For the week of Monday, May 21 to Thursday, May 24, 2001

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Monday, May 21st

• With the constitutionally set deadline for adjournment approaching, lawmakers continued working through heavy floor agendas in an attempt to adjourn sine die before the actual May 25th deadline. Among those measures gaining approval by the full Senate on Monday:

  -HB 1237 by Sen. Brooks Douglass modifies Oklahoma's hog farm regulations by more clearly defining what constitutes a recreational area. Current law requires hog farms to be at least three miles from the nearest recreational area. Farms closer than that cannot get water permits needed for operations. HB 1237 sets criteria for determining whether a site constitutes a recreational area.

  -CCR SB 590 by Sen. Angela Monson would remove a current restriction in the law that states no person in a tag agency shall receive a salary in excess of 70 percent of the maximum annual compensation designated by law for the agent.

  -CCR HB 1297 by Sen. Bernest Cain creates the Utilization of Unused Medications Act. Cain said the bill would establish a pilot program and provide procedures for unused medications to be redistributed to those in need.

  -CCR HB 1728 by Sen. Charles Ford modifies the effective date of the repeal of the motor vehicle inspection system that the Legislature passed earlier this year. Instead of an August 25 date, the inspections would be repealed upon the Governor's approval of the measure.

  -CCR SB 32 by Sen. Ben Robinson modifies the duties of physician assistants to allow the prescribing of certain drugs and the ability to send patients to physical therapists.

  -CCR HB 1505 by Sen. Kelly Haney appropriates more than $2 billion to the State Board of Education for Oklahoma schools. The bill includes additional funding for several of the state's other education-related agencies.

  -CCR HB 1535 by Sen. Kelly Haney appropriates money to the Arts Council, Department of Tourism and the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.

  -CCR HB 1124 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson increases the amount reimbursed from a victim's fund for sexual assault examinations.

• The House of Representatives also worked through a heavy floor adjournment on Monday. Among those measures gaining approval:

  -CCR HB 1505 by Rep. Mike Mass appropriates more than $2 billion to the State Board of Education for Oklahoma schools. The bill includes additional funding for several of the state's other education-related agencies.

  -HB 1535 by Rep. Mike Mass makes appropriations to the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority.

  -HB 1770 by Rep. Barbara Staggs provides for acquisition of military service credit for purposes of the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement system.

  -HR 1015 by Rep. Bill Graves expresses to President George W. Bush disappointment in the appointment of pro-homosexual rights activists to positions in the Bush Administration.

  -SB 134 by Rep. Bill Mitchell requires the Health Care Authority Board to immediately provide coverage for any new drug for Medicaid recipients.

  -SB 675 By Rep. Richard Phillips allows remote internet-based classes to be counted as being in attendance at public schools.

Tuesday, May 22nd

• On Tuesday, the Senate continued working through a heavy floor agenda. Among those measures being approved:

  -HB 1375 by Sen. Frank Shurden would put a constitutional amendment up for a vote of the people. If passed, it would change the number of signatures required from 8 percent of those voting in the last general election to 15 percent for any initiative petition attempting to outlaw a recreational sport involving wildlife.

  -CCR HB 1266 by Sen. Jerry Smith specifies what is not a defense for a charge of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor. Smith said the case involved a man who solicited sex over the Internet with an individual he thought was a 12-year-old girl, but was actually a police detective. Smith said the case was thrown out because it was a detective and not a child from whom the man solicited sex. HB 1266 would prevent that from happening.

  -CCR SB 157 by Sen. Ted Fisher creates the Juvenile Sex Offender Registration Act.

  -CCR for SB 440 by Sen. Kevin Easley deletes a July 1, 2002 deadline for Oklahoma deregulation, delaying deregulation up until at least 2003 or until the Legislature enacts enabling legislation after a task force is generated that will study a variety of related issues.

  -CCR SB 627 creates the Oklahoma Credible Data Act that makes a number of significant changes to the way water samples are verified and credited in Oklahoma. Price said the bill would make the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) a "clearinghouse" for water samples in the state.

  -CCR SB 397 by Sen. Stratton Taylor is a bill related to criminal justice. The bill adds several crimes to the list of those for which an inmate must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence, lowers the DUI alcohol level to 0.08 and increases the felony minimum for certain property crimes from $50 to $500.

  -CCR HB 1794 by Sen. Grover Campbell would increase the penalties for driving with a suspended license.

• Among those measures being approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday:

  -CCR HB 1938 by Rep. Opio Toure seeks to offer remedy for the wrongful conviction of Jeffrey Todd Pierce. The bill would allow victims of wrongful convictions to sue for up to $200,000 against various entities of government in accordance with the Government Tort Claims Act.

  -HB 1291 by Rep. Russ Roach relates to absentee voting and eliminates straight-party voting in Oklahoma.

