Press Releases

Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) has filed a measure intended to eliminate the state income taxes paid by full time Higher Education and Career Technology students.

“We need to do all we can for students who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Sparks. “Approval of this legislation would send a clear message that the Legislature wants Oklahomans to become better educated and we’re here to help.”

Expanding the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s (OSBI) DNA database could help solve some of the most horrific crimes committed—that’s according to State Sen. Jonathan Nichols, author of Senate Bill 1102. The measure would add a number of misdemeanor crimes to the felony crimes already on the books which can result in the harvesting of DNA samples. The measure was approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
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The Oklahoma State Capitol is quickly approaching the centennial of its official opening in 1917. To help commemorate the centennial and ensure the building is ready for its next century, State Sen. Harry Coates has authored Senate Bill 482. Rep. Liebmann will co-author the legislation which would create the Oklahoma State Capitol Centennial Commemoration and Preservation Act.
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A measure to create more uniformity in adoptions and ensure full disclosure of fees has cleared its first major hurdle in the Senate. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was approved by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Russell, R-Oklahoma City, said that as an adoptive parent, it was an area of law of special concern to him.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted in favor of legislation that would prohibit convicted sex offenders from operating ice cream trucks.

Senate Bill 1147 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm would criminalize the operation of an ice cream truck by a sex offender and would require vendors to obtain an operating permit through the State Department of Health. Gumm said the measure is part of a continuing effort to protect Oklahoma children from dangerous predators.

“As one would have suspected, the revenue picture of the State of Oklahoma has not improved since the last figures certified by the State Equalization Board, so our response is the same.

“Clearly, we will look at state agencies and programs to identify areas in which savings and greater efficiencies can be found.

“It is small consolation to be sure, but I’m thankful for our conservative spending practices of the past, which place us in a more enviable position than a vast majority of states find themselves today.

Senate Bill 609 by Senator Todd Lamb, passed out of the Judiciary Committee today.

The provisions in Senate Bill 609 reduce the number of judges on the Workers’ Compensation Court from ten to seven. Four of the judges will be permanently assigned to the Oklahoma City Workers' Compensation Court, and three permanently assigned to the Tulsa Workers' Compensation Court.

Senate Bill 609 also brings reform to the judicial nominating process by requiring Senate confirmation of appointments to the Workers Compensation Court and appellate courts.

Oklahomans could help the children of military personnel killed in action further their education by donating a portion of their income tax refund to them under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Don Barrington is author of Senate Bill 721 which would give those donations to the nonprofit charitable organization, Folds of Honor Incorporated.

The Senate Business and Labor Committee approved a measure Monday to extend the same protection given to contractors on public projects under the Fair Pay and Construction Act to those working on private projects. Sen. Harry Coates is the author of Senate Bills 1012 which would help ensure contractors are paid in a timely manner for their work
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Under legislation passed Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee, Oklahoma military personnel could soon get some tax relief. Senate Bill 881 by Sen. Steve Russell would exempt state military pay from state income taxes.

“Our military service men and women are grossly underpaid and this is one thing we can do to help ease their financial burden,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “They sacrifice so much for our country and for those around the world that can’t fight for themselves. This would be just a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.”
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Military personnel returning from overseas service would have an easier time voting under legislation approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Rules Committee. SB 718, authored by Sen. Don Barrington, would allow those who return up to three months before an election to still be able to vote even without being registered.
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State Senator John Ford has won committee passage of a bill designed to give greater local control to Oklahoma public school districts. Senate Bill 834, the School District Empowerment Program, would remove many of the unfunded state mandates currently restricting the ability of local school districts to best decide how to use resources to benefit their students.
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Sen. Kenneth Corn on Monday said the failure of his legislation to end the partisan appointment of County Election Board Secretaries suggests that Senate Republicans lack a commitment to ending political patronage in Oklahoma.

The Senate Rules Committee on Monday approved legislation intended to streamline services for state agencies and organizations that serve Oklahoma children. Senate Bill 697 by Sen. Jay Paul Gumm would create Oklahoma’s first-ever Children’s Cabinet to recommend and implement policies to improve the health and well-being of children.

Gumm said the legislation would ensure that state agencies are efficiently implementing resources through a shared vision for Oklahoma’s youth.

The Senate Rules Committee has approved a pro-active bill designed to strengthen the integrity of Oklahoma's elections. Senate Bill 4, by Sen. John Ford would require anyone voting in person to show proof of identity.

Ford said voters could use a photo ID issued by the United States, the State of Oklahoma or a federally recognized Indian Tribe or Nation. Voters without a government issued photo ID could simply show their county issued Voter ID card.
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Senator Clark Jolley’s Senate Bill 1111 was approved by the Senate Education Committee today with a bipartisan 8-5 vote.

Jolley is encouraged by the passage of the “Educational Accountability Reform Act” and is pleased the committee saw fit to advance the measure.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a measure Wednesday that could provide tuition assistance to more Oklahoma students. SB 354, by Sen. David Myers, would expand the OHLAP program by allowing the income requirement to be based on a family’s yearly salary or a three-year average.
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The full Senate is the next stop for legislation to ensure disabled vets get a sales tax exemption guaranteed by state law.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm introduced legislation that would put even more teeth in a current state law that entitles Oklahoma veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability to a sales tax exemption on purchases of up to $25,000 a year. The lawmaker said some retailers have been refusing to honor the exemption.
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Senate Bill 452 by Senator Mike Schulz, R-Altus, passed out of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on Monday, calling for adequate protection of livestock throughout Oklahoma.

The provisions in Senate Bill 452 limit the power of political subdivisions in Oklahoma when dealing with the care and handling of livestock. Local legislation in violation of this bill is void and unenforceable. However, Schulz says the intent of the legislation is not to preempt a city’s ability to zone.

State Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, said he will do everything he can to coordinate assistance at the state and federal level after a deadly February storm system left more than two dozen injured or dead in his district. As of 10 a.m., the official death toll stood at 8, but Crutchfield said 30 people were unaccounted for. Multiple homes and buildings were destroyed with the community of Lone Grove hardest hit by the deadly storm.
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