The full Senate has given approval to a bill that would enable the public to find out which legislation was requested by a state agency or lobbyist. Senate Bill 1962, authored by Senator Anthony Sykes, was approved unanimously on Thursday. The Moore lawmaker said this is an enhancement of the Taxpayer Transparency Act approved last year to enable the public to track how all their tax dollars are appropriated through the Internet.
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A Democrat-authored insurance mandate bill would force insurance companies to pay for abortions, gutting a key reform that was adopted as part of a landmark 2007 pro-life law.

Sen. James A. Williamson, who authored the 2007 law, called on pro-life legislators in both parties to oppose a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2114, which failed last week to garner the 25 votes needed for passage. Democrat leaders in the Senate have said they plan to bring the bill up for reconsideration this week.

“I have to wonder why it took Senator Williamson so long to bring the concerns he has on Senate Bill 2114 to light.

“I wish Senator Williamson would have brought his concerns to me personally, or brought them up in debate on the floor last Thursday rather than through a press release five days after the bill was brought up for consideration.

On Monday the State Senate overwhelming passed a major piece of the Senate Republicans’ plan to improve funding for roads and bridges.

Senate Bill 1396, by Senator Brian Bingman, removes a 3% growth trigger on roads and bridges that has prevented increased transportation funding the past two years. It also redirects existing motor vehicle taxes from the general revenue fund to roads and bridges over a 5 year period.

Senate Bill 2114, a key component of the Senate Democrats’ 2008 legislative agenda, would force insurance companies to pay for sex change operations and cosmetic surgeries for any patient who could get a “health care professional” to declare the procedure is “medically necessary.”

An amendment that would require health insurance policies to cover diagnosis, treatment and therapy for autism disorders passed the Oklahoma Senate on a bipartisan vote today.

The plan, called “Nick’s Law,” will give Oklahoma families a better opportunity to fight a disability affecting more children than ever. Both Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, and Senator Mary Easley, D-Tulsa, proposed amendments to a pair of bills that were subsequently approved and sent to the House of Representatives.

An unlicensed driver who causes an injury or fatality accident would face stiffer penalties under legislation approved by the full Senate. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is author of Senate bill 1599, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Last summer, there were two accidents in my district, each involving a person driving with a suspended license. In each accident a child died,” Leftwich said. “I was shocked to learn the most those drivers could be charged with was a misdemeanor. That’s barely a slap on the wrist.”

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved a measure intended to make Oklahoma schools some of the nations safest.

SB 1941, the Oklahoma School Security Act, includes numerous provisions to secure school facilities, reduce school violence and bullying and involve school administrators in making their schools safer places for students and staff. Sen. Todd Lamb, author of the bill, said he was pleased the Senate approved a measure that could help combat the growing problem of school violence.

By a vote of 31 to 16 the Oklahoma Senate adopted legislation to speed up the elimination of the state’s death tax by one year. The bill would have no impact on the upcoming budget year.

State Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, authored the legislation.

“The death tax is a burden to farmers and small businesses in Oklahoma, so Senate Republicans believe this tax should be eliminated sooner rather than later,” said Johnson. “This is tight budget year, so we structured the bill so it does not impact the upcoming budget year.”

The Oklahoma Senate adopted a key piece of the Senate Republicans’ agenda to make state government more accountable and innovative.

SB 1865 by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee creates the Office of Accountability and Innovation within the Legislative Service Bureau. The bill was adopted by 41 to 6 vote.