Monday, May 21 to Thursday May 24, 2007

Monday, May 21

• The Senate met Monday and approved the following bills:

-SB 47 by Sen. Brian Crain, would prohibit the forced implantation of a microchip into a human.

-HB 1034 by Sen. Charles Wyrick, would allow the GRDA Board to lease shore lands for longer than two years and areas larger than one-fourth mile of lakefront land upon a vote of a majority of members.

-HB 1327 by Sen. John Ford, would modify the definition of “nonviolent offense,” for purposes of the Oklahoma Prison Overcrowding Act, to include assault, battery or assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

-HB 1650 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would require the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to include in its required courses of study for law enforcement certification a minimum of six hours of evidence-based sexual assault and sexual violence training.

-HB 1714 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would modify the sentencing power of a court in cases involving sex offenders, to prohibit the offender from accessing any social networking website that has the potential of allowing the offender to communicate with children.

-HB 1764 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would create an Oklahoma Electric Power Transmission Task Force.

-HB 1777 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify language regarding load limits, extending the exemption granted vehicles transporting sand, rock and gravel to vehicles transporting flour.

-HB 1884 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would create a Healthcare Consumer Transparency Task Force.

-SB 98 by Sen. Don Barrington, would create a Fire Extinguisher Licensing Act.

-SB 665 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would prohibit the amendment of certain victim impact statements.

-SB 674 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would modify language related to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

-SB 677 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would create the offense of aggravated trafficking.

-SB 704 by Sen. Mike Schulz, would authorize the Conservation Commission to cooperate with county commissioners to obtain their assistance for roadside erosion control and the rehabilitation of upstream flood control structures.

-SB 1032 by Sen. Mary Easley, would require chiropractic physicians to attend 16 hours of continuing education each year.

-SB 829 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would modify requirements for setting student performance levels.

• Senate committees approved numerous appropriations bills and substantive measures on Monday, including the following:

-SB 334 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, is the general appropriations bill.

-SB 72 by Sen. Brian Crain, would require that when improvements to residential real property are divided by a taxing jurisdiction line, the improvements be valued and assessed in the taxing jurisdiction in which the physical majority of the improvements are located.

-SB 626 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, would modify language relating to the Office of Personnel Management’s voluntary payroll deductions.

-SB 659 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would authorize the District Attorney, upon approval of the district judge, to conduct investigations prior to the commencement of any civil or criminal proceeding.

-SB 871 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would modify the requirement in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act that employees reside in the state to be waived for new direct jobs located in a county that has borders contiguous with another state if the waiver is requested by application to the Department of Commerce.

-SB 925 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would create a School Funding Formula Task Force.

-HB 1016 by Sen. Harry Coates, would require certificates of title as proof of ownership for all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles used exclusively off roads or highways.

-HB 1094 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, would exempt group homes for mentally disabled individuals from taxes levied pursuant to the Oklahoma Charitable Games Act.

-HB 1297 by Sen. Brian Crain, would add Oxycodone to Schedule II controlled substances.

-HB 1390 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would require kindergarten through third grade teachers to complete training in the Reading First program before being granted certificate renewal.

-HB 1485 by Sen. Brian Bingman, would require all taxable personal property used in the exploration of oil, natural gas or other minerals, including drilling equipment and rigs, to be assessed annually at the value set forth in the first Hadco International monthly bulletin published for the tax year.

-HB 1513 by Sen. David Myers, would remove the expiration date on tax credits for ethanol production.

-HB 1562 by Sens. Owen Laughlin and James A. Williamson, would exempt from ad valorem taxation non-profit continuum of care retirement community housing facilities.

-HB 1593 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would expand the eligible recipients of the State Board of Education’s Academic Achievement Award program.

-HB 1619 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would modify the salary schedule for criminalists of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

-HB 1621 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would require the Department of Corrections to reimburse health care providers for medical care and treatment for inmates retained in county jails after a certified copy of a judgment and sentence has been entered.

