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Oklahoma Senate
Press Releases
The Oklahoma State Senate will soon say goodbye to Sen. James A. Williamson. The Republican Leader Emeritus is completing his final session in the Senate due to term limits. On Tuesday, Williamson’s family and friends gathered in the Senate Chamber to watch his colleagues pay tribute to the Tulsa legislator.
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The Oklahoma Senate voted 32 to 15 Monday to send Gov. Brad Henry legislation to make state government more accountable, effective and innovative.
Senate Bill 1865, by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, creates an Office of Accountability and Innovation at the Legislative Service Bureau. The office will conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiency in government, review tax policy, and suggest new innovations to make government more accountable and effective for taxpayers.
read more.The state Senate on Monday approved legislation intended to curb the growing problem of copper theft. Senate Bill 1856, authored by Sen. Cliff Branan, is a comprehensive measure that includes increased fines and punishments for the crime of copper theft and requires more stringent record keeping from scrap metal and junk dealers.
Branan said the measure provides Oklahoma law enforcement with much-needed tools to combat a crime epidemic affecting citizens throughout the state.
read more.The Oklahoma State Senate approved a measure Thursday creating the Large Animal Veterinarian Incentive Act which provides incentives to veterinary school graduates to locate their practices in rural communities.
Senate Bill 70, authored by Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee and Rep. Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
read more.An analysis by Rep. Ron Peterson of an actuarial study on “Nick’s Law” shows the representative’s “serious lack of understanding” about the autism crisis, according to Senator Jay Paul Gumm.
“Rep. Peterson may know his former profession – insurance – but his analysis of the actuarial study we provided to him shows he simply does not understand the autism crisis,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant who has fought for passage of autism insurance.
read more.The Oklahoma State Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing Dale and Carrie Schultz and their son J.C. of Catoosa as the 2008 Family of the Year for Special Olympics Oklahoma.
Senate Resolution 92 was authored by Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa. She introduced the family on the Senate floor at the State Capitol.
read more.The state Senate on Wednesday approved a comprehensive measure intended to make Oklahoma schools safer. Senate Bill 1941, the Oklahoma School Security Act, includes numerous provisions to secure school facilities, reduce school violence and bullying and involve school administrators in making their schools safer places for students and staff.
Sen. Todd Lamb, author of the bill, said it was imperative that the Legislature take action to reduce the frequency of violent crime and bullying in schools.
read more.Members of the State Senate paid tribute to Oklahoma’s Trooper of the Year Award winners for 2007, which included state troopers who risked their own lives to perform a daring helicopter rescue of a Kingfisher couple. Sen. Charles Laster authored legislation honoring Lt. Brian Sturgill and Trooper Joe Howard for their bravery.
read more.A long struggle came to a positive end when Gov. Brad Henry signed House Bill 3060, a measure creating a public umbilical cord blood bank in Oklahoma.
The new law, by Senator Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, establishes the public cord blood bank, eventually giving every Oklahoma family the ability to donate umbilical cord blood. The pair of lawmakers has sponsored the measure for several years, finally securing passage over a number of obstacles this year.
read more.Sen. Jonathan Nichols on Tuesday planned to amend legislation to establish a felony for a first offense of domestic abuse, when a pattern of such behavior could be established.
read more.Leftwich’s “Social Host” Proposal Will Help Deter Underage Drinking
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A study released today shows passage of “Nick’s Law” would not spike insurance costs and would ultimately save taxpayers millions.
Senator Jay Paul Gumm – chief sponsor of “Nick’s Law,” a bill requiring health insurance to cover autism diagnosis and treatment – said the study shows a negligible premium cost. The measure would represent only a 0.47 percent premium cost, roughly a tenth of the current rate of inflation.
read more.The Oklahoma Senate voted 26 to 22 today to pass the School Protection Act, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill providing teachers and schools protections from lawsuits. Last month the House of Representatives passed the bill by a 94 to 0 vote. It now goes to Gov. Brad Henry.
The School Protection Act, Senate Bill 1024, is authored by State Senate Co-Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, and State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa.
read more.Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee responded to Gov. Brad Henry’s veto of House Bill 2458, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill.
“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Gov. Henry has once again vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill. Instead of continually saying ‘no’ to lawsuit reform with his veto pen, the governor needs to tell the Legislature which reforms he will say ‘yes’ to,” stated Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “The trial lawyers have a true friend in Gov. Brad Henry.”
read more.Burrage Plan Headed to Governor’s Desk for Approval
A bill that would protect Oklahoma senior citizens in life-insurance scams was unanimously approved today by the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate Bill 1980, authored by Senator Sean Burrage, now goes to Governor Brad Henry’s desk for approval.
A portrait of Houston B. Teehee, a Cherokee who served as United States Treasurer under President Woodrow Wilson, was dedicated today in a ceremony in the chamber of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The portrait of Teehee, by Oklahoma City artist Christopher Nick, was a gift of Cherokee Nation Tourism and commissioned by the State Senate Historical Preservation Fund. read more.
The State Senate voted today in a bi-partisan fashion to send a measure to a vote of the people to declare English the official language of Oklahoma. If the measure receives final approval before the end of this legislative session, it will go on the Primary Election ballot in July or a Special Election ballot, whichever comes first.
read more.Participants in the first ever “Komen Advocacy Day” at the State Capitol are calling the event a tremendous success. State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, co-authored legislation to bring awareness to the event and to the organization dedicated to helping more women have greater access to breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs.
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The Oklahoma State Senate recognized Stilwell Strawberry Festival Queen Tawnie Goodwin and her royal court Wednesday as part of the annual Strawberry Day at the State Capitol.
Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah and Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell welcomed the group and had a resolution read recognizing the 61st annual Strawberry Festival which will be held on Saturday, May 10 in Stilwell.
The festival was started on May 10, 1948 by the Stilwell Kiwanis as a way of promoting Stilwell and its strawberry growers. The event attracts about 30,000 people a year, Wilson said.
read more.The Oklahoma State Senate approved a consumer protection measure Wednesday which gives motorists a better picture of what type of fuel they are putting into their gas tanks.
“Consumers have the right to know what they are putting in their gas tanks,” said Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee, author of Senate Bill 1451. “This legislation requires clearly marked labels to be put on gas pumps which contain a percentage of ethanol or methanol.”
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