A bill that could help Oklahoma law enforcement solve numerous cold cases, including homicides and sexual assaults, is one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 1102 would add a number of misdemeanor crimes to the felony crimes already on the books which can result in the harvesting of DNA samples. The bill, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, was approved by the full Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 609 by Senator Todd Lamb, passed out of the Senate Tuesday.

The provisions in Senate Bill 609 reduce the number of judges on the Workers’ Compensation Court from ten to seven. Four of the judges will be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City Workers' Compensation Court, and three permanently assigned to the Tulsa Workers' Compensation Court.

Senate Bill 609 also brings reform to the judicial nominating process by requiring Senate confirmation of appointments to the Workers Compensation Court and appellate courts.

Despite having ending his professional sports career over 20 years ago, state Sen. Randy Bass remains a celebrity in Japan. When a Colonel Sanders statue meant to represent his likeness emerged from the Dotonburi River in Osaka this week, positive memories were sparked for fans of the Hanshin Tigers, and Bass was once again in the news in Japan and around the world.

Oklahoma is the only state in the nation to improve two grade levels in two years in mental health services. State Sen. Brian Crain chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and said a newly issued report card shows how far Oklahoma has come.

The state Senate on Thursday unanimously approved legislation that would exempt an adoptive grandparent from any court costs associated with adoption.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, author of Senate Bill 254, said the measure would help provide healthy environments for children by removing another impediment for grandparents seeking to care for their grandchildren.

Legislation that would lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for the offense of boating under the influence from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent was approved by the state Senate on Thursday. The measure would also prohibit children under the age of 12 from operating personal watercraft.

Sen. Bill Brown, author of Senate Bill 902, said the Legislature needed to add teeth to the state’s boating laws in order to reduce watercraft-related accidents and deaths.

The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday to provide better protection to Oklahoma's children. Sen. Mary Easley authored Senate Bill 1138 amending the definition of children endangerment to include parents or guardians who knowingly let their children ride in vehicles operated by people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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A bill providing tax credits for victims of the February 10 storms that destroyed dozens of homes and businesses and caused multiple fatalities is now headed to the House of Representatives. Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, and Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, worked together for passage of the legislation. Eight people in Crutchfield’s district died in that storm, and many others were left homeless.

As the State Senate met its first deadline for passing bills off the floor this week, President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said Friday he is proud of the work Senators did for the state of Oklahoma in an unprecedented legislative week for Republicans.