Thursday, January 17 marks the deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the 2008 session, the second of the 51st Legislature. By 5 p.m., 969 bills and 22 joint resolutions had been filed, with staff members expected to work into the evening filing the final measures. There were also 806 Senate bills and joint resolutions carried over from the 2007 session. In 2007, the Senate considered 1,130 new Senate bills as well as 32 Senate Joint Resolutions.
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State Senator Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, has filed legislation that would require property owners to clean up homes that were once methamphetamine lab sites before renting out the residences.

Senate Bill 1728 is the result of an interim study involving the Department of Environmental Equality concerning hazardous material remediation, said Ballenger, who serves as Democratic co-chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

When the State Senate convenes on Monday, February 4, for the 2008 legislative session, members will have 1,069 new Senate bills and 31 Senate joint resolutions to consider. The final measures were filed by about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, January 17, the final date for filing legislation this year.
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While the people of Oklahoma voted in favor of a statewide lottery in 2004, it has consistently failed to produce the amount of education revenue supporters had claimed it would. That’s why Sen. John Ford, who represents Craig, Nowata and Washington Counties, has filed legislation that could result in the privatization of the lottery.
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State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC) today introduced “Steffanie’s Law,” a bill to require health insurance providers in the State of Oklahoma to cover routine care costs for patients participating in a clinical trial.

Rice said “Steffanie’s Law,” or Senate Bill 1521, would relieve Oklahoma families of the risk of losing their health insurance coverage by participating in clinical trials, which are in some cases the best available treatment for their illness. Currently, most insurance companies deny coverage of routine health care costs once a patient joins a clinical trial.

“Governor Henry is to be commended for his commitment to keeping the promise we made to Oklahoma teachers to raise their pay to the regional average.”

“Senate Democrats have always supported better pay for our teachers because we fundamentally understand greater opportunities for all Oklahomans begin with smart and bold investments in education.
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“I sincerely appreciate the First Lady’s and Governor Henry’s continued commitment to public education, specifically their hard work towards getting Oklahoma teacher salaries to at least the regional average. However, I believe we should be even more aggressive because the regional average is a moving target. As soon as we pass the $1,200 pay raise proposed, that amount will be matched, if not surpassed by our neighboring states.”
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State Senator Bill Brown wants to reduce the number of alcohol- and other intoxicating substance-related deaths and accidents on Oklahoma’s lakes and rivers. He hopes to do this through Senate Bill 1140 which would require a conviction of boating while under the influence (BUI) to be made part of an individual’s driving record.
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State Senator Earl Garrison, D-Muskogee, has filed legislation which would designate the first Monday of each month to honor veterans who are currently serving or were killed in the global war on terrorism.

Senate Bill 1134 asks all state agencies, interested organizations, civic groups and individuals to fly the U.S. flag at half-mast in remembrance of those Oklahomans who are serving or who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces furtherance of victory in the global war on terror, particularly those who have died or have been wounded as a result of such service.

2008 Legislative Agenda Focuses on Opportunity and Responsibility