April 8, 2011

April 08, 2011

This week state lawmakers are continuing to develop the framework for an FY2012 budget. This past Thursday, April 7, marked the deadline in the Senate for single-assigned bills to be heard from their first committee. Upcoming legislative deadlines are:

April 2011

April 7 – SENATE - Single-assigned House Bills in Senate Committees Deadline

April 14 – SENATE - Double-assigned House Bills Reported from 2nd Committee Deadline

April 14 – HOUSE - Deadline for reporting Senate bills and joint resolutions from House committees

April 28 – HOUSE & SENATE – Final Legislative Day for Third Reading and Final Passage of a Measure in Opposite House of Origin

May 2011

May 3 – HOUSE – Deadline to Reject Senate Amendments to House Bills

May 25 – HOUSE – Deadline for filing Conference Committee Reports

State Revenues

Oklahoma’s economy shows evidence of continued gradual improvement, State Treasurer Ken Miller said this week as his office issued its monthly Gross Receipts to the Treasury report.

During March, receipts to the State Treasury totaled $923.26 million. That is an increase of $51.56 million or 5.9 percent over March of last year. In the past 12 months, gross collections were $9.898 billion, an increase of $492 million or 5.2 percent over the previous 12 months.

Income tax collections, a combination of personal and corporate income taxes, produced $347.46 million in March. That is a $31.31 million or 9.9 percent improvement over March of last year.
Personal income tax collections in March produced $249.92 million, a decrease of $11.41 million or 4.4 percent compared to the previous March. Corporate collections for the month totaled $97.53 million, an increase of $42.71 million or 77.9 percent from the year before. The latest numbers show Oklahoma with 6.5 percent unemployment in February, compared to national unemployment of 8.9 percent from the same period. The latest national figures show unemployment in the past four months dropping at the fastest pace since 1983.
Gross sales tax deposits totaled $289.23 million for the month, an increase of $20.33 million or 7.6 percent from the prior year. Approximately 46 percent of each month’s gross sales tax deposits are made on behalf of counties and municipalities. Compared to February collections, March sales tax receipts remained relatively flat.

Transportation

Governor Mary Fallin announced today her nominees for the eight members of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Senate confirmation is required. They are:

District 1: John Fidler of Okmulgee, current executive vice president at Citizens
Security Bank; replaces Carlisle Mabrey III.
District 2: J. David Burrage of Atoka, current president and CEO of FirstBank;
replaces James H. Dunegan.
District 3: Danny Blaine Overland of Shawnee, currently a senior vice president
of the Pottawatomie Telephone Corporation; re-appointed.
District 4: Greg M. Love of Oklahoma City, currently the president of the Loves
Development Company; replaces Jackie R. Cooper.
District 5: C. Todd Huckabay of Snyder, currently the president and CEO of Bank
of the Wichitas; replaces Loyd Benson.

For more information, please see the following story:

TRUST Press Release: TRUST commend Gov Fallin for Ok Transportation Commission nominees; 2 TRUST members among 8

Public Health

Healthcare Exchange

Although Senate President Pro Temp Brian Bingman announced last week that the Senate will not hear House Bill 2130, Governor Fallin hopes they will reach an agreement on using a federal grant to pay for setting up a system where Oklahomans could shop for health insurance. In fact, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority said it would keep working on the $54 million grant program until it gets definitive instructions.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Tulsa World: Fallin, leaders discuss health insurance grant
Oklahoman: Gov. Fallin hopes to keep insurance exchange idea alive this session
Tulsa World: Health exchange plan paid by federal grant still alive

Healthcare Compact

The House Judiciary passed a bill this week that would allow Oklahoma to join an interstate group that would handle the distribution of its Medicaid and Medicare funds. Senate Bill 722 by Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, would create a health care compact that would create a funding formula for state health care programs based on population and inflation. The bill passed 10 to 5 and now goes to the full House.

