Monday, May 23 to Thursday May 26, 2005

Monday, May 23rd

• The Senate convened to approve several appropriations measures cleared through GCCA as well as the following pieces of legislation in the final week of session:

-CCR for SB 663 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. Thad Balkman makes it unlawful to buy, sell, furnish, manufacture or possess any alcohol inhalation device, alcohol infuser, or any other device capable of causing a blood or breath alcohol concentration in the body by means of fumes, vapors, gases, air particles or matter inhaled directly into the central nervous system by mouth or nasal passages. The bill and emergency passed 45-1.

-CCR for SB 722 by Sen. Randy Bass and Rep. Trebor Worthen clarifies languages relating to genuine disagreements pursuant to the state’s labor law. The bill passed 44-0.

-CCR for SB 7 by Sen. Gilmer Capps, Sen. Robert Kerr, and Rep. Purcy Walker modifies language pertaining to the levy of sales tax for regional economic development projects. The bill passed 43-0.

-CCR for HB 1020 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the State Board of Education $1,176,781,010 from the General Revenue Fund; $470,695,028 from the Education Reform Revolving Fund; $2,945,000 from the Mineral Leasing Fund for fiscal year 2006; $2,222,594 from the Mineral Leasing Fund for FY04; and authorizes the board to expend $28,022,139 from the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund and $63,318,647 from the Common Education Technology Revolving Fund for the financial support of public schools.

-CCR for SB 317 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Dale Dewitt authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue notes, bonds or other evidences in the amount of $11.3 million for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to acquire real property and to construct analytical laboratory facilities and, to the extent funds are available, to contract with the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for renovation and expansion of the laboratory. The bill and emergency passed 46-0.

-CCR for HB 1467 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale DeWitt creates an Oklahoma Agriculture Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act to implement federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements; assist the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in obtaining delegation of the federal Clean Water Act programs, and issue permits to the individuals or organizations owning or operating facilities regulated within the areas of environmental jurisdiction of the department. The bill and emergency passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 236 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport creates a Victims Services Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to provide services for persons who require domestic violence assault services through a domestic violence or sexual assault program. The bill creates a nine-member Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advisory Council until July 1, 2009 and current members of the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Committee would serve out their term. The bill and emergency passed 43-0.

-CCR for SB 478 by Sen. Brian Crain and Rep. Ron Peters authorizes county sheriffs, treasurers, and assessors to employ general counsel, either in-house or as a staff attorney or through an outside law firm, to advise them or their offices in the performance of the official duties of that office. The bill passed 34-9.

-CCR for SB 740 by Sen. David Myers and Rep. Ray Young creates a Juvenile Drug Court Act to allow District Courts to establish a Juvenile Drug Court to provide substance abuse treatment for children alleged to have committed a delinquent act or adjudicated delinquent and have a history of substance abuse. The bill passed 42-0.

-CCR for SB 407 by Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. Ray Young modifies eligibility requirements for participation in the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Program to require that a business classified as research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences be considered to be an establishment regardless of the population of the county in which the business is located. The bill and emergency passed 43-0.

• The Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations also met on Monday to approve the following measures:

-CCS for SB 181 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Office of the Attorney General.

-CCS for SB 185 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Court of Criminal Appeals.

-CCS for SB 188 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the District Attorneys Council.

-CCS for SB 189 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport authorizes the Supreme Court to expend funds for the financial support of the District Courts and appropriates to the Supreme Court to perform the duties imposed on district courts.

-CCS for SB 193 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

-CCS for SB 197 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Council on Judicial Complaints.

-CCS for SB 209 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Supreme Court for the support of the District Courts.

-CCS for SB 211 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates for the Workers’ Compensation Court.

-CCS for HB 1142 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.

-CCS for HB 1144 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Department of Corrections.

-CCS for HB 1146 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

-CCS for HB 1148 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

-CCS for HB 1150 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.

-CCS for HB 1152 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Board of Medicolegal Investigations.

-CCS for HB 1154 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.

-CCS for HB 1156 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Pardon and Parole Board.

-CCS for HB 1098 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

-CCS for SB 28 by Sen. Charles Wyrick and Rep. John Nance exempts some aspects of the Office of Homeland Security from requirements of the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts.

-CCS for SB 64 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport transfers some colleges to the State Regents for Higher Education and creates a board of trustees for those institutions.

-CCS for SB 1015 by Sen. Bernest Cain and Rep. Kris Steele creates the Oklahoma Self-Directed Care Act to direct the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Department of Human Services to establish self-directed care pilot programs for citizens of the state who have disabilities and are currently served by a home and community-based waiver.

-CCS for HB 1021 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport creates the Task Force on School District Administrative Efficiency and creates the Student Tracking and Reporting (STAR) Pilot Program.

-CCS for HB 1194 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport clarifies language relating to estimates prepared by the Oklahoma Tax Commission on the impact of actual or proposed changes to state tax law and modifies the number of months the OTC utilizes to forecast the collection of gross production tax revenues from the production of natural and casinghead gas for FY ’05.

-CCS for SB 155 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the Corporation Commission.

-CCS for SB 182 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport sets budgetary limitations for the Office of the Attorney General.

-CCS for SB 311 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Lisa Joe Billy blends rates for active state and education employees and retirees under age 65.

-CCS for SB 315 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Randy Terrill requires state employees to use leave benefits in excess of the maximum accrual allowed during the same year in which they are accrued or at the discretion of the appointing authority, within 12 months of the date of the accrual.

-CCS for SB 446 by Sen. Earl Garrison and Rep. John Nance excluding municipal ordinances from offenses that require a defendant to pay the $10 medical expense liability fee and reduces from $15,000 to $8,000 per ailment or injury the minimum expense a county jail could be determined to be liable for payment.

-CCS for SB 759 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Gus Blackwell limits participation in the Delayed Sentencing Program for Young Adults to nonviolent offenders.

• The House of Representatives convened to consider approve several appropriations measures as well as the following pieces of legislation:

-CCR for HB 1020 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport appropriates to the State Board of Education $1,176,781,010 from the General Revenue Fund; $470,695,028 from the Education Reform Revolving Fund; $2,945,000 from the Mineral Leasing Fund for fiscal year 2006; $2,222,594 from the Mineral Leasing Fund for FY04; and authorizes the board to expend $28,022,139 from the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund and $63,318,647 from the Common Education Technology Revolving Fund for the financial support of public schools. The bill was enrolled and sent to the Governor.

