Military personnel returning from overseas service would have an easier time voting under legislation approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Rules Committee. SB 718, authored by Sen. Don Barrington, would allow those who return up to three months before an election to still be able to vote even without being registered.
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Under legislation passed Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee, Oklahoma military personnel could soon get some tax relief. Senate Bill 881 by Sen. Steve Russell would exempt state military pay from state income taxes.

“Our military service men and women are grossly underpaid and this is one thing we can do to help ease their financial burden,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “They sacrifice so much for our country and for those around the world that can’t fight for themselves. This would be just a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”
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Oklahomans could help the children of military personnel killed in action further their education by donating a portion of their income tax refund to them under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Don Barrington is author of Senate Bill 721 which would give those donations to the nonprofit charitable organization, Folds of Honor Incorporated.

The Oklahoma State Capitol is quickly approaching the centennial of its official opening in 1917. To help commemorate the centennial and ensure the building is ready for its next century, State Sen. Harry Coates has authored Senate Bill 482. Rep. Liebmann will co-author the legislation which would create the Oklahoma State Capitol Centennial Commemoration and Preservation Act.
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Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) has filed a measure intended to eliminate the state income taxes paid by full time Higher Education and Career Technology students.

“We need to do all we can for students who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Sparks. “Approval of this legislation would send a clear message that the Legislature wants Oklahomans to become better educated and we’re here to help.”

A measure to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees has cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, said that as an adoptive parent, it was an area of law of special concern to him.
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Expanding the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s (OSBI) DNA database could help solve some of the most horrific crimes committed—that’s according to State Sen. Jonathan Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1102. The measure 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 measure was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
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State Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, won approval for a proposal to ban state agencies from hiring lobbyists. Corn’s proposal was an amendment to Senate Bill 454 by Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Newcastle, to prohibit the use of state funds for lobbying. The measure, as amended, was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

“I want to commend Senator Sykes for filing his bill, and for allowing my amendment to be included. Public funds are supposed to be used by state agencies to provide specific services and programs—not to hire lobbyists,” Corn said.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from operating ice cream trucks.

Senate Bill 1147 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm would criminalize the operation of an ice cream truck by a sex offender and would require vendors to obtain an operating permit through the State Department of Health. Gumm said the measure is part of a continuing effort to protect Oklahoma children from dangerous predators.

The Senate Appropriations Committee this week approved legislation by Sen. Bill Brown 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. Also approved this week was Brown’s measure to prohibit alcohol on all public high school campuses in Oklahoma.