Monday, March 7 to Thursday, March 10, 2011

Monday, March 7

• The Senate approved the following measures on Monday:

-SB 970 by Sens. Clark Jolley and David Myers, increases from $1,250,000 to $5,250,000 the amount DOC is authorized to expend from the Industries Revolving Fund.

-SB 671 by Sen. Clark Jolley, abolishes the Board of Medicolegal Investigations and creates the Board of State Pathology.

-SB 11 by Sen. Jim Halligan, designates a section of State Highway 177 from the intersection of State Highway 33 in Perkins north to the Stillwater municipal limits as “Major Scott Hagerty USAR Memorial Highway.”

-SB 57 by Sen. Bill Brown, creates the Health Care Choice Act.

-SB 130 by Sen. Jim Reynolds, modifies the County Budget Act, directing that county government budget procedures foster cooperation among elected officials for effective, informed cooperation.

-SB 131 by Sen. Clark Jolley, directs the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to conduct a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act to consider the suspension or revocation of the CLEET certification of a peace officer.

-SB 143 by Sen. John Ford, requires that a person aged 18 years or younger can only receive a driver’s license if he or she is enrolled in a public or private school, including any technology center; has received a diploma or certification of completion issued to the person from a secondary school; or is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a program leading to a certificate of high school equivalency issued by the State Department of Education.

-SB 179 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.

-SB 187 by Sen. Harry Coates, allows a sheriff or Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training-certified deputy sheriff to accompany a reserve force deputy sheriff in the performances of duties.

-SB 193 by Sen. Mike Schulz, modifies reference from the Interstate Commerce Commission to the Surface Transportation Board.

-SB 195 by Sen. Susan Paddack, designates the new bridge on State Highway 74 over Rush Creek south of Maysville the “OHP Trooper Sam R. Henderson Memorial Bridge.”

-SB 204 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, provides procedures for notification of bidders and the public by public agencies entering into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement.

-SB 211 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, eliminates the transfer of monies to the Reserve for Investment Fluctuations Fund and the Membership Annuity Reserve Fund for teachers retiring under the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma.

-SB 233 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, allows those licensed under the Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act.

-SB 257 by Sen. Harry Coates, creates a zone of safety around parks that are established, operated or supported in whole or in part by city, county, state, federal government or a tribal government prohibiting a person from loitering within 500 feet of the park.

-SB 277 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, clarifies language related to pre-lien notices.

-SB 286 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, creates the Municipal Tax Enforcement Revolving Fund in the State Treasury for the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

-SB 299 by Sen. Clark Jolley, establishes that when a customer’s claim that an item charged against an account is not properly payable accrues when the item is finally paid by the bank without regard to care or lack of care of either the customer or the bank.

-SB 392 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows a credit with respect to the fee for registration of a vehicle which is a replacement for a vehicle which was destroyed by a flood on June 14, 2010.

-SB 407 by Sen. Bill Brown, modifies the biennial requirement for continuing education for insurance producers.

-SB 483 by Sen. Brian Crain, states legislative intent for state agencies to utilize private service providers whenever feasible to carry out statutory duties in order to increase efficiency and minimize administrative costs.

-SB 521 by Sen. Brian Crain, defines an “interest in real estate” as any estate or interest in, over or under land, including surface, minerals, structures and fixtures.

-SB 527 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to claims by creditors, allowing claims to be brought in the county in which the claim arose.

-SB 571 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows the state to sell property that is customarily sold on a recognized market or a type which is subject to widely distributed standard price quotations, and it allows the state treasurer to sell the property without notice by publication.

-SB 614 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows a municipality that has enacted a sales or use tax ordnance to impose criminal sanctions in the form of fines and penalties for the willful failure of a vendor to collect or remit the full amount of applicable taxes and penalties due.

-SB 630 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requires any vehicle used for public transportation, including buses, vans, trolley cars and similar vehicles, to utilize headlamps, tail lamps and other appropriate lighting equipment at all times, except for parked vehicles.