For more information, please see the following story:

Oklahoman: Oklahoma House panel approves measure to let state join health care group

Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program Act

House Bill 1381 by Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, and Sen David Myers, R-Ponca City, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 14 to 1 and now heads to the full Senate. HB 1381 would form the Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program to allow Oklahoma hospitals to pay a 2 percent assessment on their net patient revenues, which is expected to generate about $105 million. That money would then be used to draw about $220 million in federal matching funds. HB 1381 passed the House 76-22.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Tulsa World: Senate panel advances bill to help resuscitate hospitals
Oklahoman Editorial: Hospital fee idea is worth supporting

Economic Development

Aerospace Tax Credit

Governor Mary Fallin signed House Bill 1008, by Rep. Skye McNiel, R- Bristow, and Senator Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, this week that restores an aerospace engineering tax incentive. HB 1008 removes the aerospace incentives from a list of nearly 30 tax credits that legislators last year suspended to help balance this year’s state budget. Governor Fallin said the measure is needed to encourage growth in the state’s aerospace industry. The credits can be claimed only after companies have hired new aerospace engineers; the creation of new jobs is a requirement to claim the credit.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Oklahoman: Governor signs aerospace tax cut measure

AP: Fallin holds bill signing for aerospace measure Governor signs aerospace tax cut measure
House Press Release: Pittman Praises Restoration of Aerospace Tax Credit

Quick Action Closing Fund

The Senate Finance Committee voted this week to create the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund. House Bill 1953 by Rep. Skye McNiel, R-Bristow, and Senator Mike Mazzei, R-Tulsa, creates a quick action closing fund to allow Oklahoma to compete for high impact economic development projects that will bring jobs and investment to the state. Such funds are used by the governor and legislative leaders in the final negotiations to help companies offset relocation and expansion costs. The past several years, other states, notably Texas and Arkansas, have been riding rough shod over Oklahoma in the high stakes economic development sweepstakes largely because of the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Arkansas Quick Action Closing Fund.

HB 1953 gets Oklahoma in the game by:

requiring a project to enter into an agreement with The Department of Commerce, who shall administer the Fund, and mandating that the agreement be performance based, providing a “net economic benefit” to the state;
including a “claw back” provision for failure to meet performance provisions;
establishing a five-year sunset provision that will be effective beginning the fiscal year after the program is funded; and
requiring disclosure of all payments made from the Fund on the Department of Commerce’s website.

HB 1953 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Senate Press Release: ‘Quick Action Closing Fund’ bill heads to full Senate”
Oklahoman: Oklahoma Senate committee refuses to act on amendment that would bar political use of development funds

Lawsuit Reform

Gov. Mary Fallin signed three bills that will change how lawsuits are handled. They take effect Nov. 1.

• House Bill 2128 places a $350,000 hard cap on noneconomic damages, often referred to as pain and suffering. It will not affect economic damages, such as lost wages, medical expenses and future loss of expected wages. The bill also includes an exception to the cap in cases of malicious conduct, gross negligence and reckless disregard.

• Senate Bill 862 eliminates joint and several liability, often called the “deep pocket” rule, where each and every defendant in a lawsuit is liable for the entire amount of a plaintiff’s damage regardless of their degree of fault. It is intended to eliminate the deep pocket consideration, so that plaintiffs seek defendants who are most at fault rather than defendants with the most financial assets.

• Senate Bill 865 requires that juries be instructed in civil cases that no part of an award for damages for personal injury or wrongful death is subject to federal or state income tax. The jury should not consider income taxes when determining a compensation award.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Governor’s Press Release:�
Governor Mary Fallin Signs Landmark Lawsuit Reform Bills Into Law
Oklahoman: Oklahoma governor signs lawsuit bills she says will create jobs
Tulsa World: Gov. Fallin signs measure to cap pain and suffering damages
Oklahoman Editorial: Oklahoma lawsuit reform battle is likely far from over
Senate Press Release: Senate Passes Bill to Combat Excessive Lawsuits
House Press Release: Senate Passes Lawsuit Reform Measure Legislation Caps Non-Economic Damages

Open Carry

The House Public Safety Committee voted 9-8 against Senate Bill 129 by Senator Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle. The bill had passed the Senate and would have allowed anyone 18 or older to openly carry a firearm without a license. The committee struck those provisions with an amendment requiring those who openly carry handguns to have a concealed carry permit that requires criminal background checks.

For more information, please see the following story:

AP: Oklahoma House committee defeats open carry measure

Senate Bill 162, by Senator Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, and Rep. Jason Nelson, R- Oklahoma City, which would allow a retired district attorney and a retired district attorney investigator to carry a firearm anywhere in the state, is now on the Governor’s desk. SB 162 passed the House earlier this week 88 to 10. Failing to pass was an amendment by Rep. John Bennett, R- Sallisaw, which would have allowed legislators and former legislators to carry a firearm anywhere in the state for personal protection if they had successfully completed an approved course of firearm training.

