Members of the Legislature dealt with several major issues in the 1997 session, including regulation of pig farms, restructuring of the electric utility industry, telecommunications, welfare reform, restrictions on consumer loans, and higher education tuition increases. 

Regulation of the growing hog and poultry industries topped the legislative agenda along with revisions to the Truth In Sentencing law, tax reductions, and pay raises for state troopers and other state employees. Delivery of higher education services to the Tulsa metropolitan area was a major issue of interest and concern

The 47th Oklahoma Legislature convened on January 5, 1999, for organizational purposes. The roll call of members elected to the Senate in November included four new members: Senators Coffee, Crutchfield, Johnson, and Pruitt.