-CCR for HB 1233 by Rep. Chris Hastings and Sen. Ted Fisher provides a sales tax exemption for federally tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) entities that assist, train, educate and provide housing for the mentally or physically handicapped and receive at least 85 percent of their annual budgets from state or federal funds. The bill passed 100-0.

-CCR for HB 1275 by Rep. Ron Peters and Sen. Nancy Riley provides a sales tax exemption for federally tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations whose primary purpose is to provide services to the homeless during the day and are located in a metropolitan area with a population exceeding 500,000. The bill and emergency passed 95-0.

-CCR for HB 1562 by Rep. Kenneth Miller and Sen. Clark Jolley expands the sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property or services to or by federally tax-exempt charitable, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to include those that facilitate the distribution of food and other household products to the needy or to other similar organizations. The bill and emergency passed 97-1.

-CCR for HB 1716 by Rep. Susan Winchester and Sen. Debbe Leftwich authorizes an income tax credit for reinvestment of a maximum 25 percent of the profit made by a taxpayer from reinvestment in a production company to pay for the production cost for a new film project. The bill and emergency passed 97-3.

• The House GCCA approved six measures authored by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport on Monday.

-HB 1094 appropriates to the Department of Human Services.
-HB 1158 appropriates to the Department of Public Safety.
-HB 1142 appropriates to the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.
-HB 1144 appropriates to the Department of Corrections and annualizes their $17,924,000 supplemental appropriation.
-HB 1183 appropriates $25 million to be deposited into the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund.
-SB 126 authorizes the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to construct a building to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services to children and families of southeast Oklahoma.

• Governor Henry signed the following five bills on Monday:

-SB 458 by Sen. Nancy Riley and Rep. Lucky Lamons creates a 13-member Youthful Offender Task Force of 2005 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Youthful Offender Act and related juvenile justice issues.

-SB 684 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. John Nance modifies provisions for notification of and payment for outstanding misdemeanor warrants authorizing county sheriffs to enter into private contracts to require the contractor to attempt to locate and notify persons of their outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

-SB 946 by Sen. Angela Monson and Rep. Ron Peterson makes it illegal to slander credit unions.

-SB 962 by Sen. Angela Monson and Rep. Susan Winchester prohibits public officials from having a personal interest in any property that is to be acquired or developed with public finance assistance.

-SB 983 by Sen. Bernest Cain and Rep. Doug Cox renames the “Maternal and Infant Care Act” to the “Maternal and Infant Care Improvement Act” and directs the Department of Health to establish a statewide program directed toward the health needs of pregnant women and infants.

Tuesday, May 24th

• The Senate met to consider Conference Committee Reports to various Senate bills as well appropriations measures passed out of GCCA.

-CCR for SB 547 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Kris Steele creates an Oklahoma Prescription Drug Discount Program Act of 2005 to increase access to prescription drugs for low-income Oklahomans. The bill requires the Health Care Authority to contract with a pharmacy benefit manager for administration of a prescription drug discount program to enable individuals without prescription drug coverage to be linked to appropriate manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug programs through the use of computer software; establish agreements with manufacturers that outline available discounts and drugs in which manufacturers agree to allow the OHCA-contracted pharmacy benefit manager to be the means testing agent for their program; negotiate drug discounts with manufacturers and utilize Medicaid reimbursement for pharmacy networks and implement a one-stop Oklahoma Prescription Drug Discount program for uninsured Oklahomans and their families; ensure that 100 percent of the savings from prescription drug manufacturers and pharmacies is passed on to the consumer; enroll individuals into a prescription drug discount card program. The bill passed 45-0.

-SR 36 by Rep. Danny Morgan expresses gratitude to Sen. Angela Monson, who is serving her last term during her 15 year tenure in the legislature. Sen. Monson was elected to the House of Representatives in 1990 and again in 1992 and won a seat in the Senate in 1993. She became the first woman to serve as part of leadership in her role as assistant majority leader and was the first African American woman to serve as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. President Pro Tem Mike Morgan spoke on Sen. Monson’s years of service and stated that “Oklahoma is a better place because of her work in the Legislature.” The resolution was adopted.

-CCR for SB 1012 by Sen. Jim Reynolds and Rep. Thad Balkman requires that stretcher aid van transportation services be made to and from any Oklahoma Veterans’ Center. The bill and emergency passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 569 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Odilia Dank requires public schools, upon enrollment of a child beginning in the 2007-08 school year, to request the parent or guardian to provide information to the school district regarding participation in any early childhood program funded by state or federal monies as determined by the State Board of Education. The bill and emergency passed 37-8.

-CCR for HB 1814 by Rep. Don Armes and Sen. Frank Shurden authorizes the Department of Wildlife Conservation to use proceeds from the lifetime Oklahoma wildlife land stamp to purchase, lease or purchase easements on real property to be used as public hunting, fishing and trapping areas. The bill and emergency passed 41-5.

-CCR for SB 648 by Sen. Charlie Laster and Rep. Terry Harrison authorize appeal of certain child support orders by the Department of Human Services and modifies requirements for the release of information. The bill passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 729 by Sen. Todd Lamb and Rep. Barbara Staggs provides for regulations and requirements for discount medical plan organizations. The bill passed 40-6.

-CCR for SB 126 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport authorizes the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to construct a building for providing treatment services to children, adolescents and their families. The bill appropriates $75,000 to the department. The measure passed 47-0.

-CCR for HB 1384 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. John Smaligo expands the ad valorem tax exemption for qualified new, acquired or expanded manufacturing facilities to include oil refineries used wholly for the desulphurization of gasoline or diesel fuel, regardless of county population, with a net increase in annualized payroll at the facility of at least $250,000. The bill passed 47-0.

-CCR for SB 28 by Sen. Charles Wyrick and Rep. John Nance exempts the Office of Homeland Security from requirements of the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts except for records related to federal grants administered, records related to the receipt and expenditure of public funds and records related to the financial performance or financial administration of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security. The bill and emergency passed 46-0.

