Monday, Mar. 22 to Thursday, Mar. 25, 2010

Monday, March 22

• The Senate met Monday, but approved no substantive legislation.

• Senate committees approved the following measures on Monday:

-HB 2929 by Rep. Ann Coody, creates the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education Act.

-HB 2704 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, directs the Lottery Commission to pay to the Employment Security Commission monies withheld from a lottery prize.

-HB 2326 by Rep. Steve Martin, directs the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission to provide for off-premise displays and sales of new upfitted motor wrecker vehicles by wrecker and equipment manufacturers or their in-state or out-of-state representatives.

-HB 2625 by Rep. Tad Jones, modifies terms related to motor vehicle dealers, salespersons, distributors and manufacturers, providing a definition of “recreational vehicle.”

-HB 3190 by Rep. Mike Sanders, recreates the Oklahoma Accountancy Board.

-HB 3202 by Rep. Don Armes, adds a definition of “teeth floating” to the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.

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

-HB 3203 by Rep. Don Armes, repeals laws relating to the Livestock Dealers Act.

-HB 2295 by Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Agricultural Code.

-HB 2345 by Rep. Phil Richardson, creates the Oklahoma Livestock Care Standards Board.

-HB 3160 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, modifies language related to land designated for improvement of any street, alley, lane or avenue.

-HB 3204 by Rep. Don Armes, modifies language relating to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, exempting the Oklahoma Wheat Commission from complying with provisions of the act.

-HB 3210 by Rep. Don Armes, exempts the selling of fireworks as an unlawful act of burning trash or other material that may cause a wildland fire in any county of the state in which the board of county commissioners has passed a resolution declaring a period of extreme fire danger.

-HB 3285 by Rep. Skye McNiel, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Meat Inspection Act.

-HB 3055 by Rep. Dan Kirby, clarifies that nothing prohibits a county commissioner from designating a current county employee as a first or chief deputy or assistant, but no individual can be appointed to serve more than one county commissioner as a first or chief deputy or assistant.

-HB 2277 by Rep. John Carey, requires a Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training-certified deputy sheriff to accompany a reserve force deputy sheriff in the performance of all assigned duties.

-HB 2653 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, creates the Task Force on Municipal Finance to examine the laws governing municipal finance for all forms of municipal government.

-HB 3242 by Rep. David Derby, modifies language related to county sheriff contracts, directing contracts to attempt to locate and notify persons of outstanding failure-to-pay warrants and misdemeanor warrants.

-HB 3126 by Rep. Joe Dorman, directs the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board to serve as the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council.

-HB 2584 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, creates the Oklahoma School Testing Program Review Task Force.

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

-HB 2296 by Rep. John Carey, modifies experience requirements for certification of school principals and superintendents.

-HB 2299 by Rep. Gary Banz, modifies language related to the Teacher Due Process Act of 1990.

-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 2747 by Rep. Lee Denney, requires education institutions to report annually to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation the procedures used to inform the public regarding the institution’s teacher education program and the manner through which the public input is solicited and received.

-HB 2750 by Rep. Lee Denney, directs the state Board of Education to adopt a social studies core curriculum with courses in Oklahoma history for all students in public schools to include information about the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

-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.

• The House convened Monday, approving numerous appropriations bills.

• House committees approved the following legislation on Monday:

-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 1679 by Sen. Clark Jolley, clarifies language regarding the Commission for Human Services’ ability to suspend or revoke a child care facility’s license if it fails to obtain liability insurance.

-SB 1938 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires that the venue of any action involving a child alleged to be deprived be in the county where the child resides or has resided for six months prior to the filing.

-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 1830 by Sen. Brian Crain, requires the Department of Human Services to immediately make a referral to an appropriate law enforcement agency for the purpose of conducting a possible criminal investigation when the department determines that alleged child abuse or neglect of a child occurred in an Office of Juvenile Affairs secure juvenile facility.