For more information, please see the following story:

Oklahoman: Failed effort to arm Oklahoma lawmakers could see revival

The Senate Rules Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1652, by Rep. John Enns, R-Enid, and Senator Russell. HB 1652 would allow individuals who attend a CareerTech to park their cars on campus with a hidden concealed weapon in their vehicle. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

“Make My Day” Law: The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee passed House Bill 1439 by Rep. Steven Vaughan, R-Ponca City, and Senator David Myers, R-Ponca City this week. The measure that would extend the state’s “make my day” law to businesses. The existing “make my day” law allows a person to use deadly force inside his or her home in self-defense. HB 1439 now heads to the full Senate.

For more information, please see the following story:

Tulsa World: “Make my day” law extension passes committee

Agency Consolidation

House Bill 2140 by House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, and Senate President Pro Temp Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 12 to 5. HB 2140 consolidates six state agencies into the Office of State Finance as part of an effort to overhaul state government. It combines the Department of Central Services, Office of Personnel Management, Merit Protection Commission, archives division of the Oklahoma State Library, State Employees Benefits Council and State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board. HB 2140 now heads to the full Senate for action.

For more information, please see the following story:

AP: Plan to consolidate Oklahoma agencies clears panel

Puppy Mill

Senate Bill 637 by Senator Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland, and Rep. Brian Renegar, D-McAlester, unanimously passed the House Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee this week. SB 637 brings a minimum standard of care to breeder animals while also requiring breeders with 11 or more unaltered females to register with the state. The measure would modify licensing and enforcement rules submitted by the Oklahoma State Board of Commercial Pet Breeders, a new board established to enforce the first licensing of breeders by the state. An amendment to the bill also passed the committee, which would exempt commercial breeders who are licensed by the U.S.D.A. from the provisions of the bill.

For more information, please see the following story:

Tulsa World: Pet-breeder amendment questioned

Education

This week State Superintendent Janet Barresi testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce this week. She told the lawmakers that Oklahoma needs more flexibility from Congress to address its current education crisis, and she urged them to consider allowing federal dollars to follow students to private schools. Legislation was proposed this session in Oklahoma that would have provided scholarship money to qualified students whose parents wish to enroll them in a private school in the state of Oklahoma. The bill is now dormant.

For more information, please see the following story:

Tulsa World: Barresi requests federal support for school vouchers

Restructure of the Board of Education – SB 435

The House has given its approval to legislation that will restructure membership of the State Board of Education. Senate Bill 435, by President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Sen. John Ford, would authorize the governor shortly after taking office to appoint six members to the board. They would serve during the same four-year period as the governor. Senate confirmation would be required. The state schools superintendent would remain as chairman. Members would continue to be appointed from each of the five congressional districts, and one would remain an at-large member. If SB 435 is signed into law, the current board members’ terms would expire July 1. The governor’s new appointments would take office by Aug. 1. After this year, governors would make their six appointments to the board shortly after taking office. The new board members’ terms would take effect April 2.

For more information, please see the following stories:

House Press Release: Speaker Praises Passage of Education Reform Legislation
House Press Release: Dorman Disappointed by Exclusion of State Board of Education Amendment

This week the Senate Education Committee passed the following legislation:

• House Bill 1269 by Rep. Ann Coody and Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, requires teachers of reading for kindergarten through third grade to incorporate the five elements of reading instruction into lesson plans.

• House Bill 1274 by Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman, and Senator Gary Stanislawski, which allows teachers certified through accredited programs to be certified in special education.

• House Bill 1421 by Rep. Dennis Casey, R-Morrison, and Senator James Halligan, R-Stillwater, which would prohibit Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program scholarship payments for courses a student failed to complete or withdrew from. HB 1421 could free up about $6.8 million in the OHLAP program, according to official estimates.

• House Bill 1456 by Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, and Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, which would be given an annual grade of “A” to “F” based on student performance on state tests.

• House Bill 1550 by Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, and Senator Jolley, which requires third grade students to attend a summer academy reading program or be retained for another year if the student is not reading at grade level by the end of the school year.