-HB 1716 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would apply provisions of the Uniform Tax Procedure Act to any return, claim, statement, written complaint, appeal, application for exemption or other document and payment under the Ad Valorem Tax Code.

-HB 1718 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would extend from 2007 to 2010 the tax levied upon the production of oil and gas.

• The House convened Monday and approved numerous bills including the following:

-SB 139 by Sen. Cliff Branan and Jay Paul Gumm, would modify the definition of “abortion”, and contains various provisions relating to the use of public funds in the performance of abortions.

-SB 447 by Sen. Brian Bingman, would modify language relating to the Rural Economic Action Plan Fund.

-HB 1930 by Sen. Charles Laster, would modify language relating to the Governmental Tort Claims Act.

-HB 1520 by Sen. Mike Schulz, would create an Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for the benefit of landowners who perform controlled burns.

• House committees met Monday and approved numerous appropriations bills including the following:

-SB 334 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, is the general appropriations bill.

-SB 214 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, would establish agency category and budget limits.

-HB 1114 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, would state that state employees earning less than the amount specified in the Federal Poverty Guidelines for a three-person household shall receive a salary adjustment to provide an annual salary equal to the amount established in the federal guidelines.

Tuesday, May 22

• The Senate met Tuesday and approved numerous appropriations and substantive legislation including the following:

-SB 334 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, is the general appropriations bill.

-SB 424 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would create the “All Kids Act” to require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to establish a program to provide medical coverage assistance to children 18 years of age and younger whose family income is between 185 percent and 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

-HB 1284 by Sen. Sean Burrage, would provide a way for property disputes to be settled.

-HB 1329 by Sen. John Ford, would modify the punishment for identity theft to include imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years.

-HB 1383 by Sen. Jim Reynolds, would exempt the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation from the oversight of the Fleet Management Division.

-HB 1412 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would expand the members of county boards of equalization and excise boards eligible to receive travel reimbursements to include those residing in the county seat.

-HB 1520 by Sen. Mike Schulz, would create an Oklahoma Controlled Burn Indemnity Fund.

-HB 1695 by Sen. Patrick Anderson, would create the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project Act.

-SB 376 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would establish new procedures for the Commissioners of the Land Office to appraise the value of land.

-SB 523 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would provide for medical and surgical care for inmates of the Department of Corrections.

-SB 553 by Sen. John Sparks, would require establishment of a child abuse and neglect registry for court-identified abusers.

-SB 710 by Sen. Ron Justice, would expand the authority of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to take samples of nursery stock.

-SB 943 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would make lump-sum payments received from personal injury or wrongful death subject to attachment for satisfaction of liens for child support arrearages.

-SB 1054 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would expand requirements for inquiries to determine whether a person is suitable to serve as a guardian.

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

-HB 1134 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, would provide a $600 annual increase in the base salary for teachers.

-SB 925 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would create a School Funding Formula Task Force.

-HB 1390 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would require kindergarten through third grade teachers to complete training in the Reading First program.

-HB 1282 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, would increase from $10 to $25 the civil and criminal court fee for the Oklahoma Court Information System Revolving Fund.

-HB 1593 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would expand the eligible recipients of the State Board of Education’s Academic Achievement Award program.

-HB 1761 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would direct the State Treasurer to transfer from the General Revenue Fund an amount equal to the monies accruing in the Public Building Fund on or before July 15 or every year to the State Land Reimbursement Fund.

-HB 1773 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would direct fees collected monthly in excess of the first $1.216 million in permit fees and overweight permit fees be deposited into the Weight State Improvement Revolving Fund to be used for motor carrier permitting systems and motor carrier safety and enforcement.

-SB 368 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would direct the Oklahoma Tax Commission to use dynamic modeling in the preparation of revenue estimates for proposed tax changes.

-SB 748 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would clarify language relating to the amount motor license agents are required to deposit into the Oklahoma Tax Commission Motor License Agent Account.

