes mechanics and materialmen’s liens affecting 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.

-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 parents of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury.

-SB 1752 by Sen. Harry Coates, authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue an unspecified amount of bonds to finance the construction of buildings, repairs, refurbishments and other improvements for a central office building for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs.

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

-SB 1772 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, directs information, records and reports related to investigations by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services into allegations of consumer abuse, neglect or mistreatment to be confidential and privileged, not open to public inspection or subject to subpoena.

-SB 1799 by Sen. Susan Paddack, provides retakes of criterion reference tests by eligible students be administered at least two weeks prior to the tests’ regular administration date.

-SB 1819 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Direct Care Worker Advisory Council to make recommendations on maximizing profitability, minimizing redundancy, introducing uniformity and certification, and it directs the council to report those recommendations to the Governor, Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate by Nov. 30, 2011.

-SB 1836 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language relating to an electronic health record.

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

-SB 1925 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Rescue Operations in a Disaster Area Act.

-SB 1940 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, increases from $300,000 to $400,000 the minimum cost of certain road-relate projects for which engineering plans and specifications must be prepared by the county engineer.

-SB 1941 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, creates the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force.

-SB 1954 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Task Force on Motor Vehicle Plate Delivery System.

-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.

-SB 1977 by Sen. Earl Garrison, prohibits the recognition of common-law marriage as a valid form of marriage.

-SB 1989 by Sen. Bill Brown, makes certain elections irrevocable under the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.

-SB 1998 by Sen. Dan Newberry, eliminates the population limitations for certain use of county-owned property and requires a written cooperative agreement between the county and the municipality.

-SB 2027 by Sen. Clark Jolley, exempts brewers of less than 300,000 gallons of beer per calendar year from certain requirements.

-SB 2040 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, requires certain fees for civil actions be paid at the time of the pretrial conference by the party requesting a jury.

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

-SB 2132 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, creates the Oklahoma Wind Energy Development Act.

-SB 2154 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to actions to enforce a mortgage, deed of trust or other lien or charge.

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

-SB 2207 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows the government body of a municipality to provide for the payment of outstanding or delinquent fines.

-SB 2210 by Sen. Cliff Branan, prohibits the spouse of a package store license holder from holding another license provided for pursuant to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

-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.

-SB 2301 by Sen. Dan Newberry, was laid over after several members raised questions concerning the measure.

• Senate committees took no action on Monday.

• The House convened Monday, approving the following measures:

-HB 2894 by Rep. Purcy Walker, modifies language requiring any person who commits workers’ compensation fraud, upon conviction, to pay the employer for the difference between premiums prior to the fraud and premiums after the fraud if the employer incurs additional premium costs as a result of the fraud.

-HB 3169 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, states that the spouse of any employer who is exempt from the Workers’ Compensation Act is also exempt.

-HB 2658 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, modifies language related to the requirement that an employer provide prosthetic devices to injured workers, as determined by the Workers’ Compensation Court.

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

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

-HB 2652 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, contains multiple provisions, including changes to how soft tissue injuries are handled, the reporting of injuries to employers and court procedures.

-HB 2745 by Rep. Lee Denney, creates the Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act to be administered by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and directs the state veterinarian to appoint a rule advisory board to advise the State Board of Agriculture in the promulgation of rules.

-HB 3161 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, prohibits Lottery Commission advertisements from including any beneficiary advertisement or promotion illustrating the benefits or potential benefits to schools from lottery proceeds.

-HB 2836 by Rep. Ann Coody, requires the State Board of Education to establish a grant program as part of a teacher pay pilot program.

-SB 2113 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, amends, merges, consolidates and repeals duplicate sections of the law.

-HB 2552 by Rep. Mark McCullough, allows assistant district attorneys to carry a firearm anywhere in the state if the person has successfully met the minimum requirements for firearms training set forth by the Council on Law Enforcement Training and Education.

-HB 2302 by Rep. Gary Banz, modifies language related to the Academic Achievement Award program, removing language limiting monetary awards to qualified employees at the top four schools.

