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The Oklahoma State Senate passed a key plank of the 2008 Senate Democratic “Vision for Oklahoma” agenda that focuses on opportunity and responsibility. While Sen. Kenneth Corn’s original bill creating “Oklahoma’s Second Century Promise” was not heard before last week’s deadline for committee action, Corn successfully passed the legislation on Wednesday on the Senate floor after attaching the language as an amendment to another Senate Bill.
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The State Senate on Wednesday honored former Harlem Globetrotter and Oklahoma native Marques Haynes with the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 54, praising Haynes for his achievements and designating February 27, 2008, as Marques Haynes appreciation day in the state of Oklahoma.
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Lt. Gov. Jari Askins had the honor of being acting Governor of the state the day her hometown of Duncan claimed a new title—the Crapemyrtle Capital of Oklahoma. Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, by Sen. Anthony Sykes and Rep. Dennis Johnson, won final passage Wednesday at the State Capitol. Sykes represents Duncan in the State Senate, and said he was extremely pleased that both chambers approved the measure unanimously.
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Autism afflicts one in every 150 children, yet there is no requirement that diagnosis and treatment be covered by Oklahoma health insurance policies.

Tuesday, a group of Oklahoma families joined Senator Jay Paul Gumm at a State Capitol news conference to promote “Nick’s Law.” The proposal, initially contained in Senate Bill 1537, would require health insurance policies cover diagnosis, treatment and therapy for autism spectrum disorders. Currently, at least 17 states – including Texas – have similar mandates.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Tuesday which would designate the first Monday of each month to honor veterans who are currently serving or were killed in the global war on terrorism. The bill now goes to the House of Represenatives for consideration.

The Oklahoma State Senate has given unanimous approval to legislation creating special vehicle tags for Oklahomans who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The author of Senate Bill 1138 is Sen. Todd Lamb, R-Edmond.

“I was first approached about creating this special license plate by a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We’ve lost more than 70 Oklahoma soldiers in this cause, including 19 year-old Pfc. Micheal Phillips of Ardmore just this past weekend,” Lamb said. “It is important for us to honor all of the Oklahomans who have risked their lives for our country in Iraq.”

The Oklahoma Senate will soon consider legislation preventing private insurance companies from penalizing critically ill patients who enter clinical trials after a Senate Committee cleared the bill today.

Known as “Steffanie’s Law”, Senate Bill 1521 by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC), passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee by a 5-2 vote with State Senator Patrick Anderson (R-Enid) joining all four Democrats on the committee in support.

The Oklahoma Senate will soon consider legislation preventing private insurance companies from penalizing critically ill patients who enter clinical trials after a Senate Committee cleared the bill today.

Known as “Steffanie’s Law”, Senate Bill 1521 by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC), passed the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee by a 5-2 vote with State Senator Patrick Anderson (R-Enid) joining all four Democrats on the committee in support.

A bill to give thousands more Oklahoma students the opportunity to earn associates degrees did not get a hearing by the February 21 Senate deadline for committee action on legislation. Sen. Kenneth Corn said the lack of action on Senate Bill 2020 was disappointing, but said he would continue to promote the program in the legislature.