The State Senate approved HB 1704, forming a centralized state information technology office, bringing efficiency and cost savings to Oklahoma government. Mirroring SB 980 previously passed by the Senate and authored by President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, this legislation will move Oklahoma toward a more efficient and effective government. HB 1704 provides for a state Office of Information Services (OIS), overseeing and consolidating state information technology services under one roof.

The Oklahoma Senate breathed life into a proposal to provide insurance coverage for children with autism.

An amendment was attached to House Bill 2027, House leadership’s bill to train more therapists. The amendment, enacted without debate, would require the Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool (OHRP) to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism consistent with what has become known as “Nick’s Law.”

The House of Representatives passed SB 899 by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, which would revoke state retirement benefits from state or county officers convicted of felonies.

Senate Bill 899 provides that any such officer or employee shall vacate his or her office or employment upon final conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to a felony. Also, if such felony violates his or her oath of office the officer or employee shall forfeit all benefits of the office or employment including retirement benefits.

Hundreds of Oklahomans gathered on the south steps of the state Capitol as part of the Tax Day Tea Parties that took place across the nation on Wednesday. The events were in demonstration against high taxes and Congress’ continued excessive spending in recent months.

Sen. Dan Newberry attended the rally and said he was proud to see so many Oklahomans taking time out of their day to send Congress an important message.
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The Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services committee, Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is pleased to announce an interim study approved by President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee.

Jolley requested an interim study to consider the issues raised relating to interstate purchasing of health insurance policies.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved pro-life legislation by Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb on Wednesday.

House Bill 1595 prohibits a person from performing an abortion solely because of the sex of the child and creates the Statistical Reporting of Abortions Act, which requires physicians who perform abortions to report certain information to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

House and Senate leaders announced the formation of a “911 Task Force” today, which will study possible changes needed to Oklahoma’s emergency communication system as technology continuously evolves.

Responding to a report of the Obama administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterizing returning veterans and others who uphold traditional American values as “right wing extremists” and a threat to American security, Senator Steve Russell R-OKC will offer a resolution calling DHS and the Administration to account.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm on Thursday successfully amended House Bill 1025 to include language closing a loophole that would allow sex offenders to use ice cream trucks to come into contact with children. Gumm previously authored Senate Bill 1147 to criminalize the operation of an ice cream truck by a sex offender, but the legislation has stalled in the House of Representatives.

Each day, millions of children around the world contract serious infections and diseases because they have no shoes. To help raise awareness of the problem, State Sen. Andrew Rice authored Senate Resolution 43 Thursday declaring April 16, 2009 as "One Day Without Shoes" in the state and asking Senate members and staff to participate in the world-wide event.
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