-SB 657 by Sen. Clark Jolley, eliminates the requirement that real estate transactions use a registered certification authority.

-SB 673 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies the requirements for conducting an audit of a pharmacy.

-SB 790 by Sen. Brian Crain, requires any appeal of a motion for recusal of a judge to be filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

-SB 815 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, prohibits parties filing for dissolution of marriage, annulment of marriage or legal separation who are under a temporary injunction from intentionally or knowingly damaging or destroying documents of value, including but not limited to electronically stored documents whether representative of debts, assets or communications between parties and any minor child.

-SB 959 by Sen. Mike Brown, authorizes the insurance commissioner to join a multi-state agreement or compact for the purpose of complying with the surplus lines tax provisions of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act.

-SCR 7 by Sen. Jim Wilson, commends the U.S. Marshals Service for their long history of service to the state of Oklahoma and the United States.

-SR 4 by Sen. Jim Halligan, congratulates OSU football player Justin Blackmon.

-SR 5 by Sen. Jim Halligan, congratulates OSU football player Dan Bailey.

-SR 7 by Sen. Jim Halligan, congratulates OSU football coach Mike Gundy.

• Senate committees took no action on Monday.

• The House met Monday and approved the following bills:

-HB 1373 by Rep. Corey Holland, modifies penalties for a parent, guardian, custodian, child or other person who fails to compel a child to attend school.

-HB 1372 by Rep. Corey Holland, modifies language related to the maximum prescribed amount a school district may spend on administrative services.

-HB 1035 by Rep. Jason Murphey, requires states agencies to use the Trip Optimizer system for vehicles used by state employees when the travel exceeds 100 miles per day and the employee is not driving a state-owned or state-leased dedicated vehicle.

-HB 1211 by Rep. Dan Kirby, creates Cody’s Law.

-HB 1251 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, prohibits the Grand River Dam Authority from selling water from portions of the Grand River and its tributaries downstream from the southern edge of the Markham Ferry Dam on Lake Hudson.

-HB 1339 by Rep. Brian Renegar, requires game and fish license dealers to issue every license via an electronic point of sale system.

-HB 1355 by Rep. Al McAffrey, changes reference from the individual responsible to bury the body of a deceased person to the person with the right to control the disposition and arrangements for funeral goods and services.

-HB 1412 by Rep. Charles Joyner, modifies language related to the seizing of intoxicating liquors used in the violation of the law.

-HB 1452 by Rep. Cory Williams, increases from one year to two years the period of time allowed to file for expungement.

-HB 1666 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, requires the cost associated with signage related to the naming of highways and bridges on the state highway system be paid by the group sponsoring or requesting the sign.

-HB 1672 by Rep. Lisa Billy, requires the time period set in the order by the Department of Public Safety for the suspension or revocation of a driver’s license to run during the stay when a judge of a drug court enters a stay against an order by the Department of Public Safety suspending or revoking the driving privileges of the officer.

-HB 1943 by Rep. Mike Jackson, allows the floodplain boards that administer and enforce floodplain management rules and regulations to establish and charge fair and reasonable fees in an equitable manner.

-HB 1995 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, requires a hospital operated by a public trust to maintain health care malpractice liability insurance coverage with available limits of at least $1 million per claim with an aggregate of at least $3 million.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, March 8

• The Senate approved the following bills on Tuesday:

-SB 189 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, limits the amount of damages someone may recover in a civil action arising out of a vehicle accident to the amount of medical costs, property damage and lost income if the plaintiff or claimant is not in compliance with the Compulsory Insurance Law.

-SB 621 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, proposes a constitutional amendment modifying the process to fill a vacancy in a judicial office.

-SB 547 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, prohibits inclusion of elective abortion coverage in any health insurance policy offered by the state’s health exchange.

-SB 16 by Sen. Don Barrington, modifies language related to the salary of county officers, allowing rather than requiring that they be increased from the basic salary.

