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.

State Senator Jerry Ellis called Wednesday’s ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals a major victory for second amendment rights and the rights of Oklahomans. The federal panel’s ruling upheld state law that allowed workers to have legal firearms in their locked vehicles. Ellis, D-Valliant, filed the original legislation when he was a freshman member of the House of Representatives.

More of Oklahoma's students could have the opportunity to pursue a higher education thanks to a measure approved Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Mary Easley is author of Senate Bill 471 which would increase the income eligibility level for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), also known as Oklahoma’s Promise.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation Wednesday to help make Oklahoma's prisons safer. Sen. Don Barrington is author of Senate Bill 1064 which would ban cell phones and any other electronic devices capable of sending or receiving any electronic communication in prisons.

Sen. Mary Easley has authored legislation amending the definition of child endangerment to include parents or guardians knowingly letting their children ride in vehicles operated by people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 1138 Wednesday.

President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee announced Thursday that he is appointing Bob McKinney as a new Ethics Commissioner.

McKinney and his wife Marguerite have been married for 21 years and have three sons. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Finance. McKinney has served as Senior Executive Vice President at RCB Bank in Claremore since 2002, with over 41 years of banking experience.

McKinney is a community leader in Claremore, including Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Claremore Regional Hospital.

The full Senate is the next stop for legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers who hurt or kill someone while behind the wheel. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 1170, 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. The measure was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.