Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23, 2008

Monday, May 19

• The Senate met Monday and approved the following legislation:

-SB 1865 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, creates the Accountability and Innovation Act, the Joint Committee on Accountability and Innovation and the Office of Accountability and Innovation.
-SB 2037 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, permits parents or guardians of multiple birth siblings to request that the children attend the same school and be placed in the same or separate classrooms if the children are in the same grade level and meet the school's eligibility requirement.
-SB 514 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, requires the Department of Education to determine the amount of funds allocated for the economically disadvantaged pupil category weight for each school district with an average daily member greater than 35,000 and requires each district to expend those funds at the school site in which the pupil approved for the category weight is enrolled.
-SB 1440 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, modifies language related to the authority of a court to defer proceedings and place a person on probation.
-SB 1765 by Sen. David Myers, creates a 15-member Oklahoma Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide Task Force.
-SB 1856 by Sen. David Myers, creates the Oklahoma Scrap Metal Dealers Act.
-SB 1950 by Sen. Brian Crain, modifies language related to criminal procedure, adding the crime of child trafficking to the list of prosecutions to be commenced within 12 years after the discovery of the crime.

-SB 2034 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to establish a voluntary compliance initiative for certain taxes during which taxpayers who voluntarily file delinquent tax returns and pay the taxes due shall be entitled to a waiver of the penalty, interest and other collections fees.
-SJR 29 by Sen. Tom Ivester, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow in and out of state winemakers that produce no more than 10,000 gallons of wine to sell directly to package stores and restaurants as long as the wine is sold on the same price basis.
-SCR 91 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, urges the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and all public institutions of higher education to use best practice methods for procurement and acquisitions to ensure efficient and cost-effective purchasing procedures.

• The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations approved several appropriations measures and the following legislation on Monday:

-SB 1190 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, modifies language related to the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Act.
-SB 1369 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson, David Myers and Ken Miller, modifies language related to unclassified service personnel.
-SB 1423 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, modifies the definition of "petroleum" under the Oklahoma Storage Tank Regulation Act.
-SB 1672 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, prohibits the use of any electrical stun gun, tear gas weapon, mace, tear gas, pepper mace or any similar agent against another person knowing the other person to be a peace officer, corrections officer, probation or parole officer, firefighter or an emergency medical technician.
-SB 2129 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, creates a working capital allowance for certain investment tax exemptions.
-HB 2695 by Rep. Paul Roan, authorizes the Commissioner of Public Safety to own, train and use canines to assist in detection of explosives and controlled dangerous substances.
-HB 2732 by Rep. Brian Renegar, creates a felony offense for the practice of veterinary medicine by persons not certified or licensed by the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.
-HB 3395 by Rep. Lance Cargill, directs the State Department of Education to establish a School Health Coordinators Pilot Program to assist school districts in establishing student health and wellness programs in elementary schools.

• The House convened Monday and approved numerous appropriations measures along with the following legislation:

-HB 2074 by Rep. Earl Sears, allows retired classified or nonclassified members of the Teacher Retirement System who have been retired for 36 or more months and who is employed by a public school to receive annualized earnings with no reduction in retirement benefits regardless of earnings.
-HB 1903 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, directs nursing homes to provide patients with a form authorizing nursing personnel to contact a clergy person of the patient's faith upon the condition of a grave illness or impending death.
-HB 2469 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, modifies language related to visitation rights, specifying natural parents and grandparents.
-HB 2568 by Rep. Pam Peterson, allows the Child Death Review Board and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board to enter into agreements with other entities to conduct joint reviews of child abuse deaths and near deaths.
-HB 2791 by Rep. Mike Jackson, establishes penalties for second and subsequent offenders who willfully enter a facility licensed under the Oklahoma Farmed Cervidae Act or a commercial hunting area without permission.
-HB 2821 by Rep. Daniel Sullivan, authorizes the Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control to initiate proceedings under the Oklahoma Corrupt Organizations Prevention Act.
-HB 3275 by Rep. Charles Joyner, authorizes a district attorney to request assistance from any attorney employed by the District Attorneys Council.

• House committees took no action on Monday.

Tuesday, May 20

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved numerous appropriations measures and the following bills:

-SB 1369 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, adds pipeline safety department employees hired on or after Sept. 1, 2008, to the list of unclassified personnel for the Corporation Commission.