-HB 2314 by Rep. Glen Bud Smithson, extends from five to six days the length of nonresident fishing permits.

-HB 2330 by Rep. Jason Nelson, adds the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Human Services to the list of agencies of which retired officers, investigators or agents may retain their sidearm and badge.

-HB 2541 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, requires municipal courts to keep confidential all personal identifying information of the parties involved in any case, including credit card numbers, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers.

-HB 2566 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, makes an appropriation from the federal Reed Act Distribution to the Employment Security Adminstration Fund for $10,995,825.

-HB 2609 by Rep. Guy Liebmann, modifies language related to outdoor advertising, adding language regarding the intention to be read.

-HB 2626 by Rep. Tad Jones, defines “biodiesel” under language related to the Corporation Commission’s duty to prescribe rules governing the test for octane rating of motor fuels.

-HB 2628 by Rep. Tad Jones, removes a prohibition against self-serve fireworks or marketing where retail customers can move among stocks of fireworks.

-HB 2730 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, states that any law enforcement agency in this state that seizes a vehicle in which a controlled dangerous substance has been manufactured that is forfeited may request that the Oklahoma Tax Commission brand the certificate of title with the notation “drug manufacture vehicle.”

-HB 2775 by Rep. Kris Steele, authorizes the Department of Health to contract with an existing vendor providing an electronic benefit transfer system to the Department of Human Services to deliver women, infants and children’s benefits electronically.

-HB 2854 by Rep. Scott Inman, modifies language relating to substitute teachers, allowing substitute teachers to be employed for 90 days during a school year.

-HB 2862 by Rep. Phil Richardson, modifies language relating to special use permits established by the Wildlife Conservation Commission.

-HB 2936 by Rep. Todd Russ, increases from $11 to $22 the per-hour, per-person fee that a financial institution may charge a government authority for search and processing.

-HB 2964 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Victim’s Rights Act.

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

-HB 2999 by Rep. Kris Steele, directs the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board to continue to purchase, on a fee-for-service basis, treatment services provided by certified alcohol and drug counselors.

-HB 3154 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, allows any member of the Legislature to opt out of health insurance coverage offered under the State and Education Employees Group Health and Life Insurance Plans.

-HB 3231 by Rep. Mike Jackson, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s duty to establish a method to deter abuse and reduce errors in Medicaid billing, payment and eligibility.

-HB 3292 by Rep. Pam Peterson, allows the medical and social history of a minor in the custody of the Department of Human Services to be disclosed to prospective adoptive parents without any agreement and without redacting identifying information when the prospective parent is a kinship or relative caregiver for the minor.

-HB 3294 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, allows the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to reveal otherwise confidential information to outside agencies or individuals who are providing interpreter services, questioned document analysis, laboratory services or other specialized services that are necessary in the assistance of bureau investigations.

-HB 3323 by Rep. Anastasia Pittman, creates Kelley’s Law, requiring the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human services to require all authorized persons accessing service recipient information in a home record to sign a form certifying that they have been informed of the penalties for misuse of confidential information.

-HB 3338 by Rep. Mike Christian, adds language prohibiting the state fire marshal from engaging in any other business that may be a conflict of interest with agency business.

-HB 3366 by Rep. Shane Jett, creates the Marvin Williams and Robbie Chase Whitebird County Sheriff Assistance Act.

-HB 3379 by Rep. Randy Terrill, directs a court to not order attorney fees against a public official, public employee or public agency enforcing the Sex Offenders Registration Act.

-HJR 1065 by Ron Peters, creates the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Reform Committee.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, March 2

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1250 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, prohibits a laboratory, medical facility, hospital or birthing place from unauthorized storage, transferring, use or databasing of DNA from any newborn child without express parental consent.

-SB 1264 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, allows applicants for driver licenses to list a post office box as an address on applications.

-SB 1324 by Sen. Steve Russell, imposes a $3 fee on every registered motorcycle.

