The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would close a loophole in the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act. House Bill 2783 would require the Department of Corrections to conduct risk assessments of sex offenders who move into the state of Oklahoma.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, Senate author of the measure, said the legislation was prompted by instances in which sex offenders had moved into the state, yet were not held to the requirements of Oklahoma’s Sex Offender Registration Act.

In late January, just before session began, members of the Senate Democratic caucus announced their intentions to elevate the debate over health care to a new level this legislative session. With several of their health care measures winning approval in the Senate and awaiting action by the House of Representatives, they have made good on that promise, and seem more determined than ever to keep the fight alive.
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The full Senate has given approval to a measure known as the “Scum of the Earth Bill.” Sen. Debbe Leftwich is Senate author of House Bill 1897 which strengthens penalties for assaulting a pregnant woman.

“The number one cause of death for pregnant women is domestic violence,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “Here in Oklahoma, more than 3,000 pregnant women are attacked every year, and usually the attacker is the father of the baby, often with the intent of causing the mother to miscarry. It is a heinous crime, and the men who do this deserve stronger punishment.”
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Sen. Kenneth Corn on Wednesday was successful in winning the Senate’s approval for two amendments intended to curtail the influence of special interests in Oklahoma’s electoral process and restore integrity to the system.

The amendments were made to House Bill 2196, which creates the Oklahoma Clean Campaigns Act of 2008. The first of Corn’s two amendments would ensure that contributions accepted by a candidate for a specific state or local office not be used in a campaign for a different office.

Oklahomans could vote this fall to change how the state handles funds from the Constitutional Reserve Fund, commonly known as the Rainy Day Fund, following natural disaster declarations. Sen. Don Barrington said his amendment to HB 1519, both of which the Senate approved Tuesday, would get communities and counties their money faster following natural disasters.

The state Senate on Wednesday approved an amendment that would prohibit elected officials and state employees from accepting gifts from lobbyists.

Sen. Debbe Leftwich, author of the amendment, said it was time for the Legislature to act with courage to restore the public’s trust in the legislative process. Her amendment to House Bill 2196, which creates the Oklahoma Clean Campaigns Act of 2008, was approved with broad bipartisan support.

Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan and Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Wednesday that 46 of the Senates 48 members have been assigned to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations.

The joint Senate-House conference committee, which will consider legislation dealing with budgetary matters, will include every senator other than the two Senate leaders.
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With a 47-0 bipartisan vote, the Oklahoma State Senate today approved a bill that would utilize the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to protect domestic abuse victims. Authored by State Senator Debbe Leftwich, Senate Bill 2163, now goes to Governor Brad Henry for approval.

Leftwich, an Oklahoma City Democrat, said the plan makes smart use of existing technology to better protect Oklahoma citizens.

A bill requiring hundreds of reports submitted by state agencies to legislators be transmitted electronically passed the Oklahoma Senate today.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm said Senate Bill 1507 which passed 47-1 could potentially save taxpayers thousands of dollars in printing and postage costs every year. The bill now goes to Governor Brad Henry for his approval.

A recent State Chamber of Commerce memo to members of the Oklahoma State Legislature exaggerates the cost of legislative mandates for insurance coverage, State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City) said today.

“The truest statement in this memo is that the cost of health insurance continues to spiral upward,” Rice said. “However, the Chamber offers no proof that insurance mandates are among the reasons why.”