  -SB 748 by Rep Kenneth Corn allows the establishment of maximum charges for activities at state-owned golf courses and modifies procedures for tourism.

  -HB 1308 by Rep. Joe Sweeden authorizes fingerprint on driver license and child identification program.

Wednesday, May 23rd

• The Senate continued working through a heavy floor agenda. Among those measures being approved on Wednesday:

  -CCR SB 310 by Sen. Cal Hobson and Sen. Kelly Haney, relating to the Constitutional Reserve Fund, authorizing appropriations to various state entities. Includes $57.2 million for the Department of Transportation to fund the ongoing $1 billion highway construction program; $10.1 million to the State Emergency Fund for the purpose of matching federal disaster funds that will assist in the repair of ice storm damage in Oklahoma; $5 million to the Office of State finance for statewide business system development; $981,000 to the Department of Central Services for Building repair; $250,000 to the University Hospitals Authority for operation of a Child Study Center.; $2.7 million to the State Regents for costs associated with the OU weather center; $2.5 million to the State Regents for costs associated with the OSU-Tulsa Campus.

  -CCR HB 1178 by Sen. Maxine Horner enacting the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Reconciliation Act of 2001. HB 1178 concurs with certain findings from the final report of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Commission; Addresses issues related to the funding and site location for the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Memorial of Reconciliation; Creates a Greenwood Area Redevelopment Authority to develop and implement a long term plan for investment in and redevelopment of the Greenwood Area; Establishes an education and scholarship program for residents of the Tulsa area who meet certain qualifications, giving preference for applicants who are direct lineal descendants of persons who resided in the Greenwood Area on April 30 through June 1, 1921.

  -CCR HB 1544 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson which is an appropriation to the Workers' Compensation Court. The legislation also authorizes a $1 fee for employers inquiring into employees' previous compensation claims.

  -CCR HB 1557 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson which is a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Corrections.

  -CCR HB 1530 by Sen. Rick Littlefield relating to rural firefighters and workers compensation insurance.

  -SB 803 by Sen. Kevin Easley adds "abuse of a vulnerable adult" to the list of crimes for which inmates must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. The measure also deletes a statute requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to reimburse licensee-nursing facilities that are not Medicaid certified.

  -SR 23 by Sen. Charles Ford honors Emma Lou Ragsdale-Corder who served as Ford's executive assistant for more than 20 years.

  -CCR HB 1143 by Sen. Penny Williams would authorize the Department of Human Services to create a program for children at a high risk of being abused.

  -CCR HB 1933 by Sen. Bernest Cain reduces the state income tax from 6.75% to 6.65% and provides for a refundable state credit of 5 percent of the federal earned income tax credit for families earning less than approximately $32,000 a year and individuals earning less than approximately $10,000 a year.

• Governor Frank Keating signed the following Senate measures into law on Wednesday:

  -SB 647 by Sen. Keith Leftwich creates the Compete With Canada Film Act. The measure offers production companies either a sales tax exemption or a 15 percent rebate of expenditures made in Oklahoma.

  -SB 4 by Senator Stratton Taylor which relates to vehicle excise taxes.

  -SB 119 by Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield which relates to gross production, petroleum excise and income taxes.

  -SB 128 by Sen. Sam Helton which designates November 11 as Veterans Day in public schools.

  -SB 170 by Sen. Angela Monson which requires that state tax forms contain certain provisions for donations for Oklahoma School for the Deaf/Oklahoma School for the Blind Revolving Fund.

  -SB 201 by Sen. Enoch Kelly Haney which makes an appropriation to the Military Department, Civil Emergency Management and the State Fire Marshall's Office.

  -SB 377 by Sen. Angela Monson which relates to the Oklahoma Nursing Practices Act.

  -SB 520 by Sen. Sam Helton which relates to removing debris from roadways.

  -SB 532 by Sen. Kevin Easley authorizing the Corporation Commission to establishes certain well spacing for resevoir dewatering oil extraction.

  -SB 619 by Sen. Jerry Smith which relates to court clerks.

• The House of Representatives considered more than 40 measures on Wednesday. Among those being approved:

  -CCR HB 1933 by Rep. Opio Toure reduces the state income tax from 6.75% to 6.65% and provides for a refundable state credit of 5 percent of the federal earned income tax credit for families earning less than approximately $32,000 a year and individuals earning less than approximately $10,000 a year.

  -HB 1727 By Rep. Larry Rice which is the Nursing Home Care Act. The measure also includes language which holds abortion providers libel for subsequent costs if a minor child undergoes an abortion without parental consent and then develops medical complications.

  -SB 648 by Rep. David Braddock relates to revenue and taxation by modifying definitions under Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act and modifying certain dates.

  -HB 1530 by Rep. Mike Mass authorizes volunteer firefighters to obtain workers' compensation insurance from the State Insurance Fund.