-SB 1329 by Sen. Randy Bass, creates the Motorcycle Mobility and Safety Act.

-SB 1330 by Sen. Mike Schulz, creates the Musk Thistle Task Force to create a statewide plan for eradication of the musk thistle.

-SB 1332 by Sen. David Myers, authorizes the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish a master lease program to refinance or restructure outstanding equipment lease obligations.

-SB 1347 by Sen. Mike Schulz, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, changing reference from the division of travel and tourism to the travel and promotion division.

-SB 1599 by Sen. David Myers, repeals language allowing income tax check-offs for Oklahoma county fairs and the State of Oklahoma Junior Livestock Auction Scholarship Revolving Fund.

-SB 1635 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, designates State Highway 76 from 10th Street in Blanchard south to U.S. Highway 62 as “Don Bowser Memorial Highway”.

-SB 1658 by Sen. David Myers, states legislative intent to make the Insurance Department a non-appropriated agency.

-SB 1691 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, prohibits a public school or school district from paying membership fees in an organization that coordinates and regulates interscholastic activities and contests unless the organization complies with the Administrative Procedures Act.

-SB 1784 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, allows school districts to spend textbook allocations for instructional expenses beginning in fiscal year 2011.

-SB 1810 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, authorizes and Highway Patrol officer or other law enforcement officer employed as a full-time equivalent of the Department of Public Safety and prohibited by law or department policy from obtaining part-time employment as a law enforcement officer with any other law enforcement agency to engage in part-time employment for the duration of any furlough period imposed by the Commissioner of Public Safety or by law.

-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.

-SB 1871 by Sen. Harry Coates, requires that the owner of property or the owner’s agent who attempts to determine 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 and trade to be licensed.

-SB 1872 by Sen. Harry Coates, adds language requiring plans and specifications to be included in an application for review for a project submitted to the Construction Industries Board.

-SB 1900 by Sen. Harry Coates, clarifies language related to residential building permits.

-SB 1901 by Sen. Harry Coates, declares that the American Indian Cultural Center, the Native American Indian Cultural Center and the Native American Cultural and Education Authority may exercise all its powers without approval from any other public entity, except as may otherwise be required by contract.

-SB 1937 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates the Oklahoma Employees Classification Act.

-SB 1948 by Sen. Harry Coates, modifies the definition of prime contractor, subcontractor and sub-subcontractor in the Fair Pay for Construction Act to include a licensed architect or licensed professional engineer.

-SB 1997 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Marvin Williams Robbie Chase Whitebird County Sheriff Assistance Act.

-SB 2024 by Sen. David Myers, changes the name of the Oklahoma Carbon Capture and Geologic Sequestration Act to the Oklahoma Carbon Capture and Geologic Sequestration, Transportation and Investment Act.

-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 2137 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, designates the portion of State Highway 62 beginning and ending with the city limits of Blanchard as “Veterans Memorial Highway.”

-SB 2166 by Sen. Cliff Branan, adds the misuse of money collected by municipal taxes to the state definition of situations that qualify as “embezzlement.”

-SB 2169 by Sen. Cliff Branan, creates the Task Force on Tax Incentives to Increase Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity.

-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 2218 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, creates the Task Force on Creating Administrative Efficiencies.

-SB 2224 by Sen. David Myers, creates the Private Prison Certificate of Need Act.

-SB 2235 by Sen. Brian Crain, requires a motion for an emergency custody hearing to include an independent report that demonstrates the child is in surroundings that could endanger the child in a court proceeding concerning child custody or child visitation.

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

• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.

• The House convened Tuesday and approved the following measures:

-HJR 1080 by Rep. Chris Benge, proposes a constitutional amendment placing the Pardon and Parole Board under the Department of Corrections.

-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 3028 by Sen. David Myers, creates the Oklahoma Energy Security 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, display the ultrasound images so the woman may view them, provide a medical description of the images, obtain written certification that the woman received such information and retain such certification for at least seven years.

