The full Senate has given final approval to legislation that will end the five-year ad valorem tax exemption for new wind farms beginning January 1, 2017. Senate Bill 498, by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, was approved unanimously on Friday. Mazzei said the bill will ultimately save approximately $500 million over ten years.
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The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond for construction of the museum, which will require no new state appropriations to fund operations.

Legislative leaders Tuesday announced a $7.1 billion budget deal to fund Oklahoma government for fiscal year 2016.

“This budget reflects the priorities of the legislature,” said Sen. Kyle Loveless, R- Oklahoma City. “Education again received more than 50 percent of the appropriated funds, with nearly 35 percent going straight to common education. I am thankful for the leadership of Chairman Jolley as we continue to fund government in a way that is responsible with the taxpayers’ dollars.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman on Thursday issued the following statement regarding the passage of House Bill 2237, which would authorize a $25 million bond to complete the museum facility, end the state’s ongoing appropriations for operations, and divest the state of the property.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the bill to fund the completion of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.
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The Oklahoma House and Senate have both given final approval to House Bill 1037 by Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee, Rep. Ken Walker, R-Tulsa, Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore. HB 1037 creates a framework in the Open Records Act for the handling of law enforcement videos captured by body-worn cameras. Last year, the Legislature passed legislation that made it explicitly clear that all law enforcement videos filmed by dash-mounted or body-worn cameras would be subject to the Open Records Act, with some common sense exceptions. read more.

The full Senate has given its approval to legislation modifying Oklahoma’s Reading Sufficiency Act (RSA). Senate Bill 630, by Senate Education Chair John Ford and Rep. Dennis Casey, was approved Friday unanimously.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman on Friday issued the following statement after the House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 839, which would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP.

The Senate on Friday completed the first session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature one week ahead of schedule.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said the session included numerous important achievements, including the following:

“The most important thing we needed to do this year was fully fund our schools. But, yet again, we didn’t do that. We’re still kicking the can down the road when it comes to funding our schools appropriately.

“The teachers and parents who rallied here this Spring weren’t here to say, ‘You’re doing a great job! Keep doing what you’re doing!’ They came here to say, ‘Do your job! You’re not doing enough! We need help!’ But once again, the Republicans didn’t listen.