All proceed to the full Senate for consideration.

Senate Bill 260, by John Ford, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Denney passed the House A&B Subcommittee on Education this week 9 to 1. SB 260 removes “issue bonds” from the list of actions a governing body of a charter school cannot do. The bond obligation would be the responsibility of the charter school.

The House Common Education Committee passed Senate Bill 346 by Senator Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and Rep. Kern, and Senate Bill 348 by Senator Jolley and Rep. Denney. SB 346 would requires students not reading at a fourth-grade level be retained and offered special instruction until the deficiency is remedied. Senate Bill 348 would require the State Department of Education to develop a report card for public schools. Both bills now move to the full House for consideration.

Corrections

Governor Mary Fallin signed into law this week House Bill 1197 by Rep. Jeannie McDaniel, D-Tulsa, and Senator Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, which will create the Task Force for Children of Incarcerated Parents. The task force will examine how to get an accurate number of Oklahoma children who have a parent in prison and understanding the societal, educational and psychological issues those children face. The act will become effective July 1, 2011.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Tulsa World: Law aims to help kids with jailed parents
Tulsa World Editorial: Big task

Immigration

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved House Bill 1446 by Rep. George Faught, R- Muskogee, and Senator Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, 9 to 6. HB 1446 would give federally trained state and local law enforcement officials more authority to check the immigration status of motorists. HB 1446 includes part of Arizona‘s anti-illegal immigrant law passed last year. It has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB 1446 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

For more information, please see the following stories:

Tulsa World Editorial: Immigration bill punishes students

Review Weekly Bill Track

Please see the below listing of all action taken on legislation being tracked for you in this eighth week of the first session of the 53^rd Oklahoma Legislature. Please thoroughly review the bill track and let me know of any concerns or any additional comments or insight you have about any legislation you see listed. If you have any questions, concerns or want to discuss a specific piece of legislation that has been filed, please contact me. If you have bills of interest you wish added to your track or any legislation you would like deleted, please let me know at your earliest convenience.

Thank you and have a great week.

Jami

SPIRITBANK TRACKING REPORT 4/8/11

04-08-2011 – 17:16:36

HB 1184

Sears
Myers

Clarifies statutory reference dealing with apportionment of income tax revenues.

Bill History:

01-19-11 H Filed
02-07-11 H First Reading
02-08-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B

HB 1202

Inman
Aldridge

Modifies the notice period relating to any contract or agreement imposing a binding legal obligation on the purchaser in connection with the offer or sale of a business opportunity.

Bill History:

03-21-11 S First Reading
03-23-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Finance

HB 1225

Ownbey
Simpson

Requires that measures being submitted by the parties must include a funding source; the parties shall also submit to the Secretary of State and the Attorney General a statement outlining all sources of funding to be used in the measure.

Bill History:

03-01-11 S First Reading
03-22-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Rules
03-30-11 S Meeting set for After Adjournment, Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Rules
03-30-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Rules
03-30-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Rules

HB 1226

Ownbey
Simpson

Allows unused property acquired by eminent domain to be declared as surplus shall be first offered for resale to the person the property was taken from; creates a 90 day repurchase offer deadline before property can be sold at a public sale.

Bill History:

03-03-11 S First Reading
03-18-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Judiciary
03-22-11 S Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Judiciary
03-22-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Judiciary
03-22-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Judiciary

HB 1284

Dank
Mazzei

Requires tax credits to be reported to the Oklahoma Tax Commission; requires the Tax Commission to compile a report and estimate the revenue impact; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-16-11 S First Reading
03-22-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Finance

HB 1285

Dank
Mazzei

Creates the Task Force for the Study of State Tax Credits and Economic Incentives; outlines the membership and duties of the task force; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-29-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Finance
03-29-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Finance
04-06-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda
04-06-11 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate
04-06-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 45/N: 0)

HB 1304

Derby
Jolley

Mandates that all information technology assets of state agencies will be transferred to the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance and the Chief Information Officer; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-21-11 S First Reading
03-23-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Appropriations
04-06-11 S Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Appropriations
04-06-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Appropriations
04-06-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Appropriations

HB 1361

Peters
Johnson, Rob

Creates the Family Wealth Preservation Trust Act; requires that notice of the date of money or property to a preservation trust shall be filed in the office of the clerk of Oklahoma County.