-SB 1891 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the “Freedom of Conscience Act.”

-SB 1890 by Sen. Todd Lamb, prohibits any person from knowingly or recklessly performing an abortion with knowledge that the pregnant female is seeking the abortion solely on account of the sex of the unborn child.

-SB 1902 by Sen. Clark Jolley, prohibits a person from knowingly or recklessly giving, selling, dispensing, administering, prescribing or providing RU-486 for the purpose of inducing an abortion in a pregnant female.

-SB 1645 by Sen. Susan Paddack, clarifies statutory references to punishments for child abuse.

-SB 2150 by Sen. John Sparks, makes assault and battery against a former spouse of one’s current spouse to be punishable by not more than one year in prison.

-SB 2204 by Sen. Tom Ivester, creates the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act.

-SB 1287 by Sen. Sean Burrage, requires a petition or application filed in accordance to probate procedures to be accompanied by acknowledged, written consents of personal representatives of any deceased heir, devisee or legatee.

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

-SB 1771 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies language related to instances when a juvenile or youthful offender is found to have run away or is absent without leave from a staff secure or non-secure placement.

-SB 1879 by Sen. Dan Newberry, adds language related to the Nursing Home Care Act, requiring situations where rape or any other criminal act is suspected to be reported to local law enforcement immediately.

-SB 1961 by Sen. Clark Jolley, clarifies language related to employment discrimination.

-SB 1928 by Sen. Dan Newberry, clarifies language related to escapes by persons detained in juvenile detention facilities.

-SB 2170 by Sen. John Sparks, creates the Task Force on the Standardization of Courtroom Security Procedures.

-SB 499 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, adds members of the Council on Judicial Complaints to employees exempted from a prohibition on holding any other office or being the deputy of an officer holding any office.

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

-SB 2211 by Sen. Clark Jolley, states that any school district that is not in compliance with the standards and requirements established by the State Board of Education related to the state student record system as required by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 shall forfeit its state aid for the time of noncompliance.

-SB 1609 by Sen. Jim Halligan, allows the presidents of the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to send a predetermined designee to board meetings who may participate with full voting privileges.

-SB 2141 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act.

-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 for the fiscal years 2011 and 2012.

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

-SB 1697 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, states that legislative intent that state agencies issue publications in an electronic format whenever possible and that the Publications Clearinghouse and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries disseminate links to or other means by which to access publications.

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

-SB 1963 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, clarifies language related to use of funds for the destruction of electronic storage media equipment processed through the Department of Central Services.

Tuesday, March 23

• The Senate met Tuesday, approving the following measures:

-HJR 1054 by Rep. Mike Ritze, proposes a constitutional amendment stating that a law or rule cannot compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system.

• Senate committees approved the following measures on Tuesday:

-HB 2276 by Rep. Rex Duncan, allows law enforcement officers to issue citations if a driver is observed driving in such a manner that poses an articulable danger to other persons on the roadway that is not otherwise specified in the statute.

-HB 2325 by Rep. Jerry Shoemake, increases from 43 to 49 the maximum age for commissioned officers within the Oklahoma Highway Patrol division.

-HB 2746 by Rep. Lee Denney, adds unlawful delivery of a controlled dangerous substance using a motor vehicle to the list of offenses for which the Department of Public Safety may revoke driving privileges.

-HB 2811 by Rep. Charles Key, creates the Driver License Security Act.

-HB 2907 by Rep. Danny Morgan, modifies language related to the issuance of placards for the physically disabled stating that nothing prohibits the issuance of a temporary placard to a pregnant woman whose condition, as determined by a physician, physician assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner, meets one or more criteria.

-HB 3240 by Rep. David Derby, creates the Aaron Gillming Act.

