OKLAHOMA CITY-A Senate panel approved legislation Wednesday for a comprehensive Patients Bill of Rights that will allow Oklahomans enrolled in health care plans to get fair service and quality care for which they pay.

Senate Bill 2114, authored by Senator Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, is part of the Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma” agenda aimed at achieving affordable health care coverage for all Oklahomans and holding powerful insurance companies responsible to Oklahoma families. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

Sen. Kenneth Corn on Wednesday said an effort to consolidate the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) could endanger the state’s ability to convict criminals.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 1709 to consolidate the two agencies, though Corn said the measure could compromise the integrity of the prosecutorial process.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City—The Senate Appropriations Committee passed key pieces of the Senate Republican agenda to streamline state agencies and make state government more accountable and innovative.

"Senate Republicans are strongly committed to making government more accountable, more effective and more efficient for taxpayers," stated Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. "It was pleasing to see bipartisan support in the Appropriations Committee for our proposals."

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – State Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said he will strongly push his legislation to merge the Office Chief Medical Examiner with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and said he is disappointed in criticism of his bill that seems to impugn the integrity and professionalism of the OSBI.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City –Democrats on the Senate Rules Committee killed legislation Wednesday that would have sent term limits for statewide officials to a vote of the people.

SJR 33 by Senator Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, would have put a 12 year term limit on Oklahoma's statewide elected officials except the governor if approved by voters.

Governors are already limited to 2 terms (8 years) of service, and state legislators are already limited to 12 years of service.

Legislation authored by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) that would create the Oklahoma Veterans’ Health Insurance Program passed the State Senate Appropriations Committee by a 10-6 vote today.

Rice thanked the bipartisan majority of committee members who supported his plan to offer health insurance to those Oklahoma veterans who don’t qualify for federal government subsidized insurance and can’t afford private health insurance.

Legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers who hurt or kill someone while behind the wheel is one step closer to becoming law. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 1599, which increases the penalty for a person who causes the injury or death of a person while driving with a license that has been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied.

OKLAHOMA CITY- State Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, said today a “social hosting” bill she authored passed unanimously out of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee by a 12-0 vote and will now be heard by the full Senate. Senate Bill 1530 holds the “host” of gatherings accountable for the illegal consumption of alcohol and drugs by minors.

Leftwich said this is a problem that needs to be addressed for the protection of underage children.

OKLAHOMA CITY- A bill aimed at providing critical assistance to Oklahomans in a mental crisis unanimously passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today. Senate Bill 1422 directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop and implement a mental health first aid pilot program. The bill’s author, Senator Susan Paddack, a Democrat from Ada, said the purpose of the program is provide non-mental health professionals the tools and the training to assist an individual in a mental health crisis situation until professional help arrives.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City – The State Senate Appropriations Committee voted today to advance two bills out of committee that would improve funding for roads and bridges.

Senate Bill 1870 by Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, removes the 3% growth trigger on the funding for roads and bridges. This would guarantee $50 million in new funding for roads and bridges each year.