A bill to require full disclosure of adoption fees is one step closer to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 1029, by Sen. Steve Russell, was given final approval by the State Senate on Wednesday.

“I want to thank my fellow members for their support. Each time this bill has been considered by the Senate it has gotten unanimous approval,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “I believe all of us want to do what we can to improve the adoption process in our state and help more children find loving, adoptive parents.”

The state Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution urging the United States Senate to reject the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Sen. Dan Newberry, Senate author of House Concurrent Resolution 1033, said the U.S. government should work to strengthen the rights of parents, rather than adopting international treaties that could weaken the foundation of the family.

A concurrent resolution asking the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to name their complex the “Clem Rogers McSpadden Agricultural Complex” was approved by the House of Representatives after winning unanimous approval in the Senate on Monday.

McSpadden was a former President Pro Tempore of the Senate, but had also won international acclaim as a professional rodeo announcer. He was a fifth generation rancher and the great-nephew of Oklahoma humorist Will Rogers. McSpadden, who was also a U.S. Congressman, died in 2008 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

State Sen. Randy Brogdon said he was extremely concerned about this week’s take over of Tulsa-based Williams Cos. Gas compression facilities by a Venezuelan government-controlled company. He also said there are direct parallels between that action and U.S. government bailouts and takeovers of American companies.

“Venezuela’s leader, Hugo Chavez, is a despotic dictator and an avowed enemy of America, and now he’s seized assets here in Oklahoma,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “People should be alarmed about what’s happening in our own state.”

The Governor recently signed two environmental bills that could help make Oklahoma a national leader on such issues. Sen. David Myers is the author of SB 679 which re-creating the Oklahoma Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide Task Force. He also authored SB 953 which creates the Oklahoma Clean Energy Independence Commission.

A bill strengthening penalties against parents caught driving drunk with their children in the vehicle has become law. Sen. Mary Easley is the Senate principal author of SB 1138 which amends the definition of child endangerment to include parents or guardians knowingly letting their children ride in vehicles operated by people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Extensive Talks Result in Comprehensive Lawsuit Reform for Oklahomans

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge are announcing an agreement between all parties involved in negotiations on a landmark comprehensive lawsuit reform package.

“At first glance the agreement announced today looks very similar to the compromise bill from 2007 crafted by Governor Henry.

“We are pleased negotiators were able to take the crux of the 2007 proposal to include in the provisions of this agreement.

“After the bipartisan defeat of Senator Coffee’s far-reaching political and punitive attorney fee referendum bill he predicted this day would never come.

“Senator Coffee was wrong.

A bill giving greater protection to Oklahomans who contract for construction work is on its way to the governor. Senator Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 306. The bill requires contractors to provide proof that they have general liability insurance.

"We've seen too many cases of Oklahomans paying for work to be done on their homes, only to be left holding the bag when the work is substandard, or the contractor takes the money and runs," said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. "Requiring proof of liability insurance gives greater protection to consumers."

The Governor elected to dismiss vital education reform on Friday by vetoing the School District Empowerment Program, Senate Bill 834.

Senator John Ford, author of SB 834, expressed his disappointment in the Governor’s choosing to neglect the quality reforms Oklahoma schools need.