May 3, 2010 – Legislative Bill Tracking

• January 01, 1970
  
  

  Posted on May 03, 2010

  This past week the Oklahoma Legislature completed the 13^th week of the legislative session, and the second week of Conference Committee work.

  Remaining Legislative Deadline

  May 28, 2010 – House and Senate – Sine Die Adjournment, no later then 5:00 p.m.

  Economic Development & Financial Services

  Tax credits Reviewed by House Rules Committee

  Income tax credits are cutting into state revenue by more than $100 million for the upcoming fiscal year, a House committee was told last Thursday.  Tony Mastin, administrator of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, said about 60 percent of the credits claimed by investors come from two programs, one of which the governor has recommended be scrapped for the 2010 tax year.

  Gov. Brad Henry has called for the repeal of a rural small business tax credit program in which large investment companies invest in ventures that may or may not be economically viable. The credits will cost the state about $37.4 million in revenue in the 2011 fiscal year, which starts July 1

  st

  .  He also has called for a one-year moratorium on selected tax credits for the 2010 tax year, which would save about $45 million in the upcoming fiscal year.  Mastin said the commission excludes the amount of tax credits from the figure given to the state finance office as part of the process to determine the amount of money legislators have available to spend each session.

  Legislators have about $5.4 billion to appropriate this session, about $1.2 billion less than last year. Lawmakers this session have called for reducing some tax credits, eliminating them or placing them on a one-year moratorium.  Henry proposed his tax credit suggestions in his budget proposal at the start of the session; the ideas still are being discussed in talks between the governor and legislative leaders.

  Revisions to Oklahoma Economic Development Pooled Finance Program: HB 3286 by Rep. McNiel and Sen. Lamb - allows the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority to maximize their issuing capacity of the two $100 million fixed pools by allowing the reduction of principal when bonds are retired and refresh their issuing capacity. This will be accomplished with no fiscal impact to the state.   The bill allows ODFA to issue its obligations in order to provide net proceeds on a pooled basis not to exceed one hundred million dollars for the Infrastructure Pool or for the Economic Development pool. The bill passed the Senate 45 to 0 and now heads to Conference Committee. 

  Agency Consolidation: HB 3173 by Rep. Hickman and Sen. Bingman - Transfers all powers, functions, duties, and donated funds of the Scenic Rivers Commission to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission.  Sen. Wilson on the Senate floor, which would have combined a number of state agencies, including the State Banking Department, under a new department of natural resources, offered an amendment.  After concerns expressed by multiple interest groups, both authors have stated they intend to reject Sen. Wilson’s language in conference committee.

  Compulsory Insurance Law: HB 2331 by Rep. Steve Martin and Sen. Reynolds - Requires officers to verify compliance with the Compulsory Insurance Law online during all traffic stops and requires that anyone found or believed to be in violation or otherwise barred from driving have their vehicle towed and seized. Passed in the Senate and now heads to Conference Committee.

  Banking Department Reforms: HB 2779 by Rep. Ownbey and Sen. Stanislawski - Modifies the requirements of the Deputy Commissioner of the Banking Dept and stipulates procedures of the Commissioner regarding failed banks and savings associations. Signed by the Governor into law.

  Quality Events – Incremental Sales Tax: SB 1284 by Sen. Stanislawski and Rep. Liebmann - Allows incremental state sales tax revenue to be used for the planning, performance, and/or promotion of quality events. This bill is now in Conference Committee.

  Access to Life Insurance Policy Info: SB 2073 by Sen. Stanislawski and Rep. Randy McDaniel - Provides that any insurance producer authorized to sell life insurance and has had their appointment terminated for certain reasons shall be authorized to have access to the information relating to the policy purchased. Passed by the Senate and now goes the Governor for consideration of signing into law.

  Transportation

  Military Exemptions for Vehicle Tags: SB 1816 by Sen. Bingman and Rep. Ownbey - exempts military personnel deployed outside the state from a fine if they failed to renew their vehicle tag during their assignment and for 60 days after that assignment ends. This bill is now in Conference Committee.

  Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force: SB 1941 by Sen Marlatt and Rep. Nelson - Creates the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force to study and evaluate innovations, technologies, and new methods being employed to more adequately and equitably fund road and bridge infrastructure. This bill has been sent to the Governor for consideration of signing into law.

  County/City Coop Agreements: SB 1998 by Sen. Newberry and Rep. Jordan - The bill includes language that allows the Dept. of Trans. or a county board of commissioners, with agreement from the government of a municipality of less than 5,000 people, can maintain and build streets in the county. Further, The board of county commissioners may construct, improve, repair, or maintain any of the streets of a municipality having a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) persons if the county has a population in excess of five hundred thousand (500,000). This bill is now in Conference Committee with Senate conferees Newberry, Aldridge, M. Johnson, Branan, Ballenger and House appointed a conference committee: Jordan, McCullough, Derby, Proctor, Lamons.