-HB 2652 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, provides a definition of “surgery” under the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-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 training requirements for firearms training set forth by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

-HB 1658 by Rep. Joe Dorman, exempts from liability for damages as a result of any acts or omissions, except for gross, willful or wanton negligence, in rendering the emergency care any physician or healthcare provider 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 2171 by Rep. Mark McCullough, establishes the Oklahoma Discretionary and Special Needs Trust Act to apply to all trusts created or modified from and after Nov. 1, 2010.

-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 2648 by Rep. Jason Nelson, modifies language related to jurisdiction over proceedings to terminate parental rights and for adoption of a minor.

-HB 2733 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, allows county courts to grant a qualified relative custody in certain cases in which a minor or minors have been abandoned.

-HB 2865 by Rep. Samson Buck, adds language requiring prosecutions for criminal violations in which a deadly weapon is used to commit or attempt to commit a felony be commenced within seven years after the commission of the crime.

-HB 2934 by Rep. Ken Luttrell, allows a court to require someone who must register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act to register any e-mail address information used for social networking or other similar internet communications.

-HB 2939 by Rep. Todd Russ, extends the circumstances under which a durable power of attorney may be used to include an extended absence.

-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 for mileage except as provided by the bill.

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

-HB 3158 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, allows the period of supervision in a drug court program to be extended by a court order.

-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 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, requires 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 they have been informed of the penalties for misuse of confidential information.

-HB 3340 by Rep. Mike Christian, adds language to include any report containing date collected and required to be transmitted by a registrant to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Central Repository.

-HB 3394 by Rep. Dan Kirby, increases from three to four the number of two year terms members of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth may serve.

-HB 2710 by Rep. Wallace Collins, creates up to a $25 state income tax checkoff provision for a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

-HB 2883 by Rep. Ken Luttrell, adds language defining “powersports vehicles” and “powersports vehicle dealer” under the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

-HB 3304 by Rep. Mike Thompson, creates the Tax Adjustments Act.

-HB 2545 by Rep. John Wright, directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to prepare, maintain and post on the Internet a list of all taxpayers who claim a tax credit in excess of $10,000.

-HB 2615 by Rep. Guy Liebmann, modifies language related to a public trust’s ability to finance or refinance housing projects.

-HB 2641 by Rep. Steve Martin, directs that any tax credit based upon an expenditure to acquire tangible personal property be reduced in an amount equal to any federal income tax credit that may be claimed by the same acquisition.

-HB 3315 by Rep. Scott Martin, modifies language relating to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

-HB 3025 by Rep. Chris Benge, creates the Task Force for the Study of Lottery and Gaming Revenue.

-HB 3167 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, modifies the definition of “infrastructure” under the Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Act.

• The House convened Tuesday but took no action on bills.

• House committees approved the following bills on Tuesday:

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

-SB 1812 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies the notice requirement related to the disposal of personal property.

-SB 1684 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows the board of directors of a circuit engineering district to establish a county energy district authority.

-SB 1998 by Sen. Dan Newberry, eliminates the population limitations for certain use of county-owned property.

-SB 2646 by Sen. Dan Newberry, allows boards of county commissioners to construct, improve, repair or maintain any streets of a municipality subject to an agreement between the county and municipal governing bodies.

-SB 1365 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, allows the fees for lifetime fishing, hunting or combination licenses for persons under 18 to be paid in installments for up to three years.

-SB 1393 by Sen. Mike Schulz, increases the fee for a five-day nonresident fishing permit license to $34.

-SB 1594 by Sen. Mike Schulz, sets the cost of annual hunting licenses for nonresidents hunting game other than deer, antelope or elk at $141 and at $355 for antelope and elk.

-SB 1369 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, modifies a requirement of general liability insurance for a contractor seeking a residential building permit.

-SB 1389 by Sen. Clark Jolley, exempts the State Board of Pharmacy from a restriction of employing or appointing attorneys to advise or represent an officer, board or commission in any matter.

-SB 1729 by Sen. Charlie Laster, modifies the definition of “public body” under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

-SB 1863 by Sen. Brian Bingman, adds language requiring municipalities with websites to publish every municipal ordinance on the site.