-SB 1398 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, limits to $50 million per calendar year the amount of transactions the State Regents for Higher Education can finance using the master lease program and requires on bonds issued through the program to receive legislative approval.

-SB 1406 by Sen. Brian Bingman, authorizes municipalities with a population of less than 5,000 to employ a part-time city manager, subject to terms of employment established by the city council.

-SB 1423 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, modifies the definition of “petroleum” under the Oklahoma Storage Tank Regulation Act.

-SB 1547 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, eliminates judges from the process of issuing and receiving marriage licenses and directs court clerks to issue and receive marriage licenses.

-SB 1654 by Sen. Mike Johnson, prohibits the use in automobile air conditioning systems of any refrigerant that is not included in the list published by the Environmental Protection Agency as a safe alternative to chlorofluorocarbon-12.

-SB 1763 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, designates in eligible counties a juvenile bureau and all facilities operated by the juvenile bureau as a department of the county.

-SB 1769 by Sen. Susan Paddack, allocates a base amount of $1,500 in addition to the per-student reimbursement amount for summer reading remediation programs in school districts that have 10 or fewer students participating in the program.

-SB 1795 by Sen. Mike Johnson, requires appropriations from the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund be made available to the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and common education on a monthly basis and establishes procedures for the Office of State Finance to make the funds available.

-SB 1951 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, creates the School Investigative Audit Revolving Fund for the holding of 10 percent of bonds forfeited by school districts found guilty of illegal activity during a state audit.

-SB 1960 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, creates the Bureau of Narcotics Drug Education Revolving Fund.

-HB 2074 by Rep. Earl Sears, allows retired classified or nonclassified members of the Teacher Retirement System who have been retired for 36 or more months and who is employed by a public school to receive annualized earnings with no reduction in retirement benefits regardless of earnings.

-HB 2705 by Rep. Kris Steele, modifies language related to the Maternal and Infant Care Act, directing that all parental classes offered include education on the risks of drug and alcohol use during pregnancy, the risks of underage drinking and information on screening, intervention and referral for treatment of substance abuse dependency.

-HB 2725 by Rep. Susan Winchester, modifies the employee manual requirements to be prepared by the commissioner of the Oklahoma Banking Department.

-SB 1069 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, creates the Fair Practices of Equipment Manufacturers, Distributors, Wholesalers and Dealers Act.

• The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations approved several budget measures and the following legislation on Tuesday:

-HB 2713 by Rep. Lisa Billy, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Reform Act of 2003, exempting foster parents employed by employers with greater than 250 employees from the qualifying employer requirement.

-HB 1453 by Rep. Rob Johnson, creates a seven-member Task Force on Digitizing the County Records of Oklahoma.

-HB 2446 by Rep. David Braddock, modifies eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP).

-HB 2833 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Oklahoma Food Security Act.

-HB 1475 by Sen. Brian Bingman, authorizes the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board to create the Advisory Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources to receive and recommend proposals to the board for projects designed to encourage new processes or technological advancements to sustain the oil and natural gas industry in the future.

-HB 3336 by Rep. Mike Thompson, requires deputy sheriffs and detention officers in counties with a population of 500,000 or more to serve a five-year probationary period during which they are considered at-will employees.

• The House on Tuesday approved the following legislation:

-HB 2643 by Rep. Ron Peters, modifies the terms of members of advisory committees comprised of child care facility representatives and others appointed by the Department of Human Services.

-HB 2587 by Rep. David Braddock, creates the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, which contains language regarding validity of electronic documents, recording of documents, administration and standards of uniformity and application and instruction.

-HB 2726 by Rep. Susan Winchester, modifies language relating to creditor claims against estates.

-HB 2793 by Rep. Chris Benge, modifies language related to annuity contracts of teachers.

-HB 3070 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, renames the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Licensing Act the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission Act and the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission.

-HB 3201 by Rep. Lee Denney, mandates the photographing and fingerprinting of children in Department of Human Services’ custody.

-HB 3112 by Rep. Ron Peterson, allows the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees to provide the Pension Commission with direct access to data from the custodian bank in lieu of quarterly reports.

• The House General Conference Committee on Appropriations met briefly and approved one budget measure on Tuesday.

Wednesday, May 21

• The Senate met Wednesday and approved the following bills:

-SB 519 by Sen. Brian Crain, directs the State Department of Education and the Department of Health to develop a physical assessment software program.

