The State Senate this week honored the achievements of Col. Jerry N. Cason of Norman, an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. Senate Resolution 14, authored by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, commends Col. Cason on his many achievements and wishes him well upon his retirement from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

“Colonel Cason has dedicated his life to protecting the public’s safety,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “Whether serving his country during Vietnam or acting as Chief of the Highway Patrol, he never compromised his duty to protect us.”

“A significant step in the right direction on the issue of tort reform was taken today when Senators on both sides of the aisle proved they are willing to address common sense solutions to help lower the cost of doing business for doctors in this state, while keeping courthouses open to everyday Oklahomans.

“My tort reform bill strikes at the heart of the problem for Oklahoma doctors who are faced with the costs associated with frivolous lawsuits filed against them.

State Sen. Kenneth Corn said an amendment to ensure the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma (TRS) would be protected from the impact of tax cuts has been blocked by a majority of the Senate. Corn said the language was crucial considering the numerous tax cuts being considered by the Legislature.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – Senate Republican leaders commented on a lawsuit reform bill authored by Democrat Sen. Susan Paddack of Ada that was one of three major lawsuit reform bills to pass the Senate Tuesday. Senate Bill 824 won passage by the full Senate on a bipartisan 46 to 1 vote.

“This bill is a step in the right direction, and Senate Republicans look forward to working with Sen. Paddack to enact meaningful lawsuit reform this year,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The evenly divided Oklahoma Senate passed three key lawsuit reform measures Tuesday after years of blocking such measures. With the Senate tied at 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats this year, it is the first time Republicans have had a say in what legislation goes on the chamber’s agenda.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon has won national recognition for his legislation known as “The Taxpayer Transparency Act.” Senate Bill 1, by Brogdon, would create an online database to show where every single penny of the public’s money is being spent. The bill was approved unanimously this month in the Senate.

State Sen. Jay Paul Gumm has won full Senate approval for a measure to give liability protection to gun manufacturers. Sen. Gumm said the language was based on a similar law in South Dakota’s statutes.

“This simply says that if a bad person takes a gun and shoots somebody, the gun manufacturer cannot be held liable for the criminal actions of that individual,” said Gumm. “It holds the manufacturer harmless.”

Gumm said the liability protection would not apply to manufacturers who build a defective product.

A bill to provide immunity from lawsuits to charity volunteers easily passed the Oklahoma Senate Tuesday on a 42 to 5 vote. Senate Bill 507 by Sen. Cliff Branan extends liability protections to volunteers who provide transportation services as part of their duties for charitable organizations, so long as the volunteer is not grossly or intentionally negligent.

The full Senate has given approval to another measure aimed at strengthening the Teachers Retirement System of Oklahoma (TRS). Sen. Mike Mazzei is the author of Senate Bill 1092 which was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

Legislation to give liability protection to volunteers who provide transportation services for charitable organizations or not-for-profit corporations was approved by the full Senate on Monday. Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of SB 113. She said the measure was recommended by the Oklahoma County Senior Summit, a biannual conference to discuss issues important to seniors.