The state Senate today approved legislation requiring parents or guardians to report that a child has gone missing within a 48-hour period. Authored by Sen. Ralph Shortey, “Caylee’s Law” was motivated by the 2011 trial of Casey Anthony, who was convicted of lying to police regarding the disappearance of her daughter.

Senate Bill 1721 would create a felony for failing to report a child’s disappearance to law enforcement.
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Former State Rep. Al McAffrey is officially the newest member of the Oklahoma State Senate. McAffrey, D-Oklahoma City, won the District 46 seat in a special election held February 14. The State Election Board certified the results on Tuesday, February 21, clearing the way for McAffrey to take the Oath of Office.

“When I looked at all the committee votes that were scheduled, I wanted the citizens of my district to have a voice as soon as possible. Supreme Court Justice read more.

Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon, won approval from his colleagues in the Republican caucus on Wednesday to fill the position of Assistant Majority Floor Leader. The role was vacated when Sen. Clark Jolley was appointed to head the Senate Appropriations and Budget Committee.

“I am honored that my fellow Republican Senators trusted me with this position, and I look forward to serving,” said Johnson. “Being a part of the Senate leadership team is a great responsibility, and I am grateful to my colleagues for their support.”
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A measure to save the state Department of Corrections (DOC) thousands of dollars each year was unanimously approved in the Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 1069, by Sen. Don Barrington, would authorize the DOC to deduct the cost of inmate cremations from the individuals’ acquired funds.
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The voting rights of convicted felons in Oklahoma will continue to be suspended for the length of time prescribed in the judgment and sentence, including time on probation or parole. Senate Bill 1307, by Sen. Constance N. Johnson, was defeated earlier this week by the Senate Rules Committee. The bill would have restored felons’ voting rights when they are no longer in prison. Also known as the Oklahoma Restoration of Voting Rights Act, the bill mirrors legislation, S. 2017, introduced by Democrat Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. read more.

State Capitol, Oklahoma City –Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement Monday following TransCanada’s announcement of reapplication for a Presidential Permit application to complete the Keystone XL pipeline project as well as TransCanada’s intent to proceed with construction of a pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico. This section of pipeline is projected to create more than one thousand direct jobs in Oklahoma alone.
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Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage said funding National Board Certification bonuses for teachers and other critical needs in state government is the right thing to do. His comments followed Tuesday’s vote by Senate members of the Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee in favor of Senate Bill 1959. The $92.5 million funding bill will provide additional dollars needed to meet obligations in a variety of areas, including education and public safety.

Senate members of the Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee have approved a $92.5 million supplemental funding bill for education and public safety, including $5,000 bonuses for National Board Certified (NBC) teachers. Senate Appropriations Chair Clark Jolley thanked committee members for their support of the legislation.

After an emotional debate in the State Senate on Tuesday, members voted to disapprove a plan critics say could cause the deaths of some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens. House Concurrent Resolution 1030, by Rep. Lisa Billy and Sen. Susan Paddack, was an effort to block a Department of Human Services (DHS) proposal the lawmakers said would ultimately force the closure of SORC, the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center, in Pauls Valley.
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State Sen. Mike Mazzei has contacted Broken Arrow Mayor Mike Lester and members of the City Council to voice his opposition to a casino under construction in the Tulsa suburb. The Kialegee Tribal Town, based in Wetumka, plans to open the casino on leased land that is part of a Creek Nation allotment.

Last Thursday, several hundred Broken Arrow residents protested the casino fearing it will lead to higher crime rates. Mazzei said the development has raised numerous red flags, and called on city leaders to do everything in their power to stop the casino from being completed. read more.