  Healthcare

  Oklahoma Medical Loan Repayment Program: HB 1043 by Rep. Sears and Sen. Crain - provides educational loan repayment assistance for up to 6 licensed primary care doctors per year, if they agree to practice in certain communities. This bill is now in Conference Committee and has been sent to Senate GCCA and House Conferees are Sears, Cox, Miller, Buck, Hickman, Pruett, Carey.

  House and Senate Override Pro-Life Vetoes -House and Senate members this week voted to override two gubernatorial vetoes of pro-life bills.  Gov. Henry vetoed two pro-life bills Friday, and both bodies of the legislature voted to override at first opportunity Monday.  The bills included:

  House Bill 2780, by state Rep. Lisa Billy, requires that doctors provide women information obtained from an ultrasound prior to performing an abortion.

  House Bill 2656, by state Rep. Dan Sullivan, which makes it illegal to sue a doctor claiming “wrongful birth” because the doctor failed to convince the mother to abort a child.

  Physicians ask patients to sign Medicare petition - Oklahoma doctors are urging patients to sign an online petition asking Congress to fix the Medicare reimbursement formula.  The Oklahoma State Medical Association held a capitol news conference Wednesday to bring attention to the issue.  Payments to doctors will drop by 21.5 percent if Congress doesn’t act by June, said Ken King, executive director of the association.  Physicians say the payment system forces doctors not to take Medicare patients or to limit how many patients they can care for.  The goal of the petition drive is to obtain 1 million signatures and present them to Congress.

  Workers’ Compensation

  Workers’ comp bill still on the burner - While the debate continues about how to improve the state’s workers’ compensation system, a bill that supporters say would reform the system and reduce costs for Oklahoma employers continues to make its way through the legislative process.

  SB 1973 by Senate Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and state Rep. Dan Sullivan would make a number of changes to the state’s workers’ comp system, including:

  ·       Decreasing the number of workers’ comp court judges from 10 to eight.

  ·       Increasing the terms of judges from six years to eight years and limiting those judges to one term.

  ·       Qualifying current judges for reappointment to one eight-year term.

  ·       Defining “major cause.“

  ·       Exempting employers from liability for injuries arising outside the course of employment.

  Education

  Charter School Expansion: SB 1862 by Speaker Benge and Sen Coffee deletes the limit on the number of new charters that can be established in any given year.  The criteria for charter school sponsorship is expanded to include school districts that have a site on the School Improvement List, technology center school districts if the local school district has a site on the School Improvement List, and by comprehensive or regional higher education institutions only when the local school district has a site on the School Improvement List and when the institution has a branch campus located within the charter’s school district. Finally, the legislation requires charter schools to comply with graduation requirements established by Oklahoma law.  This bill is now in Conference Committee.

  Performance Pay: Senate Bill 2033 by Speaker Benge and Sen Coffee, authorizes school districts to establish incentive pay programs for teachers and administrators.  The bill allows districts to develop programs that must be approved by the state Department of Education. It says incentives should be based upon student and school performance growth, leadership skills, organizational skills and classroom management skills.  This bill is now in Conference Committee.

  General Government

  Governor Signs Voluntary State Employee Buy-Out Legislation - Gov. Brad Henry signed House Bill 2363 into law this week which will allow state employees to take a voluntary buy-out package. The legislation, by Rep. Ken Miller, creates a buy-out package that would include a cash payment of $5,000, 18 months of health care premiums and the employee’s next longevity payment. Agencies would also be allowed some meaningful managerial flexibility in developing compensation strategies to address budget needs.

  Energy

  Compressed Natural Gas Credits Position Oklahoma as National Alternative Energy Leader – House Speaker Chris Benge highlighted this week a tax credit for compressed natural gas vehicles and infrastructure that he says has positioned Oklahoma as a national alternative energy leader.  Honda Motor Co., Inc. announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis.   Oklahoma joins only three other states-New York, California and Utah-in selling the Honda CNG GX to retail customers.

  In 2009, Benge authored an extension and expansion of a tax credit toward the purchase or conversion of a CNG vehicle. The law provides for a 50 percent tax credit for originally equipped and converted qualified clean-burning motor vehicles. For factory-equipped CNG vehicles, such as the Honda Civic GX, the 50 percent credit applies only to costs associated with the CNG aspect of the vehicle.

  In addition, Oklahoma provides a 75 percent tax credit for the costs that are associated with entities investing in qualified clean-burning motor vehicle fueling stations. The law also provides a tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and entities investing in CNG equipment that allows an individual to fuel their vehicle at home.

