The Senate gave unanimous approval to House Bill 2396, by Sen. Kim David and Rep. Wade Rousselot, to better protect victims of domestic violence by increasing protective orders from three to five years. The measure would also allow lifetime protective orders in certain cases.

Legislation was approved Monday to regulate the private ownership of exotic cats not used for display. Senate Bill 1799, by Sen. Kim David, creates the Oklahoma Responsible Exotic Cat Ownership Act to regulate and require a permit to possess, exhibit, and/or breed any nonnative exotic feline in captivity.

“Currently, there are no state regulations on owning exotic cats like tigers, cheetahs and leopards,” said David, R-Porter. “For the safety of the owners, the animals and the general public, it’s imperative that we get these regulations passed into law as soon as possible.”

Currently, around eight million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only one in five believes that cardiovascular disease is her greatest health threat. For this reason, Sen. Kim David joined with other female legislators Thursday for Wear Red Lobby Day at the State Capitol to help raise awareness of the disease that kills a woman nearly every minute.

State Sen. Kim David has been chosen to serve as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. David, R-Porter, previously served as vice-chair of the committee. Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, now takes over as vice-chairman. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said the appointments would guarantee a continuity of leadership for the subcommittee.

The full Senate has approved two redistricting measures. House Bill 2145 will provide for new district lines for the State House of Representatives. That measure now returns to the House for further consideration. The Senate also voted on Tuesday in favor of House Bill 1527, redrawing the boundaries for Oklahoma’s five congressional districts. That measure is now headed to Gov. Mary Fallin for her approval.

Rural Water Districts would no longer have to pay to use water controlled by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) under legislation unanimously approved recently in the Senate. Sen. Kim David, author of Senate Bill 248, said the legislation has been needed for some time to even the playing field between the Rural Water Districts and local municipalities.

“Certain municipalities have already been allowed to take water from the Grand River for free so it only seems right that all municipalities and Oklahoma Rural Water Districts receive equal treatment,” said David, R-Wagoner.

The State Senate recognized and honored the country’s oldest federal law enforcement agency Monday. Sen. Kim David authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 commending the U.S. Marshals and their role in Oklahoma history.

Senator Bill Coleman released the following statement on the implementation of House Bill 2597, also known as "Constitutional Carry."

As part of ongoing criminal justice reform, the Senate approved legislation Thursday to reduce incarceration rates of repeat nonviolent offenders. House Bill 2009, authored by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, will reduce the sentences of repeat nonviolent offenders with no history of violent or sexual offenses.

The Senate unanimously approved legislation Thursday to modify the state’s “habitual offender” statute in an effort to decrease Oklahoma’s overcrowded prison system. Senate Bill 287, by Sen. Bill Coleman, modifies convictions for second and subsequent nonviolent, nonsexual felony offenses. The bill requires these offenders to serve no more than the maximum sentence plus one-fourth of the sentence that could have been imposed for a first conviction of the current offense.