-SB 531 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates the Forget Me Not Vehicle Safety Act to make it illegal to leave a child aged six or younger or vulnerable adult alone in a car.

-SB 565 by Sen. John Sparks, modifies the calculation and apportionment of the Home Office Tax Credit.

-SB 612 by Sen. James A. Williamson, requires offenders who receive a suspended or deferred sentence for any offense and are not ordered to be supervised by the Department of Corrections to pay the district attorney a supervision fee of $40 per month.

-SB 763 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, clarifies language related to city-county, state-federal or tribal government established, operated or supported playgrounds and parks and the prohibition against those registered registered under the Sex Offenders Registration Act to reside within a 2,000 foot radius of the facilities.
-SB 824 by Sen. Charles Laster, adds to those considered an employee of the state under the Governmental Tort Claims Act anyone who is licensed to practice medicine and is under an administrative personal services contract with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

-SB 1038 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, creates the Task Force on Oklahoma's Promise - The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.
-SB 1168 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, prohibits health insurance providers from excluding allowable claims that occur in conjunction with the arrest or pretrial detention of a policy holder prior to their adjudication of guilt and sentencing to incarceration.
-SB 1190 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, modifies language related to the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Act.
-SB 1384 by Sen. Don Barrington, requires bus drivers to comply with railroad crossing provisions.
-SB 1403 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, clarifies language related to the Youthful Offender Act.
-SB 1475 by Sen. Brian Bingman, directs the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board to create the Advisory Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma's Energy Resources to receive and recommend proposals to the board for projects designed to encourage new processes or technological advancements to sustain the oil and natural gas industry in the future.
-SB 1529 by Sen. Harry Coates, modifies the definition of the "practice of engineering" as it relates to registration of engineers and land surveyors.
-SB 1618 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, permits agencies that receive funds for a project that is part of a bond issue to pay the funds to the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority in advance of the bonds' issuance.
-SB 1658 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, extends the termination date of the gross production tax exemption for certain deep drilled oil wells.
-SB 1672 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, prohibits the use of any electrical stun gun, tear gas weapon, mace, tear gas, pepper mace or any similar agenct against another person knowing the other person to be a peace officer, corrections officer, probation or parole officer, firefighter or an emergency medical technician or paramedic acting in the course of official duty.
-SB 1719 by Sen. Brian Crain, creates the Oklahoma Health Information and Privacy Collaboration Advisory Board to advise and oversee the Oklahoma Health Information and Privacy Collaboration.
-SB 1725 by Sen. Constance N. Johnson, creates a task force to study the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Corrections in the incarceration of women who are mentally ill.

-SB 1880 by Sen. Clark Jolley, extends the lifespan of the Achieving Classroom Excellence II Task Force.

-SB 1918 by Sen. Tom Adelson, creates new definitions related to tuberculosis and clarifies language related to orders of the Commissioner of Health for those with the disease.

-SB 2086 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, allows all-terrain vehicles to be operated on streets and highways within a municipality when the municipal body has adopted an ordinance governing such operation.

-SB 2100 by Sen. John Ford, permits charter schools to offer prekindergarten programs.

-SB 2129 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, creates a working capital allowance for certain investment tax exemptions.

-SB 2131 by Sen. Harry Coates, clarifies language related to the Construction Industries Board and moves the Committee on Home Inspector Examiners from under the authority of the Department of Health and its commissioner to the Construction Industries Board.

-SB 2194 by Sen. James A. Williamson, states that the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations assumes all families incur certain child-rearing expenses and includes an average amount to cover such expenses for various levels of parents combined income and number of children.

-SB 74 by Sen. Brian Crain, exempts jailers or law enforcement officers from serving for jury duty.

-HB 1903 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, directs nursing homes to provide patients with a form authorizing nursing personnel to contact a clergy person of the patient’s faith upon the condition of grave illness or impending death.

-HB 2250 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, expands the list of information public bodies that provide utility services to the public must make available to the public to include consumption rates, adjustments to bills, reasons for adjustments and names of persons that authorized adjustments.

-HB 2469 by Rep. Wade Rousselot, modifies language related to grandparent child visitation rights, specifying natural parents and grandparents.

