The Oklahoma State Senate will soon say goodbye to Sen. James A. Williamson. The Republican Leader Emeritus is completing his final session in the Senate due to term limits. On Tuesday, Williamson’s family and friends gathered in the Senate Chamber to watch his colleagues pay tribute to the Tulsa legislator.

The state Senate on Monday approved legislation intended to curb the growing problem of copper theft. Senate Bill 1856, authored by Sen. Cliff Branan, is a comprehensive measure that includes increased fines and punishments for the crime of copper theft and requires more stringent record keeping from scrap metal and junk dealers.

Branan said the measure provides Oklahoma law enforcement with much-needed tools to combat a crime epidemic affecting citizens throughout the state.

The Oklahoma Senate voted 32 to 15 Monday to send Gov. Brad Henry legislation to make state government more accountable, effective and innovative.

Senate Bill 1865, by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, creates an Office of Accountability and Innovation at the Legislative Service Bureau. The office will conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiency in government, review tax policy, and suggest new innovations to make government more accountable and effective for taxpayers.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved a measure Thursday creating the Large Animal Veterinarian Incentive Act which provides incentives to veterinary school graduates to locate their practices in rural communities.

Senate Bill 70, authored by Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee and Rep. Jerry Shoemake, D-Morris, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

An analysis by Rep. Ron Peterson of an actuarial study on “Nick’s Law” shows the representative’s “serious lack of understanding” about the autism crisis, according to Senator Jay Paul Gumm.

“Rep. Peterson may know his former profession – insurance – but his analysis of the actuarial study we provided to him shows he simply does not understand the autism crisis,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant who has fought for passage of autism insurance.

The Oklahoma State Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing Dale and Carrie Schultz and their son J.C. of Catoosa as the 2008 Family of the Year for Special Olympics Oklahoma.

Senate Resolution 92 was authored by Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa. She introduced the family on the Senate floor at the State Capitol.

Members of the State Senate paid tribute to Oklahoma’s Trooper of the Year Award winners for 2007, which included state troopers who risked their own lives to perform a daring helicopter rescue of a Kingfisher couple. Sen. Charles Laster authored legislation honoring Lt. Brian Sturgill and Trooper Joe Howard for their bravery.

The state Senate on Wednesday approved a comprehensive measure intended to make Oklahoma schools safer. Senate Bill 1941, the Oklahoma School Security Act, includes numerous provisions to secure school facilities, reduce school violence and bullying and involve school administrators in making their schools safer places for students and staff.

Sen. Todd Lamb, author of the bill, said it was imperative that the Legislature take action to reduce the frequency of violent crime and bullying in schools.

A long struggle came to a positive end when Gov. Brad Henry signed House Bill 3060, a measure creating a public umbilical cord blood bank in Oklahoma.

The new law, by Senator Jay Paul Gumm and Rep. Rebecca Hamilton, establishes the public cord blood bank, eventually giving every Oklahoma family the ability to donate umbilical cord blood. The pair of lawmakers has sponsored the measure for several years, finally securing passage over a number of obstacles this year.

A study released today shows passage of “Nick’s Law” would not spike insurance costs and would ultimately save taxpayers millions.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm – chief sponsor of “Nick’s Law,” a bill requiring health insurance to cover autism diagnosis and treatment – said the study shows a negligible premium cost. The measure would represent only a 0.47 percent premium cost, roughly a tenth of the current rate of inflation.