May 17, 2010 – Legislative Bill Tracking

• January 01, 1970
  
  

  Posted on May. 17, 2010

  Only two weeks remain at the Oklahoma Legislature for the 2010 Legislative Session.  Legislators are still working to complete an FY 2011 budget as well as Conference Committee work and floor work on remaining bills.

  Legislative Deadlines Remaining

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

  2010 Election Deadlines

  June 7-9, 2010 – All candidates file federal, state, legislative and judicial offices

  July 27, 2010 – Primary election

  August 24, 2010 – Runoff primary election

  November 2, 2010 – General election

  April Revenues Reported

  General Revenue Fund collections for April were reported Tuesday of this week as being $512.3 million. That amount is:

  $1.1 million or 0.2 percent below the prior year; and

  $27 million or 5 percent below the official estimate

  While these numbers continue to show improvement of Oklahoma’s economic recovery they will have no effect on the current state funding deficit for FY 2011.

  For the first 10 months of the fiscal year, state tax collections totaled $3.74 billion,

  $976.6 million (almost 21 percent) below the prior year

  $808.5 million or 18 percent below the official estimate

  After monthly allocations to state agencies were made this week, $191 million will remain to help replenish cash funds used earlier in the fiscal year to fund government services. Some $44 million will still be owed to those cash funds, while approximately $86 million has been returned prior to this month. May collections are expected to be sufficient to repay the remaining balance.  “It’s not quite time to sing ‘Happy Days Are Here Again,’ but we are seeing signs of recovery in Oklahoma’s economy,” Meacham said. “April collections are slightly ahead of revised projections made in February.“

  Budget Talks

  Budget negotiators continued to work through tornado warning sirens during the first part of the week, and it was anticipated that an agreement for the state’s 2011 fiscal year budget would be completed this week.  At the table have been Governor Henry, Senate Pro Tem Coffee and House Speaker Benge meeting on ways to deal with a $1.2 billion shortfall.  News media reported on Monday that State Treasurer Scott Meacham said negotiators were getting very close, but that a nominal gap on pockets of the budget was all that remained.

  However, budget talks were stalled when House and Senate Democrats held a press conference on Wednesday saying they would not support a budget that did not include a provider fee for hospitals.  Democrats said the proposal to charge hospitals an additional fee would provide additional revenue to close the current budget gap and help the state get additional federal dollars for health care.  Democrats votes are needed to pass emergency clauses on proposed budget bills. Democrats say they will not support emergency clauses if a hospital provider fee is not one of the measures used to increase state revenue.  Without an emergency clause, state agencies would not receive FY 2011 funding until September 2010.

  In response, Senate President Pro Tem Coffee said he would not support assessing a hospital provider fee.  Budget negotiations resumed on Thursday when Speaker Benge and President Pro Tem Coffee met again with Governor Henry.  The soonest an announcement would be made is likely early next week. Benge and Coffee have said they would want to discuss a budget deal with their respective caucus members before making it public.

  Legislators have two weeks remaining in this year’s session to come up with a $5.4 billion budget. It takes at least three legislative days to get a budget package approved through both chambers, and legislators must adjourn by May 28.

  General Government

  Agency Consolidation: HB 3035 by Speaker Benge and Pro Tem Coffee – Creates and names the Oklahoma Executive Branch Agency Consolidation Act of 2010.  Conference Committee report as a shell bill submitted, Title and Enacting Clause restored.

  Alarm/Locksmith Committee: HB 2320 Rep. Martin and Sen. Coates - After May 1, 2011, members appointed to the “Alarm and Locksmith Industry Committee” could serve two terms.  Conference Committee report submitted and the measure passed the House.

  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. A Conference Committee was reported from Senate GCCA as amended, and the measure is set on the House floor agenda.

  County Inmate Healthcare Costs: HB 2573 by Rep. Trebilcock and Pro Tem Coffee – The sheriff shall reimburse health care providers for the medical care and treatment for inmates in county jails according to the Oklahoma Medicaid Fee Schedule. Senate CC: Coffee, Jolley, Crain, Burrage, Gumm. House CC: Trebilcock, Tibbs, Duncan, Smithson, Roan. A Conference Committee draft report was submitted, and the measure is set on House floor agenda.  It will be rejected and ongoing language revisions will continue.

  Henry Vetoes Bill to allow State to Opt-out of New Federal Healthcare law

  Henry vetoed a measure that would have prohibited Oklahoma from following the new federal health-care law and authorized the Legislature to file a lawsuit over the issue. The governor said House Joint Resolution 1054 would have triggered a futile legal challenge and a possible loss of federal health-care funding.  “By essentially stating that Oklahoma will not abide by new federal health-care laws, HJR 1054 invites legal action against the state in a case it cannot win,” he said. “No state has the authority to selectively ignore federal laws of its choosing, and any attempt to do so will be ruled unconstitutional by the courts, but not before a costly legal battle.“

  Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat running for governor, had declined to file suit, saying it would be futile and expensive.

  Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, the House sponsor, said an override is possible.

  Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, the Senate sponsor, said he is unsure whether he has the votes in the Senate for an override but would study the issue next week.  Brogdon is running for governor.

  “It is unfortunate that they think it is futile to oppose a federal health-care bill that will raise taxes, erode quality and doesn’t recognize at all that states have an ability to create their own health-care solutions, like we have done in our state with the Insure Oklahoma program,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.  “Luckily, we have been listening to the people of Oklahoma who don’t want this bill and certainly can’t afford it. We will do everything in our power to make sure this heavy-handed health-care mandate is not imposed from Washington on the people of this state,” he said.

  A veto override will require 32 votes in the Senate and 68 in the House.  HJR 1054 passed the Senate by a 25-17 vote and the House by a 71-24 vote.

  Insure Oklahoma plan faces unsure future after 2014

  Oklahoma’s popular insurance subsidy program still can be viable even when the federal health care plan kicks in four years from now, state officials said this week, although immediate concern is for adequate funding in the coming Fiscal Year to meet the growing demand for the program.  While it remains foggy how Insure Oklahoma would work with a national health care plan, it is clear the program soon needs additional revenue to continue to sign up new enrollees, a lawmaker says.

  The federal program would appear based on preliminary figures to have an advantage over the state program. To be eligible for the federal program, a person’s income would have to be between 133 percent and 400 percent of the national poverty level, or between $14,404 to $43,320 for individuals. Insure Oklahoma’s eligibility range is from 133 percent to 200 percent of the poverty level.

  Economic Development & Financial Services

  Governor Signs Small Employer Quality Jobs Bill - Governor Henry signed SB 1966 this week.  The measure by Senator Ron Justice and Representative Skye McNiel amends the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Act by changing the ramp-up time for qualifying businesses to hire a prescribed number of new employees from 12 months to 24 months; allows 24 months for qualifying businesses to begin making 75 percent of their sales out-of-state, instead of 12 months; and changes language concerning what determines the average county wage by removing large employers from the equation.

  Discretionary/Special Needs Trust Act: HB 2171 by Rep. McCullough and Sen. Anderson - Creates the Oklahoma Discretionary and Special Needs Trust Act provides provisions applying to trusts regardless of a spendthrift provision.  Conference Committee report submitted, measure passed by the House.

  Business District Annexation: HB 3236 by Rep. Jackson and Sen. 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.  Conference Committee report submitted passed House and set on Senate floor agenda.

  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. Conference Committee Report submitted, Title restored and set on House agenda.

  Fees Paid to Financial Institutions: HB 2936 by Rep. Russ and Sen. Newberry – Raises senior citizen age minimum to 65 years of age. Raises fees on certain nonresident hunting licenses. Lowers fees for senior citizen licenses.  Conference Committee report submitted, Title restored and set on House floor agenda.

  Workers’ Compensation

  Several Workers’ comp reform shell bills were kept alive this week and signed out of Conference Committee to allow lawmakers more than one vehicle to place desired reforms. However a draft of the omnibus reform bill, SB 1973, by Senate Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and state Rep. Dan Sullivan was released this week.

  Municipal Government

  Local Govt Infrastructure Cost Recovery Payment Act: HB 1786 by Rep. Shannon and Sen. Newberry – Creates the Local Government Infrastructure Cost Recovery Payment Act; creates the Local Government Infrastructure Cost Recovery Revolving Fund. Conference Committee report submitted passed the House and set on Senate floor agenda.

  Disabled Parking Permits: HB 2567 by Rep. Wesselhoft and Sen. Leftwich – Modifies procedures regarding the regulation of disabled parking permits to include the acceptance of military issued stickers and out-of-state plates, also specifies punitive measures for violations and creates a database. Conference Committee report submitted and set on House floor agenda.

  Municipal Development Fee: SB 805 by Sen. Aldrige and Rep. Hickman: Allows municipalities and counties to implement a development fee to fund and recover the costs of capital improvements necessary to expand the service capacity of a public infrastructure system. Gives guidelines and procedure. Senate Conferees Aldridge, Nichols, Bingman, M. Johnson, Crain, Ballenger, and House appointed a conference committee: Hickman, Jordan,  Liebmann, DeWitt, Kouplen, Reynolds, Russ, Bailey, Carey and Proctor.