Bill History:

03-14-11 S Received in the Senate
03-14-11 S First Reading
03-21-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Judiciary
03-29-11 S Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Judiciary
03-29-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass Senate Judiciary

HB 1488

Brumbaugh
Marlatt

Extends the length of time for specific tax incentives from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2022.

Bill History:

03-31-11 S Meeting set for 8:30 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Energy
03-31-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass Senate Energy
04-05-11 S Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Finance

HB 1664

Osborn
Sykes

Removes provision requiring constitutional amendment questions to be dictated at an eighth grade reading level; allows Pro Tempore of Senate and Speaker of House to appeal ballot titles to the state Supreme Court.

Bill History:

03-10-11 S Received in the Senate
03-10-11 S First Reading
03-15-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Rules
04-06-11 S Meeting set for 11:30 a.m., Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Rules
04-06-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass Senate Rules

HB 1669

Osborn
Justice

Modifies the definition of “dilapidated building” to include a structure which has been boarded and secured for more than 18 consecutive months.

Bill History:

04-06-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda
04-06-11 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate
04-06-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 46/N: 0)
04-07-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda
04-07-11 G Sent to the Governor

HB 1686

Morrissette
Crain

A new law creating the ‘Eastern Flyer Passenger Rail Development Task Force’; The purpose of the task force is to study and develop a comprehensive plan for expanding conventional rail service from Tulsa to OKC; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-15-11 S First Reading
03-21-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Transportation
03-29-11 S Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 534A, State Capitol, Senate Transportation
03-29-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass Senate Transportation
04-11-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda

HB 1743

Johnson
Sykes

Empowers the Corporation Commission to supervise, govern and control wrecker fees, tariffs, and rates for transporting and storing vehicles removed in a nonconsent tow; empowers the Commission to set fees and charges; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-15-11 S First Reading
03-21-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Business & Commerce
03-31-11 S Meeting set for 9:00 a.m, Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Business & Commerce
03-31-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Business & Commerce
03-31-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Business & Commerce

HB 1939

Jackson
Johnson, Rob

Modifies used tire recycling fee to require a $2.50 fee apply to all tires 19.5 inches in diameter or less; 28 percent of the fund will be used to help implement air pollution requirements; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-22-11 S Received in the Senate
03-22-11 S First Reading
03-23-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Energy
04-07-11 S Meeting set for 8:30 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Energy
04-07-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass Senate Energy

HB 1943

Jackson
Branan

Requires county floodplain regulations to be approved by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; clarifies language relating to water rights.

Bill History:

03-22-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Energy
03-31-11 S Meeting set for 8:30 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Energy
03-31-11 S Heard in committee and laid over Senate Energy
04-07-11 S Meeting set for 8:30 a.m., Room 419C, State Capitol, Senate Energy
04-07-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted Senate Energy

HB 1953

McNiel
Mazzei

Establishes the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund which will be used by the Governor for economic development and infrastructure development; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Deal Closing Fund

Bill History:

03-22-11 S First Reading
03-23-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 511A, State Capitol, Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Title stricken in committee Senate Finance
04-05-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Finance

HB 1990

Sullivan
Newberry

Creates the “Oklahoma Multi-modal Transportation Authority Act”; which allows establishment of public trusts by certain entities.

General Remarks:

Oklahoma Multi-modal Transportation Authority Act

Bill History:

03-22-11 S First Reading
03-23-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Transportation
03-29-11 S Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 534A, State Capitol, Senate Transportation
03-29-11 S Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended Senate Transportation
04-11-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda

HJR1001

Dank
Reynolds, Jim

Sends to a vote of the people a measure that would freeze property tax valuation for homesteads owned by those 65 or older & would also remove income limit for benefit.

Bill History:

03-14-11 H Laid out for consideration in the House
03-14-11 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 82/N: 13)
03-15-11 S Received in the Senate
03-15-11 S First Reading
03-21-11 S Referred to Senate Committee Senate Finance

HJR1002

Dank
Reynolds, Jim

Sends to a vote of the people a measure that would limit the increases in fair cash value assessments of real property from 5 percent to 2 percent annually.