-CCR for HB 1704 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Ann Coody authorizes local boards of education to develop and implement, at the beginning of the 2006-07 school year, a comprehensive program for character education in K-12 subject to the availability of funding. The bill and emergency passed 37-10.

-CCR for SB 315 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Randy Terrill requires state employees to use leave benefits during the same calendar year in which it accrues or, at the discretion of the appointing authority, within 12 months of the date on which it accrues. The bill passed 46-0 and the emergency passed 47-0.

-CCR for SB 668 by Sen. Angela Monson and Rep. Barbara Staggs requires school district treasurers and encumbrance clerks to complete at least 12 hours of instruction on school finance laws, accounting, ethics and the duties and responsibilities of their positions and at least 12 hours of continuing education every three years. The bill and emergency passed 46-0.

-CCR for SB 705 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Gary Banz adjusts and recalculates the salaries of correctional teachers and vocational instructors employed by the Department of Corrections. The bill and emergency passed 47-0.

• The Senate GCCA approved the following measures by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport:

-CCS for SB 115 appropriates to the Department of Transportation.
-CCS for HB 1094 appropriates to the Department of Human Services.
-CCS for HB 1158 appropriates to the Department of Public Safety.

-CCS for SB 200 authorizes CLEET to purchase passenger automobiles or buses for use as training vehicles in the same manner as other authorized state agencies.

-CCS for SB 234 creates a Joint Legislative Commission to study and evaluate the operations of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the Indigent Health Care System in Tulsa until February 6, 2006.

-CCS for SB 271 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Ray McCarter provides that, if a support employee is employed by the same school district for the next school year, the total compensation, consisting of salary and fringe benefits, of the support employee cannot be decreased the next school year unless the hours or the duties of the person are reduced proportionately.

-CCS for SB 547 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Kris Steele creates and Oklahoma Prescription Drug Discount Act of 2005 to increase access to prescription drugs for low-income Oklahomans.

-CCS for SB 548 by Sen. Charlie Laster and Rep. Fred Morgan assesses fees collected by the Workers’ Compensation Court.

-CCS for SB 646 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. John Nance renames the OSBI’s DNA Offender Database to the OSBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and authorizes secondary databases.

-CCS for SB 682 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Lucky Lamons expands the scope of the crimes of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm while committing a felony to include use of a paintball gun or conductive energy weapon.

-CCS for SB 705 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Gary Banz adjusts and recalculates the salaries of correctional teachers and vocational instructors employed by the Department of Corrections and would eliminate longevity payments.

-CCS for SB 802 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Don Armes allows the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to transfer titles of any of its equipment to a law enforcement agency for official law enforcement uses only.

-CCS for SB 824 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Paul Roan requires private prison facilities to have written emergency plans and mutual aid agreements between the facility and state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety.

-CCS for SB 877 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Susan Winchester adds film and music production and development facilities to provisions of the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act.

-CCS for HB 1482 by Rep. Gary Banz and Sen. Randy Bass creates a 12-member War on Terror Memorial Design Committee to recommend the design of the Memorial and to provide oversight and advice to the Oklahoma Historical Society in the site selection, construction and funding sources of the memorial.

-SB 335 by Sen. Gilmer Capps and Rep. Doug Cox provides an income tax credit for taxpayers who are licensed under the Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act or the Oklahoma Osteopathic Medicine Act, employed as physicians where initial employment begins on or after the effect date of the act, are employed or serving in a municipality in the state with a population less than 20,000 and are employed or serving as a primary care physician in a municipality having a population of 200,000 or more if the physician is providing medical services to a medically underserved population or providing medical services within a health professional shortage area.

-SB 926 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Dale Turner creates an income tax credit for employing volunteer firefighters and reserve sheriffs’ deputies.

• The House convened to consider the following pieces of legislation:

-CCR for HB 1621 by Rep. Sally Kern and Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson requires the State Board of Education to adopt core curriculum requirements for students in kindergarten through third grade that include standards for instruction focused on reading/language arts and mathematics and provide for development of motor skills and inclusion of physical activity beginning with the 2008-09 school year. The conference committee report was adopted 56-44, the measure passed 58-43, and the emergency failed 59-40. Notice was served to reconsider the vote whereby the emergency failed.

-CCR for HB 1235 by Rep. Dale Turner and Sen. Nancy Riley modifies the process for selection of mentor teachers to require the principal to select them for a list of qualified teacher volunteers. The bill and emergency passed 90-9.

-CCR for HB 1927 by Rep. Mark Liotta and Sen. Frank Shurden centralizes management of all state vehicles under a new Fleet Management Division that would be created within the Department of Central Services. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCR for HB 1751 by Rep. Bill Case and Sen. Angela Monson expand the definition of local exchange telephone company, for the purpose of the 911 Emergency Number Act, to include companies providing transmission over a date network. The bill modifies the 911 Wireless Emergency Number Act to remove reference to uniform statewide agreements and the change the county emergency wireless telephone fee from 50 cents per month to a maximum of $1.50 per month. The bill and emergency passed 99-2.

-CCR for HB 1704 by Rep. Ann Coody and Sen. Daisy Lawler authorizes local boards of education to develop and implement a comprehensive program for character education in K-12 by the 2006-07 school year. The bill and emergency passed 101-0.

-CCR for HB 1476 by Rep. Ann Coody and Sen. Randy Bass provides an income tax exemption for retirement benefits received by a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and sets the exemption at 50 percent of the benefits or $10,000, whichever is greater. The bill passed 99-0.

-CCR for HB 1780 by Rep. Wade Rousselot and Sen. Mary Easley requires the Military Department to create an Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program for providing financial relief for approved expenses to qualified members of the Oklahoma National Guard. The bill passed 97-0.