-HB 3029 by Rep. Chris Benge, prohibits the State Department of Edcuation from withdrawing accreditation from or imposing a financial penalty on schools that fail to meet class-size requirements, including for early childhood education, or that fail to meet the certification requirements for library media specialist, media materials and equipment standards, staffing standards for the media program and media program expenditure standards.

-HB 3170 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, directs the State Board of Education to develop a funding mechanism for the disbursement of federal funds to reimburse local education agencies for the excessive costs of high-need students.

-HB 3253 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, creates the School District Transparency Act.

-HB 2644 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, clarifies language concerning loan guarantee applicants and qualifying schools.

-HB 2778 by Rep. Kris Steele, directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to refine its incentive reimbursement rate plan for nursing facilities to ensure transparency and integrity.

-HB 3422 by Rep. Ken Miller, directs the Office of State Finance to update the tax information website with an expanded online database.

-HB 2556 by Rep. Steve Martin, provides a definition of “place of primary use” and adds a definition for “prepaid wireless telecommunications service” under the Nine-One-One Wireless Emergency Number Act.

-HB 2283 by Rep. John Wright, recreates the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

-HB 2572 by Rep. Lisa Billy, modifies language regarding demonstrations at a funeral service.

-HB 2579 by Rep. John Trebilcock, requires the director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to report quarterly to the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore the balance and outstanding obligations of the State Emergency Fund.

-HB 2600 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, adds a definition of “best value” under the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974.

-HB 2830 by Rep. Ron Peters, renames the Oklahoma 2-1-1 Advisory Collaborative the 2-1-1 Oklahoma Coordinating Council.

-HB 2585 by Rep. R.C. Pruett, modifies exemptions to hunting license requirements for residents and nonresidents.

-HB 3398 by Rep. Skye McNiel, modifies language relating to the Oklahoma Meat Inspection Act.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.

Wednesday, March 3

• The Senate met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1597 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, states legislative intent that members of state boards and commissions serve for a limited period of time.

-SB 1275 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, allows taxidermists to sell any unclaimed specimen left in his or her possession in excess of six months after notification of the specimen’s owner, under certain conditions.

-SB 1309 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, authorizes the Corporation Commission to require all electric power providers to comply with commission rules governing the marking and location mapping of any buried electrical lines, cables or other equipment owned.

-SB 1609 by Sen. Jim Halligan, allows the presidents of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University and the president of a private Oklahoma university appointed to the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board to send a predetermined designee to board members who may participate with full voting privileges.

-SB 1640 by Sen. Jim Halligan, directs the Department of Commerce to create the Oklahoma Certified Retirement Communities program to recognize communities that have made themselves attractive destinations for retirees.

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

-SB 1817 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to the treatment of eye diseases in newborns.

-SB 1858 by Sen. Susan Paddack, allows school districts to expend textbook allocations for instructional expenses and waives the penalties for exceeding class size limitations.

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

-SB 1927 by Sen. Dan Newberry, authorizes a city-county health department ot own, acquire, lease or dispose of real property in the performance of local public health functions, duties and responsibilities.

-SB 1932 by Sen. John Sparks, requires rotation of candidates’ names on ballots for school offices.

-SB 1957 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires that each sub-state planning district that has a rural fire coordinator program will employ a rural fire coordinator and establishes the duties of the position.

-SB 2007 by Sen. Don Barrington, deletes time specific language related to the Department of Public Safety cancelling or denying driving privileges for those under the age of 18.

-SB 2017 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires any person whose Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training certification has been revoked, suspended or voluntarily surrendered for any reason, including failure to comply with mandatory education and training requirements, to pay a $150 reinstatement fee.

-SB 2023 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, removes language related to sentences for subsequent offenses under the Elderly and Incapacitated Victim’s Protection Program.

-SB 2037 by Sen. Dan Newberry, directs the Department of Central Service to furnish an Oklahoma flag to the surviving spouse or parents, of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is either killed in the line of duty in a combat zone or dies of wounds inflicted in a combat zone and who was a resident of the state at their time of death.

