Senate Works to Meet Bill Filing Deadline

Thursday, January 19 is the deadline for members of the Oklahoma State Senate to file legislation for the 2006 session. By early afternoon, 740 bills and 20 joint resolutions had been filed with more anticipated before staff members file the final measures by midnight. Last year, 1,017 bills and 33 joint resolutions had been filed by deadline. Of those, 615 bills and 27 joint resolutions are still alive and may be considered in the 2006 session.

Members of the public can read and download current legislation by going to the official State Senate website at www.oksenate.gov and following the link for legislation at the top of the homepage.

In addition, free computer training will be offered to members of the public, the media and others interested in learning how to track legislation online throughout the session. Those training sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 24 and Wednesday, January 25 at 9:30 a.m. in room 419-C on the fourth floor of the State Capitol.

The 2006 legislative session will officially get underway on Monday, February 6. The Senate will continue to offer streaming audio and video from the Senate Chamber, as well as from 419-C. Wireless Internet access is available to all Capitol visitors throughout the Senate gallery, rotunda, committee rooms, offices and press rooms.