• The House GCCA approved the following bills on Tuesday by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport:

-CCS for HB 1078 appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation.
-CCS for SB 115 appropriates to the Department of Transportation.
-CCS for HB 1114 appropriates to the Department of Environmental Quality.
-CCS for HB 1117 appropriates to the Horse Racing Commission.
-CCS for HB 1159 requires the Department of Public Safety to transfer $350,630 to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey for duties.
-CCS for SB 165 appropriates to the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission.
-CCS for SB 167 appropriates to the Department of Labor.
-CCS for SB 177 appropriates to the Will Rogers Memorial Commission.
-CCS for SB 181 appropriates to he Office of the Attorney General.
-CCS for SB 182 authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to increase the total amount of bond debt authorized to pay for costs associated with the renovation, repair, remodeling and furnishing of the Samuel Layton Building from $12.6 million to $15.6 million.
-CCS for SB 185 appropriates to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
-CCS for SB 188 appropriates to the District Attorneys Council.
-CCS for SB 193 appropriates to the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
-CCS for SB 197 appropriates to the Council on Judicial Complaints.
-CCS for SB 209 appropriates to the Supreme Court for the support of the District Courts.
-CCS for SB 211 appropriates to the Workers’ Compensation Court.

• Governor Henry signed the following bills on Tuesday:

-HB 1390 by Rep. Neil Brannon and Sen. Earl Garrison allows alternative certification for school superintendents and principals who declare their intention to earn alternative certification through completion of an approved administrative preparation program in no more than three years.

-SB 419 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Don Armes provides that any person who, at or with the owner’s request or consent, performs work, makes repairs or improvements on, replaces, adds or installs equipment on any personal property, has a first and prior lien on such property for the total value of the services performed, including the reasonable value of all material used in the performance of such services and the reasonable value of all equipment replaced, added or installed.

-SB 498 by Sen. Scott Pruitt and Rep. Doug Miller expands exemptions from the requirement for obtaining a fishing license to include individuals participating in an aquatic education event or clinic sanctioned by the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

-SB 586 by Sen. Glenn Coffee and Rep. Jim Newport requires all state agencies to provide a one-day employee benefit informational meeting at least 15 working days prior to the annual deadline for making changes to state employees’ benefit packages.

-SB 642 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Thad Balkman modifies reporting requirements for the Nursing Facility of Care Fund to delete language directing that the reporting system require that facilities submit cost report data electronically on a quarterly basis.

-SB 738 by Sen. Cal Hobson and Rep. Chris Hastings increases membership of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission from seven to nine members by adding two additional members who are experienced in the horse industry appointed from the state at large.

-SB 745 by Sen. Cal Hobson and Rep. Todd Hiett to amend Enrolled HB 1191, which relates to the Oklahoma Higher Education Promise of Excellence Act of 2005, to modify provisions relating to the acquisition of and improvements to real property using the master lease program and other provisions of the act.

-SB 932 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. Thad Balkman requires that individuals designated to administer the floodplain requirements of counties, municipalities or other agencies that previously were exempt from the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act to be accredited by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

• The Governor vetoed one bill:
-SB 430 by Sen. Patrick Anderson and Rep. Mike Jackson decreases from $250 to $100 the fine for trespassing without permission and adds a method for posting against trespassers by placing purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property.

Wednesday, May 25th

• The Senate convened to consider conference committee reports as well as House amendments to Senate bills. The following legislation was considered:

-CCR for SB 646 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols renames the OSBI’s DNA Offender Database the OSBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and authorizes secondary databases. The bill passed 42-3.

-CCR for SB 41 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Ray Young decreases from 50 percent to 15 percent the additional fee assessed against a solid waste disposal site whose quarterly return is more than 60 days late. The bill passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 8 by Sen. Charlie Laster and Rep. John Nance authorizes the Homeland Security director to enter into contracts for food and lodging expenses for hosting or participating in homeland security-related conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars, exercises or training sessions. The bill and emergency passed 45-0.

-CCR for HB 1347 by Sen. Susan Paddack and Rep. Randy Terrill expands the program for transferring unused prescription drugs from nursing facilities to pharmacies operated by city-county health departments or county pharmacies for distribution to the medically indigent. The bill passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 575 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Dennis Adkins removes the requirement that mineral interest in Oklahoma land be subject to escheat if it generates an intangible property interest, which is presumed abandoned under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act or under similar laws of another state. The bill and emergency passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 835 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Greg Piatt makes special liens on personal property, other than farm equipment, subordinate to any perfected security interest unless certain conditions are met. The bill passed 47-0.

-CCR for SB 446 by Sen. Earl Garrison and Rep. John Nance excluding municipal ordinances from offenses that require a defendant to pay the $10 medical expense liability fee and reduces from $15,000 to $8,000 per ailment or injury the minimum expense a county jail could be determined to be liable for payment. The bill and emergency passed 47-0.

-CCR for SB 635 by Sen. Ted Fisher and Rep. Ron Peters authorizes the Department of Human Services to enter into lease-purchase agreements to construct or renovate department office space. The bill passed 47-0.

-CCR for HB 1476 by Sen. Randy Bass and Rep. Ann Coody provides an income tax exemption for retirement benefits received by a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill sets the exemption at the great of 50 percent of the benefits or $10,000. The bill passed 46-0.

-CCR for HB 1498 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Brian Bingman authorizes a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to an operator of a spacing unit or lease from which oil is produced or attempted to be produced using enhanced recovery methods, including increase pressure in a producing formation through the use of water or saltwater if the electrical usage is associated with and necessary for the operation of equipment required to inject or circulate fluids in a producing formation for the purpose of forcing oil or petroleum into a well bore for eventual recovery and production from the wellhead. The exemption would apply to the state sales tax rate and not to any county or municipal sales tax rate. The bill passed 46-2.

-CCR for SB 271 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Ray McCarter provides that if a support employee is employed by the same school district for the next school year as the preceding school year, the total compensation, consisting of salary and fringe benefits, of the support employee cannot be decreased the next school year unless the hours or the duties of the person is proportionately reduced. The bill and emergency passed 44-3.

-CCR for HB 1751 by Sen. Angela Monson and Rep. Bill Case expands the definition of local exchange telephone company for purposes of the 911 Emergency Number Act, to include companies providing transmission over a data network access to 911. The bill modifies 911 Wireless Emergency Number Act to remove reference to uniform statewide agreements and to change the county emergency wireless telephone fee from 50 cents per month to a maximum of $1.50 per month. The bill and emergency passed 47-0.

-CCR for SB 877 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Susan Winchester adds film and music production and development facilities to provisions of the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act. The bill passed 41-0.

