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Senate Bill 531 is on its way to the State House of Representatives. That’s after winning unanimous approval by the Senate on Tuesday. Senator Scott Pruitt, R-Broken Arrow, said the bill is designed to help school districts with cash-flow problems resulting from unforeseen expenses and fluctuating revenues.

“Our school districts do a very careful job of planning their budgets, but there are some things that can’t be completely anticipated—a big spike in fuel prices, for example, can have a serious budgetary impact,” explained Pruitt.
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A measure designed to make sure more parents buckle up their children is heading to the House of Representatives. That’s after the Senate approved the bill Monday evening. Senate Bill 799 would boost the current fine for failing to use proper child restraints from $10 and up to $15 in court costs to $50 plus court costs.

Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is principal author of the measure. He felt the current $10 fine is not enough to persuade parents that failing to buckle up their children is not in their best interests.
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Two bills aimed at helping Oklahoma students become healthier and more fit have won Senate approval. The measures, authored by Senator Bernest Cain, would ensure schools offer more nutritional foods as well as physical education for students.
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Legislation that will toughen the math curriculum in Oklahoma’s secondary schools and increase graduation requirements for high seniors passed out of the Oklahoma State Senate Tuesday on a unanimous 46-0 vote.

Senate Bill 982, authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Mike Morgan, contains Governor Brad Henry’s Achieving Classroom Excellence initiative and focuses on improving math instruction at the secondary level.
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A measure passed by the State Senate will allow Oklahoma school districts to further their ability to check potential employers by providing them direct access to the state Sex Offender Registry.
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A pair of bills aimed to lower prescription drug costs for Oklahomans cleared a legislative hurdle today, said Senator Tom Adelson.

Adelson, A Democrat from Tulsa and author of the two measures, said the vote was an important step forward in the battle to reduce prescription drug costs.

The State Senate has approved a bill to provide Oklahoma nursing homes with postings of sex offender notifications. Senator Debbe Leftwich is principal author of the SB 870. Leftwich said the bill was designed to give families greater peace of mind.
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State Senators overwhelmingly approved legislation Friday aimed at enticing more doctors to open medical practices in rural Oklahoma communities.

“The availability of healthcare is a very real concern in a lot of smaller communities across our state,” said Senator Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau. “The passage of Senate Bill 335 offers a true financial incentive for doctors to provide much needed medical services in places that are currently under-served.”

SB 335 is authored by Senator Gilmer Capps, D-Snyder.