The State Senate honored the life of one of Oklahoma's great civic leaders and philanthropists this week. Senate Resolution 56, by Sen. Cliff Branan, commended Jeannine Rainbolt for her tremendous contributions and support of the arts, higher education, college athletics and cancer research in the state.

The State Senate has approved a measure that could help slow property tax hikes. Senate Joint Resolution 59, by Sen. Jim Reynolds, was passed on Wednesday. If approved by the House, SJR 59 would let Oklahoma voters decide whether to lower the current property tax cap of five percent to three percent.

“This legislation came straight from my constituents who are begging for relief from increases in property taxes,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “This is an especially burdensome tax for many low-income and older people in my district and throughout Oklahoma.”

County Commissioners may soon have the authority to declare burn bans in their counties thanks to a measure that passed the Senate Tuesday. Senate Bill 1816 is authored by Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Don Armes.

A bipartisan majority of State Senators voted today for Sen. Andrew Rice’s plan to convert Oklahoma’s government vehicle fleet to alternative fuels.

For Rice, D-OKC, it is his second amendment adopted by the Senate in two days that will reduce energy costs and consumption by public institutions in Oklahoma. His amendment to a public schools auditing bill yesterday will encourage public school districts in the state to reduce their electric energy consumption by five percent per year for six years beginning in 2009.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Tuesday encouraging schools to increase its physical fitness activities to help ensure a healthy start in life for Oklahoma school children.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Tuesday that encourages school districts to include a special emphasis on autism as part of any professional development program on special education that may be provided to teachers in the district.

Senate Bill 1686 is authored by State Senator Mary Easley, D-Tulsa, and will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Easley said she is particularly passionate about this piece of legislation because autism personally touches her life every day through interaction with a special family member.

The State Senate has given full approval to a bill that would require convicted child abusers to be listed on the state’s violent crime registry. Senate Bill 1601, by Sen. Cliff Aldridge, was approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday. The measure would also make it illegal for convicted abusers to work with children.

Oklahoma Public Schools will be encouraged to reduce electric energy consumption by five percent each year for six years under an amendment by State Senator Andrew Rice (D-OKC), which passed the Senate by a bipartisan voice vote today.

Rice successfully amended a bill by Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson (S.B. 1951) that sets auditing standards for public schools. Rice’s amendment is similar to legislation he introduced earlier this year. State Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, has introduced comparable legislation in the House.

Childhood obesity rates are climbing nationwide and State Sen. Ron Justice wants to change that trend in Oklahoma. On Monday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1612, which creates the Quality Afterschool Opportunities Act to Reduce Childhood Obesity and Improve Academic Performance, to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity through community programs outside the classroom.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Monday that would update Oklahoma’s drinking laws and make it illegal for the consumption or possession of alcohol (hard liquor) by a person under the age 21.

Senate Bill 1724, authored by State Senator Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee and Rep. Wade Rousselot, D-Okay, will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Underage drinking is not just a public safety issue,” Ballenger said. “It’s also a health issue. This legislation is long overdue and will responsibly help keep Oklahoma’s young people safe.”