-SB 2039 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies language related to court procedures.

-SB 2041 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires any person who intentionally harms themselves after being received into custody at a jail or holding facility, whether an arrestee or not, to pay the costs associated with any required emergency medical care.

-SB 2051 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, prohibits a contract between a dental plan of a health benefit plan and a dentist for the provision of services to patients from requiring that a dentist provide services to its subscribers at a fee set by the health benefit plan unless the services are covered under the applicable subscriber agreement.

-SB 2105 by Sen. Don Barrington, specifies that the Office of the Secretary of State is the office in which to file a financing statement to perfect a security interest or agricultural lien in cattle, born or unborn, used or produced in farming operations, or a product of such cattle in its unmanufactured state, in the possession of a person engaged in farming operations.

-SB 2108 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, modifies the authority of boards of education to convey real property, allowing them to convey property to an education institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

-SB 2109 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, modifies the calculation for the initial allocation of state aid for schools, foundation program and salary incentive aid by requiring the portion of weighted membership derived from pupils enrolled in online courses to be based on the weighted average daily membership of the preceding school year.

-SB 2126 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, includes “technology center school district” in the definition of “political subdivision” under the Governmental Tort Claims Act.

-SB 2127 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, recreates the State Employee Health Insurance Review Working Group.

-SB 2129 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, creates the Statewide Virtual School Task Force.

-SB 2130 by Sen. Don Barrington, modifies the determination of “gross salary” under the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

-SB 2230 by Sen. Steve Russell, modifies references to the prohibition against carrying a concealed handgun on school property and technology center school property.

-SB 2239 by Sen. Steve Russell, requires that the concealed handgun license issued by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to be issued in the applicant’s county of residence.

-SB 2242 by Sen. Dan Newberry, expands the penalty for battery or assault and battery by a person in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs against an employee of the agency to include a minimum of six months incarceration at a facility determined by a court.

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

-SB 2293 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to relatives who cannot hold office.

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

-SB 2311 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, modifies and clarifies provisions related to the Commissioners of the Land Office.

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

• Senate committees took no action on Wednesday

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following legislation:

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

-HB 2348 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, allows beer to be made by simple fermentation without distillation for the sole use of the maker and his/her family and guests under a license obtained by the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.

-HB 2775 by Rep. Doug Cox, establishes the year-round normal surface elevation at the top of the conservation pool for the Grand Lake of the Cherokees at 745 feet above sea level.

-HB 1613 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, modifies language related to examination report review procedures of the Insurance Commissioner.

-HB 2333 by Rep. Jason Murphey, repeals statutory language regarding the Commissioner of Labor approving a list of the most hazardous industries in the state.

-HB 2529 by Rep. Colby Schwartz, requires the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control to compile a yearly report of all fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses in the state.

-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 2575 by Rep. Dale DeWitt, directs the Department of Education to notify school districts by Feb. 1 of each year of any changes to the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System reporting codes and procedures.

-HB 2595 by Rep. Earl Sears, directs certain hunting licenses to terminate on Aug. 31 for the year issued.

-HB 1658 by Rep. Joe Dorman, exempts from liability for damages as a result of omissions, except for gross, willful or wanton negligence, in rendering the emergency care any physician or health care 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 2732 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, makes it a felony to knowingly expose or communicate a sexually transmitted infection or disease to a child under the age of 16.

-HB 2944 by Rep. Fred Jordan, states that a state employee who is subpoenaed as a witness to testify on any matter pertaining to their school shall not be entitled to receive the witness fee and reimbursement mileage except as provide by the bill.

-HB 2624 by Rep. Tad Jones, modifies terms related to the repurchase of inventory.

-HB 2630 by Rep. Sue Tibbs, prohibits persons subject to the Sex Offenders Registration Act from using homelessness as a defense to any prosecution under the registration requirements.

-HB 2664 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, modifies language under civil procedure related to calculation of prejudgement interest.

