Sen. Harry Coates will be continuing his fight for immigration reform in Oklahoma this coming session. On Thursday, he filed Senate Bill 22 to create the Guest Worker Permit Program Act. He filed the bill last year and although it did not receive a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, he hopes the measure will be given fair consideration this year.

State Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, issued the following statement regarding Oklahoma’s improved ranking by the United Health Foundation. (Ranked 46th in the nation last year, the report issued Tuesday ranks Oklahoma at 43rd).

“Just three years ago, Oklahoma was ranked 49th by the United Health Foundation in their national report. The fact that in those three years we’ve been able to move to 43rd is proof of our dedication to addressing critical public health concerns. I particularly want to point out the hard work of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The Senate Democratic Caucus announced their leadership team for the 54th Legislature Monday. Senator Sean Burrage will once again serve as Democratic Leader.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced committee assignments for Republican members on Monday. Committee chairs and vice chairs were announced last Thursday.

“There is a tremendous depth and breadth of experience and talent to draw from in the Republican Caucus,” Bingman said. “We’ve worked to structure committee memberships that will enable us to build on an agenda dedicated to job creation and economic growth benefiting our state now and in the future.”

“Secretary Coffee is a dear friend and a leader of immense talent. Though I am saddened by the news of his departure as Secretary of State, I know Glenn will continue to serve Oklahomans for many years to come—for that I am thankful. His contributions to building a common-sense, conservative majority cannot be measured. He is, and always will be, a public servant. The state of Oklahoma, without a doubt, is better off because of Glenn’s public service. I wish him the absolute best in his future endeavors.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman for standing committees and Chair and Vice Chairs of all Appropriations Subcommittees today.

“I am proud to work with an outstanding group of leaders dedicated to advancing a pro-jobs, pro-growth legislative agenda,” said Bingman. “This team of chairs and vice chairs will steer important legislative committees focused on solutions to the challenges facing our state.”

The State Senate’s committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for the coming session:

State Sen. Darrell Weaver has been appointed to four Senate committees for the 57th Legislature. Weaver, R-Moore, will serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Energy, the Public Safety Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary.

Oklahoma City has moved ahead with plans to take an additional 30,000 acre-feet of water from Canton Lake in the western part of the state. State Sen. Bryce Marlatt said he learned Tuesday that Oklahoma City had instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to begin transferring the water on Wednesday morning. The entire process will take approximately three weeks.

Following last fall’s interim study of the state’s seven veteran centers and the Oklahoma Department of Veteran’s Affairs (ODVA), Sen. Frank Simpson has filed several bills to address problems brought to light by veterans’ families and facility employees.

Senator David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, has introduced legislation to make "Black Friday" sales and other low-price retail sales legal in Oklahoma. Under current law, which was originally enacted in 1941, retailers must sell products for at least six percent more than they paid for it. A December 2011 opinion from the Oklahoma Attorney General confirmed that state law bars all “Black Friday” and other low-price sales, even if they are only temporary.