-CCR for HB 1716 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Susan Winchester authorizes an income tax credit for reinvestment of a maximum 25 percent of the profit made by a taxpayer from reinvestment in a production company to pay for the production costs for a new film project.

-CCR fro HB 1848 by Sen. Owen Laughlin and Rep. Kris Steele creates a Health Saving Account Act to provide for creation of health savings accounts for payment of qualified medical expenses of eligible individuals or their dependents. The bill passed 43-0.

-CCR for HB 1780 by Sen. Mary Easley and Rep. Wade Rousselot requires the Military Department to create an Oklahoma National Guard Relief Program for providing financial relief for approved expenses to qualified members of the Oklahoma National Guard. The bill passed 48-0.

• The Senate GCCA passed seven appropriations authored by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge, and Rep. Jim Newport along with the following measures:

-CCS for SB 147 appropriates to the Capitol Complex and the Centennial Commemoration Commission.
-CCS for SB 160 appropriates to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
-CCS for SB 175 appropriates to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
-CCS for SB 189 authorizes the Supreme Court to make expenditures for the financial support of the District Courts.
-Second CCS for HB 1058 appropriates to the state Senate.
-CCS for HB 1083 appropriates to the Primary Health Care Development Revolving Fund.
-CCS for HB 1112 appropriates to the Corporation Commission.
-CCS for HB 1120 appropriates to the Department of Mines.
-CCS for SB 155 appropriates to the Corporation Commission.
-CCS for SB 166 sets budgetary limitations for the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission.
-CCS for SB 229 clarifies language relating to agency strategic plans.
-CCS for HB 1159 sets budgetary limitations for the Department of Public Safety.

-CCS for SB 25 by Sen. Susan Paddack and Rep. Jari Askins authorizes the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training to purchase passenger automobiles or buses.

-CCS for SB 574 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Purcy Walker modifies municipal water sales.

-CCS for SB 720 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Ron Peters creates the Helping Oklahoma Pay for Energy (HOPE) Task Force to review the design and administration of the Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program and make recommendations to improve the program’s ability to meet its goals.

-CCS fro SB 982 by Sen. Mike Morgan and Rep. Lance Cargill provides for an Achieving Classroom Excellence (ACE) Act of 2005 to create a 19-member ACE Task Force to study the testing requirements for eight grade and high school and make recommendations on subjects to be included for demonstration of mastery, additional end-of-instruction tests to be developed, benchmarks and cuts scores for assessments, optional methods to demonstrate subject matter mastery, and other concepts to improve classroom excellence in Oklahoma.

-CCS for HB 1810 by Rep. Don Armes and Sen. Randy Bass expands the Quality Jobs Program Act to include new direct jobs for which gross payroll existed on or after January 1, 2003 in the areas of engineering services, custom computer programming services, computer systems design services, computer facilities management services, other computer related services, facilities support services and flight training.

-CCS for HB 1774 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Chris Hastings authorizes the Professional Boxing Commission to set the salary of the administrator of profession boxing licensing and increases from $200,000 to $300,000 the amount that can be retained in the professional boxing licensing revolving fund.

• The House convened to consider several appropriations measures as well as the following legislation:

-CCR for SB 407 by Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. Ray Young expands the term “basic industry” for purposes of the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Program Act, to include activities performed by the federal civilian workforce at a facility of the Federal Aviation Administration if the director of the Department of Commerce determines or is notified that that federal government is inviting states to compete for additional federal civilian employment or expansion of federal civilian employment at such facilities.

-CCR for SB 663 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. Thad Balkman makes it unlawful to buy, sell, furnish, manufacture or possess any alcohol inhalation device, alcohol infuser or any device capable of causing blood or breath alcohol concentration. The bill and emergency passed 100-0.

-CCR for SB 238 by Sen. Jim Wilson and Rep. Kris Steele decreased from 20 percent to 10 percent the amount the administrator of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fund must deposit from the fund into the state general revenue fund. The bill and emergency passed 99-1.

-CCR for SB 317 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Dale DeWitt authorizes the Department of Agriculture, Food, Forestry to acquire real property and construct analytical laboratory facilities and, to the extent funds are available, to contract with the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for renovation and expansion of such laboratory. The bill and emergency passed 95-1.

-CCR for SB 326 by Sen. Susan Paddack and Rep. Wes Hilliard prohibits school districts from directly or indirectly transferring funds to a local foundation or rendering services or providing any thing of value to a local foundation without receiving documented adequate payment or reimbursement according to written contract. The bill passed 98-2.

-CCR for SB 461 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and Rep. Bill Case modifies information that must be provided when renting a motor vehicle to require that the expiration date of the renter’s driver license be kept, instead of the date of issue. The bill passed 101-0.

-CCR for SB 478 by Sen. Brian Crain and Rep. Ron Peters authorizes county sheriffs, treasurers and assessors, subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners, to employ general counsel, either in-house as a staff attorney or through an outside law firm, to advise them or their offices in the performance of the official duties of that office. The conference committee report was adopted 64-35 and the bill passed 72-28.

-CCR for SB 799 by Sen. Clark Jolley and Reps. Thad Balkman and Bill Nations raised the fine paid by individuals convicted of child restraint violations from $10 to $50, plus court costs. The bill passed 94-7.

-CCR for HB 1398 by Rep. James Covey and Sen. Owen Laughlin authorizes tax credits for a bio-diesel facility that is in production at the rate of at least 25 percent of its nameplate design capacity for the production of bio-diesel on or before December 31, 2007. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCR for HB 1570 by Rep. Purcy Walker and Sen. Jeff Rabon provides a sales tax exemption for materials used in construction projects by governmental entities and nonprofit organizations for a hospital or nursing home owned and operated by any such governmental or nonprofit entity prior to the effective date of the act in counties with populations of less than 100,000. The bill and emergency passed 95-3.

-CCR for HB 1680 by Rep. Rob Johnson and Sen. Jay Paul Gumm increases the maximum amount of credit for investment in certain agricultural cooperatives and help landowners cover the costs of starting agri-tourism ventures. The bill passed 95-5.

-CCR for HB 1435 by Rep. Wes Hilliard and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield raises the pay of teachers at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur and the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee. The bill and emergency passed 100-0.

