Week In Review

• Monday, February 6, marked the first day of the 2006 Legislative session. Prior to beginning formal work, the State Senate convened at 10:00 a.m. to hold a “Celebration of Life” in honor of State Senator Robert M. Kerr. Senator Kerr lost his battle with cancer on January 25.

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:

Monday, May 16th

• The Senate convened to consider the following pieces of legislation in the final three weeks of session:

-HAs to 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. The bill passed 44-0.

Monday, May 9th

• The Senate convened to consider the following pieces of legislation in the final three weeks of session:

-HAs to SB 518 by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson and Rep. Thad Balkman would prohibit any owner, operator, partner, manager, agent or employee of an establishment licensed to sell low-point beer for consumption on the property to sell or offer to sell low-point beer at a price less than regularly charged for low-point beer during the same calendar week. House amendments were accepted and the bill has been sent to the Governor.

Monday, May 2nd

• President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan convened the session and recognized Majority Floor Leader, Ted Fisher, for a motion to adjourn. The motion carried and the brief session recessed until Tuesday at 1:30pm.

• The House of Representatives convened briefly to adopt Senate amendments to several bills. Attention on legislative matters is primarily focused on naming conferees and assigning legislation to a conference committee during the last weeks of session.

Monday, April 25th

• The Senate convened to consider House bills as well as appropriations shell bills. Appropriations subcommittees also met to hold budget hearings.

-HB 1853 by Sen. Susan Paddack and Rep. Kris Steele would create an Rx for Oklahoma Act authorizing community action agencies, the Department of Human Services, County Health Departments and other entities and agencies to establish a statewide program to assist medically indigent state residents with receiving prescriptions through assistance programs. The bill and emergency passed 47-0.