Vote on HB 2288 Ends Months of Senate Work on DOC Funding Crisis

A measure to modify the Youthful Offender Act passed out of the Senate today. Senate Bill 1760, by Senator Nancy Riley, will automatically charge persons aged fifteen to seventeen as adults if they are charged with first degree murder.

"We're talking about fifteen, sixteen and seventeen year olds who have firmly implanted in their minds what is right and wrong - committing murder," said Riley, R-Tulsa. "And when you're dead, you're dead."
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A bill that would have allowed the citizens of Oklahoma County and Tulsa County to decide for themselves what form of county government works best for them failed by less than a handful of votes in the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday. But the measure has another chance to succeed if lawmakers agree to take another vote on it during the next few days.
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A bill to help school children enjoy nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables has won unanimous approval by the full Senate. Senator Daisy Lawler is the author of SB 1515, which would create a statewide Farm to School program.

“This a win-win bill for helping our kids with better health and nutrition and for rural economic development,” said Lawler, D-Comanche. “Our initial pilot program was a resounding success and surveys of school districts throughout the state tell us they’re very enthusiastic about this concept.”
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A measure that will expand the most innovative public-private partnership in Medicaid history won approval by the full State Senate Thursday and is headed for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
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State Sen. Daisy Lawler is urging Oklahomans to remember that there is still a statewide burn-ban in effect. That’s after a suspected arson fire in her district has destroyed homes, displaced hundreds of people and injured two volunteer firefighters with the Rush Springs Fire Department. At least five other firefighters have been reported injured in other parts of the state.

Lawler said the fire that started near Empire City has left members of her church and other friends homeless.
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State Senator Mary Easley (D-Tulsa), vice-chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee expressed her appreciation Thursday that her funeral picketing bill was approved by the House and will now go before Gov. Brad Henry to sign into law.

Senate Bill 1020, known as the “Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act” would make it a misdemeanor to picket within 500 feet of a cemetery, mortuary or church from one hour before the scheduled commencement of funeral services until one hour after the actual completion of the funeral services.
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The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that will completely eliminate Oklahomas estate tax, also known as the death tax. Senate Bill 334, by Senators Mike Mazzei and Glenn Coffee, would provide immediate estate tax relief to non-lineal heirs, such as nephews and nieces, and would completely eliminate the death tax over a three-year period.

The full Senate has voted unanimously for a bill giving neighborhoods across the state greater protection from rapists and child molesters. Sen. Glenn Coffee is author of Senate Bill 1754, also known as the Neighborhood Protection Against Sex Offenders Act. "Just about everyone from time to time will need the services of a plumbing or electrical company or some other business that sends workers into their home. What this act will do is let people know if an employee of that business is on the sex offender registry before that person is sent into their home," said Coffee R-Oklahoma City. read more.

A special team of expert child abuse investigators to help local law enforcement handle difficult cases would be created by a bill approved unanimously by the Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 1800, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, would establish the Child Abuse Response Team (CART) within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.