-HJR 1086 by Rep. George Faught, disapproves permanent rule OAC785:5-1-10 of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

-SB 2260 by Sen. Steve Russell, authorizes 15 days of leave time for participation in the Civil Air Patrol disaster services and encourages private employers and school districts to participate in volunteer disaster service programs.

-SB 2037 by Sen. Dan Newberry, directs the Department of Central Services to furnish an Oklahoma flag to the surviving spouse or parents of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is killed in the line of duty.

-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 2108 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, modifies the authority of boards of education to convey real property.

Wednesday, March 24

• The Senate met Wednesday, approving numerous appropriations measures the following legislation:

-SB 479 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma Interventional Pain Management and Treatment Act.

• Senate committees met Wednesday, approving the following bills:

-HB 2321 by Rep. Todd Russ, permits school districts to offer an elective course on the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament and it impact and an elective course on the New Testament and its impact.

-HB 3173 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, transfers power and duties of the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission relating to public use and enjoyment to the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission.

-HB 3380 by Rep. Randy Terrill, creates the Methamphetamine Offender Registry Act.

-HB 2331 by Rep. Steve Martin, removes language instituting a Dec. 31, 2009, deadline by which the Department of Public Safety’s online verification system for vehicle liability insurance must be operational.

-HB 2983 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies the definition of “terrorism” under the Oklahoma Antiterrorism Act.

-HB 2569 by Rep. Rex Duncan, adds language prohibiting the Department of Public Safety from utilizing any radio frequency identification tag or ink on or into any driver license or identification card and definite radio frequency identification.

-HB 2297 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies penalties for knowingly and willfully permitting an individual under age 21 who is an invitee to the person’s residence, building or structure to possess or consume alcoholic beverages.

-HB 2604 by Rep. Dennis Johnson, requires that prosecution for certain crimes related to embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds be commenced within five years after the discovery of the crime.

-HB 2720 by Rep. Mark McCullough, modifies punishments for certain crimes of theft.

-HB 3343 by Rep. Mike Christian, increases the fee for an original application or license renewal to $50 for each original application or renewal of a private investigator or unarmed security guard.

-HB 3339 by Rep. Mike Christian, modifies language relating to the Advisory Committee for Motorcycle Safety.

-HB 3341 by Rep. Mike Christian, makes it illegal for any person who is not lawfully in the United State to possess or have under his or her immediate control any firearm.

-HB 3342 by Rep. Mike Christian, adds language to include offender electronic fund payments to be part of the Canteen System.

-HB 3378 by Rep. Randy Terrill, authorizes the Department of Corrections to utilize the service of prisoners in the delivery of products and services as may be needed for the construction, operation, maintenance or use of any department supported in whole or in part by the state.

-HB 3382 by Rep. Randy Terrill, clarifies language relating to the definitions of a Class D motor vehicle and a motorcycle.

-HB 2292 by Rep. Rex Duncan, authorizes the adjunct general to receive financial donations and expend such funds or utilize state-appropriated funds to promote interests and relationships of the Military Department or Oklahoma National Guard.

-HB 2571 by Rep. Lisa Billy, creates the Oklahoma Missing in America Act.

-HB 2774 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Clean Air in Restaurants Act of 2012.

-HB 2777 by Rep. Kris Steele, provides a method for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify the income of applicants to the Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage Premium Assistance Program.

-HB 2828 by Rep. Ron Peters, authorizes the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to annually assess a Home-Based Support Quality Assurance Assessment on each contracted community-based service provider.

-HB 2906 by Rep. Danny Morgan, adds municipal employees to the list of people required to make a report regarding abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

-HB 2990 by Rep. John Enns, directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to establish reimbursement rates for prosthetic devices for Medicaid-eligible individuals in an amount equal to Medicare rates.

-HB 3258 by Rep. Gus Blackwell, directs the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to outsource foster care and related services statewide.