-SB 60 by Sen. Kim David, requires the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Grand River Dam Authority to meet at least once biennially during the first session of each new legislature.

-SB 82 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, designates the interchange of Interstate 44 crossing Harvard Avenue in Tulsa County as “Jerry Lasker Memorial Interchange.”

-SB 92 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, modifies language related to municipal sinking funds, decreasing from one-third to one-fifth the amount that may be used for outstanding judgments against the municipality.

-SB 101 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, modifies exemptions to a requirement to obtain a sales tax permit for special events to include an event sponsored by an entity organized primarily for the purpose of supporting one or more state parks.

-SB 121 by Sen. Steve Russell, directs the Department of Human Services to place a photo of a human services beneficiary on each beneficiary’s human services benefit card.

-SB 126 by Sen. Don Barrington, prohibits a bus driver, regardless of whether the bus is occupied, from crossing a railroad track or tracks at grade unless he or she stops within 50 feet of and not closer than 15 feet to the tracks, listens and looks in each direction and ascertains no train is approaching.

-SB 138 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, directs the Department of Public Safety to make space available on the front or back of a driver license and identification card for a flag emblem to serve as a notation of veteran status.

-SB 147 by Sen. Don Barrington, requires a petition for incorporation of a town to be signed by registered voters who are residents of the proposed town at the time of signing the petition and for 60 days immediately preceding signing the petition.

-SB 156 by Sen. Tom Ivester, increases the maximum limit on suits that may be filed under the small claims procedure from $6,000 to $10,000.

-SB 169 by Sen. David Myers, increases from 1.5 cents to 2 cents the per-bushel fee on all wheat marketed by wheat producers in the state and sold through commercial channels.

-SB 175 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, allows the Oklahoma Homeland Security Director to employ a state 9-1-1 coordinator to oversee the 9-1-1 systems of Oklahoma.

-SB 176 by Sen. Susan Paddack, modifies language related to royalty monies paid for oil and gas leases occupied or assigned to the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center of Pauls Valley.

-SB 190 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, requires the Payment Rate Review Task Force to submit to the Joint Liaison Committee on State and Education Employees Group Insurance Benefits a final report by Dec. 31, 2011, and it states that the task force shall terminate effective Jan. 1, 2012.

-SB 194 by Sen. David Myers, modifies retirement options under the Teachers Retirement System.

-SB 237 by Sen. Kim David, adds language to an act related to uniform controlled dangerous substances, specifically prohibiting the use of Datura Stramonium, commonly known as Jimson weed or Jimson weed seeds, for the purpose of inducing intoxication or distortion or disturbance of the auditory, visual, muscular or mental process.

-SB 247 by Sen. Kim David, requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to certify all foster family homes by meeting standards for certification promulgated by the Board of Juvenile Affairs.

-SB 258 by Sen. Harry Coates, prohibits any person from violating any prohibition specified in rules promulgated by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission within state parks.

-SB 261 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, requires a special license plate meeting the requirements of the bill to be issued if 250 prepaid applications for the special license plate are received by the Oklahoma Tax Commission on or after the effective date of the bill.

-SB 263 by Sen. Susan Paddack, establishes minimum requirements for mandatory continuing education for licensed private investigators and security guards to include 24 clock hours of required attendance during the licensing period at accredited educational functions.

-SB 266 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows municipalities to adopt ordinances, resolutions or regulations for the implementation and collection of facilities fees to fund or recover their costs for capital improvements.

-SB 267 by Sen. David Holt, adds the economic impact of the acquisition on the Oklahoma economy or any local community economy to the definition of “best value criteria” as used in the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.

-SB 290 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 292 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 294 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 301 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, allows declaration of candidacy forms prescribed by the Oklahoma State Election Board to include a section where the candidate can list a telephone number, e-mail address and website address, which can then be made available to the public.

-SB 305 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 308 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 310 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges Reform Act of 2011.

