Governor Fallin Signs Legislative Priorities into Law
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May 27, 2011
- Governor’s Press Release: Governor Fallin Signs Legislative Priorities into Law
- AP: Fallin signs bills touted as pro-business for Oklahoma
- Tulsa World: Fallin signs slew of bills into law
Governor Fallin Signs Legislative Priorities into Law
Bills include workers’ compensation reform, job-creation tools, government modernization initiatives, education reform
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin signed several key pieces of her legislative agenda into law today at a public bill signing session with legislators and state leaders. The governor signed 8 bills, all of which completed goals laid out by Fallin in her state of the state address.
The legislation signed today included bills reforming Oklahoma’s costly and inefficient workers’ compensation system, restructuring the state’s Internet Technology (IT) systems, generating cost savings through government modernization, and creating new tools for private sector job creation. One bill also changed the composition of the Board of Education.
“Today’s bill signing really puts an exclamation point on what has been an incredibly productive legislative session,” said Fallin. “Conservatives came into office this year promising to pursue reforms that would create a better business environment, encourage private sector job-growth, and make government smaller, smarter and more efficient. The legislation I am signing into law today helps us to make good on these promises. It will also lay the foundation for long term job growth as well as a more efficient, more effective state government serving the citizens of Oklahoma.”
Bills signed into law today by Governor Fallin include:
Job Creation Measures
• SB 878: Authored by Senator Anthony Sykes and Representative Daniel Sullivan, SB 878 rewrites the state’s workers’ compensation laws to reduce costs for businesses and insure injured workers receive proper care and can return to work in a timely manner. It takes effect 90 days after sine die (note: sine die is Friday, May 27)
• HB 1953: Authored by Representative Skye McNiel and Senator Mike Mazzei, HB 1953 establishes a Quick Action Closing Fund administered by the governor for the purpose of attracting new jobs and investment to the state of Oklahoma and retaining existing jobs. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
• HB 1601: Authored by Representative Aaron Stiles and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1601 creates a “one-stop-shop” centralized licensing plan for businesses. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
• SB 772: Authored by Senator Clark Jolley and Representative Jason Murphey, SB 772 is a companion bill to HB 1601. It establishes a task force to study “one-stop-shop” licensing in other states. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
Government Modernization Initiatives
• HB 1304: Authored by Representative David Derby and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1304 consolidates and restructures the state’s aging IT infrastructure. HB 1304 is projected to save taxpayer dollars and allow state IT to run more efficiently and effectively. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
• HB 1086: Authored by Representative Jason Murphey and Senator Clark Jolley, HB 1086 is named the “Transparency, Accountability, and Innovation in Oklahoma State Government 2.0 Act of 2011.” It establishes a financial shared services model for state agencies, requires payments from the State Treasury shall be processed electronically and establishes the “Oklahoma State Government Open Documents Initiative,” designed to increase transparency in government. Section 2 of HB1086, dealing with electronic payments, takes effect on July 1st, 2011. The rest of HB 1086 takes place 90 after sine die.
• HB 2140: Authored by House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman, HB 2140 consolidates various agencies, including Department of Central Services, the Office of Personnel Management, Benefits Council, and the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, into the Office of State Finance. The bill anticipates significant cost savings. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
Education Reform
• SB 435: Authored by Senator John Ford and House Speaker Kris Steele, SB 435 changes the make-up of the Board of Education. It requires that upon assuming office, the governor must appoint one member from each congressional district and one member from the state at-large to serve on the State Board of Education. The state superintendent of public instruction will be the seventh member of the board. It takes effect 90 days after sine die.
Fallin signs bills touted as pro-business for Oklahoma
by: SEAN MURPHY Associated Press Tuesday, May 24, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin has signed eight bills that she said help fulfill her campaign promise to make Oklahoma a more business friendly state and reduce the size and cost of state government. Fallin signed the bills Tuesday with GOP legislative leaders watching.
They’re intended to overhaul the state’s workers’ compensation laws, consolidate state agencies and information technology services, and create a fund the governor can access to help lure businesses to the state.
She also signed bills establishing a “one-stop shop” for businesses to obtain necessary licenses and another that requires the state treasury to process payments electronically.
Another bill would allow the governor to appoint members of the state Board of Education. The legislative session was the first in which Republicans controlled each the House, Senate and governor’s office.
Fallin signs slew of bills into law
by: BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
5/25/2011 3:55:57 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin signed several bills Tuesday, including one that reconstitutes the state Board of Education.
“I think this is one of the best sessions for pro-growth, pro-jobs and creating a pro-business environment in Oklahoma,” the governor said during a bill-signing ceremony.
Several of the measures were part of her legislative agenda. The Legislature concluded work May 20 and is expected to formally end the session Friday.
State Board of Education: Senate Bill 435 requires six members of the state Board of Education to be appointed by the governor to serve for four years at the pleasure of the governor. The state superintendent also serves as a member and leads the board as the seventh member.
Previously, the governor had appointed board members to serve staggered terms ranging from one year to six years.
The measure is expected to take effect 90 days from Friday, at which point all of the current offices on the board are to be considered vacant, giving Fallin the chance to select new appointees or reappoint some already serving.
The appointments are based on congressional districts, with one at-large member. The measure comes after Fallin signed House Bill 2139, which removed control over the state Department of Education from the board and gave it to the state superintendent.
The measures were signed following what had been at times tense relations between state Superintendent Janet Barresi and the board.
In January, board members and Barresi traded barbs at what was her first meeting since she was elected in November. The board refused to hire some of Barresi’s key staff members. The staff members were later approved.
Workers compensation: Fallin signed SB 878, a workers compensation measure that supporters say will reduce the costs for businesses and ensure injured workers receive proper care and can return to work in a timely manner.
Closing fund: Fallin signed HB 1953, which creates the Quick Action Closing Fund to provide incentives to businesses to the state.
Alex Weintz, a spokesman for Fallin, said the governor “hopes it’s funded next year and considers the enabling legislation an indication that the state is serious about setting up the Quick Action Closing Fund.”
The measure contains a provision allowing for the state to recoup money if the business fails to perform.
Agency consolidation: Fallin signed HB 2140, which consolidates the Department of Central Services, Office of Personnel Management, Benefits Council and the State and Education Employees Group insurance board under the Office of State Finance.
Also signed was HB 1304, which consolidates information technology resources of state agencies under the Office of State Finance. Another measure signed, HB 2172, transfers the duties of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission to the newly created Cabinet-level Native American liaison.
Budget : Fallin signed several budget bills, including a bill setting up the framework for the state’s $6.5 billion budget.
She signed bills giving supplemental appropriations to common education, higher education and CareerTech, which took cuts larger than expected.
She also signed a bill allowing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to sell $70 million in bonds to compensate for the diversion of $100 million from its budget.
She also signed a bill allowing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to sell $70 million in bonds to compensate for the diversion of $100 million from its budget.
