The full Senate on Tuesday approved a measure that would require abortion providers to inform patients they have a right to hear the heartbeat of their unborn child before it is aborted.

Senate Bill 1274, the Heartbeat Informed Consent Act, is authored by Sen. Dan Newberry. The Tulsa Republican said the measure is an important step forward in protecting the unborn.
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Many military veterans struggle to find work after retirement and their spouses sometimes have a hard time finding a job after a base transfer, but legislation that was approved unanimously Wednesday in the Senate could make their search much easier. Senate Bill 1863, by retired Army Lt. Colonel Sen. Steve Russell, creates the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act.
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Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman released the following statement Wednesday after the Senate gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 1863 creating the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act.
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When the full Senate takes up a measure next week to gradually phase-out Oklahoma’s income tax, the bill will address concerns raised by retirees and members of the military. Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is the author of Senate Bill 1571, also known as the OCPA/Laffer Plan. The Senate is expected to consider his legislation when members reconvene on Monday.
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The full Senate has voted in favor of a measure to gradually phase out the state income tax. Senate Bill 1571, also known as the OCPA/Laffer Plan, was approved Monday, 30 to 17. Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is the principal author of the legislation. He said one important change made since the bill left committee is an amendment that addresses concerns raised by retirees and Oklahomans in the military.
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State agencies, assets and institutions would save hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars under a behavior-based energy conservation program passed by the state Senate on Monday. Senate Bill 1096, authored by President Pro Tem Brian Bingman at the request of Governor Mary Fallin, passed the Senate by a vote of 44-0. SB 1096 is inspired, in part, by an energy conservation program started in 2007 at Oklahoma State University. The University has since lowered energy consumption campus-wide by 19%, representing a savings of nearly $19 million.
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The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to target meth manufacturers while preserving citizens’ access to medicines. Sen. Rick Brinkley, author of Senate Bill 1634, said his proposal would provide law enforcement officials with powerful tools to fight meth, but would not make pseudoephedrine available by prescription only.
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Legislation intended to reduce the state’s long-term fiscal burden and protect the viability of pension systems was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 1264, authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, will guarantee a percentage of spillover funding is dedicated toward paying the state’s pension liability debt. read more.

The Senate showed their support of Oklahoma’s heroes who are wounded in battle by giving unanimous approval to a bill to protect Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) in divorce proceedings. Senate Bill 1951 would deem a portion of CRSC as separate property, not divisible as a marital asset or community property. The bill would prohibit alimony payments, whether designated for support or for property division, to be based on CRSC.
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The full Senate has given approval to legislation preventing cities or state government from disarming citizens during a state of emergency. State Sen. Anthony Sykes is the principal author of Senate Bill 1760. Sykes said the bill would prevent what happened in New Orleans just a few years ago.
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