Monday, March 19 to Thursday March 22, 2007

• The Senate met Monday and took up a number of resolutions including the following:

-SCR 20 by Sen. Mike Morgan, commends the Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Association and declares June 16 and 17, 2007, as “Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival Weekend” in Stillwater.

-SR 19 by Sens. Don Barrington, Randy Bass and Clark Jolley, honors Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, of Lawton.

-SR 18 by Sens. Brian Crain and James A. Williamson, honors Miss Oklahoma 2006, Lindsay Miller, on her accomplishments.

-SR 11 by Sen. Clark Jolley, praises the career of Dr. Garland A. Godfrey and mourns his loss.

• No action was taken in Senate committees on Monday.

• The House convened Monday and approved several resolutions including the following:

-HR 1010 by Rep. Danny Morgan, celebrates the 85th birthday of Bob Rousselot, honoring his service and offering condolences on his passing.

-HR 1009 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, honors Lindsey Miller as Miss Oklahoma 2006 and commends her accomplishments.

-HR 1011 by Reps. Don Armes, David Braddock, Ann Coody, T.W. Shannon, Joe Dorman, Dennis Johnson, and Ray McCarter, honors Lauren Nelson of Oklahoma as Miss America 2007, and commends her accomplishments.

-SCR 20 by Sen. Mike Morgan and Rep. Terry Ingmire, commends the Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Association and declares June 16 and 17, 2007, as “Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival Weekend” in Stillwater.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, March 13

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved the general appropriations bill and several resolutions including the following:

-HB 1234 by Sen. Tom Adelson, is the 2007 legislative session’s general appropriations and supplemental funding bill.

-HB 1233 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would require the Director of the Office of State Finance to transfer $118, 969,138 from the Cash-flow Reserve Fund to the Special Cash Fund of the State Treasury.

• Senate committees approved several measures on Tuesday, including the following:

-HB 1646 by Sen. John Ford, would make it unlawful for state employees to solicit any portion of a benefit or allowance as a gratuity, kickback or loan from a recipient who is otherwise entitled to the benefit or allowance.

-HB 1017 by Sen. Clark Jolley would require the actual true name and address of the manufacturer to be displayed on sound recordings or visual works that are offered for sale, rental, distribution or circulation.

-HB 1285 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, would make the statute of limitations for the crime of accessory to a felony the same as if the person had committed the substantive offense.

• The House briefly convened and took no action on substantive measures on Tuesday.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.

Wednesday, March 14

• The Senate met Wednesday and approved the following bills:

-SR 17 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, commends Pastor Alva Gumm on his 40th year in the ministry and designates March 19 through 22, 2007, as “Pastor Alva Gumm Week”.

-SR 19 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, recognizes the Red Oak Lady Eagles fast-pitch softball team for winning the 2006 Class B state championship.

-SCR 21 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, commends the ONEOK corporation upon its 100th anniversary.

• Senate committees took no action on Wednesday.

• The House met Wednesday and approved the 2007 legislative session’s general appropriations bill, along with several appropriations shell bills.

-HB 1234 by Sen. Tom Adelson, is the 2007 legislative session’s general appropriations and supplemental funding bill.

-HB 1233 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would require the Director of State Finance to transfer $118,969,138 from the Cash-flow Reserve Fund to the Special Cash Fund of the State Treasury.

-SCR 21 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, commends the ONEOK corporation upon its 100th anniversary.

• House committees took no action on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 15

• The Senate met Thursday and approved one resolution.

-HCR 1023 by Sen. James A. Williamson, praises Col. James E. Swett, Medal of Honor recipient, for his leadership and service.

Other News
• On Monday, the Senate honored the efforts of the Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Association. Sen. Mike Morgan welcomed the group, which included bagpipers and flag-bearers displaying the flags of Celtic nations, to the Senate Chamber. Morgan authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 20 to commend the efforts of the Association to celebrate the Oklahoma Centennial with an exploration of Celtic art and history. The Association has organized a festival to be held on the weekend of June 16 and 17 at the Payne County Expo Center.

• Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007 and Lindsey Miller, Miss Oklahoma 2006, visited the Senate on Monday. Senate Resolution 18, authored by Sens. Brian Crain and James A. Williamson, was presented to the new Miss Oklahoma Lindsey Miller commending her for her many talents. Nelson, a Lawton native, was then presented with SR 19 congratulating her for her victory at the Miss America pageant. The resolution was authored by Sens. Don Barrington, Randy Bass and Clark Jolley along with Reps. Don Armes, Ann Coody, Joe Dorman, T.W. Shannon and Ken Miller.

• The State Senate honored the life and contributions made to education in Oklahoma by Dr. Garland Godfrey on Monday. Senate Resolution 11, by Senator Clark Jolley, praises the career of Godfrey who served as the 16th President of the University of Central Oklahoma. He was selected to receive the Edmond Citizen of the Year Award in 1973, and was also inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 1995. Godfrey passed away on February 14, 2007, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 97.

• Wednesday was “Ag Day” at the state Capitol. Producers of various agricultural products including meats, cheeses and even crafts, set up booths in the fourth floor rotunda to display and distribute their products. Colleges and Universities were also on hand to discuss agricultural research and projects. Agriculture remains one of the state’s top employers, providing jobs for one in every six Oklahomans and contributing at least $9 billion a year to Oklahoma’s economy. Oklahoma is the nation’s third-largest beef producer, and the eighth-largest pork producer.