-HB 3267 by Rep. Mike Jackson, creates a revolving fund to be known as the Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Account in the Administrative Office of the Courts.

-HB 1043 by Rep. Earl Sears, creates the Oklahoma Medical Loan Repayment Program.

-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 if the legislator is currently covered by a separate health insurance plan.

-HB 2328 by Rep. Jason Murphey, directs the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council to have an annual planning meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

-HB 2332 by Rep. Jason Murphey, directs the state purchasing director to implement a policy to approve the ability of the department to accept terms of service for use of social media services.

-HB 2579 by Rep. John Trebilcock, requires the director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to report quarterly the balance and outstanding obligations of the State Emergency Fund.

-HB 2698 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, creates the Oklahoma Government Website Information Act.

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

-HB 2919 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, creates the Aircraft Pilot and Passenger Protection Act.

-HB 2274 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, allows building funds of technology center school districts to be used for repairing and maintaining computer systems and equipment.

-HB 2302 by Rep. Gary Banz, modifies language related to the Academic Achievement Award program.

-HB 2310 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Oklahoma Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2010.

-HB 2313 by Rep. Rex Duncan, modifies language related to juvenile proceedings.

-HB 2551 by Rep. Paul Roan, modifies language related to death benefits for emergency medical technicians.

-HB 2566 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, makes an appropriation from the federal Reed Act Distribution to the Employment Security Administration Fund.

-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 2572 by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, modifies language regarding demonstrations at a funeral service.

-HB 2596 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, creates the Empower-OK Act.

-HB 2631 by Rep. Dennis Johnson, requires part-time reserve peace officers certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to complete a minimum of eight hours of continuing law enforcement training.

-HB 2644 by Rep. Todd Thomsen, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Student Loan Act.

-HB 2717 by Rep. Jerry McPeak, modifies language relating to Indian housing authorities.

-HB 2724 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, directs the State Department of Health to develop and maintain a database of death certificates greater than 50 years of age.

-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 and states that violations are punishable by up to life in prison.

-HB 2748 by Rep. Lee Denney, states that all buildings, or portions thereof, owned by an education facility as is defined in the Smoking in Public Places and Indoor Workplaces Act shall be designated as nonsmoking.

-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 benefits electronically.

-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 2836 by Rep. Earl Sears, requires the State Board of Education to establish a grant program as part of a teacher pay pilot program, and adopt guidelines for school districts to follow in developing a teacher performance pay plan.

-HB 2927 by Rep. Ann Coody, authorizes the State Board of Education to grant emergency exemptions to any or all school districts from any education-related statutory requirement for any year it determines a school district or districts is experiencing a financial crisis.

-HB 2973 by Rep. Mike Sanders, creates the Oklahoma Wind Energy Development Act.

-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 3029 by Rep. Chris Benge, prohibits the State Department of Education from withdrawing accreditation from or imposing a financial penalty on schools that fail to meet class-size requirements.

-HB 3031 by Rep. Chris Benge, modifies the maturity date of obligations issued for funding endowed chairs and positions.

-HB 3035 by Rep. Chris Benge, creates the Oklahoma Executive Branch Agency Consolidation Act of 2010.

-HB 3052 by Rep. Dan Kirby, modifies official days off for the Christmas holiday.

-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 3171 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, requires death certificates to be filed with the Department of Health within three days of the death.

-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 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 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.

-HB 3381 by Rep. Randy Terrill, adds language making it a felony to delete from, alter or deface the required “sex offender” designation on a driver license or identification card.

-HB 3385 by Rep. Randy Terrill, allows eligible agencies that have filed a furlough plan to provide specialized annual leave to an employee who would otherwise be subject to furlough.

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-SJR 59 by Sen. Dan Newberry, proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting a law from compelling any person, employer or health care provider from participating in any health care system.

• House committees on Wednesday approved the following measures:

-SB 2086 by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, would allow foreign veterinary graduates to practice in Oklahoma.