• The House GCCA met to approve appropriations measures. The following pieces of legislation authored by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport were approved:

-CCS for HB 1053 appropriates to the Legislative Service Bureau.
-Second CCS for HB 1058 appropriates to the state Senate.
-CCS for HB 1083 appropriates to the Department of Health’s Primary Health Care Development Revolving Fund for the enhancement and development of federal qualified health centers.
-CCS for HB 1112 appropriates to the Corporation Commission.
-CCS for HB 1120 appropriates to the Department of Mines.
-CCS for HB 1122 appropriates to the Tourism and Recreation Department.
-CCS for SB 120 amends language authorizing expenditures from the Trauma Care Assistance Revolving Fund to support readiness costs incurred by trauma facilities in ensuring the availability of 24-hour physician services for the provision of trauma care.
-CCS for SB 122 increases the appropriation to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority from the fiscal year 2006 General Revenue Fund by $13 million and increasing the appropriation from the Special Cash Fund by $13 million.
-CCS for SB 147 appropriates to the Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission.
-CCS for SB 224 increases the maximum number of full-time equivalent employees (FTE) for the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors from seven to eight FTE; the Commission on Marginally Producing Oil and Gas Wells from four to five; and the Board of Examiners in Optometry from two to three FTE.
-CCS for SB 226 increases the percentage of unclassified full-time positions authorized by law to the Department of Human Services and under the discretion of the director from 4 to 5 percent.
-CCS for SB 234 amends the membership of the Board of Medicolegal Investigations, Community Hospitals Authority and Alzheimer’s Research Advisory Council by replacing an obsolete name of the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
-CCS for SB 237 requires the Corporation Commission to transfer the net revenues collected under the International Registration Plan to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
-CCS for SB 509 by Sen. Mike Morgan and Rep. Chris Benge authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority to issue bonds in the amount of $21,650,000 to fund the completion of renovation of the Wiley Post Historical Building for occupancy by the appellate courts.

• Governor Henry signed the following bills on Wednesday:

-HB 1485 by Rep. Sue Tibbs and Sen. Brian Crain authorizes a law enforcement officer to have a vehicle towed from the roadway if the officer has probable cause that the person operating the vehicle has not been granted driving privileges or that the driving privileges are currently suspended, revoked, canceled, denied or disqualified.

-SB 20 by Sen. Nancy Riley and Rep. Chris Benge expands restrictions for the use of explosives in mining operations within the corporate limits of a municipality.

-SB 556 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. Don Armes authorizes a manufacturer or distributor licensed pursuant to the State-Tribal Gaming Act to manufacture, exhibit or store as a lawful activity any machines or devices capable of being used to conduct gaming that may be lawfully conducted by an Indian tribe in the state.

• Governor Henry vetoed the following bill on Wednesday:
-SB 431 by Sen. Todd Lamb and Rep. Bill Case would have created a Homeowner Construction Defect Protection Act to provide a procedure for a purchaser who has a complaint against a contractor for construction defects.

Thursday, May 26th

• The Senate convened to consider various pieces of legislation and approve appropriations measures that have cleared GCCA. The following legislation was heard on the floor on Thursday:

-CCR for SB 982 by Sen. Mike Morgan and Rep. Lance Cargill provides for an Achieving Classroom Excellence Act of 2005. The bill and emergency passed 46-1.

-CCR for HB 1506 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and Rep. Paul Roan creates a Sean Skelley and Shane Gilmore Act to provide a waiver of resident and non-resident tuition for children of emergency medical technicians killed in the line of duty. The bill and emergency passed 40-0.

-CCR for SB 824 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. Paul Roan requires private prison facilities to have written emergency plans and mutual aid agreements between the facility and state and local law enforcement agencies, to have written emergency plans and mutual aid agreements between the facility and state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety. The bill and emergency passed 44-0.

-CCR fro HB 1500 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. Thad Balkman requires agencies’ reduction-in-force implementation plans be provided to the director of state finance and any labor organization representing state employees at such time. The bill and emergency passed 44-0.

-CCR for HB 1014 by Rep. John Auffet and Sen. Jim Wilson extends from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2008 the expiration date for tax credits for purchase and transportation of poultry litter. The title was restored and the bill passed 39-9.

-CCR for HB 1362 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Bill Case requires the Oklahoma State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to contract with one or more providers to offer a group Tricare Supplement product to employees who are eligible for Tricare beneficiaries beginning with the plan year which begins on January 1, 2006. The bill and emergency passed 46-0.

-CCR for SB 896 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols and Rep. Ron Peterson authorizes the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to contract with a pay-for-performance program provider. The bill passed 46-1 and the emergency passed 47-1.

-CCR for HB 1408 by Sen. Mary Easley and Rep. Wade Rousselot provides that, in calculating the use value of buffer strips for purposes of determining the valuation and assessment of property tax, exclusive consideration can be based only on income from agriculture production from such buffer strips, not including federal or state subsidies. The enacting clause and the title were restored and the bill passed 48-0.

-CCR for HB 1337 by Rep. James Covey and Sen. Todd Lamb allows investigations of the State Dental Act to be certified peace officers commissioned with all the powers and authority of peace officers. The title was restored and the bill passed 43-0.

-CCR for HB 1327 by Sen. Angela Monson and Rep. Jari Askins extends from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007 the deadline for a hospital, specialty hospital or ambulatory surgery center that has not received approval to construct a new facility from the Commissioner of Health to furnish written verification that at least 30 percent of its annual net revenues are from Medicare and/or Medicaid, with allowances fro uncompensated care and Oklahoma state corporate tax contributions. The bill passed 43-0.

-CCR for SB 155 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport changes the name of the Petroleum Storage Tank Release Environment Cleanup Indemnity Fund to the Petroleum Storage Tank Indemnity Fund. The bill and emergency passed 41-0.

-CCR for SB 636 by Sen. Charlie Laster and Rep. Shane Jett states any person who comes into contact with a peace officer prior to being actually received into custody for an injury or condition that threatens the life or the loss or use of a limb will be taken directly to a medical facility or hospital, and that responsibility of the person coming into the officer’s contact, except when the condition is a direct result of injury cause by an officer acting outside the scope of lawful authority. The bill and emergency passed 45-0.