-SB 751 by Sen. Randy Bass, would modify the requirement that the full amount of expenditures qualifying for the use of proceeds pursuant to the Quality Jobs Incentive Leverage Program be made no more than five years from the date as of which the disclosure document is filed to allow the deadline to be extended by the Department of Commerce.

-SB 798 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would exempt from ad valorem taxation distribution facilities that meet certain qualifications.

-SB 780 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would expand duties for the Board of Investors for the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) Trust Fund.

-SB 811 by Sen. Charlie Laster, would provide inmates in pretrial detention or custody of a county jail the opportunity to receive necessary medical care for a pre-existing condition.

• The House met Tuesday and approved numerous bills including the following:

-HB 2101 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create a Transformational Justice Act to reduce the rate of recidivism.

-SB 658 by Sen. Andrew Rice, would authorize county commissioners to gift, transfer or assign and execute the deeds of conveyance of lands that are owned by the counties and no longer needed for county purposes to any nonprofit organization.

-HB 1225 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, would actually expand eligibility for the Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage (O-EPIC) Program.

-HB 1385 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify the definitions of “allowable expense” and “criminally injurious conduct” for purposes of the Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Act.

-HB 1762 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would require that students eligible to participate in OHLAP must be residents or be enrolled in a school district located in the state that serves both Oklahoma residents and those in an adjacent state.

-HB 1926 by Sen. Nancy Riley, would create an Advantage Waiver Developmental Disability Services Rate Review Committee to review reimbursement rates provided for the Advantage, home and community-based waivers and other reimbursement rates to providers of services to the aged and developmentally disabled.

• House committees approved a number of appropriations bills on Tuesday, including the following:

-HB 1134 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, would modify the minimum salary schedule for teachers.

Wednesday, May 23

• The Senate met Wednesday and approved numerous appropriations bills and the following legislation:

-HB 1027 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would prohibit convicted felons from possessing or using an altered air or toy pistol.

-HB 1051 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would prevent student-aged sex offenders from attending the same school as their victims.

-HB 1375 by Sen. Tom Adelson, would require an ambulatory surgical center to have a formal transfer agreement with a general hospital located no more than a 20-minute travel distance from the center.

-HB 1384 by Sen. Mike Johnson, would add members of the Oklahoma State University Medical Center Authority and the Oklahoma State University Medical Trust to the list of persons or entities exempt from the dual office holding restrictions.

-HB 1385 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify the definitions of “allowable expense” and “criminally injurious conduct” for purposes of the Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Act.

-HB 1476 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would create the Passport to Financial Literacy Act.

-HB 1497 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would authorize trusts to acquire, sell, rent, lease or exchange real estate.

-HB 1579 by Sen. Don Barrington, would modify guidelines governing juvenile court proceedings.

-HB 1631 by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, would direct the Department of Health to aid the Professional Boxing Commission in payroll and employee benefit administration and processing and travel and expense reimbursement.

-HB 1674 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify language relating to the application of flexible benefit allowances for school district employees.

-HB 1808 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would propose a constitutional amendment to provide a full tax exemption for the full amount of all household personal property subject to ad valorem tax for heads of households who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces or Oklahoma National Guard.

-HB 1927 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would create the Letha Kay Louise Slate Act, requiring an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) criminal history records search and any other background check as set forth by the Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association.

-HB 1930 by Sen. Charles Laster, would expand coverage of the Governmental Tort Claims Act to any person who is licensed to practice medicine.

-HB 2070 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would make the provisions of the Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act applicable to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System.

-HB 2104 by Sen. John Ford, would allow for residents and non-residents 17 years of age and younger to not be charged an entry fee into participating sites connected to the Oklahoma Historical Society one day a week.

-SB 1 by Sen. Randy Brogdon, would create a Taxpayer Transparency Act to require the Office of State Finance to develop and operate a searchable website no later than Jan. 1, 2008, by which the public can monitor any expenditure of state funds.

-SB 35 by Sen. Brian Crain, would direct the Department of Public Safety to issue a distinctive license or card bearing the words “sex offender” to registered sex offenders.