-SB 329 by Sen. Rob Johnson, directs the Legislature to conduct a study of all state agencies with the authority to regulate nursing homes to determine if there is more than one agency regulating the same service.
-SB 331 by Sen. Rob Johnson, removes language stating that any state, county, city, town or school district officer who directs the payment or transfer of property belonging to the entity served in an unlawful or fraudulent contract is jointly and severally liable in damage to all innocent persons injured.

-SB 339 by Sen. Cliff Branan, modifies language related to vegetation management.

-SB 347 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, requires that any municipal officer or employer forfeit their retirement benefits upon final conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony for bribery, corruption, forgery or perjury or any other crime related to their office or employment.

-SB 398 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, allows a contract or agreement to purchase any consumer goods or services pursuant to an unsolicited message made by an automatic dialing device without the use of a live operator to be voided at the option of the consumer unless it has been memorialized in writing.

-SB 416 by Sen. Susan Paddack, modifies the duties of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

-SB 420 by Sen. Eddie Fields, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Agricultural Environmental Permitting Act.

-SB 494 by Sen. Don Barrington, creates the Oklahoma Private Lands and Public Recreation Act.

-SB 498 by Sen. Rob Johnson, requires court reporters temporarily employed by the district court, Workers’ Compensation Court or Corporation Commission to be compensated at a rate to be set by the court.

-SB 499 by Sen. Brian Bingman, requires permits for special mobilized machinery to specify a maximum permissible road speed of 60 miles per hour.

-SB 530 by Sen. Sean Burrage, allows a person who has a lien upon a domestic animal to foreclose upon the lien while lawfully in possession of the animal.

-SB 558 by Sen. Steve Russell, prohibits employers from forcing any employee who is retired from a branch of the U.S. Military and has been provided with health coverage through a federal plan to participate in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.

-SB 591 by Sen. Brian Bingman, creates an Oklahoma Recycling Task Force.

-SB 598 by Sen. Brian Bingman, creates the Oklahoma Municipal Energy Independence Act.

-SB 602 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Let the Troops Vote Act.

-SB 668 by Sen. Kim David, expands the definition of co-occuring disorder in the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors Act.

-SB 675 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies the Physical Therapist Practice Act.

-SB 708 by Sen. Clark Jolley, sets forth the requirements for all municipal and county development fees that are established and collected to fund public infrastructure system improvements.

-SB 710 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, increases from $250,000 to $500,000 the maximum limit for special maintenance projects that can be carried out by state special maintenance crews unless deemed otherwise by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

-SB 728 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, limits the applicability of sales tax exemptions for governmental and non-profit entities to five years after the effective date of such exemptions.

-SB 737 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows the boundary of a precinct to follow physical boundaries or a section line defined by a public land survey system description.

-SB 742 by Sen. Don Barrington, prohibits golf carts and utility vehicles to be operated on the streets and highways of Oklahoma.

-SB 753 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates the Oklahoma State Capitol Centennial Act.

-SB 761 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requires an employer to promptly provide an injured employee compensation for treatment that may be necessary after certain injuries.

-SB 778 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, creates the Independent Insurance Adjusters Licensing Act.

-SB 780 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, creates the Oklahoma Home Service Contract Act.

-SB 782 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, allows the legislative actuary until the end of the year to complete actuarial investigation of a retirement bill having a fiscal impact.

-SB 785 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, clarifies that an additional release from the registered vehicle owner is not required by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety when an insurer has determined the vehicle to be a total loss vehicle.

-SB 794 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, modifies contribution rates and retirement benefits for elected officials participating in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

-SB 801 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requires a portable electronics vendor to have a limited lines license from the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner to sell or offer insurance coverage of portable electronic devices.

-SB 837 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies language related to discriminatory practices in employment and housing.

-SB 840 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, adds language that requires petitions for judicial review of individual proceedings under the Administrative Procedures Act involving the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System to be brought in Oklahoma County.