-CCR for SB 635 by Sen. Ted Fisher and Rep. Ron Peters authorizes the Department of Human Services to enter into lease-purchase agreements to construct or renovate department office space. The bill passed 42-0.

-CCR for SB 610 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Kevin Calvey creates a tax credit for expenditures incurred by a contractor or initial homebuyer during the construction of an energy efficient residence with the initial property size if 2,000 square feet or less. The bill passed 40-2.

-CCR for SB 966 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Ann Coody modifies the reading goal for Oklahoma public schools to require that by July 1, 2008 and each year thereafter, all third-grade students will read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year, excluding up to 15 percent of those students with an individualized education program and excluding those students who are English language learners who have been determined not to be proficient in English as defined by a state-designated English proficiency assessment. The bill passed 40-3.

-CCR for HB 1688 by Sen. Frank Shurden and Rep. John Smaligo requires the Department of Health to offer a specialized facility for individuals with mental retardation an informal opportunity for dispute resolution comparable to the process offered to Medicaid-certified nursing facilities.

-CCR for HB 1435 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and Rep. Wes Hilliard raises the pay of teachers at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and the Oklahoma School for the Blind. The bill and emergency passed 43-2.

• The Senate GCCA approved the following measures by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport:

-SB 59 appropriates the $11.4 million from the excess gross production tax on oil.
-HB 1088 appropriates to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
-HB 1051 would appropriate $850,000 to the House of Representatives to conduct a study or studies regarding the operation and administration of services provided to the public by state agencies. The bill measure failed to receive the necessary 23 votes to be released from conference.
-SB 149 appropriates to the Department of Commerce
-SB 151 appropriates to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
-HB 1108 appropriates to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
-HB 1110 appropriates to the Commission on Consumer Credit.
-HB1114 appropriates to the Department of Environmental Quality.
-HB 1117 appropriates to the Horse Racing Commission.
-HB 1118 appropriates to the Insurance Department.
-HB 1122 appropriates to the Tourism and Recreation Department.
-SB 84 authorizes the Capitol Improvement Authority to issue obligations and borrow monies in the amount of $27 million for the purpose of paying the costs for the acquisition and installation of a heating and cooling system necessary and for remodeling to accommodate such heating and cooling system for the state Capitol building.
-SB 128 appropriates $3.2 million to the University Hospitals Authority for debt service on the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Campus and for operation at the OSU Medical School.
-SB 137 appropriates to the Department of Human Services.
-SB 210 sets budgetary limitations for the Supreme Court.
-HB 1092 appropriates $10 million to the University Hospitals Authority for the acquisition and improvement of real property for the benefit of a qualified medical research entity.
-SB 311 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Lisa Joe Billy blends rates for active state and education employees and retirees under age 65.
-SB 682 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Lucky Lamons expands the scope of the crimes of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm while committing a felony to include use of a paintball gun or tazer weapon.
-SB 755 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. John Nance calls for a vote of the people to approve an expansion of the allowable uses of the Constitutional Reserve Fund to include incentive payments to at-risk manufacturing establishments.
-HB 1619 by Sen. Debbe Leftwich and Rep. John Nance creates an Oklahoma Quality Investment Act.
-SB 309 by Sen. Richard Lerblance and Rep. Dennis Adkins provides an exemption from the gross production tax for eligible economically at-risk oil and gas leases for production during the previous calendar year.

• The House of Representatives worked well into the night to approve appropriations measures as well as considered the following legislation:

-CCR for HB 1078 by Rep. Chris Benge, Rep. Jim Newport, Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and Sen. Mike Morgan appropriates fund to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to increase funding by $170 million per year once the funding schedule is fully implemented for maintenance and repair of state highways and bridges, which represents an increase of 84.5 percent over the fiscal year 2005 state funding level. The bill passed 96-2.

-CCR for HB 1908 by Rep. Jabar Shumate and Sen. Brian Crain provides that a child who is dependent but no longer residing at home, is regularly enrolled in and attending high school, home school, vocational technical school or an alternative education program as a full-time student, is entitled to support by the parents after the child reaches age 18 until graduation, or until the age of 20, whichever comes first. The bill passed 77-22.

-SB 646 by Sen. Jonathan Nichols renames the OSBI’s DNA Offender Database the OSBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and authorizes secondary databases. The bill passed 98-1.

-CCR for HB 1858 by Rep. Fred Perry and Sen. Glenn Coffee permits judges to be employed by a college or university within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education as a full or part-time member of the faculty or as a teacher in a common education entity within suspension of retirement benefits. The bill passed 96-0.

-Second CCR for HB 1985 by Rep. Terry Ingmire and Sen. Randy Bass creates an Identity Theft Protection Act. The conference committee report was adopted 65-2 and the bill passed 98-1.

-CCR for a SB 270 by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Dale DeWitt requires operators of poultry feeding operations to complete educational requirements for courses on poultry waste handling by December 31st of each year. The bill passed 98-0.

-CCR for SB 446 by Sen. Earl Garrison and Rep. John Nance excluding municipal ordinances from offenses that require a defendant to pay the $10 medical expense liability fee and reduces from $15,000 to $8,000 per ailment or injury the minimum expense a county jail could be determined to be liable for payment. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCS for SB 547 by Sen. Tom Adelson and Rep. Kris Steele creates an Oklahoma Prescription Drug Discount Program Act of 2005 to increase access to prescription drugs for low-income Oklahomans. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCR for SB 569 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Odilia Dank requires public schools, upon enrollment of a child beginning in the 2007-08 school year, to require the parent or guardian to provide information to the school district regarding participation in nay early childhood program funded by state or federal funds as determined by the State Board of Education. The bill and emergency passed 90-8.

-CCR for SB 705 by Sen. Kenneth Corn and Rep. Gary Banz adjusts and recalculates the salaries of correctional teachers and vocational instructors employed by the Department of Corrections and eliminate longevity payments. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCR for SB 835 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Greg Piatt makes special liens on personal property, other than farm equipment, subordinate to any perfected security interest unless certain conditions are met. The bill passed 99-0.

-CCR for SB 1012 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Thad Balkman requires that stretcher aid van transportation services be made to and from any Oklahoma Veterans Center. The bill and emergency passed 99-0.