-SB 45 by Sen. Harry Coates, would allow the Construction Industries Board to establish a schedule of fees for licenses or registrations paid for with a dishonored check.

-SB 72 by Sen. Brian Crain, would require that, when improvements to residential real property are divided by a taxing jurisdiction line, the improvements be valued and assessed in the taxing jurisdiction in which the physical majority of the improvements are located.

-SB 86 by Sen. David Myers, would modify the definition of electric-assisted bicycle to increase the maximum speed capacity from 20 miles per hour to 30 milers per hour.

-SB 513 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would require winners of lottery prizes in excess of $600 to disclose their identities, including certain specific information, to the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.

-SB 593 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would provide for search warrants authorizing the installation or use of tracking devices in any moveable item, container, vehicle or other vessel.

-SB 623 by Sen. Randy Bass, would modify language related to the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.

-SB 654 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would expand the definition of “real estate broker” to include limited liability company.

-SB 659 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would authorize the district attorney, upon approval of the district judge, to conduct investigations prior to the commencement of any civil or criminal proceeding, and makes failure to comply a misdemeanor.

-SB 751 by Sen. Randy Bass, would modify the requirement that the full amount of expenditures qualifying for the use of proceeds pursuant to the Quality Jobs Incentive Leverage Program be made no more than five years from the date as of which the disclosure document is filed.

-SB 790 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would create the Letha Kay Louise Slate Act and clarifies language relating to child abuse and neglect.

-SB 798 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would exempt from ad valorem taxation distribution facilities that meet the following qualifications: construction with an initial capital investment of at least $5 million to be completed within three years.

-SB 871 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, would modify the requirement in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act that employees reside in the state to be waived for employees who reside in counties that border the state.

-SB 905 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would increase the penalty for shooting a firearm with intent to kill.

-SB 909 by Sen. Brian Crain, would create a Forensic Review Board within the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

-SB 920 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would change the composition of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training membership and appointing authorities.

-SB 1021 by Sen. Brian Bingman, would prohibit cities with a population of 5,000 or less and located within a county with a population of 200,000 or less from annexing territory without consent.

-SB 1092 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would increase employer contribution rates to 8.75 percent for members of the Oklahoma Teachers’ Retirement System.

-SB 1112 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would specify the computation rate and factor for elected officials who are members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

• Senate committees approved the following legislation on Wednesday:

-SB 1109 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would require that any person receiving benefits from the teacher pension plan as of June 30, 2006, who continues to receive benefits on or after July 1, 2007, and who has 20 or more years of service and whose monthly benefit as of June 30, 2007, is $2,000 or less, receive a 5 percent increase in benefits beginning in July 2007, for actuarial review.

-SB 1110 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, would replace the “rule of 90” with the “rule of 80” for the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

-HB 2100 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create the Commission on Accountability and Review of State Agencies (CARSA) to identify and eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency in state agencies.

-HB 1580 by Sen. John Ford, would require the Department of Health to establish licensure requirements for companion or sitter services and directs the department to investigate complaints against such services.

-HB 1589 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would modify the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, replacing technology center districts with the State Board of Education as a sponsor.

-HB 1916 by Sen. Ron Justice, would provide an exemption from the motor fuel tax for biofuel and biodeisel produced by an individual with crops grown on his/her own property.

• The House met Wednesday and approved numerous bills appropriations bills including the following:

-SB 334 by Sens. Tom Adelson, Johnnie Crutchfield, Mike Johnson and David Myers, is the general appropriations bill.

-HB 1016 by Sen. Harry Coates, would require certificates of title as proof of ownership for all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles used exclusively off roads or highways.

-HB 1711 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would permit unemancipated persons under 18 are in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Service to be excluded from submitting an application for restricted license signed by another person if the applicant can provide proof of financial responsibility.

-HB 1868 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would modify language regarding automobile or motorcycle accident prevention courses, requiring that such courses be approved by the insurance company of the policy holder.

-HB 2087 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich, would require the number of tires and tire rim diameters be included in the calculation of the actual sales price of the vehicle for purposes of determining the motor vehicle excise tax.

