The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would end state recognition of common law marriage in Oklahoma. The measure is Senate Bill 1977 by Sen. Earl Garrison, a Democrat from Muskogee. Garrison said only 10 states still recognize common law marriages.

Last week the Senate approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 41, by Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb, which opposes federal cap and trade proposals that could be detrimental to Oklahoma’s economic growth.

Due to the serious budget issues facing the Legislature this session, Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee has formed the General Conference Committee on Appropriations earlier in the session than is traditional, naming 23 members and two ex-officio members to that panel today. The GCCA will meet on Thursday of this week to address 2010 budget issues and to look ahead to the 2011 budget.

“As we did last year, I’ve streamlined the process, naming members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to the GCCA,” Coffee said.

A bill to ensure law enforcement can contact next of kin in case of an accident or emergency has been approved by the Oklahoma State Senate. Sen. Sean Burrage is the principal author of Senate Bill 1779, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Under this legislation, anyone applying for a driver license or identification card or renewing their license or ID would have the option of providing an emergency contact person. The Department of Public Safety would maintain that database,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “I want to stress participation would be strictly optional.”

The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved legislation intended to broaden the number of private school scholarships awarded to students from lower-income households. Sen. Dan Newberry, author of Senate Bill 1922, said his proposal would empower parents with the ability to direct their child’s education, allowing more students to unlock their learning potential.

Sen. Debbe Leftwich has won full approval from the State Senate for Senate Bill 1762. The bill cracks down on party bus companies that turn a blind eye to drunken teen passengers. Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, filed the legislation after a high school in her district contacted her about the problem.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee announced that he will introduce legislation, SB 1862, giving large city mayors chartering authority, while removing the number of caps on allowed charter schools, a major education reform that will increase opportunity for students and parents in the state’s two largest cities.

Elected officials, not un-elected bureaucrats, should be setting important policy in our state. This is the belief of Senator John Sparks (D-Norman) and Representative Scott Martin (R-Norman) who have authored new legislation which would prevent state agencies and boards from enacting rules or policies which go against the intent of laws passed in the Legislature. The pair, who were both elected in 2006, hope their working together in such a bi-partisan manner will encourage members to vote on the merits of the idea.

A measure to make the State Insurance Department a non-appropriated agency passed the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday evening. Sen. David Myers, author of Senate Bill 1658, says his legislation will save the state money.

The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation Wednesday to address the state’s transportation funding needs. Senate Bill 1941, by Sen. Bryce Marlatt, would create the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force.