-SB 855 by Sen. Jim Halligan, makes it unlawful for a person to engage in reckless conduct while in possession of a weapon, look-alike weapon or any object that can reasonably be considered or mistaken for a weapon or dangerous object that may cause harm to the physical and mental health, safety or welfare of any individual on school property immediately before, during or immediately after school hours.

-SR 6 by Sen. Tom Ivester, expresses appreciation to Staff Sgt. Matthew Treadwell and gratitude for the recovery of Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Walker.

-SJR 15 by Sen. Rob Johnson, proposes a constitutional amendment stating that the state shall grant no preferential treatment to or discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of race, color, sex ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contract.

-SJR 24 by Sen. Susan Paddack, directs the executive directors of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to submit a report detailing the progress made to implement a state policy for water reuse.

• Senate committees took no action on Tuesday.

• The House convened Tuesday and approved the following measures:

-HB 1044 by Rep. George Faught, requires state entities promulgating rules to cite state or federal authority for the changes.

-HB 1380 by Rep. Corey Holland, removes language regarding career teacher pretermination hearings conducted by district boards of education.

-HB 1461 by Rep. Lee Denney, modifies language related to the School Bullying Prevention Act.

-HB 1380 by Rep. Corey Holland, removes language regarding career teacher pretermination hearings conducted by district boards of education.

-HB 2121 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, establishes that the production of oil and gas from certain horizontally drilled wells shall be taxed at a rate of 1 percent for the first 48 months of production.

-HB 1595 by Rep. Steve Martin, directs the duty and obligation of the sub-state planning district to hold in a separate escrow account all fees paid on behalf of counties in its region that have not assessed a 911 emergency wireless telephone fee until such time as the county votes to assess the fee or develop wireless 911 service.

-HB 1050 by Rep. Mike Sanders, requires candidates for an election of the fair association board of directors to file with the county election board rather than the county clerk.

-HB 1232 by Rep. Ben Sherrer, allows for temporary emergency highway closings for flooding by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

-HB 1282 by Rep. David Dank, clarifies language related to the definition of "long-term care administrator".

-HB 1460 by Rep. Lee Denney, modifies language related to Special Universal Services.

-HB 1473 by Rep. Don Armes, removes a requirement that exported cervidae originating from an Oklahoma county where chronic wasting disease exists in free-ranging native herds be double fenced.

-HB 1474 by Rep. Don Armes, increases from $250 to $1,500 the penalty for willfully entering a facility licensed under the Oklahoma Famed Cervidae Act or a commercial hunting area.

-HB 1494 by Rep. David Brumbaugh, repeals language relating to the Health Carrier Access Payment Revolving Fund.

-HB 1554 by Rep. Sally Kern, creates the Oklahoma Options Counseling for Long term Care Program Act.

-HB 1575 by Rep. Scott Martin, prohibits the Department of Environmental Quality from requiring a permit for applying less than 250 gallons per day of private residential gray water originating from a residence for household gardening.

-HB 1680 by Rep. Marty Quinn, modifies language related to criterion-referenced tests for public school students.

-HB 1715 by Rep. Pam Peterson, adds definitions under the Social Worker's Licensing Act.

• House committees took no action on Tuesday.

Wednesday, March 9

• The Senate approved the following measures on Wednesday:

-SB 1 by Sen. John Ford, removes language concerning pre-termination hearings for career teachers.

-SB 534 by Sen. John Ford, allows a career teacher to be dismissed or not reemployed for the commission of an act of moral turpitude and provides examples of moral turpitude.

-SB 327 by Sen. Rob Johnson, directs elections for county sheriff to be conducted on a nonpartisan basis.

-SJR 36 by Sen. Clark Jolley, proposes a constitutional amendment eliminating the responsibility of the Judicial Nominating Commission to recommend three individuals to the governor to fill judicial vacancies and authorizes the governor to appoint a nominee to fill the vacancy.

-SB 658 by Sen. Clark Jolley, creates a joint legislative task force to study and identify amendments and modifications to laws relating to low-point and high-point beer and wine sold in grocery stores.