Bill History:

SB 3

Mazzei
McNiel

Reduces the time that aerospace sector employers are eligible to receive tax credits for tuition reimbursement and salaries paid to their employees by one year; repeals the state income tax; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Aerospace Tax Credits Reinstatement

Bill History:

03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B
03-23-11 H Sent to subcommittee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-28-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Heard in committee and laid over House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax

SB 60

David
Rousselot

Sets membership legislative membership for the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Grand River Dam Authority; terminates current serving members of the Task Force; sets meeting and report requirements; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-09-11 H Received in the House
03-09-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Rules
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Rules
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House Rules

SB 102

Aldridge
Schwartz

Allows for foreclosure as the exclusive method of enforcing a lien for non-payment on a loan; specifies loan repayment terms shall be agreed upon by property owner and County Energy District Authority.

Bill History:

03-21-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House Judiciary
03-28-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda
03-28-11 H Laid out for consideration in the House
03-28-11 H Reynolds offers a floor amendment and then withdraws it.
03-28-11 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 92/N: 0)

SB 122

Mazzei
Dank

Changes the apportionment date to the beginning of the 2014 fiscal year for the gross production tax for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Rural Economic Action Plan Water Projects Fund.

Bill History:

02-28-11 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate
02-28-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 42/N: 5)
03-01-11 H Received in the House
03-01-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B

SB 145

Schulz
Wright

Circuit Engineering District Board of Directors is to serve as the members of County Energy District Authorities according to the Oklahoma Energy Independence Act.

Bill History:

03-29-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Energy & Utility Regulation
04-04-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda
04-04-11 H Laid out for consideration in the House
04-04-11 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y:100/N: 0)
04-05-11 G Sent to the Governor

SB 154

Mazzei
Dank

Changes the cutoff date for incentive payments to July 1, 2003; makes an exception for a change of control event pursuant to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act.

Bill History:

03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B
03-29-11 H Sent to subcommittee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Enacting clause struck in committee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass as amended House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax

SB 156

Ivester
McCullough

Raises the maximum level of fees in a small claims case to $17,000; requires a statement that the plaintiff disclaims the right to a trial by jury on the merits of a case; raises attorney fees in uncontested cases.

Bill History:

03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Judiciary
03-21-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
03-21-11 H Heard in committee and laid over House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Failed in Committee House Judiciary

SB 233

Anderson
Enns

Allows for a tax credit after January 1, 2012 for any person serving as a licensed primary care physician in a rural area; the credit is limited to $5,000 a year.

Bill History:

03-29-11 H Sent to subcommittee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Title stricken in committee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Enacting clause struck in committee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass as amended House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax

SB 246

Burrage
Key

Raises amount of money that can be transferred from a bank account of a deceased person to an account of their known heirs from $5,000 to $20,000.

Bill History:

03-18-11 H First Reading
03-18-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
03-23-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
03-23-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 248

David
Rousselot

Amends sections to give the Grand River Dam Authority the authority to regulate within the boundaries of the Grand River water district and its tributaries.

Bill History:

03-14-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment
03-23-11 H Meeting set for 9:00 a.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment
03-21-11 H Rereferred to Committee on House Energy & Utility Regulation
04-12-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Energy & Utility Regulation

SB 267

Holt
Peterson

Includes the economic impact of any state agency’s acquisition on Oklahoma and any local community economy as meeting the “best value criteria”.

Bill History:

03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House General Government
03-30-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House General Government
03-30-11 H Title restored
03-30-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House General Government
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 297

Marlatt
Shannon

Recreates the Innovative Funding for Oklahoma Roads Task Force until December 1, 2013; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Innovative Funding Support

Bill History:

03-14-11 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate
03-14-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 43/N: 0)
03-15-11 H Received in the House
03-15-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Rules

SB 398

Stanislawski
Martin, Steve

Defines telephone and cell phone calls and text messaging for soliciting in the Telemarketer Restriction Act; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
03-28-11 H Heard in committee and laid over House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Heard in committee and laid over House Judiciary
04-11-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary

SB 492

Burrage
Grau

Expands forms of neglect allowing for intervention by the Department of Human Services; allows law enforcement agencies to transport abused or neglected individuals.