  -SB 32 by Rep. Randall Erwin relates to health and mental health by modifying definitions relating to special parking for physically disabled persons and modifying definitions and authority of physicians' assistants.

  -HB 1161 by Rep Jari Askins relates to regimented juvenile training programs under the Youthful Offenders Act.

  -SB 495 by Rep. Larry Rice allows credit against certain taxes for purchases or extractions of Oklahoma-mined coal, royalty interest owners and new or expanded aircraft repair facilities.

• Governor Keating vetoed HB 1388 by Rep. Lloyd Fields on Wednesday, which is the Oklahoma Workforce Investment Act, stating that it inappropriately limits the flexibility of the Workforce Investment Board. However the following House measures were signed into law on Wednesday:

  -HB 1728 by Rep. James Covey which made the repeal of yearly vehicle inspections effective immediately.

  -HB 1033 by Rep. Gary Taylor which updates language relating to county commissioners.

  -HB 1070 by Rep. Bill Mitchell which modifies travel reimbursement rates for state employees.

  -HB 1072 by Rep. Bill Mitchell which requests the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma to establish a cancer treatment and research program.

  -HB 1084 by Rep. Mike Wilt which prohibits bail after conviction of drug manufacturing or sexual abuse of a child.

  -HB 1134 by Rep. Richard Phillips which relates to the Oklahoma Real Estate License Code.

  -HB 1156 by Rep. Raymond McCarter which modifies the probationary period for certain OSBI employees.

  -HB 1189 by Rep. Raymond McCarter which updates language related to teachers' salaries.

  -HB 1200 by Rep. Mike Ervin enacting the Oklahoma Economic Opportunities Act.

  -HB 1224 by Rep. M.C. Leist which provides that county assessors utilize certain information provided by the State Department of Education.

  -HB 1422 by Rep. David Braddock which adds provisions to the Viatical Settlement Act and the Life Settlement Act.

  -HB 1433 by Rep. Barbara Staggs which exempts certain school districts from certain reporting requirements.

  -HB 1681 by Rep. Bill Case which relates to the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act.

  -HB 1702 by Rep. Al Lindley which relates to certain income tax liabilities.

  -HB 1723 by Rep. Larry Rice which relates to dues and cancellation of license for nonpayment.

  -HB 1934 by Rep. Opio Toure which establishes the Racial and Social Economic Statistical Analysis on Imprisonment Task Force.

Thursday, May 24th

• Among those measures being approved on Thursday by the Senate:

  -CCR 660 by Sen. Kevin Easley relating to the Department of Agriculture, adding poultry waste plan monitor.

  -CCR HB 1467 by Sen. Glenn Coffee relating to public schools and property.

  -CCR HB 1935 by Sen. Jerry Smith allowing judges to explain definition of "life without parole" at the request of juries.

  -CCR HB 1454 by Sen. Dick Wilkerson relating to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and specific employee classifications.

  -CCR HB 1354 by Sen. Glenn Coffee relating to special guardians.

• The measure gaining final approval by the House of Representatives on Thursday included:

  -CCR SB 310 by Reps. Mike Mass and Jack Bonny, relating to the Constitutional Reserve Fund, authorizing appropriations to various state entities. Includes $57.2 million for the Department of Transportation to fund the ongoing $1 billion highway construction program; $10.1 million to the State Emergency Fund for the purpose of matching federal disaster funds that will assist in the repair of ice storm damage in Oklahoma; $5 million to the Office of State finance for statewide business system development; $981,000 to the Department of Central Services for Building repair; $250,000 to the University Hospitals Authority for operation of a Child Study Center.; $2.7 million to the State Regents for costs associated with the OU weather center; $2.5 million to the State Regents for costs associated with the OSU-Tulsa Campus.

  -SB 803 by Rep. Jack Bonny, which is the Long Term Care Reform and Accountability Act.

  -SB 711 by Rep. Jari Askins relating to mammography screening.

  -SB 499 by Rep. Joe Eddins relating to schools and residential programs.

  -SB 199 by Rep. Randall Erwin relating to recycling of waste tires.

• The Senate adjourned the first regular session of the 48th legislature Sine Die at 4:25 p.m. on Thursday, May 24th, a day before the constitutionally mandated adjournment.
  

Other News

• Governor Frank Keating called the Legislature into special session late Monday afternoon. The House and Senate convened the first day of the "First Extraordinary Session of the 48th Oklahoma Legislature" and recessed until Tuesday. Eight bills and one joint resolution by the House and ten bills by the Senate were introduced in accordance with the special session call, which will consider the restructuring of Oklahoma's tax system including repeal of the personal income tax and sales tax on groceries as well as making the state a "pick up state" for estate tax purposes. Revenue enhancement measures to replace all or a significant portion of the revenue to the state which would be lost or produced would be considered and included. The special session call also includes congressional redistricting.