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.

If Senator Brogdon (R-Owasso) were truly serious about term limits for statewide elected officials, he would trust Oklahomans to begin their own initiative petition process, rather than use government to interfere with the decisions made by Oklahomans every four years at the ballot box.

Edmond State Senator Todd Lamb’s pro-life bill passed the Senate Rules Committee Wednesday with a vote of 8-0.

Senate Bill 1878, titled the Freedom of Conscience Act, protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of human life.

Employees or prospective employees who object to scenarios such as participating in or performing an abortion, stem cell research, or euthanasia, based on their religious conviction or moral code, would be protected under this legislation.

The Oklahoma Senate will soon consider legislation preventing private insurance companies from penalizing critically ill patients who enter clinical trials after a Senate Committee cleared the bill today.

Known as “Steffanie’s Law”, Senate Bill 1521 by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC), passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee by a 5-2 vote with State Senator Patrick Anderson (R-Enid) joining all four Democrats on the committee in support.

The Senate Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would establish a misdemeanor for the public playing of obscene music in vehicles.

Sen. Jeff Rabon said he was motivated to file the Legislation after hearing about incidents where families had been exposed to obscene music in public places such as gas stations and parking lots.

The Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolution 38 by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee.

Senate Joint Resolution 38 recognizes the inherent right of Oklahoma citizens to hunt and fish.

A bill to give thousands more Oklahoma students the opportunity to earn associates degrees did not get a hearing by the February 21 Senate deadline for committee action on legislation. Sen. Kenneth Corn said the lack of action on Senate Bill 2020 was disappointing, but said he would continue to promote the program in the legislature.

Bass Bill Adds Cost of Books and Fees to Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Initiative

A bill aimed at giving greater opportunities for Oklahoma’s school children to realize their dream of a college education won unanimous approval for the Senate budget panel on Wednesday. The measure, called the OHLAP Enhancement Act, by Senator Randy Bass (D-Lawton) is part of the Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma: Opportunity and Responsibility” 2008 legislative agenda.

State Sen. Jim Reynolds’ bill to slow down property tax increases received the approval of the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday. It next goes to the full Senate.

Senate Joint Resolution 59 would send to a vote of the people Reynolds’ proposal to cap at 3% the amount that property value assessments can grow each year. Reynolds said the current cap of 5% is too high.

“The number one complaint I hear from my constituents is that their property taxes are growing too fast,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.