The full Senate voted in favor of legislation strengthening laws dealing with violence against people who work in hospitals and health care facilities.  Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, was approved on Thursday and now moves to the House of Representatives.

The Senate approved the Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act Thursday to address the pain and suffering of family members of babies whose lives are ended through abortion.  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1728, which modifies provisions relating to awarding damages resulting from wrongful death in cases of abortions performed under fraudulent circumstances. 

The Senate has approved a measure that would modify the calculation of sales tax applied to vehicles.

When a vehicle is purchased under current law, a sales tax of 1.25 percent is levied on the full price of the car. Senate Bill 1619, authored by Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, would modify this calculation so the sales tax would be based on the difference between the actual sales price of a vehicle and the value of a trade-in, if applicable. This tax calculation is used in 38 states.

Legislation aimed at better supporting disabled veterans who work for the state has cleared the full Senate.  State Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, is principal author of Senate Bill 1434, which gives an additional 16 hours of sick leave each year for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more.  The bill was approved on Monday.

A program to encourage Oklahoma children to become better readers is one step closer to becoming a reality.  Senate Bill 1803, by Sen. John Haste, creates the framework for Oklahoma to have its own Imagination Library, a program to get free books in the hands of children.  Haste said the goal is to encourage a love of reading and improve education outcomes.  The bill, modeled after a program founded by entertainer Dolly Parton in her home state of Tennessee, was approved on Monday.

The Senate has given full approval to a measure to ensure 9-1-1 operators throughout Oklahoma have Telecommunicator Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TCPR) training. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, said Senate Bill 1845 directs the Oklahoma 9-1-1 Management Authority to develop a training program in TCPR for 9-1-1 operators by June 30, 2021. The bill received unanimous approval on Tuesday.

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson issued the following statement on Monday after Attorney General Mike Hunter responded to Thompson’s request for a legal opinion as to whether Gov. Kevin Stitt could deposit state revenues from tribal gaming exclusivity fees in escrow while awaiting the outcome of federal litigation over gaming compacts between the state and tribes.

The Senate has voted in favor of legislation requiring standardized investigations following the sudden, unexplained death of infants in Oklahoma.  Sen. Stephanie Bice is principal author of Senate Bill 1893, which was approved unanimously on Wednesday. 

A bill to repeal the requirement for threaders to obtain a cosmetology license passed unanimously in the Senate this week.  Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said Senate Bill 1540 will correct an oversight that is hurting small business owners while providing no training for the popular hair removal practice. 

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson has won full Senate approval for legislation to modernize state agency spending and create government efficiencies. Senate Bill 1422, by Thompson, R-Okemah, was approved on Tuesday.

Thompson said it’s been more than two decades since there has been a comprehensive and uniform review of the Central Purchasing Act, which sets limits on agency spending.  SB 1422 will update agency spending limits to reflect the increased prices of goods and services and address additional modernizations.