-HB 2568 by Rep. Pam Peterson, allows the Child Death Review Board and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board to enter into agreements with other entities to conduct joint reviews of child abuse deaths and near deaths.

-HB 2833 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Oklahoma Food Security Act.

-HB 3070 by Rep. T.W. Shannon, renames the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Licensing Act the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission Act and the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission.

-HB 3326 by Rep. Kenneth Miller, directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to begin replacing state license plates with those designated by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

• The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations approved the following bills Wednesday:

-HB 3239 by Rep. Skye McNiel, grants a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the tuition reimbursed to qualified employees in the aerospace sector for the first through fourth years of employment.

-SB 1422 by Sen. Susan Paddack, directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop and implement a mental health first aid pilot program to train non-mental health professionals how to support an individual in a mental health crisis situation.

-SB 1599 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, creates the “Gaje Jeffrey Florence Act”, directing the Department of Public Safety to extend the period of suspension, revocation or denial of driving privileges for an additional 12 months upon receiving a record of conviction for driving under the influence while under suspension or revocation.

-SB 2061 by Sen. Randy Bass, sets a 19-cent excise tax rate on wines regardless of alcohol content except sparkling wine.

-HB 2704 by Rep. Kris Steele, directs the State Department of Health to initiate a request for proposal for the operation of a stand-alone, long-term care facility for high-level sex offenders.

-HB 3394 by Rep. Lance Cargill, requires the Department of Central Services to adopt a high performance certification program for public buildings.

• The House met Wednesday and approved the following bills:

-HB 3003, by Rep. Rob Johnson, creates the sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources Act and Oklahoma’s Energy Resources Board.

-HB 1453 by Rep. Rob Johnson, creates a Task Force on Digitizing the County Records of Oklahoma County.

-HB 2250 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, expands the list of information public bodies that provide utility services to the public must make available to the public to include consumption rates, adjustments to bills, reasons for adjustments and names of persons that authorized adjustments.

-SB 1816 by Sen. Don Barrington, allows the board of county commissioners, with the concurrence of the majority of fire chiefs, in their jurisdiction, to declare a period of extreme fire danger not to exceed seven days from the date of passage by the commissioners when certain environmental conditions exist.

-SB 1859 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, creates the Oklahoma Dairy Promotion Act and the Oklahoma Dairy Promotion Commission.

-HB 2241 by Rep. Terry Ingmire, authorizes the Crime Victims Compensation Board to grant an additional $20,000 in compensation for loss of wages for the victim or loss of support for dependents of a deceased victim.

-HB 2446 by Rep. David Braddock, modifies eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP).

-HB 2833 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Oklahoma Food Security Act.

-HB 3148 by Rep. David Derby adds numerous substances to the list of Schedule 1 controlled substances.

• The House General Conference Committee on Appropriations approved the following bills Wednesday:

-SB 1288 by Sen. Tom Adelson, transfers $75 million from the Unclaimed Property Fund to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

-SB 1353 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, decreases from $711,472,261 to $701,472,261 the General Revenue Fund appropriation to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Thursday, May 22

• The Senate met Thursday and approved several budget bills in addition to the following legislation:

-SB 1396 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, states legislative findings concerning the necessity to regulate the business relations between the independent dealers and the equipment suppliers contemplated in the Fair Practices of Equipment Manufacturers, Distributors, Wholesalers and Dealers Act.

-SB 746 by Sen. Brian Bingman, allows the Grand River Dam Authority board of directors to select a director of investments who shall be an officer or employee of the district but not a member of the board.

-SB 995 by Sen. Harry Coates, allows winemakers inside and outside the state to sell and ship wine they produce directly to package stores and restaurants.

-SB 1189 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, exempts a religious organization or member of the organization from the Oklahoma Insurance Code when certain requirements are met.

-SB 1420 by Sen. John Sparks, creates the Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Act.

-SB 1422 by Sen. Susan Paddack, directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop and implement a mental health first aid pilot program to train non-mental health professionals how to support an individual in a mental health crisis situation.

-SB 1599 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, creates the Gaje Jeffrey Florence Act.

-SB 1600 by Sen. Ron Justice, makes it a felony to commit certain offenses against an elderly or incapacitated person and prescribes penalties in the absence of specified penalties.

-SB 1853 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, adds the definition of psychiatric or chemical dependency facility to the Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Facility Certificate of Need Act.

