A bill that would create an Oklahoma Bioenergy Center to position Oklahoma as a leader in biofuels research and production has been signed into law by the Governor.

Senate Bill 609 will combine the expertise of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities with the facilities of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation to research the development of biofuels.

Sen. Joe Sweeden, author of Senate Bill 609, said the Act will ensure that Oklahoma remains at the forefront of the energy industry for years to come.

Gov. Brad Henry showed his continued loyalty to Oklahoma’s trial lawyers with a veto of a bipartisan bill that would have limited liability of doctors under contract with the state to perform administrative services, such as examining patient records.

(State Capitol, Oklahoma City) – A bill recently signed by the governor could lead to changes in the way the Oklahoma Tax Commission estimates the budgetary impact of tax proposals.

Senate Bill 368, by Senate Republican Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, creates the Task Force on Dynamic Revenue Forecasting. The task force will study the use of dynamic revenue forecasting and develop recommendations for the Oklahoma Tax Commission regarding the use of such forecasting for analyzing proposed tax legislation

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee have extended their congratulations to Miss Oklahoma winner, Makenna Smith. The Oklahoma City University graduate student interned at the Senate in 2005 when she was completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma.

“We’re very proud that one of our former interns will be representing our state in the Miss America pageant. We’re certainly wishing her all the best from everyone here in the State Senate,” Morgan said. read more.

History will be made Sunday in the Oklahoma Senate when Republican Senator Glenn Coffee officially becomes the first Republican to hold the office of Senate President Pro Tempore.

“This is a historic day for the Oklahoma Senate. It is the first time in state history that a Republican senator has held the office of Senate President Pro Tem,” stated Senate Republican Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward.

Calling it good news for Oklahoma children, Sen. Cliff Branan said he was extremely pleased that Gov. Brad Henry had signed Senate Bill 473, a measure to ban smoking at zoos located in Oklahoma.

“There are literally hundreds of thousands of children who visit the Oklahoma City and Tulsa zoos each and every year,” said Branan, R-Oklahoma City. “We would be shocked if these children were being exposed to cigarette smoke in their classrooms at school, but in reality, zoos are an outdoor classroom.
We need to ensure our kids’ health and safety there as well.”
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The State of Oklahoma has a proud military heritage and prides itself on honoring and supporting the men and women of the armed forces. On Tuesday, the State Senate praised the Silver Star Families of America, with the passage of Senate Resolution 29, for their efforts in honoring those who have been injured or wounded in the defense of their country.
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A bill to keep Oklahoma college students’ names and addresses from being sold to credit card companies has won final approval from the State Senate. Sen. Jim Reynolds is the principal author of Senate Bill 496, which will now go to Gov. Brad Henry for final consideration.

“We’ve had students right here in Oklahoma who have committed suicide because of credit card debt,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “We want to do everything in our power to protect students who are major marketing targets for these credit card companies.”

The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) was honored by the Senate on Tuesday, as a resolution celebrating the 20th anniversary of the agency was approved unanimously.

Senate Resolution 35, authored by Sens. Clark Jolley and Susan Paddack, salutes OCAST for its role in spurring economic growth and development through science and technology research.
Jolley said the agency is a critical cog in the effort to create a more prosperous future for the state.
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Members of the Legislature will be readying their ace bandages, heating pads and crutches in anticipation of the fourth annual Senate vs. House baseball game. The game will begin at 4 p.m. at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.

Coach “Casey” Myers will again be leading the Senate Redhots team—hopefully to their fourth victory.
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