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.

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.