-SB 1994 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, declares anyone convicted of domestic abuse who has shown a prior pattern of physical abuse to be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the Department of Corrections for not more than 10 years or by a fine of not more than $5,000 or both.

-SB 2061 by Sen. Randy Bass, sets a 19-cent excise tax rate on wines, regardless of alcohol content.

-SB 2119 by Sen. John Sparks, increases the cap of the lifetime limit for expenses covered under the Health Insurance High Risk Pool Act.

-HB 1453 by Rep. Rob Johnson, creates a seven-member Task Force on Digitizing the County Records of Oklahoma.

-HB 1897 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, creates a misdemeanor offense for domestic abuse against a pregnant woman with knowledge of the pregnancy punishable by imprisonment in county jail for at least one year.

-HB 2196 by Rep. David Dank, would prohibit legislators from accepting contributions 15 days prior to, and 15 days after a legislative session.

-HB 2446 by Rep. David Braddock, modifies eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP).

-HB 2530 by Rep. Kris Steele, modifies language relating to emergency custody hearings for children by prescribing a form to be used by the district attorney and the Department of Human Services when it is determined that a child placement hearing is not needed.

-HB 2631 by Rep. Fred Jordan, creates a panel of district court judges to be responsible for presiding over complex cases.

-HB 2704 by Rep. Kris Steele, directs the State Department of Health to initiate a request for proposal for the operation of a stand-alone, long-term care facility for high-level sex offenders.

-HB 2713 by Rep. Lisa Billy, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Act of 2003.

-HB 2732 by Rep. Brian Renegar, creates a felony offense for the practice of veterinary medicine by persons not certified or licensed by the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.

-HB 3239 by Rep. Skye McNiel, grants a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the tuition reimbursed to qualified employees in the aerospace sector for the first through fourth years of employment.

-HB 3394 by Rep. Lance Cargill, requires the Department of Central Services to adopt a high performance certification program for public buildings.

-HB 3395 by Rep. Lance Cargill, directs the State Department of Education to establish a School Health Coordinators Pilot Program to assist school districts in establishing student health and wellness programs in elementary schools.

• The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations met Thursday and approved several appropriations measures and the following bills:

-SB 1189 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, exempts a religious organization or member of the organization from the Oklahoma Insurance Code when certain requirements are met.

-SB 1600 by Sen. Ron Justice, makes it a felony to commit certain offenses against an elderly or incapacitated person and prescribes penalties in the absence of specified penalties.

-HB 2583 by Rep. Terry Hyman, increases from 15 to 17 percent the rebate offered within the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.

-HB 2970 by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, grants Oklahoma veterans free admission to all state-owned or operated parks and museums.

-HB 3229 by Rep. Charles Key, modifies how ad valorem taxes relate to school aid and changes formulas for calculation.

-SB 1373 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, increases from $100 million to $150 million the aggregate amount that the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority may issue in bonds to obtain state-matching funds for endowed chairs, professorships, lectureships and positions for artists in residence for the Oklahoma State Regents Endowment Trust Fund.

-SB 1374 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue up to $25 million in bonds to fund further construction, improvements, development and enhancement of a Native American Cultural Center and museum for the Native American Cultural and Education Authority.

-HB 2272 by Rep. Ken Miller, authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue bonds of no more than $150 million for the purpose of providing funds for construction maintenance and improvement of state highway and state bridge assets.

-SB 502 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, authorizes the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs to commission CLEET certified employees within OJA as peace officers.

-SB 1511 by Sen. Jim Wilson, exempts vehicle purchasers from any tax, fee or penalty resulting from the dishonored check of a prior owner.

-SB 2016 by Sen. Jim Wilson, permits early renewal of driver licenses up to one year in advance.

-HB 2703 by Rep. Kris Steele, creates the Consumer Protection for Wheeled Mobility Act.

• The House met Thursday and approved the following measures:

-HB 2196 by Rep. David Dank, prohibits lobbyists and lobbyist principals from making or promising to make contributions to or soliciting or promising to solicit a contribution for a member of the Legislative office during any regular legislative session beginning the first Monday in February through adjournment and for five calendar days after sine die adjournment.

-HB 2566 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, removes language assessing a $15 fee for appeals to county boards of adjustment.