-HB 2911 by Rep. Danny Morgan, prohibits the creation of a new business entity to evade payment of a workers’ compensation judgment.

-HB 2957 by Rep. Harold Wright, makes it unlawful for a public transit driver to operate a motor vehicle on any street or state highway within the state while using a cellular telephone or electronic communication device to write, send or read a text-based communication while the vehicle is still in motion.

-HB 2991 by Rep. John Enns, allows any officer of the Department of Public Safety or other political subdivision to tow any vehicle that has been used in the commission of a felony.

-HB 3000 by Rep. Kris Steele, modifies language related to the Governmental Tort Claims Act.

-HB 3026 by Rep. Chris Benge, creates the Commissioners of the Land Office Modernization Act.

• House committees approved no measures on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 4

• The Senate met Thursday, approving the following measures:

-SB 1674 by Sen. Jim Halligan, prohibits the act of smoking tobacco products in a child care facility as well as on the grounds of any institution of higher education.

-SB 2236 by Sen. Harry Coates, makes language relating to special and prior liens gender neutral.

-SB 1593 by Sen. Jim Halligan, retrofits nursing and specialized facilities for portable generators to use in emergency situations.

-SB 1960 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates the Airport Protection Act, regulating the use of land and construction around public airports.

-SB 1768 by Sen. Mike Schulz, adds a sales tax exemption for certain owners of coin-operated vending machines.

-SB 2296 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, requires delegates of certain institutions to be members of the State Hazard Mitigation Team.

-SB 1905 by Sen. Harry Coates, authorizes money retained or distributed for purses to be held in trust by the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper for the duly designated horsemen’s organization for purses.

-SB 1769 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates a pilot program for electronic issuance of temporary license plates for use by motor vehicle dealers.

-SB 1592 by Sen. Mike Schulz, modifies language relating to amusement ride construction requirements

-SB 2093 by Sen. John Sparks, states that persons who willfully shoot from across a public road or highway at lands devoted to farming or commercial hunting will be guilty of trespass or a misdemeanor.

-SB 2092 by Sen. John Sparks, clarifies language related to the maintenance of county records.

-SB 1361 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, allows the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Corridor Advisory Committee to design an Oklahoma license plate honoring Buffalo Soldiers.

-SB 1910 by Sen. John Ford, modifies county election processes by permitting state central party committees to submit a nominee if a county party committee fails to do so.

-SB 2086 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, recognizes foreign veterinary school graduates who have completed the PAVE Program certificate as having fulfilled the requirements for state licensure.

-SB 1369 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, clarifies that certain small specific home improvements do not require a residential building permit.

-SB 1729 by Sen. Charles Laster, defines the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association as a public body.

-SB 1716 by Sen. Charles Laster, amends punishment for drug offenders who have willfully not attended rehabilitation.

-SB 1967 by Sen. Andrew Rice, creates the Task Force on Parental Responsibility for Runaway Youth.

-SB 1338 by Sen. Tom Ivester, allows independent school districts to offer an elective course in the academic and secular study of Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Other News

• The Oklahoma Supreme Court this week struck down legislation that would have required a woman seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound within an hour of the procedure and to have its contents explained to her. The measure also covered the posting of signs in clinics and administration of the abortion pill RU-486. The legislation was originally approved by the Legislation in 2009.

• This week the state asked the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a decision against key parts of Oklahoma’s stringent immigration law. Three judges on the Denver-based U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last month on legal challenges to the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007. They upheld and Oklahoma City federal judges preliminary injunction against three requirements of the act.

• The February Mid-America survey of business leaders and supply managers showed Oklahoma’s leading economic indicator stood above growth neutral. The index ranges from zero to 100, with scores above 50 suggesting economic growth in the next three to six months and scores below 50 suggesting a contracting economy in the coming months. Oklahoma overall readings were new orders at 49.9, production or sales at 62.2, delivery lead time at 63.2, inventories at 47.8 and employment at 38.2.