-SB 22 by Sen. Don Barrington, requires judicial officers whose names are to appear on a general election ballot to make their written rulings and opinions available to the public for at least 60 days before the date of the election.

-SB 94 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, exempts from annual hunting and fishing license requirements any legal resident who as a firefighter or law enforcement officer suffered a 60 percent or more disability in the line of duty.

-SB 104 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows a county treasurer to send ad valorem tax statements to a taxpayer by electronic mail if the taxpayer submitted a written request for such delivery.

-SB 115 by Sen. Tom Ivester, creates the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act.

-SB 124 by Sen. Ron Justice, prohibits eminent domain from being used for the development of wind farms or wind turbines on private property.

-SB 145 by Sen. Mike Schulz, clarifies language related to the Oklahoma Energy Independence Act.

-SB 157 by Sen. Clark Jolley, modifies the exemption for any person who is certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training and has undergone a required psychological evaluation from having to be reevaluated.

-SB 228 by Sen. Ron Justice, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Agriculture Environmental Permitting Act.

-SB 282 by Sen. David Holt, requires any person subject to the Sex Offenders Registration Act or the Mary Rippy Act who has an out-of-state conviction that requires registration to provide law enforcement agencies where the offender intends to reside with a certified copy of the offender’s judgment and sentencing report within 30 days of the offender’s initial registration with Oklahoma.

-SB 274 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

-SB 363 by Sen. Ralph Shortey, prohibits the state fire marshal from engaging in other business that may be a conflict of interest with duties of the state fire marshal.

-SB 443 by Sen. Andrew Rice, adds language concerning bicycle and motorcycle safety to the knowledge of traffic laws portion of the examination for Class A, B, C or D driver’s licenses.

-SB 447 by Sen. Don Barrington, reduces the time for a court to schedule a full hearing from within 20 days to within 14 days of the filing of a petition for a protective order.

-SB 532 by Sen. Tom Ivester, requires any motor vehicle of any size meeting the legal requirements for safety equipment and licensed to operate on public roadways in Oklahoma to be allowed to operate without restriction on any road or highway in Oklahoma including the National System for Interstate and Defense Highways.

-SB 536 by Sen. Gary Stanislawski, creates a Task Force on Creating Administrative Efficiencies.

-SB 568 by Sen. Steve Russell, creates the Volunteer Emergency Responders Act.

-SB 574 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requires dental facility permit holders following the first year of employment to show proof of passing an appropriate clinical board examination recognized by the Board of Dentistry.

-SB 603 by Sen. Mike Schulz, creates an Endangered Species and Economic Development Task Force.

-SB 606 by Sen. Steve Russell, requires the Governor to appoint any executive director or primary executive position of an agency, subject to Senate confirmation.

-SB 629 by Sen. Clark Jolley, authorizes the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to implement carbon sequestration projects in order to protect and improve natural resources.

-SB 648 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, requires non-resident licensees of the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission to successfully complete Oklahoma’s continuing education requirements for license renewal or reactivation if the non-resident licensee is exempt from the continuing education requirements in the states where the non-resident licensee holds a license.

-SB 674 by Sen. Clark Jolley, defines an adult as an individual 18 years or older.

-SB 701 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows the surviving next of kin of a person to obtain copies of medical records, including x-rays or other photographic images of a patient.

-SB 704 by Sen. Rob Johnson, directs a court, in instances of class action suits, to only include members of a class who advise the court that they desire to be included in the class.

-SB 740 by Sen. Mike Schulz, creates the Airspace Severance Restriction Act.

-SB 774 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, allows the Oklahoma Real Estate Appraiser Board to deny the issuance or renewal of a registration after a hearing.

-SB 798 by Sen. Clark Jolley, allows for a motion to protect and preserve abandoned or vacated property that is subject to suit, action or proceeding to foreclose or otherwise enforce the remedies in the mortgage, contract for deed or trust.

-SB 816 by Sen. Dan Newberry, prohibits a board of county commissioners and or the Department of Transportation from opening a section of highway on land crossed by the segment of section line located within the boundaries of property proposed for construction of a new or expanded business facility.