-HB 3239 by Rep. Skye McNiel, grants a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the tuition reimbursed to qualified employees in the aerospace sector for the first through fourth years of employment.

-SB 2034 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to establish a voluntary compliance initiative for certain taxes during which taxpayers who voluntarily file delinquent tax returns and pay the taxes due shall be entitled to a waiver of penalty, interest and other collections fees.

-SB 1658 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, extends the termination date of the gross production tax exemption for certain deep-drilled oil wells.

-SB 1853 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, adds the definition of psychiatric or chemical dependency facility to the Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Facility Certificate of Need Act.

-HB 1897 by Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, creates a misdemeanor offense for domestic abuse against a pregnant woman with knowledge of the pregnancy punishable by imprisonment in county jail for at least one year.

-HB 2704 by Rep. Kris Steele, directs the State Department of Health to initiate a request for proposal for the operation of a stand-alone, long-term care facility for high-level sex offenders.

-HB 2713 by Rep. Lisa Billy, modifies language related to the Oklahoma Medicaid Program Act of 2003.

-HB 2732 by Rep. Brian Renegar, creates a felony offense for the practice of veterinary medicine by persons not certified or licensed by the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.

-HB 3336 by Rep. Mike Thompson, requires deputy sheriffs and detention officers in counties with a population of 500,000 or more to serve a five-year probationary period during which they are considered at-will employees.

-HB 3395 by Rep. Lance Cargill, directs the State Department of Education to establish a School Health Coordinators Pilot Program to assist school districts in establishing student health and wellness programs in elementary schools.

-HB 3394 by Rep. Lance Cargill, requires the Department of Central Services to adopt a high performance certification program for public buildings.

-HB 2631 by Rep. Fred Jordan, creates a panel of district court judges to be responsible for presiding over complex cases.

-SB 47 by Sen. Brian Crain, prohibits the forced implantation of a microchip or the application of a permanent mark upon an individual by any person, state, county, local government entity or corporate entity.

-SB 1406 by Sen. Brian Bingman, authorizes municipalities with a population of less than 5,000 to employ a part-time city manager.

-SB 1795 by Sen. Mike Johnson, requires appropriations from the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund be made available to the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and common education on a monthly basis.

-SB 1423 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, modifies the definition of “petroleum” under the Oklahoma Storage Tank Regulation Act.

-SB 1384 by Sen. Don Barrington, requires bus drivers to comply with railroad crossing provisions.

-SB 1475 by Sen. Brian Bingman, directs the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board to create the Advisory Committee for Sustaining Oklahoma’s Energy Resources to receive and recommend proposals to the board for projects designed to encourage new processes or technological advancements.

-SB 1672 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, prohibits the use of any electrical stun gun, tear gas weapon, mace, tear gas, pepper mace or any similar agent against another person knowing the other person to be a peace officer, corrections officer, probation or parole officer, firefighter or an emergency medical technician or paramedic acting in the course of official duty.

-SB 1856 by Sen. Cliff Branan, creates the Oklahoma Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

-SB 1950 by Sen. Brian Crain, adds crimes of child trafficking to the list of prosecutions to be commenced within 12 years after the discovery of the crime.

-SB 1880 by Sen. Clark Jolley, extends the lifespan of the Achieving Classroom Excellence II Task Force.

-SB 551 by Sen. Susan Paddack, creates a Forget Me Not Vehicle Safety Act to make it illegal to leave a child aged six or younger or vulnerable adult alone in a car.

-SB 1725 by Sen. Constance N. Johnson, creates a task force to study the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Corrections in the incarceration of women who are mentally ill.

-SB 995 by Sen. Harry Coates, allows winemakers inside and outside the state to sell and ship wine they produce directly to package stores and restaurants.

-SJR 29 by Sen. Thomas Ivester, proposes a constitutional amendment to allow in and out of state winemakers that produce no more than 10,000 gallons of wine to sell directly to package stores and restaurants as long as the wine is sold on the same price basis.

-SB 2086 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, allows all-terrain vehicles to be operated on streets and highways within a municipality when the municipal body has adopted an ordinance governing such operation.

-SB 2100 by Sen. John Ford, permits charter schools to offer prekindergarten programs.

-SB 763 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, clarifies language related to city-county, state-federal or tribal government established, operated or supported playgrounds and parks and the prohibition against those registered registered under the Sex Offenders Registration Act to reside within a 2,000 foot radius of the facilities.