-SB 943 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would make lump-sum payments received from personal injury or wrongful death subject to attachment for satisfaction of liens for child support arrearages.

-SB 1032 by Sen. Mary Easley, would require chiropractic physicians to attend 16 hours of continuing education each year.

-HB 1760 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would modify sentencing requirements to require that any person sentenced for two or more years for violations related to certain crimes against nature.

• House committees met Wednesday and approved numerous appropriations bills.

Thursday, May 24

• The Senate met Thursday and approved the following bills:

-HB 1760 by Sen. Todd Lamb, would add supervision requirements for certain sex offenders.

-SB 368 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would require the Oklahoma Tax Commission to use a dynamic revenue estimating model.

-HB 1776 by Sen. Kenneth Corn, would require testing of county jail inmates under certain circumstances.

-HB 1544 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would provide a sales tax exemption for sales of certain consumer electronic goods to entities engaged in the repair of consumer electronic goods.

-HB 1895 by Sen. Roger Ballenger, would create the Oklahoma Anti-Gang Task Force.

-SB 654 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would modify a definition relating to the Real Estate License Code.

-HB 2103 by Sen. Mike Johnson, would specify the application of tuition limits for the State Regents for Higher Education.

-HB 1580 by Sen. John Ford, would require certain service providers to register with the Department of Health.

-HB 1941 by Sen. Tom Ivester, would mark the Sen. Byron Dacus Memorial Highway.

-SB 820 by Sen. Mike Morgan, would modify the apportionment of income tax by directing certain funds to OHLAP.

-HB 2110 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would clarify language relating to Ethics Commission rules.

-HB 1819 by Sen. Cliff Branan, would remove the distance limitation for certain highway construction projects.

-HB 1868 by Sen. Susan Paddack, would modify course approval requirements for Oklahoma schools.

-SB 685 by Sen. Mike Mazzei, would eliminate procedures relating to the purchase of goods under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Administration Act.

-SB 1078 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, would authorize the ABLE Commission to suspend certain liquor licenses.

-HB 1933 by Sen. Constance N. Johnson, would extend the effective date of the Strategic Planning Committee on the Olmstead Decision.

-HB 1390 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson, would require that certain teachers complete training in reading instruction before receiving certificate renewal.

-SB 626 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would move voluntary payroll deductions from certain companies to the General Fund.

-SB 738 by Sen. Mike Morgan, would prohibit the State Department of Health from removing certain assisted living center residents.

-HB 1490 by Sen. Jim Wilson, would create the Eucha-Spavinaw Watershed Improvement Act.

-HB 1593 by Sen. James A. Williamson, would expand the Academic Achievement Award Program.

-HB 1589 by Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, would modify the sponsorship of charter schools under the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act.

-HB 1513 by Sen. David Myers, would remove the expiration date for ethanol production tax credits.

-HB 1872 by Sen. Earl Garrison, would exempt the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation from certain license requirements.

-HB 1297 by Sen. Brian Crain would modify the list of Schedule IV controlled substances.

-HB 1282 by Sen. Richard Lerblance, would increase the amount of the sum assessed and credited to the Oklahoma Court Information Revolving Fund.

-HB 1619 by Sen. Rob Johnson, would modify the salary schedule for certain positions within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

-HB 1761 by Sen. Owen Laughlin, would direct the transfer of monies from the Public Building Fund to the State Land Reimbursement Fund.

-SB 925 by Sen. Clark Jolley, would establish the School Funding Formula Task Force.

-HB 2101 by Sen. Glenn Coffee, would create the Transitional Justice Interagency Task Force.

Other News

• On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released statistics showing Oklahoma’s per-student education funding ranks 47th in the country. Oklahoma spends $6,613 per-student compared to the national average of $8,701.

• For the first time in several years, Oklahoma lakes are reporting normal or high water levels. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the state has received nearly 6 inches of rain in the month of May, temporarily alleviating drought problems that have resulted in dwindling crop yields.