-CCR for HB 1927 by Rep. Mark Liotta and Sen. Frank Shurden creates a Fleet Management Reform Act that centralizes management of all state vehicles under a new Fleet Management Division that would be created within the Department of Central Services. The bill and emergency passed 96-0.

-CCR for HB 1547 by Rep. Kevin Calvey and Sen. Jay Paul Gumm modifies apportionment of insurance premium tax revenues to require that, beginning in fiscal year 2007, the Insurance Commissioner apportion at least $1.25 million each year to the following pension systems: 65 percent to the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement Fund; 26 percent to the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System and 9 percent to the Law Enforcement Retirement Fund. This is half of the tax agreement announced by legislative leaders. The conference committee report was adopted 78-20. The bill and emergency passed 87-12.

• The House GCCA passed the following measures by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, Sen. Mike Morgan, Rep. Chris Benge and Rep. Jim Newport:

-CCS for HB 1088 appropriates $63 million to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for the purpose of leveraging medical funds for Medicaid.
-CCS for SB 160 appropriates to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
-CCS for HB 1051 appropriates to the House of Representatives to conduct a study regarding the operation and administration of services provided by state agencies.
-CCS for HB 1108 appropriates to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
-CCS for SB 64 transfers the McCurtain County Higher Education Program from the Board of Trustees for the McCurtain County Higher Education Program to the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges.
-CCS for SB 149 appropriates to the Department of Commerce.
-CCS for SB 151 appropriates to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
-CCS for SB 166 appropriates to the J.M. Davis Memorial Commission.
-CCS for SB 189 appropriates to the District Courts.
-CCS for SB 175 appropriates to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
-HB 1124 appropriates to the Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission.
-HB 1123 states that the $5 million appropriation made in HB 1001 to the Department of Tourism and Recreation for an endowment to the Oklahoma City National Memorial is exempt form the budget limitations in Section 5 of HB 1122.

• The Governor signed the following bills on Thursday:

-SB 620 by Sen. Charles Wyrick and Rep. Doug Cox exempts the Grand River Dam Authority from certain requirements for disposal of real and surplus property.

-SB 950 by Sen. Bernest Cain and Rep. Paul Wesselhoft requires that standards for certified nurse aides include minimum 10 hours training in the care of Alzheimer’s patients.

-SB 987 by Sen. Bernest Cain and Rep. Ron Peters modifies duties of the Commission on Children and Youth regarding training and continuing training requirements for allopathic and osteopathic physicians, physicians’ assistants and registered nurses.

-HB 1318 by Rep. Terry Ingmire and Sen. Randy Bass allows the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to specify identifying information required before release of criminal history records.

-HB 1378 by Rep. Guy Liebmann and Sen. Clark Jolley removes the second Tuesday in March to dates on which special elections may be held by a county, school district, technology center school district, municipality or other entity authorized to call elections.

-HB 1379 by Rep. Greg Piatt and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield modifies penalties for injury to cemeteries or tombs to provide for a misdemeanor penalty with a maximum $1,000 find and/or a maximum 90 days’ imprisonment in the county jail if the amount of damage is less than $5,000 and a felony with a maximum $2,500 fine and/or a maximum six-month imprisonment in the county jail if the amount of damage exceeds $5,000.

-HB 1405 by Rep. Ray Young and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield modifies juvenile adjudication procedures to add juvenile drug court as an option and provide for juvenile drug court investigations.

-HB 1550 by Rep. John Wright and Sen. Mary Easley requires agencies exempt from the Administrative Procedures Act by December 31st to conduct an internal review of its exempt rules to determine whether each is current and is a rule as the term is defined by the act.

-HB 1584 by Rep. Tad Jones and Sen. Mary Easley makes the prohibition against certain motor vehicle sales activities on Sunday not apply to off-premise sales of new motorized recreational vehicles approved by the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission.

-HB 1586 by Rep. Dennis Adkins and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield modifies from subsection E to subsection F a statutory reference in a section relating to gas gathering.

-HB 1606 by Rep. Doug Miller and Sen. Ted Fisher modifies the Waste Tire Recycling Act to provide for tire-derived fuel or TDF facilities.

-HB 1804 by Rep. Lance Cargill and Sen. Ted Fisher prohibits telecommunication or other electronic communication with intent to terrify, intimidate, harass or threaten to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or property of that person.

-HB 1860 by Rep. Gus Blackwell and Sen. Jim Wilson allows any public body to hold meetings by videoconference where each board member of the public body is visible to each other and the public through a video monitor, so long as a quorum of the public body is present in person at the site of each meeting.

-HB 1986 by Rep. Terry Ingmire and Sen. Richard Lerblance creates a Gift Certificate Disclosure Act to make it unlawful for a person or entity to sell a gift certificate to a purchaser that contains an expiration date and a service fee including a service fee for dormancy, except under certain circumstances.

Friday, May 27th

• The Senate convened on Friday to wrap up the business of the first session of the 50th Oklahoma Legislature. The Senate considered several pieces of legislation and then adjourned Sine Die.

Other News

• Legislative leaders in both houses announced a tax cut agreement on Monday that includes a permanent reduction in state income taxes, and income tax rebate for every Oklahoma taxpayer and an increase in the state’s standard deduction.

• The State Senate heard a resolution on Wednesday recognizing the accomplishments and talent of Broken Arrow resident Kahlen Rondot, who was a finalist on the popular TV show, "America's Next Top Model." Senate Resolution 51 was authored by Broken Arrow Senators Mike Mazzei and Scott Pruitt.

• The State Senate heard Senate Resolution 50 on Thursday recognizing the outstanding war record and distinguished military career of Muskogee resident, Colonel Albert E. Hill. Hill served in the United State Air Force for 41 years and is a highly decorated veteran. Over the years, he kept and maintained a war diary that his children and grandchildren turned into an award-winning historical video documentary called "From Widow-Maker to Unsung Hero." The documentary is the story of the B-26 Marauder and the men who flew it. It won a 2002 National Silver Telly Award.

• Governor Brad Henry called a Special Session on Friday to convene at
4:00 p.m. to consider the issue of workers' compensation. Sen. Fisher moved to recess the Special Session to the call of the chair.