With Governor Mary Fallin’s signature, a bill subjecting all law enforcement dash cam videos to the Open Records Act has become law. Previously, a statutory loophole exempted all Oklahoma Highway Patrol videos. The authors of HB 2676 were Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Ken Walker, R-Tulsa. The measure received overwhelming approval in both chambers, passing 38-4 in the Senate and 76-6 in the House.
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Legislation to combat fraud and waste in Oklahoma’s unemployment system has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. House Bill 2505, sponsored by Sen. Dan Newberry, enacts a number of important reforms to limit exploitation and ensure benefits are directed to those who need them.

The measure requires the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to review at least five percent of cases where misconduct has been alleged in claims. Additionally, claimants must sign a form stating they will not commit fraud in claims.
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The full Senate honored one of its former members on Wednesday for his historic preservation efforts in the state Capitol, and for his work to create an important art collection to adorn the building. Senate Resolution 90, authored by Pres. Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and coauthored by the full Senate, honored Sen. Charles Ford for his work restoring the Senate Chamber and other areas of the Capitol to their original architectural design, as well as raising $2.5 million in
private donations to create a significant collection of original art telling the story of Oklahoma.

Gov. Mary Fallin has signed Senate Bill 1497 into law. The bill was authored by Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Elise Hall, R-Oklahoma City. The legislation ensures the right of a citizen to file a lawsuit in order to enforce the Open Meetings Act.
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A new law to help keep caregivers better informed about important medical information could help reduce hospital readmissions. Senate Bill 1536, by Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford, which was approved by the governor, allows patients to designate a caregiver upon formal admission. The hospital must also notify the designated caregiver of the patients discharge and consult with the caregiver about aftercare.

Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement today regarding the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman sent a letter today to the state Corporation Commission asking for a Notice of Inquiry regarding wind energy development in Oklahoma.

Sen. Bingman authored Senate Bill 1440 this legislative session in an attempt to study wind development more closely before wind farms are constructed, especially close to more populated areas in Oklahoma. The legislation was temporarily shelved in order to allow more time to study the issue.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement on passage of SB 2127, the general appropriations bill that puts into law the state budget agreement reached by the Senate, House and governor’s office last week. The measure was approved 31-9 on Tuesday.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement on passage of Senate Bill 2131, which gives $36.8 million in pay raises to more than 12,000 state employees at 25 agencies ranging from 5% to 13.5%, with most raises based upon the 2013 state employee compensation study.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman issued the following statement on the passage of House Bill 2630, which creates a 401k-style, defined-contribution pension system for new state employees. Current employees, teachers and those designated as “hazardous duty” will all remain under the existing defined-benefit pension system.

“We worked tirelessly this legislative session with all stakeholders to ensure this legislation protects current state employees and gives them more confidence in their pension’s solvency, while also helping us attract the next generation of workers.