-HB 2970 by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, grants Oklahoma veterans free admission to all state-owned or operated parks and museums.

• The House General Conference Committee on Appropriations met Thursday and approved a number of appropriations measures and the following bill:

-HB 2272 by Rep. Ken Miller, directs the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to submit to the governor and the leaders of the Legislature a report of outstanding activities and duties transferred by the Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission by Oct. 1, 2008.

Friday, May 23

• The Senate met Friday and approved numerous appropriations measures and the following measures:

-HB 2699 by Rep. Randy McDaniel, relates to visual arts programs in schools and expands eligibility for incentives grants to certain organizations.

-SB 2071 by Sen. Clark Jolley, requests the Regional University System of Oklahoma to establish a comprehensive autism training program at the University of Central Oklahoma.

-HB 2272 by Rep. Ken Miller, authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue bonds of no more than $150 million for the purpose of providing funds for construction maintenance and improvement of state highway and state bridge assets.

-HB 3352 by Rep. Randy Terrill, requires government entities to report creation of incentive districts to Oklahoma Tax Commission.

-HB 2703 by Rep. Kris Steele, establishes the Consumer Protection for Wheeled Mobility Act.

-SB 502 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, authorizes the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs to commission CLEET certified employees within OJA as peace officers.

-SB 1511 by Sen. Jim Wilson, exempts vehicle purchasers from any tax, fee or penalty resulting from the dishonored check of a prior owner.

-SB 1992 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, modifies penalties relating to child stealing.

-SB 1956 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, relates to tax procedures and sales tax by modifying applicability of certain exclusion from confidentiality requirements, and modifies time period during which specified sourcing provision does not apply to certain vendors.

-HB 3112 by Rep. Ron Peterson, allows the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees to provide the Pension Commission with direct access to data from the custodian bank in lieu of quarterly reports.

-HB 3229 by Rep. Charles Key, relates to school funding and abstract of assessments, and omits certain protested ad valorem taxable value from county abstract.

-HB 3268 by Rep. Terry Harrison, relates to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code, and extends jurisdiction of game wardens to turnpikes.

-HB 2970 by Rep. Chuck Hoskin, grants Oklahoma veterans free admission to all state-owned or operated parks and museums.

-HB 3336 by Rep. Mike Thompson, requires deputy sheriffs and detention officers in counties with a population of 500,000 or more to serve a five-year probationary period during which they are considered at-will employees.

-SB 1381 by Sen. Jim Wilson, increases and removes certain user fees related to the Scenic Rivers Commission.

-SB 1714 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, Relates to the EDGE Fund Policy Board and modifies requirements for expenditures from EDGE Fund.

-HB 2862 by Rep. Mike Shelton, allows certain vehicles to be equipped with strobe lights.

-HB 2474 by Rep. Purcy Walker, relates to motor vehicles by making certain acts within a construction or maintenance zone unlawful.

-HB 1387 by Rep. Randy Terrill, authorizes income tax credits for the installation of wind energy systems on residential or nonresidential property.

-HB 2566 by Rep. Marian Cooksey, relates to county planning commissions and boards of adjustment in certain counties; eliminates certain fees.

Other News

• The Senate on Thursday approved a resolution Thursday memorializing Congress and the President to promote the formation of democratic institutions, multiparty elections and respect for human rights in Ethiopia, and to play a mediatory role in peaceful resolution. Senate Resolution 77 was authored by Sen. Constance N. Johnson. The resolution states the Ethiopian government should adhere to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights conventions and the principles set forth in its own constitution, including free speech, assembly, religion and press, and basic human rights guarantees and that the Ethiopian government should strive to avoid ethnocentric politics.

• The state Senate on Tuesday said goodbye to Sen. James A. Williamson. The Republican Leader Emeritus is completing his final session in the Senate due to term limits. On Tuesday, Williamson’s family and friends gathered in the Senate Chamber to watch his colleagues pay tribute to the Tulsa legislator. Williamson began his legislative career in the Oklahoma House of Representatives where he served from 1980 through 1986. In 1996, he was elected to represent District 35 in the State Senate. While in the Senate, he served as both Assistant Republican Floor Leader and Republican Floor Leader. As a result of his efforts to protect the lives of unborn babies, Williamson was recipient of the Americans United for Life “Defender of Life” award. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.