OKLAHOMA CITY Senate Democratic Leader Randy Bass, D-Lawton, today released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Courts decision in King v. Burwell:

The Affordable Care Act is far from perfect, but it is working. The subsidies are helping more than 87,000 Oklahomans access quality, affordable health coverage. But we can, and must, do more for hard working Oklahomans and their families.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman released the following statement Thursday in response to the United States Supreme Courts decision in King v. Burwell:
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Sen. Ervin Yen was among several lawmakers who filed legislation this session to ban texting while driving. Yen, a cardiac anesthesiologist, was successful in amending the final bill approved by both chambers to make the ban of hand-held electronic devices while driving enforceable as a primary offense. Yen, R-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after Gov. Mary Fallin signed House Bill 1965 into law.
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Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) will be joining his constituents from north Tulsa tonight for a peaceful rally calling for the resignation of Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz and major department changes to address the culture that has caused continual distrust of law enforcement within the black community. The One Tulsa Rally-Justice will be held at 7pm in the Blue Dome Area in the 2nd and Elgin parking lot.
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Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) today filed the Personal Asset Protection Act, SB 838, a bill aimed at restricting a practice known as civil asset forfeiture. This is a process which allows the government to seize cash, vehicles and other property used or gained from the commission of a crime without any charges being filed.

Less than a week after Sen. Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, filed Senate Bill 838, the Personal Asset Protection Act, it has garnered support from a wide range of organizations. The bill is aimed at reforming a practice known as civil asset forfeiture which the government uses to seize assets like cash and vehicles alleged to be part of a larger crime.
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Calling it a victory for Oklahoma children in rural communities, State Sen. AJ Griffin said she was pleased that Gov. Mary Fallin had signed legislation into law to better protect kids throughout the state from sexual predators.

Griffin, R-Guthrie, is the principal author of Senate Bill 167, co-authored by Rep. Dennis Casey, R-Morrison, in the House. Griffin said the legislation closes a legal loophole regarding “zones of safety” limiting how close registered sex offenders can live or even pass by areas where children tend to be, such as parks, daycare centers and schools. read more.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman has introduced legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond issue for construction of the facility, which will be self-sustaining under a comprehensive business plan.

Bingman said with historically low interest rates, the state has a rare opportunity to build a Smithsonian-quality museum under a business plan that will require no new ongoing funding from the state.

There is no place in our society for domestic abuse and violence against women. Our party needs to send the right message to women, and take a strong stand on this issue. These are serious crimes that affect thousands of Oklahomans every year. This body has worked hard to establish penalties fitting for such crimes, and we want the actions of our party to be reflective of our attitude regarding the serious nature of domestic abuse as a problem in Oklahoma. Crimes such as this cannot be trivialized or explained away. Domestic abuse tears apart families and leaves lasting emotional scars. read more.

The full Senate has given final approval to legislation that will end the five-year ad valorem tax exemption for new wind farms beginning January 1, 2017. Senate Bill 498, by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, was approved unanimously on Friday. Mazzei said the bill will ultimately save approximately $500 million over ten years.
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