Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today announced committee assignments for Republican members.

“Oklahomans have given Republicans a historic majority in the state Senate,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “With 40 Senators, there is a considerable diversity of leadership and talent in the Republican caucus. I am proud to work with such a fine group of public servants as we advance an agenda to further our economic momentum.”

The State Senate’s committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and membership for the 2014-15 legislative session are:

Members of the Altus High School Band will perform at the state Capitol this Tuesday, December 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the fourth floor rotunda. The free concert, “From Infamy to Gallantry,” will pay tribute to the Oklahomans who served in World War II, and those from this state and throughout the country who served on the USS Oklahoma. The ship had the second highest loss of life in the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. More than 400 members of the crew died in the attack.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today announced committee chair and vice chair assignments for all standing committees and appropriations subcommittees.

“I’m privileged to work with such an exceptional group of public servants,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “Their dedication and expertise will serve us well as we work to find solutions to the challenges faced by our state.”

The state Senate’s committee chairs and vice chairs for the 2014-2015 session are:

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today applauded the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that Senate Bill 1246 does not violate the state Constitution. Bingman was the principal author of the measure, which will reduce the state’s income tax rate as Oklahoma’s revenues grow. “The state Supreme Court got this one right,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “The language and intent of State Question 640 are very clear – to prevent tax increases without a vote of the people or a supermajority.

Sen. Corey Brooks has filed legislation to allow the State Regents for Higher Education to review cases for students who apply for the state’s tuition reimbursement program whose families have unique financial situations that make their children ineligible for the program. Senate Bill 137 would update the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) qualifications to remove disability compensation from being considered when determining financial need and would also direct the State Regents to develop an appeals process for students denied OHLAP.

Lost for decades, two of the original lighting sconces that once adorned the Senate Gallery have been restored and were installed Thursday just outside the entrance to the Chamber.

Trait Thompson, Project Manager for the restoration of the state Capitol, said it was exciting that nearly a hundred years after they had first been installed in the building, two of the sconces now light the Senate foyer.

In response to October’s Supreme Court’s decision to allow lower court rulings against Oklahoma’s ban on same sex marriage to stand, Sen. Corey Brooks has filed legislation to protect the rights of individuals and religious entities who provide marital services within the state. Senate Bill 478 would create the Protection of Religious Freedom in the Sanctity of Marriage Act of 2015.

In response to growing concerns about revenue shortfalls in the State’s Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund and the impact these shortfalls have on Oklahoma’s schools, Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, has filed a package of bills to address this issue.

The deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the first session of the 55th Legislature was 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 22. A total of 815 Senate bills were filed, along with 32 joint resolutions. The total number is down compared to the first session of the 54th Legislature in 2013 when 1,119 bills and 34 joint resolutions were filed.

Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. Earl Sears filed legislation Thursday for the 2015 session to reform existing state subsidies for all new Oklahoma industrial wind facilities. The legislation, which would take effect January 1, 2016, would establish sensible laws to regulate industrial wind companies and oversee future development in Oklahoma.