The Oklahoma House and Senate have both given final approval to House Bill 1037 by Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee, Rep. Ken Walker, R-Tulsa, Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore. HB 1037 creates a framework in the Open Records Act for the handling of law enforcement videos captured by body-worn cameras. Last year, the Legislature passed legislation that made it explicitly clear that all law enforcement videos filmed by dash-mounted or body-worn cameras would be subject to the Open Records Act, with some common sense exceptions.

Legislative leaders Tuesday announced a $7.1 billion budget deal to fund Oklahoma government for fiscal year 2016.

“This budget reflects the priorities of the legislature,” said Sen. Kyle Loveless, R- Oklahoma City. “Education again received more than 50 percent of the appropriated funds, with nearly 35 percent going straight to common education. I am thankful for the leadership of Chairman Jolley as we continue to fund government in a way that is responsible with the taxpayers’ dollars.”

The state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond for construction of the museum, which will require no new state appropriations to fund operations.

The full Senate has given final approval to legislation that will end the five-year ad valorem tax exemption for new wind farms beginning January 1, 2017. Senate Bill 498, by Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, was approved unanimously on Friday. Mazzei said the bill will ultimately save approximately $500 million over ten years.

There is no place in our society for domestic abuse and violence against women. Our party needs to send the right message to women, and take a strong stand on this issue. These are serious crimes that affect thousands of Oklahomans every year. This body has worked hard to establish penalties fitting for such crimes, and we want the actions of our party to be reflective of our attitude regarding the serious nature of domestic abuse as a problem in Oklahoma. Crimes such as this cannot be trivialized or explained away. Domestic abuse tears apart families and leaves lasting emotional scars.

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman has introduced legislation that would provide funding for construction of the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, better known as OKPOP. Senate Bill 839 would provide a $25 million bond issue for construction of the facility, which will be self-sustaining under a comprehensive business plan.

Bingman said with historically low interest rates, the state has a rare opportunity to build a Smithsonian-quality museum under a business plan that will require no new ongoing funding from the state.

Calling it a victory for Oklahoma children in rural communities, State Sen. AJ Griffin said she was pleased that Gov. Mary Fallin had signed legislation into law to better protect kids throughout the state from sexual predators.

Griffin, R-Guthrie, is the principal author of Senate Bill 167, co-authored by Rep. Dennis Casey, R-Morrison, in the House. Griffin said the legislation closes a legal loophole regarding “zones of safety” limiting how close registered sex offenders can live or even pass by areas where children tend to be, such as parks, daycare centers and schools.

Less than a week after Sen. Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, filed Senate Bill 838, the Personal Asset Protection Act, it has garnered support from a wide range of organizations. The bill is aimed at reforming a practice known as civil asset forfeiture which the government uses to seize assets like cash and vehicles alleged to be part of a larger crime.

Sen. Kyle Loveless (R-Oklahoma City) today filed the Personal Asset Protection Act, SB 838, a bill aimed at restricting a practice known as civil asset forfeiture. This is a process which allows the government to seize cash, vehicles and other property used or gained from the commission of a crime without any charges being filed.

Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) will be joining his constituents from north Tulsa tonight for a peaceful rally calling for the resignation of Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz and major department changes to address the culture that has caused continual distrust of law enforcement within the black community. The One Tulsa Rally-Justice will be held at 7pm in the Blue Dome Area in the 2nd and Elgin parking lot.