-SB 856 by Sen. Steve Russell, states that any person who knowingly solicits, persuades, encourages or entices a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms or ammunition under circumstances which the person knows would violate the laws of Oklahoma or the United States or who provides materially false information with the intent to deceive the dealer or seller about the legality of a transfer is guilty of a felony.

-SB 858 by Sen. Steve Russell, prohibits a health care practitioner from refusing to treat or accept a referral for treatment of a patient based on the lawful ownership or other legal conduct involving firearms by the patient or a member of the patient’s household.

-SB 928 by Sen. Dan Newberry, requires the suspension of registration under the Roofing Contractor Registration Act for multiple violations of the act within a single 12-month period.

-SB 929 by Sen. Dan Newberry, creates a task force to study the consolidation of professional and occupational licensing functions.

-SB 940 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, requires an appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to be filed as a petition in error within 30 days of the date of the original judgment or ruling.

-SB 941 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies language related to procedures for the discovery of certain trial preparation materials and experts.

-SB 942 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies language related to the grounds for dismissal of court actions and court orders.

-SB 943 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, modifies language relating to procedures for judicial review and transmission of records to the reviewing court.

• The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget approved one measure Wednesday:

-HB 2169 by Rep. Scott Martin, increases from $263,139,950 to $278,139,950 the amount the Oklahoma Health Care Authority is authorized to transfer from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Fund to the CMIA Programs Disbursing Fund.

• The House met Wednesday, approving the following measures:

-HB 1008 by Rep. Skye McNiel, places a Jan. 1, 2015, end date on tax credits for tuition reimbursed from a qualified aerospace employer to a qualified employee.

-HB 2114 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to submit a report to the governor, the speaker of the House, the president pro tempore for the Senate and the chairs of the Appropriation and Budget Subcommittees on Education for both houses of the Legislature of actions taken in regard to reviewing the design of the formula for all institutions within the Oklahoma State System on Higher Education and implementation of a redesign of the formula.

-HB 1888 by Rep. Pam Peterson, creates the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

-HB 1397 by Rep. Doug Cox, directs the Department of Health to perform any and all health-related services within the scope of practice and as prescribed by state law, the Board of Health or other standards.

-HB 1648 by Rep. Tom Newell, removes language that allows a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System who is absent from teaching service because of an election or appointment as a local, state or national education association officer to be allowed to retain his or her membership in the system upon payment of a contribution.

-HB 1086 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Transparency, Accountability and Innovation in Oklahoma State Government 2.0 Act of 2011.

-HB 1207 by Rep. Jason Murphey, creates the Oklahoma Innovation, Efficiency and Accountability Act of 2011.

-HB 1209 by Rep. Dan Kirby, exempts from liability for damages, except for acts of gross negligence or willful or wanton negligence, any physician acting as a ring official at an event sanctioned by the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission who renders or attempts to render emergency care to an injured participant in need or immediate medical aid.

-HB 1438 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, establishes the Oklahoma State Government Asset Reduction and Cost Savings Program.

-HB 1486 by Rep. Richard Morrissette, creates the Oklahoma Woody Biomass Initiative Act.

-HB 1663 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, requires a student to submit an application for federal financial aid to be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program each year the student is enrolled in a higher education program.

-HB 1664 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, removes language requiring the ballot title of an initiative petition to the Legislature to be written on the eighth grade reading comprehension level.

-HB 1665 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, prohibits state agencies from allocating 1.5 percent of their budgets to fund the Oklahoma Art in Public Places Act.

-HB 1669 by Rep. Leslie Osborn, modifies language related to the requirement from preventing a municipality from abating a dilapidated building as a nuisance.

-HB 1675 by Rep. Lisa Billy, removes language related to the requirement that the Attorney General’s Evidence Fund can never be more than $1.5 million.

-HB 1812 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, modifies language related to the Public Competitive Bidding Act.