  Agriculture

  Pet Breeders: SB 1712 by Sen. Anderson and Rep. Jackson - Creates law entitled the “Commercial Pet Breeders Act.” Creates Board to establish minimum regulations for maintenance of facilities, inspection of sites, and govern licensing. Requires commercial breeders to hold license.  This bill has passed the House and Senate and now heads to the Governor for his consideration of signing into law.

  SPIRITBANK AERO BILL TRACK

  05-03-2010 – 08:11:19

  ---

  HB 2919 (1)

  Shannon Myers

  Creates the Aircraft Pilot and Passenger Protection Act. The construction of a structure used for a noise sensitive purpose within a noise sensitive area constitutes an incompatible use of land near a public use airport.

  Bill History:

  04-20-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda 04-20-10 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate 04-20-10 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 44/N: 2) 04-29-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-29-10 H House refused to concur in Senate amendments

  HB 3024

  Hickman Mazzei

  Eliminates the tax credit for the purchase of electric and clean-burning motor vehicles; EMERGENCY.

  Bill History:

  04-20-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda 04-20-10 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate 04-20-10 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 44/N: 1) 04-29-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-29-10 H House refused to concur in Senate amendments

  HB 3236 (1)

  Jackson Newberry

  Allows business districts to annex adjacent property by a vote of those to be annexed. Allows business districts to be assessed to fund capital improvements of the district.

  Bill History:

  04-21-10 S Newberry proposes an untimely floor amendment. Adopted. 04-21-10 S 1 Floor amendment(s) adopted 04-21-10 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 44/N: 0) 04-29-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-29-10 H House refused to concur in Senate amendments

  HB 3286 (1)

  McNiel Lamb

  Allows the Authority to issue its obligations in order to provide net proceeds on a pooled basis not to exceed one hundred million dollars for the Infrastructure Pool and for the Economic Development pool; EMERGENCY.

  Bill History:

  04-21-10 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate 04-21-10 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 45/N: 0) 04-29-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-29-10 H House refused to concur in Senate amendments 05-03-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

  HB 3397 (1)

  McNiel Lamb

  Amends expenditure requirements of qualified investments before a tax credit can be authorized.

  Bill History:

  04-21-10 S Mazzei withdraws his proposed amendments. 04-21-10 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 44/N: 0) 04-27-10 H House refused to concur in Senate amendments 04-28-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-28-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA

  SB 390

  Brogdon Rousselot

  Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a drug screening program for applicants who are receiving assistance from the TANF program; requires those in need of substance abuse services to participate;

  Bill History:

  06-01-09 S Dormant pursuant to the rules 09-14-09 S Carried Over 02-08-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda 02-09-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda 02-10-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda

  SB 1105

  Anderson Morrissette

  Defines certificate of title as one created by a governmental agency of any state; sets guidelines for coverage of certificates of title.

  Bill History:

  04-30-09 S Conference Requested 04-30-09 S Senate appointed a conference committee – Anderson, Mazzei, Lamb, Ivester, Coffee 06-01-09 S Dormant pursuant to the rules 09-14-09 S Carried Over 02-16-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

  SB 1589 (1)

  Johnson, Mike Miller

  Clarifies definitions according to Sections 2357.301 through 2357.304 of Title 68.

  Bill History:

  04-06-10 H Wright (John) debates in opposition to the bill; Miller debates in favor. 04-06-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 58/N: 39) 04-12-10 S Senate refused to concur in House amendments 04-13-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA 04-15-10 H House appointed a conference committee: GCCA

  SB 1590

  Johnson, Mike Miller

  Changes title section numbers of the Rural Venture Capital Formation Incentive Act.

  Bill History:

  04-06-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 59/N: 38) 04-12-10 S Senate refused to concur in House amendments 04-13-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA 04-15-10 H House appointed a conference committee: GCCA 05-03-10 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate GCCA

  SB 1960 (1)

  Coates Shannon

  Creates the ‘Airport Protection Act’. Regulates the use of land and construction around public airports.

  Bill History:

  04-08-10 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted House Transportation 04-21-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-21-10 H Laid out for consideration in the House 04-21-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 92/N: 7) 04-22-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

  SB 1970 (1)

  Mazzei McNiel

  Creates the Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program. Allows certain employees to receive unemployment benefits if the employer participates in the program; EMERGENCY.

  Bill History:

  04-07-10 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Economic Development and Financial Srv 04-07-10 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted House Economic Development and Financial Srv 04-15-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-19-10 H Laid out for consideration in the House 04-19-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 90/N: 5)

  SB 2124

  Mazzei Hickman

  Adds to definition of “basic industry,” including support activities for rail and water transportation. Modifies date to July 1, 2009, within the definition of “qualified federal contract.”

  Bill History:

  04-15-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 04-19-10 H Laid out for consideration in the House 04-19-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 91/N: 6) 04-20-10 S Senate refused to concur in House amendments 04-20-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA

  All Track Total Bills: 12 0