  Agriculture

  Board of Ag Weights and Measures: SB 1857 by Sen. Coates and Rep. Sullivan - Stipulates the Board of Agriculture will adopt standard weights and measures for products in conformity with federal standards as adopted by the National Conference on Weights and Measures. Senate Conferees: Coates, Justice, Barrington, Schulz, Ivester, Crutchfield. House Conferees were assigned: Sullivan, Armes, DeWitt, Liebmann, and Pruett.

  Education

  Education Reform Measure Signed By Governor

  Last week, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 509, an education reform measure that was signed by the Governor this week. Senate Bill 509 builds on a measure passed last year that took aim at schools that consistently are listed on the “school improvement” list, formerly known as the “at risk” list.

  Under SB 509, districts with more than 30,000 students – Tulsa and Oklahoma City – have the option of not only removing all or most of the school staff in a failing school, but they also can refuse to put those teachers in other schools.

  Under the proposal, teachers removed from failing schools become full-time substitute teachers for up to two years.  Teachers who don’t get picked up in two years at another school can then be released and the teacher does not have the right to appeal the action in court.

  School District Bus Advertising: SB 421 by Sen. Stanislawski and Rep. Scott – Authorizes each school district to determine when to administer end of instruction tests, and providing an advertising preference for certain products, specifying use of generated revenue; placing restrictions on content of advertising.  Conference Committee report submitted, Title and Enacting Clause restored, and set on Senate floor agenda.

  Transportation

  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 has been sent to the Governor for consideration of signing into law.

  Tag Renewal Process: SB 1954 by Sen. Anderson and Rep. Jackson – Establishes that individuals must select between any motor license agent in the state and the Tax Commission to process any registration renewal or other request. Agents will receive fees for registration renewals. Conference Committee report submitted and Title restored.

  SPIRITBANK AERO BILL TRACK

  05-14-2010 – 18:37:55

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  HB 1704 (1)

  Benge Coffee

  Creates the Oklahoma Information Services Act; creates a Chief Information Officer who shall serve as Secretary of Information Technology,

  Bill History:

  05-04-10 S Conferees removed 05-04-10 S Bill removed from Senate GCCA. 05-05-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Benge, Murphey, Jackson, Moore, Miller, Derby, Scott, Pittman, Nations 05-11-10 H Add House Conferee: Ortega 05-13-10 H Remove Derby as principal House Author, replace with Benge.

  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 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 05-03-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA 05-04-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Shannon, Joyner, Morgan, Banz, Jackson, McAffrey

  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 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 05-03-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: GCCA 05-03-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Hickman, Ownbey, Enns, Brannon.

  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:

  05-11-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 05-11-10 H Laid out for consideration in the House 05-11-10 H House accepted the conference report 05-11-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 85/N: 7) 05-17-10 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda

  HB 3286 (1)

  McNiel Lamb

  Allows the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority to issue obligations on a pooled basis not to exceed $100 million based upon the defeasance of previous obligations; EMERGENCY.

  Bill History:

  05-03-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: Lamb, M. Johnson, Mazzei, Myers, Coffee, Burrage. 05-04-10 H House appointed a conference committee: McNiel, Hickman, Jordan, Shumate, Peters, Carey 05-12-10 H Conference committee report submitted 05-12-10 H Title restored 05-17-10 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 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 05-05-10 H House appointed a conference committee: McNiel, Hickman, Luttrell, Jordan, Peters

  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 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 05-03-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Morrissette, Kiesel, Inman, Morgan, Sullivan, Duncan, Trebilcock, Johnson, Jordan.

  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 (1)

  Johnson, Mike Miller

  Places moratorium on Small Business Capital and Rural Small Business Capital Investment Tax Credits; sets further guidelines.

  Bill History:

  05-13-10 S Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House GCCA 05-13-10 H Reported from House GCCA as substituted House GCCA 05-13-10 H Conference committee report submitted 05-13-10 H Title restored 05-13-10 H Enacting clause restored

  SB 1960 (1)

  Coates Shannon

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

  Bill History:

  04-21-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 92/N: 7) 04-22-10 H Set on the House Floor Agenda 05-03-10 S Senate refused to concur in House amendments 05-04-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: Coates, Branan, Marlatt, Myers, Bass, Ivester. 05-06-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Shannon, Joyner, Morgan, Banz, Jackson, McAffrey

  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:

  04-19-10 H Laid out for consideration in the House 04-19-10 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 90/N: 5) 05-06-10 S Senate refused to concur in House amendments 05-06-10 S Senate appointed a conference committee: Mazzei, Lamb, Coates, Leftwich. 05-13-10 H House appointed a conference committee: McNiel, Jordan, McDaniel (Jeannie), Shumate, Peters

  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:

  04-19-10 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 05-06-10 H House appointed a conference committee: Hickman, Brannon, Jackson, DeWitt, Miller, Walker

  All Track Total Bills: 13 0