-HB 1828 by Rep. John Trebilcock, changes the amount temporarily employed court reporters are paid by the district court.

-HB 2136 by Rep. Kris Steele, requires that the Department of Human Services’ safety analysis include a criminal background check that will include inquiries into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation files of any adult known to be in the home of the child for whom a report of abuse or neglect has been received.

• House committees took no action on Wednesday.

Thursday, March 10

• The Senate approved the following measures on Thursday:

-SB 826 by Sen. David Holt, reforms procedural processes and election procedures relating to municipal arbitration.

-SB 687 by Sen. Don Barrington, increases the fireworks retail license fee to $20.

-SB 285 by Sen. Kim David, mandates that any person who enters the grounds of the Governor’s mansion in unauthorized areas is trespassing.

-SB 162 by Sen. Ron Justice, allows retired district attorneys who have verified their status as a former district attorney to carry firearms anywhere in the state.

-SB 132 by Sen. Ron Justice, states that retirement benefits received by an individual from the Armed Forces that do not exceed 100 percent of the benefits or $12,000 will be exempt from income taxes beginning in tax year 2016.

-SB 606 by Sen. Steve Russell, states that if a minor resides with their birth parent, and the birth parent’s spouse files a petition for adoption, no home study shall be required.

-SB 21 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, allows taxpayers to donate to the Historic Greenwood District Music Festival Revolving Fund from individual or corporate income tax returns.

-SB 878 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Workers’ Compensation Act.

-SB 248 by Sen. Kim David, amends sections to give the Grand River Dam Authority the authority to regulate within the boundaries of the Grand River water district.

-SB 965 by Sen. Bill Brown, removes specific requirement for applicants for insurance adjustor licenses.

-SB 964 by Sen. Bill Brown, states that the licenses of bail bondsmen will expire biennially.

-SB 563 by Sen. Bill Brown, modifies definitions relating to the Health Insurance High Risk Pool Act.

-SB 185 by Sen. Harry Coates, adds the definition of “best value” as an optional competitive bidding process which would allow DCS and other public agencies to award contracts not solely based on cost.

-SB 19 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, states that owners and operators of solid waste landfills are to maintain a four to one ration on horizontal and vertical slopes.

Other News

• This week Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman announced the Senate is continuing efforts to reduce agency costs in anticipation of additional budget cuts in the coming fiscal year. Senate staff was informed this week that another round of voluntary buyouts would be offered this year. The Senate offered the program during the 2010 session and 25 employees accepted, resulting in a savings of $1.8 million. With other cost saving steps, the Senate will ultimately save more than $2.8 million by the end of the current fiscal year.

• Oklahoma, with the 28th-largest population and the 29th-largest economy among the 50 states, accounts for more gambling revenue than all but three other states. The annual Indian Gaming Industry Report released last week shows that in 2009 Oklahoma tribes combined for $3.119 billion in gambling revenue and another $442 million in nongaming casino revenue - things such as food, drinks and hotels. With Oklahoma's tribal gaming revenue up nearly 7 percent, the state has passed Louisiana ($2.9 billion) as a gambling location and could some day pass No. 3 New Jersey ($3.7 billion), said the study's author, Alan Meister, an economist with Nathan Associates Inc. Nevada leads the nation at $10.4 billion in gambling revenue with California's in second at $6.9 billion.

• Starting April 1, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will begin staggering the dates that it distributes food stamps. Benefits from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, which helps feed more than 600,000 Oklahomans each month, traditionally have been distributed on the first day of each month. The new plan will be phased in over a four-month period starting April 1. Households receiving assistance will be divided into three groups using the last digit of each case number. Case numbers ending in 0-3 will continue to receive benefits on the first of each month. Case numbers ending in 4-6 will change to the fifth day of each month, and case numbers ending in 7-9 will move to the 10th day of each month.

• The Oklahoman reported this week that the state will spend around $52 million this year on superintendent salaries for the more than 500 school districts and charter schools in the state.