Bill History:

03-16-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 42/N: 0)
03-21-11 H Received in the House
03-21-11 H First Reading
03-22-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Human Services
04-11-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Human Services

SB 517

Mazzei
Dank

Changes effective date of tax credits, exemptions, and deductions.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Returned to full committee House A&B
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House A&B
04-06-11 H Enacting clause struck in committee House A&B
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House A&B

SB 521

Crain
Sherrer

Defines the term “interest in real estate” for the purposes of the Nontestamentary Transfer of Property Act; amends rules regarding transfer-of-death deeds.

Bill History:

03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Judiciary
03-28-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
03-29-11 H Title restored
03-29-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House Judiciary
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 527

Crain
Jordan

Increases the judgment creditors cost of an attorney from $75 to $100 which will also be taxed; garments that are issued against a debtor shall be effective for 180 days.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda
03-28-11 H Laid out for consideration in the House
03-28-11 H Reynolds offers a floor substitute and then withdraws it.
03-28-11 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 88/N: 4)
04-11-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda

SB 530

Burrage
Armes

Creates the Livestock Owner’s Lien Act of 2011; every livestock owner is granted a lien in all livestock sold by livestock owners; the lien will expire one year after the date of the sale of the livestock.

Bill History:

03-09-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Meeting set for 4:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Judiciary
04-04-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Judiciary
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 584

Brown
Hickman

Allows recipients in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to directly transfer funds from Eligible Rollover Distribution to a Roth IRA; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-01-11 S Laid out for consideration in the Senate
03-01-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 41/N: 0)
03-02-11 H Received in the House
03-02-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.

SB 593

Brinkley
Quinn

Account procedures for the Port Authority are required to be the same procedures enforced by the State Treasurer for state funds under the Treasurer’s office; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Port Authority bill

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Title restored
03-28-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass as substitute House A&B Sub on Natural Res. & Reg. Services
03-31-11 H Returned to full committee as substituted House A&B
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House A&B
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted House A&B

SB 595

Brinkley
Derby

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study of alternative highway advertising in the hopes of building additional revenue for the Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-03-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Transportation
04-05-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Transportation
04-05-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Transportation
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 608

Russell
Wesselhoft

Allows electronic copies of statutes and session laws to be sent to designated officers, libraries, and universities; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

03-24-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Gov. Mod., Transparency, Accountability
03-24-11 H Heard in committee and laid over House Gov. Mod., Transparency, Accountability
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Gov. Mod., Transparency, Accountability
03-31-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted House Gov. Mod., Transparency, Accountability
04-07-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 657

Jolley
Stiles

Removes requirement that real estate transactions must use registered certification authority; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

04-06-11 H Laid out for consideration in the House
04-06-11 H Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 98/N: 0)
04-06-11 H Emergency Passed (Vote: Y: 68/N: 30)
04-06-11 H Remove Kirby as Principal House Author, substitute with
Stiles.
04-07-11 G Sent to the Governor

SB 728

Mazzei
Dank

Terminates specific sales tax exemptions for government and nonprofit entities on July 1, 2011; exemptions will lose effect after five years from date of termination; EMERGENCY.

Bill History:

SB 730

Mazzei
Dank

Opens up funds from the unclassified tax account to pay for tax refunds if there are insufficient funds; a taxpayer who fails to file more than two withholding tax returns may be referred to the debt collection agency.

Bill History:

SB 731

Myers
Vaughan

Mandates that the NAICS code will be used to determine the basic industry for a qualified federal contractor.

Bill History:

03-21-11 H First Reading
03-22-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B
03-29-11 H Sent to subcommittee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax

SB 732

Mazzei
Dank

Confirms that a state employee shall be terminated if the Tax Commission notifies an employee three times due to failure to comply with income tax laws.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Returned to full committee House A&B
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House A&B
04-06-11 H Title restored
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House A&B

SB 733

Mazzei
Dank

Provides an effective date for the enforcement of the Oklahoma Tax Code as a law.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Returned to full committee House A&B
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 3:30 p.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House A&B
04-06-11 H Enacting clause struck in committee House A&B
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as amended House A&B

SB 772

Jolley
Shannon

Transfers all authority of power of labor professional oversight to the Office of Business and Professional Oversight; effective July 1, 2011; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Licensure Consolidation Bill

Bill History:

03-15-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 42/N: 0)
03-18-11 H Received in the House
03-18-11 H First Reading
03-18-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B
03-21-11 H Rereferred to Committee on House Gov. Mod., Transparency, Accountability

SB 789

Marlatt
Jackson

Creates the “Fair Practices of Equipment Manufacturers, Distributors, Wholesalers and Dealers Act”; Regulates the business relations between independent dealers and the equipment suppliers.

