Press Releases

Statement by Senator Charlie Laster

“Senator Coffee could have filed a so-called ‘meaningful’ tort reform bill before the session, but he didn’t. Instead, he plopped a 124-page amendment to my bill on the desk this morning in hopes we would all abandon the bill that had been heard in committee in favor of one nobody has had time read.
“It’s not like he had a bill that wasn’t heard in the Judiciary Committee. The truth is that he only filed a one-page shell bill and never asked me to hear a committee substitute dealing with tort reform. read more.

State Senators Monday approved a measure to reduce the flow of methamphetamines into Oklahoma by cutting off the cash flow that allows drug dealers to smuggle “Mexican Ice” into the state.
Senate Bill 1664 by Assistant Majority Leader Jay Paul Gumm passed the Senate by a 47-0 vote.
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A special team of expert child abuse investigators to help local law enforcement handle difficult cases would be created by a bill approved unanimously by the Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 1800, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, would establish the Child Abuse Response Team (CART) within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

State Senator Mary Easley, vice-chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee thanked Governor Brad Henry Friday for signing her funeral picketing bill into law, which goes into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1020, known as the “Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act” makes it a misdemeanor to picket within 500 feet of a cemetery, mortuary or church from one hour before the scheduled commencement of funeral services until one hour after the completion of the funeral services.
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“The Governor’s signature on HB 2288 culminates months of work in the Senate to bring an end to the public safety crisis facing Oklahoma.

“Just as in June when I offered my thanks to the Governor for answering my call to expand the Special Session to include the Department of Corrections (DOC) funding issue, I am offering my thanks to him again today for his leadership on signing this supplemental appropriation into law.
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A bill to help school children enjoy nutritious, locally-grown fruits and vegetables has won unanimous approval by the full Senate. Senator Daisy Lawler is the author of SB 1515, which would create a statewide Farm to School program.

“This a win-win bill for helping our kids with better health and nutrition and for rural economic development,” said Lawler, D-Comanche. “Our initial pilot program was a resounding success and surveys of school districts throughout the state tell us they’re very enthusiastic about this concept.”
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The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill that will completely eliminate Oklahomas estate tax, also known as the death tax. Senate Bill 334, by Senators Mike Mazzei and Glenn Coffee, would provide immediate estate tax relief to non-lineal heirs, such as nephews and nieces, and would completely eliminate the death tax over a three-year period.

A measure that will expand the most innovative public-private partnership in Medicaid history won approval by the full State Senate Thursday and is headed for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
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State Senator Mary Easley (D-Tulsa), vice-chair of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee expressed her appreciation Thursday that her funeral picketing bill was approved by the House and will now go before Gov. Brad Henry to sign into law.

Senate Bill 1020, known as the “Oklahoma Funeral Picketing Act” would make it a misdemeanor to picket within 500 feet of a cemetery, mortuary or church from one hour before the scheduled commencement of funeral services until one hour after the actual completion of the funeral services.
read more.

The full Senate has voted unanimously for a bill giving neighborhoods across the state greater protection from rapists and child molesters. Sen. Glenn Coffee is author of Senate Bill 1754, also known as the Neighborhood Protection Against Sex Offenders Act. "Just about everyone from time to time will need the services of a plumbing or electrical company or some other business that sends workers into their home. What this act will do is let people know if an employee of that business is on the sex offender registry before that person is sent into their home," said Coffee R-Oklahoma City. read more.

State Sen. Daisy Lawler is urging Oklahomans to remember that there is still a statewide burn-ban in effect. That’s after a suspected arson fire in her district has destroyed homes, displaced hundreds of people and injured two volunteer firefighters with the Rush Springs Fire Department. At least five other firefighters have been reported injured in other parts of the state.

Lawler said the fire that started near Empire City has left members of her church and other friends homeless.
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The Senate has approved a measure aimed at reducing injuries and deaths of children and teens due to ATV accidents. Sen. Bernest Cain is the author of Senate Bill 30, which would require all riders under the age of to wear a helmet.
The bottom line here is we can save lives in Oklahoma with this simple precaution, said Cain, DOklahoma City. Wearing helmets while riding ATVs can reduce deaths by 2 percent and it can reduce nonfatal head injuries by percent. read more.

Legislation by Sen. Daisy Lawler to ensure motor fuel taxes are spent on transportation needs was approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 1028, by Lawler, D-Comanche, would redirect the 1.625 percent of gasoline taxes and 1.39 percent of diesel taxes that are currently deposited in the state’s General Revenue Fund into the State Transportation Fund. The change would provide more than $7 million additional dollars for roads and bridges.
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Legislation that will keep tickets to Oklahoma City Hornets games among the lowest in the league and complete the incentive package that helped lure the National Basketball Association team to the Ford Center earlier this year cleared its last legislative hurdle Wednesday and his headed to the desk of Governor Brad Henry.

Senate Bill 1022 is authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan. The measure exempts tickets to NBA and NHL games in Oklahoma from sales tax.
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Legislation aimed at saving the lives of Oklahoma children and teenagers has been approved by the full Senate. Senate Bill 1495, known as the Kyle Williams Boating Safety Education Act, is named for 12-year-old Kyle Williams of Edmond, who died as a result of a jet ski accident in August 2004.
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State Senators Wednesday unanimously approved legislation creating a permanent funding source to provide state funds to bolster the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

“Despite warmer than normal temperatures this winter, the rising cost of natural gas has already sparked a dramatic increase in home heating bills, leaving many Oklahoma families struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Cal Hobson, author of the measure.

The Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. dedicated “The Magic of Petroleum,” a painting by internationally renowned artist Wayne Cooper of Depew, Oklahoma, in a ceremony held in the Governor’s Large Conference Room at the State Capitol Building on Wednesday.
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Members of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association (OEMA) gathered at the Capitol today to meet with legislators to review issues facing the emergency management community. In recognition of the OEMA's efforts and contributions to Oklahoma, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 69 designating March 1, 2006 as "Oklahoma Emergency Management Day" at the State Capitol.

A measure to modify the Youthful Offender Act passed out of the Senate today. Senate Bill 1760, by Senator Nancy Riley, will automatically charge persons aged fifteen to seventeen as adults if they are charged with first degree murder.

"We're talking about fifteen, sixteen and seventeen year olds who have firmly implanted in their minds what is right and wrong - committing murder," said Riley, R-Tulsa. "And when you're dead, you're dead."
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Vote on HB 2288 Ends Months of Senate Work on DOC Funding Crisis