The full Senate honored one of its former members on Wednesday for his historic preservation efforts in the state Capitol, and for his work to create an important art collection to adorn the building. Senate Resolution 90, authored by Pres. Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and coauthored by the full Senate, honored Sen. Charles Ford for his work restoring the Senate Chamber and other areas of the Capitol to their original architectural design, as well as raising $2.5 million in
private donations to create a significant collection of original art telling the story of Oklahoma.

Legislation to combat fraud and waste in Oklahoma’s unemployment system has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. House Bill 2505, sponsored by Sen. Dan Newberry, enacts a number of important reforms to limit exploitation and ensure benefits are directed to those who need them.

The measure requires the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to review at least five percent of cases where misconduct has been alleged in claims. Additionally, claimants must sign a form stating they will not commit fraud in claims.

With Governor Mary Fallin’s signature, a bill subjecting all law enforcement dash cam videos to the Open Records Act has become law. Previously, a statutory loophole exempted all Oklahoma Highway Patrol videos. The authors of HB 2676 were Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ken Walker, R-Tulsa. The measure received overwhelming approval in both chambers, passing 38-4 in the Senate and 76-6 in the House.

Sen. Cliff Branan, Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, released the following statement today regarding a recent advertising campaign organized by a group called Oklahomans for a Prosperous Future.

Branan’s comments reference an ad being broadcast throughout Oklahoma, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20kT3-yzxC8&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop. The ad attacks tax policy that has helped create a booming horizontal drilling industry in Oklahoma, and advocates for a large tax increase on oil production.

President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement after the Senate voted on Thursday 39-0 to override the governor’s veto of HB 2461. The legislation requires a sheriff or chief of police to execute any request for documents relating to the purchase of firearms defined by the National Firearms Act within 15 days if the purchaser is not prohibited from possessing a firearm. With the Senate joining the House in the override, HB 2461 will now become law.

State Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, issued the following statement today regarding the governor’s signing of Senate Bills 1431 and 1433, which strengthen penalties for human trafficking.

A measure to help get more public safety officers on the streets was signed into law Tuesday. Senate Bill 1372, by Sen. Josh Brecheen and Rep. Jon Echols, will lower the age limit for commissioned officers within the Department of Public Safety from 23 to 21 years of age and provide educational credits to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A bill to make sure caregivers are kept informed about when a patient is being discharged and given follow-up care instructions is now on its way to the governor’s desk for her signature. House amendments to Senate Bill 1536, by Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, were approved by the full Senate on Monday.

SB 1536 allows hospital patients to designate a lay caregiver upon formal admission. The hospital must also notify the designated caregiver of the patient’s discharge and consult with the caregiver about aftercare.

In order to avoid a budget shortfall in the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget has approved a $13 million supplemental appropriation. Senate Bill 2126 was approved by the committee Monday afternoon.

Senate Appropriations Chair, Clark Jolley said DOC had actually needed $27 million, but had worked to identify ways of reprioritizing funds within the agency. Jolley praised DOC director Robert Patton for his fiscally conservative approach and leadership.

Under legislation signed by the governor this week, Oklahoma taxpayers will be able to better understand where their tax dollars are being spent.

Senate Bill 1980, authored by Senate Minority Leader Sean Burrage, will require the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to include a taxpayer receipt feature on the existing Open Books website. The function will allow a taxpayer to enter data on the amount of taxes they have paid, and see how those funds were allocated under statutory apportionment provisions.