Senate Press Release: Bingman Announces Approval of Interim Studies
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June 22, 2011
Oklahoma City – Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, announced committee assignments for twenty-nine interim studies that have been approved by the senate leader today. Committee meetings will start this summer and conclude before the session begins in February of 2012.
“Senate members have requested studies into some of Oklahoma’s most critical issues,” said Bingman. “I appreciate their focus and willingness to tackle such big issues in preparation for another great session in 2012.”
Some of the studies include issues that were promised by the Senate before session adjourned and others are new requests. All study requests were granted and one study regarding water issues will be consolidated into a joint effort between the Senate and House that was announced last week.
“We look forward to learning more about the specific challenges and opportunities each of these issues bring,” concluded Bingman.
For an overview of interim studies please see the list below, or for more detailed information, go to the official Oklahoma State Senate website at www.oksenate.gov.
2011 Approved Senate Interim Studies
Senator(s) Subject Committee Sen. Crain Examine need, amount, and priority of capital bond requests and submit recommendations to the Senate. Also analyze other options for funding capital needs. Finance Sen. Crain/Sen. Eason McIntyre Future of OSU-Tulsa and Langston-Tulsa. Gain understanding of how each intends to meet its goals, possibility of how litigation impacts their goals, and how the legislature can be involved to improve upon their success. Education Sen. Fields/Sen. David All aspects of OK water issues, including but not limited to water needs, infrastructure, availability, quality, water rights, economic development, and water valuation. Will be covered in Joint Water Committee Sen. Ivestor Study the language in HB1310 (passed in 2010). Energy Sen. Coates Leveling the playing field between in-state and out-of-state contractors. Business & Commerce Sen. Crain Mental health and corrections. Specifically include Smart on Crime initiative, mental health, and rise in crime following shooting of Congresswoman Giffords. HHS Sen. Brown Privatizing OK state parks. Appropriations Natural Resources Sen. Brown Bail bondsmen and insurance – Title 59, Section 1320B. Retirement & Insurance Sen. Anderson Use of ERISA plans in dealing with Workers’ Comp issues, administrative systems and other workers compensation issues. Judiciary Sen. Marlatt Ad valorem tax issues Finance Sen. Eason-McIntyre Breast cancer study approved last year, but not heard because of date issues. HHS Sen. Wilson Dept of Tourism long term plans for capital improvements and maintenance. Explore ways to save 7 state parks slated for closure this fall. Economic impacts of those parks. Appropriations Natural Resources Sen. Branan Future of energy policy in OK. Study what is going on federally and where the state needs to be looking related to energy policy, specifically related to SB 300. Energy Sen. Allen Rural fire departments. Public Safety Sen. Coates Saving our state parks. Appropriations Natural Resources Sen. Justice Library funding. Should funding be based on city or school dist boundaries? General Gov’t Sen. Justice OK insurance industry’s response to recent natural disasters. Retirement & Insurance Sen. Rob Johnson Look at using temporary and/or permanent tags (in lieu of paper tags) on vehicles purchased from a dealership. Finance Sen. Jolley Review operations and efficiencies of the OK Lottery. Bold moves made by NJ and OH may serve as a model for OK to follow. Objectives are to determine best practices of the lottery and determine alternatives to a state-run lottery. Finance Sen. David Research the sale of pseudoephedrine in relation to production of meth in OK. HHS Sen. Sparks Importance of gross production tax revenue in sustaining OK. Finance Sen. Sparks Standardization of courtroom security procedures. Judiciary Sen. Ford/Sen. Halligan Study the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education in OK. Specifically review all sources of funding (including appropriated dollars), graduation rates, economic impact, and overall goals of higher education. Education Sen. Burrage Joint interim study to identify a renewable revenue source for theHousing Trust Fund. Skye McNiel making request on House side. Finance Sen. Sykes Study the growing problem of juvenile “sexting” in OK. Review current law, ramifications of conviction under current law, how oftenthe situation is presented to law enforcement, issues law enforcement may have with such occurrences, and how law enforcement addresses the situation. Judiciary Sen. Sykes Study the OK National Guard’s need to acquire real estate, construct new facilities, and remodel legacy facilities. Study recognition and prioritization of immediate requirements, amt of capital needed to support the requirements, and determine theappropriate sources of funds to support the projects. Appropriations Gen Gov’t Sen. Jolley Review how child care operators are paid by DHS in reference to state subsidized children in licensed child care. Review models for changing DHS reimbursement that incentivizes high quality child care and participation by parents of subsidized children. Appropriations HHS Sen. Sykes Study to address the process wherein entities who operate Senior Nutrition sites under the Old Americans Act receive funding. Study would address current problems in senior nutrition funding, instances of lag time in reimbursement and frequency of such instances, determining if different reimbursement methods have been used, determining if such contracts are subject to the Central Purchasing Act, and availability of new methods of reimbursement. Appropriations HHS Sen. Coates Study with the OTC to discuss how to deal with disconnect between OTC/CIB/Dept of Labor/Ins Comm with regard to ensuring all construction-related companies and suppliers are in compliance with tax, insurance, wages, licenses, etc. Business & Commerce
