Under current law, Oklahomans with state occupational licenses or certifications who are delinquent on their income taxes face possible nonrenewal. To ensure these individuals can afford to pay their back taxes Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, authored Senate Bill 1816, which passed out of the Senate Wednesday.

The Senate has approved legislation to help keep emergency certified teachers in the classroom and strengthen bullying prevention in Oklahoma schools.  Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, is the author of the two bills.  

SB 1115 allows the State Board of Education to renew the emergency or provisional certificate of anyone who has been employed by a school district for at least two years.  To be considered, the individual must have –
 

In an effort to continue growing the state’s economy and address the teacher shortage, the Senate approved two reciprocal licensing reforms Wednesday.  Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the author of the measures to recognize the out-of-state occupational licenses and teaching certificates of qualified individuals moving to Oklahoma.

The Senate has voted to strengthen penalties against those who sell intimate images or videos without the subject’s knowledge or consent. Sen. Kim David, R-Porter, said Senate Bill 1462 will protect victims from continual embarrassment and other negative impacts from the public sharing of such private pictures and videos.

Home-based bakeries and other types of food businesses are one step closer to being able to continue growing their small business without having to rent or buy a commercial property. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said he authored Senate Bill 1714 to allow these types of small business owners the freedom to decide when they are ready to move into a larger commercial location rather than the state forcing them.

There are currently nearly 2,000 U.S. children under the age of 18 on the national transplant waiting list.  The Senate passed Senate Bill 1359 late Tuesday to give Oklahoma judges the power to possibly save some of those children.  Under the measure, if a court has to make the decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment of a child in state custody based upon the attending physician’s recommendation, then the judge has the authority to authorize anatomical gifts. 

The Senate has given full approval to legislation that will provide for state licensure of midwives.  Senate Bill 1823 creates “Shepherd’s Law,” by Sen. Brenda Stanley.  The bill was approved by a wide margin and with bipartisan support on Wednesday, 41 to 5.

Stanley, a Midwest City Republican Senator and former teacher and principal, said she named the bill after the newborn son of a former student, Lecye Doolen, who lost her baby the day after a planned home delivery that went terribly wrong. 

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.