Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Tuesday in response to the passage of House Bill 3052, a statewide public safety reform effort, in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today released the following statement on proposed reforms for the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

The State Senate approved a concurrent resolution Tuesday commending local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for their efforts in the wake of a series of shootings this past weekend in north Tulsa that left three people dead and two injured. Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 was authored by Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, Rep. Jabar Shumate, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Seneca Scott, D-Tulsa.
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A bill to protect public buildings used as shelters during natural disasters from liability claims has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1316, by Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. Fred Jordan, modifies the Governmental Tort Claims Act by adding an exemption from liability for cities, towns, counties or other entities that open public buildings up to citizens during emergencies like tornadoes.
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Sen. Gary Stanislawski said a bill allowing access to statistical data about drug prescriptions has been approved by both chambers and is one step closer to becoming law.

Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, is principal author of Senate Bill 1065, which deals with the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP). The database is maintained by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) to track prescriptions of specific types of drugs, like Vicodin.

Businesswoman AJ Griffin is officially on the job as the Senate’s newest member. Griffin was elected in a special election held April 3 to fill the District 20 seat, which includes Logan, Noble, Pawnee and Kingfisher counties.

“It is a humbling experience to stand in the Senate Chamber, hand on the Bible and realize the tremendous responsibility the citizens have entrusted to me, but I am also honored by that trust and excited about working with constituents and my fellow senators to help move our state forward,” said Griffin, R-Guthrie.
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Sen. Tom Adelson said after careful consideration, he has decided against seeking reelection to the State Senate. Adleson represented Tulsa District 33 for two terms and under term limits, could have served another four years.

“I want to thank my supporters for their encouragement and commitment to improving state government and to making Oklahoma a great place to live and work and raise a family,” said Adelson, D-Tulsa. “I am so very grateful for the chance to listen and learn about their concerns and ideas to make Oklahoma an even better state.”
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The State Senate honored the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls Basketball Team Thursday for their outstanding 2012 season capped by winning the Women's National Invitation Tournament for the first time in school history. A resolution was approved congratulating the team for their courage and perseverance following the tragic plane crash involving head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna along with OSU alumni, pilot and former Oklahoma State Senator Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula on November 17, 2011. read more.

A measure to help eradicate feral hogs, one of Oklahoma's greatest agricultural nuisances, has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1751, authored by Sen. Josh Brecheen and Rep. Don Armes, would authorize citizens to use an electronic tracking device while employing the services of a "Judas pig" to help locate and capture or kill entire herds of feral swine.
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Two Tulsa lawmakers said they were disappointed by the governor’s veto of House Bill 2296 on Friday. Sen. Brian Crain and Rep. Eric Proctor co-authored the bipartisan measure, which would have given liability protection to mobile home park operators who allowed residents to take shelter in their office during severe weather
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