The Senate voted 44-0 in support of a measure requiring individuals who discover computer child pornography to notify local police. Senator Glenn Coffee is author of Senate Bill 1091, which is primarily aimed at computer service technicians.

“This legislation is really no different from our existing laws requiring photo lab employees to report it to the police when they find pictures of child porn,” explained Senator Coffee, R-OKC.
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The Senate has approved a measure aimed at saving the lives of Oklahoma public school students. Senate Bill 1474 would require that at least one teacher and one support staff member in each school receive training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation each year.

The Senate originally voted on the measure on Monday, but with a vote of 24 yes and 19 no votes, the measure was one vote short of the minimum 25 needed to win approval. The Senate reconsidered the bill on Thursday granting approval by a vote of 25 to 17.
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The authors of a landmark workers compensation reform bill praised the House of Representatives for its bipartisan support in passing the measure Thursday, and challenged Governor Brad Henry and the Senate Democrat leadership to support the legislation to save Oklahoma jobs.

House Bill 2619, authored by Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow and Sen. Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow passed the House Thursday on a 95 to 1 vote.

Senator Charles Ford, R-Tulsa, has seen many things during his 38 years in the state Legislature.

One thing he has never seen is Democrat legislative leaders abandon their trial lawyer allies – and he doesn’t expect them to start now by allowing meaningful lawsuit reform and workers compensation reform legislation to pass the Senate.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson and House Speaker Larry Adair announced Thursday they plan to officially appoint the General Conference Committee on Appropriations next week to begin the budget reconciliation process.

“The budget process begins in earnest in General Conference,” said Hobson, D-Lexington. “The sub-committees on both sides of the rotunda will begin writing the specifics of the budgets for each agency.”
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The State Senate has given unanimous approval to legislation that would make it harder for methamphetamine manufacturers to get ingredients needed to make the drug. Senator Dick Wilkerson is author of House Bill 2176. He called it the most proactive step the legislature has ever taken to address this growing problem.
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Oklahoma was embarrassed on the national television program “60 minutes” Sunday evening when commentator Andy Rooney ridiculed Oklahoma for its high rate of divorce.

“This is another national embarrassment for the State of Oklahoma. What makes this one really sting is that the Democrat leaders of the Oklahoma Senate have killed numerous bills to strengthen marriage in Oklahoma,” stated Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward.

A bill that would allow teachers and school administrators to post the National Motto, “In God We Trust,” in Oklahoma public schools is in trouble, the bill’s author and two members of the Senate Education Committee said at a press conference on Monday.

The Senate Finance Committee has voted in favor of a bill to let Oklahomans decide the fate of proposed fuel tax increase. Senator Robert Milacek, author of House Bill 2632, said the measure would increase gas prices 5 cents a gallon and diesel fuel taxes by 8 cents a gallon over a three-year period.

Senator Milacek said proceeds of the fuel tax increase would go to repair and maintain Oklahoma’s roads, bridges and highways. The Enid Republican called it one of the most serious problems facing the state.
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The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation Tuesday which may eventually allow Oklahomans to vote on a proposed increase in the state tax on tobacco products. The measure was reported “do pass” by the committee on a 12-0 vote.

House Bill 2660 currently does not include a tobacco tax increase, but Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson, Senate author of the measure, says he hopes to work out details in a Senate-House conference committee that will allow a statewide vote on a tobacco tax increase later this year.
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