Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman released the following comment after the Senate Rules Committee approved a bill to reform the Judicial Nominating Commission:

“The current judicial nominating commission puts too much power and influence in the hands of the state’s trial attorneys. The anti-business tone of the court is a constant reminder of the need for judicial reform.

The Senate Business and Commerce Committee Thursday approved a measure to close the pay disparity between men and women. Sen. Kyle D. Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) issued the following statement:
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Oklahoma is one of only seven states that doesn’t require insurance companies to cover treatment for children with autism. On Thursday, the full Senate joined the House in supporting a measure that would bring Oklahoma into line with the majority of states, helping thousands of families with autistic children finally get the help they need. House Bill 2962 was approved with bipartisan support 36 to 5.

Legislation was signed into law this week to promote growth in Oklahoma’s third largest industry, tourism. Senate Bill 1206, by Sen. Eddie Fields and Rep. Gary Banz, authorizes the creation of an additional class of improvement districts within municipalities for tourism purposes including providing marketing services for public or private events, if those events can be reasonably expected to increase occupancy at a hotel or motel within the district.
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The full Senate has given its approval to a bill supporters say will enable more cold cases to be solved in Oklahoma. Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Lee Denney are the principal authors of HB 2275, which amends current law so that DNA samples could be collected upon arrest for a felony crime. The DNA would be collected through a sample of saliva.
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The full Senate approved a measure by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Rep. James Leewright that is aimed at ending the practice of “stolen valor.” The bill was approved Tuesday 44 to 2.

House Bill 2450, by Bingman and Leewright, increases the fine for an act of “stolen valor,” which involves impersonating a member of the Armed Forces by wearing any decoration or medals awarded to members of the Armed Forces. The fine would be increased from $100 to $1,000 under HB 2450.
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The Senate on Wednesday approved a measure that would allow voters to change the way judges are nominated in the state of Oklahoma. House Bill 3162, authored by Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman and House Speaker Jeff Hickman, places a state question on the ballot for November to allow voters to change the section of the constitution that provides for filling vacancies for judges.

Legislation that changes the legal definition of “pattern of physical abuse” has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1491, also known as Kristin’s Law, authored by Sen. Bryce Marlatt and Rep. Scott Biggs, was approved by Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday. Marlatt said the change will enable tougher penalties to be handed down sooner—a change that could help save lives.
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The Oklahoma Legislature passed the Oklahoma Telecommunications Act in 1997, which created the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF). The Act provides funding from the OUSF to public schools, public libraries and non-for-profit healthcare providers so that those entities may have access to high speed internet connectivity without charge.

On Thursday, the Senate approved House Bill 2616, authored by Sen. Eddie Fields and Rep. Todd Thomsen, to update the OUSF funding process to keep up with changing technology.
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Republican senators on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to designate Senator Mike Schulz, R-Altus, as the next President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate. The President Pro Tem is the upper chamber’s top leadership position. In addition to leading the Majority Caucus and setting its agenda, the Pro Tem oversees the operations of the Oklahoma Senate.
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