The State Senate has given unanimous approval to a measure moving Oklahoma’s presidential primary from February back to March. Sen. David Holt (R-Oklahoma City) is author of the measure which was approved on Tuesday. Holt said Senate Bill 808 ensures Oklahoma will not be excluded from the 2012 political conventions.

The full Senate has approved a measure to name the southbound I-44 bridge over the Red River in honor of President George W. Bush. Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, is principal author of Senate Bill 304, which was approved on a bipartisan vote of 40-5 on Tuesday. The vote came on the same day as the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum announced the President, his wife and daughters will be honored this April with the 2011 Reflections of Hope Award.

The State Senate unanimously approved legislation Monday amending the Public Competitive Act of 1974. Senate Bill 127, by Sen. Jerry Ellis, strengthens the Act by providing penalties for those who do not use competitive bidding on public projects.

A measure to strengthen Oklahoma’s funeral picketing laws was approved unanimously Tuesday. Senate Bill 406, by Sen. Josh Brecheen, will help keep protesters away from funeral services for a longer period of time as well as a further distance away from a service.

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved a proposal intended to broaden the number of private school scholarships awarded to children from low-income households.

Sen. Dan Newberry, author of Senate Bill 969, said the proposal would establish a tax credit to incentivize greater contributions to scholarship funds.