Bill History:

03-21-11 H First Reading
03-22-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
04-06-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
04-07-11 H Remove Sanders as Principal House Author, substitute with
Jackson

SB 798

Jolley
Russ

A new law relating to mortgaged property; Authorizes remedies for abandoned or vacated property pending foreclosure proceedings; Provides procedure for motion, notice, hearing and determination of abandonment or occupancy.

General Remarks:

Remedies for abandoned or vacated property

Bill History:

03-23-11 H Meeting set for 3:00 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
03-23-11 H Title restored
03-23-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass as substituted House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.
04-05-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda
04-05-11 H Recommitted to committee House Econ. Dev., Tourism & Financial Svcs.

SB 816

Newberry
McNiel

Disallows public highways from being built on land with already proposed construction plans; EMERGENCY.

General Remarks:

Webco bill

Bill History:

03-10-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Transportation
04-05-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Transportation
04-05-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Transportation
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 857

Laster
Dorman

Authorizes the Commissioner of Public Safety to direct development of intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Department of Public Safety.

Bill History:

03-15-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Public Safety
03-23-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 432A, State Capitol, House Public Safety
03-23-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Public Safety
04-11-11 H Set on the House Floor Agenda

SB 863

Sykes
Sullivan

Modifies limits to certain damage awards in civil actions not arising out of contract; deletes language regarding applicability to certain actions; modifies definitions; repeals a section pertaining to the Health Care Indemnity Fund Task Force.

Bill History:

02-28-11 S Set on the Senate Floor Agenda
02-28-11 S Motion to reconsider vote: Sykes
03-01-11 H Received in the House
03-01-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Judiciary

SB 866

Sykes
Sullivan

Pertains to compensation for future damages in an action; provides for periodic payment of certain damages; requires the court to make certain findings; provides procedures upon the death of a recipient.

Bill History:

03-03-11 S Motion to reconsider vote
03-03-11 S Motion Tabled
03-07-11 H Received in the House
03-07-11 H First Reading
03-17-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Judiciary

SB 935

Bingman
McCullough

An entity that was granted an exemption for a time period that included 2009 but did not meet payroll requirements will be granted an exemption if the entity increases payroll to meet the previous exemption.

Bill History:

03-18-11 H Referred to House Committee on House A&B
03-29-11 H Sent to subcommittee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Meeting set for 1:30 p.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Enacting clause struck in committee House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax
03-31-11 H Voted from subcommittee-Do Pass as amended House A&B Sub on Revenue and Tax

SJR 24

Paddack
Martin, Scott

Directs the OK Dept. of Environmental Quality and the OK Water Resources Board to submit a report detailing the progress made to implement the state policy of water reuse by January 1, 2013.

Bill History:

03-08-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 44/N: 0)
03-09-11 H Received in the House
03-09-11 H First Reading
03-16-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Rules
04-13-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Rules

SJR 31

Paddack
Hilliard

Directs the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to identify and prioritize water conservation measures for inclusion in certain Oklahoma Comprehensive water Plan; Establishes reasonable water conservation goals.

Bill History:

03-08-11 S Passed/Adopted (Vote: Y: 43/N: 0)
03-09-11 H Received in the House
03-09-11 H First Reading
03-16-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Rules
04-13-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Rules

SJR 37

Schulz
Osborn

Requires the Governor to prepare a fiscal analysis of the subject matter of a petition which must appear on the ballot when the Governor issues a proclamation setting the date of an election; Specifies congressional districts.

Bill History:

03-28-11 H Referred to House Committee on House Rules
03-30-11 H Meeting set for 10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State Capitol, House Rules
03-28-11 H Committee hearing cancelled House Rules
04-06-11 H Committee hearing set for10:30 a.m., Room 412C, State, House Rules
Capitol — House Rules. Bill added taken up in committee
without prior notice.
04-06-11 H Voted from committee – Do Pass House Rules

	All		Track
Total Bills:	58		0

- End of Report -

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