The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would establish a misdemeanor for the public playing of obscene music in vehicles.

Authored by Sen. Jeff Rabon, Senate Bill 2021 would make the playing of any loud, obscene music or continuous noise from a vehicle illegal, provided that the noise can be heard at a distance of 50 feet or further from the vehicle.

Sen. Jonathan Nichols has won overwhelming approval for a measure to protect the right of victims to discuss their religious beliefs or reference the bible when giving impact statements in court. The measure, Senate Bill 2004, was approved Wednesday 43 to 2.

An unlicensed driver who causes an injury or fatality accident would face stiffer penalties under legislation approved by the full Senate. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is author of Senate bill 1599, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Last summer, there were two accidents in my district, each involving a person driving with a suspended license. In each accident a child died,” Leftwich said. “I was shocked to learn the most those drivers could be charged with was a misdemeanor. That’s barely a slap on the wrist.”

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved a measure intended to make Oklahoma schools some of the nations safest.

SB 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 he was pleased the Senate approved a measure that could help combat the growing problem of school violence.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Tuesday by a 47-0 vote, creating a 13-member task force to examine the HIV/AIDS problem in Oklahoma’s minority communities and make recommendations for action.

Senate Bill 1829, was authored by State Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and co-authored by Senator Constance N. Johnson, D-Oklahoma County. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

By a vote of 31 to 16 the Oklahoma Senate adopted legislation to speed up the elimination of the state’s death tax by one year. The bill would have no impact on the upcoming budget year.

State Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, authored the legislation.

“The death tax is a burden to farmers and small businesses in Oklahoma, so Senate Republicans believe this tax should be eliminated sooner rather than later,” said Johnson. “This is tight budget year, so we structured the bill so it does not impact the upcoming budget year.”

The Oklahoma Senate adopted a key piece of the Senate Republicans’ agenda to make state government more accountable and innovative.

SB 1865 by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee creates the Office of Accountability and Innovation within the Legislative Service Bureau. The bill was adopted by 41 to 6 vote.

Detailed information contained on digital driver licenses is supposed to be used for public safety purposes—but right now, there is no law protecting individuals from having that information used for other purposes, including identity theft.

The state Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to increase penalties for the malicious injury or destruction of private property. Sen. Anthony Sykes, author of the legislation, said the bill is a response to the growing problem of ‘tagging’, or the defacing or destruction of property with graffiti.

Sykes said the crime is not only becoming an increasingly more frequent nuisance in urban areas but is also occurring in Oklahoma’s smaller communities.

The Oklahoma Senate approved an amendment today that could ultimately give Oklahoma families a way to preserve umbilical cord blood and the life-saving adult stem cells in it.

Senator Jay Paul Gumm submitted the amendment to Senate Bill 1708, a measure by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee on organ donations. The amendment and the bill were both passed with bipartisan majorities.