-SB 2096 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, requires the Department of Agriculture to consider certain debts uncollectable and provide a list of all uncollectable debts and persons who owe debts to the Legislature.

-SB 1782 by Sen. David Myers, allows the Department of Agriculture to sell any used vehicles, used emergency vehicle equipment or any other used equipment determined to be surplus to any federal, state, county or municipal agency or public school district.

-SB 2095 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, permits the state veterinarian to issue emergency orders governing animals in order to protect the citizens and animals of the state from diseases and pests of animals.

-SB 1678 by Sen. David Myers, requires the Department of Environmental Quality to mutually recognize environmental laboratory accreditations issued by the NELAC Institute’s primary National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.

-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.

-SB 1779 by Sen. Sean Burrage, requires applicants for issuance or renewal of a driver license to be given the option to provide an emergency contact person.

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

-SB 1313 by Sen. Susan Paddack, authorizes the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to establish and host law enforcement youth camps at the CLEET statewide training facility.

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

-SB 1354 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, raises from 43 to 45 the maximum age for commissioned officers within the Oklahoma Highway Patrol division.

-SB 1387 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, modifies language related to accidents involving persons with a cancelled, denied, suspended or revoked license, removing language referring to accidents involving another vehicle.

-SB 1670 by Sen. Randy Bass, modifies membership of the Advisory Committee for Motorcycle Safety and Education.

-SB 1810 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, authorizes any 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.

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

-SB 2041 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, requires any person who intentionally harms themselves after being received into custody at a jail or holding facility to pay the costs associated with any required emergency medical care.

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

-SB 1910 by Sen. John Ford, permits the state central committee of a political party to submit to the State Election Board.

-SB 2034 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, requires that all accountants or partnership of accounts that will conduct required audits of public schools meet certain requirements to the satisfaction of the state auditor and inspector.

-SB 1617 by Sen. Jim Halligan, requires each school district that has been identified as low performing to file an improvement plan with the State Board of Education.

-SB 1715 by Sen. Ron Justice, provides a school attendance exemption to any child excused to participate in a military funeral honors ceremony.

-SB 1342 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, exempts any county treasurer who also acts as a school district treasurer from requirements placed on school treasurers to complete at least 12 hours of instruction in school finance, accounting and ethics.

-SB 1876 by Sen. Harry Coates, adds language requiring a physical education curriculum to be designed to enable students to develop skills and knowledge necessary to participate in physical activity through life.

-SB 2212 by Sen. John Ford, establishes that a charter school sponsored by a school district board of education will be considered a local education agency for federal funding purposes.

-SB 2199 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, permits a local school board of a district of any size to request a national criminal background check on anyone currently employed by the district and requires a national criminal background check be conducted on everyone seeking employment with the district.

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

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

-SB 1340 by Sen. Jerry Ellis, creates the Kennel Definitions Act.

-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 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 1631 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies language related to trusts for furtherance of public auctions.

-SB 1648 by Sen. Clark Jolley, prohibits a seller from imposing a surcharge on debit card transactions.

-SB 1775 by Sen. Sean Burrage, requires landlords to provide information in rental agreements regarding whether the premises to be rented has been the location of methamphetamine production in the past five years.

-SB 1814 by Sen. Brian Crain, defines “sex,” for employment purposes.

-SB 1851 by Sen. Charlie Laster, adds language modifying the definition of the practice of engineering to exclude providing a material take off or advising a person on a material take off.

-SB 1881 by Sen. Todd Lamb, directs the Department of Commerce to maintain a website dedicated to its Boomerang Program.

-SB 2042 by Sen. Bill Brown, modifies and recodifies citations of the Perpetual Care Fund Act.

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

Thursday, March 25

• The Senate met Thursday, but approved no substantive legislation.

 

Other News

• New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, as national figures dropped by 14,000. The four-week average of claims was the lowest since September 2008.