The full Senate has given bipartisan approval to a slate of common sense criminal justice reforms. The four measures, which were proposed by Gov. Mary Fallin’s Oklahoma Justice Reform Committee, would still hold criminals accountable, but represent a better approach to dealing with nonviolent offenders that will help reduce chronic prison overcrowding, reduce recidivism, and ultimately help save taxpayer dollars.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved four criminal justice reform bills aimed at addressing the state’s prison population while still ensuring public safety. The measures were touted by Governor Mary Fallin in her State of the State speech this year, and were proposed by her Oklahoma Justice Reform Committee.

Sen. Greg Treat, R-Edmond, is Senate principal author of three measures that would hold nonviolent offenders accountable while still ensuring public safety and saving millions of dollars each year.

An interim study focused on the high number of females incarcerated in Oklahoma and the effects on their children will meet this week at the State Capitol. Oklahoma currently leads the nation in the number of females in prison. In 2014, there were about 130 women incarcerated per 100,000 residents in the state, compared to the national average of 67 per 100,000. Shorter sentences, rehabilitation programs and alternative correctional measures have all been discussed during previous legislative years, but Oklahoma still faces an understaffed prison program that is overcrowded with offenders.

Continuing his efforts to make Oklahoma’s roads safer, Sen. Ron Sharp has filed legislation to once again try to outlaw the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving unless it is with hands-free technology. Senate Bill 1088 would expand the Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act of 2015 to try to decrease the number of distracted drivers on Oklahoma roads.

In an effort to deter future hate crimes and ensure criminals are held accountable, Sen. Ron Sharp has filed legislation strengthening Oklahoma’s hate crime law. Senate Bill 1083 would allow districts attorney to choose whether to charge hate crime offenders with a misdemeanor or felony.

The Senate approved legislation Wednesday to allow school districts to take action to address drivers unlawfully overtaking school buses. House Bill 1926, by Sen. Ron Sharp and Rep. Dell Kerbs, would better protect student riders by allowing districts to install cameras on school buses to record those who illegally pass when the stop sign is flashing.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation Wednesday to stop schools from using state appropriations to reward school employees for teacher and student recruitment. Senate Bill 57, by Sen. Ron Sharp, prohibits public, charter and virtual charter schools from giving state-funded bonuses for recruiting individuals from other public, charter or virtual charter schools.

The Shawnee Educational Foundation will induct Sen. Ron Sharp into their Hall of Fame Monday night at Oklahoma Baptist University. The Shawnee native is being recognized for his 38 years of dedication to growing the minds of Oklahoma’s youth.

The Senate General Government Committee approved legislation Thursday to improve fiscal transparency and accountability of Oklahoma’s state agencies. Senate Bill 177, by Sen. Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee), requires state agencies to provide on their website, or on a general website, certain financial information as prescribed by the State Auditor and Inspector and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

Legislation has been filed to bring Oklahoma’s poultry laws in line with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. Sen. Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) authored Senate Bill 995 to provide small farm exemptions from the Poultry Products Inspection Act, if the small farm abides by certain sanitary standards and only processes their own poultry.

Sharp said if the state fails to update poultry laws, it could jeopardize poultry famers from qualifying for federal funds and contracts.