From: Bryce Fair & Carolyn McCoy
Date: Friday, March 14, 1997
Subject: Legislative Bill Tracking Update
The following document consists of three sections. Section I provides a brief narrative of legislative highlights and a summary of actions on bills during the week. Section II is an index of the bills we are tracking and Section III provides a short description of each bill and the latest legislative action on the bill.
Floor Action Deadline Passed: The House and Senate reached
the second milestone of the session this Thursday, the deadline
for action on bills in their house of origin. Only eight of the
180 bills we are now tracking failed to survive the deadline.
Of the eight, three received failing votes on the floor (HB 1408,
HB 1418, HB 1646), three were sent back to committee (HB 1349,
HB 2021, HB 2089), and the other two were not heard on the floor
(SB 316, SB 617). For more information, see the section "Actions
on Bills This Week" below.
Primary legislative action will return to the committees for the
next two weeks as both houses work toward the March 27 deadline
for committee action on bills in the opposite house (House bills
in Senate committees, and vice-versa).
Governor's Appointments: Announcements of gubernatorial
nominees for various boards and commissions this week included
two higher education appointments. G. T. Blankenship, of Oklahoma
City, was nominated to a second full seven-year term on the University
of Oklahoma Board of Regents. Stephen Blankenship of Idabel was
nominated to the McCurtain County Higher Education Program Board
of Trustees to fill an unexpired term ending June 30, 1998. Both
nominations are subject to confirmation by the Oklahoma Senate.
Supplemental Appropriation Bill Approved: The Legislature
and the Governor made short work of HB 1883, which contained the
$17 million supplemental funding agreement reached last week.
The bill passed unanimously in both houses on Monday and was
signed by the Governor on Tuesday.
Upcoming Events:
Agenda: Higher education markets; demands of students, employers, government, adult education, and adult literacy placed on higher education.
Speaker: Dennis Jones, National Center for Higher Education Management
Systems.
Upcoming Legislative Deadlines:
Legislative Meetings Next Week:
Wednesday, March 19, 8:30 a.m., room 432-A at the Capitol:
Education Subcommittee of the House Appropriations
and Budget Committee (Chair - Jack Begley, Vice Chair - Dale Wells,
Scott Adkins, Betty Boyd, Laura Boyd, John Bryant, Larry Ferguson,
James Hager, J. T. Stites)
Agenda: FY'98 Higher Education Budget Request
Actions on Bills This Week:
SENATE ACTIONS
Bills Passed on Senate Floor:
Bills Failed on Senate Floor:
Bills Passed in Senate Committees:
Bills Failed in Senate Committees:
HOUSE ACTIONS
Bills Passed on House Floor:
Bills Failed on the House Floor:
Bills Passed in House Committees:
Bills Failed in House Committee:
Bills Returned to House Committee: (bills returned to committee will not advance further during the 1997 session, but can be considered again during the 1998 session)
Bills Signed by the Governor:
Bills Added to the List:
Bills Deleted from the List:
If you need copies of any of the bills, please contact Carolyn
McCoy at (405) 225-9165 or e-mail her at "cmccoy@osrhe.edu".
Academies
SB 13
Administrative procedures
SB 216
SB 217
HB 2111
HB 2120
Ad valorem taxes
SB 348
HB 1337
HB 1338
HB 2075
HB 2077
HB 2082
HB 2190
Advanced placement
SB 35
HB 2017
Aircraft
HB 1009
HB 1019
HB 1915
Allen, Walter
SR 4
Alternative placement
HB 1348
Anatomical gifts
SB 436
Appropriations
SB 103
SB 110
SB 160
HB 1854
Appropriations (cont'd)
HB 1872
HB 1878
HB 1880
HB 1883
HB 1885
HB 1887
HB 1894
Asbestos abatement
SB 38
HB 1987
Benefits
SB 174
Bidding
SB 703
HB 2121
Bond oversight
HB 1895
HB 1992
Bribery
HB 1642
Budgeting
HB 1907
Campus police
SB 523
Capital improvements
SB 541
Charitable fiduciary
HB 1660
Charter schools
HB 1418
Child care facilities
SB 569
HB 2133
Child support
SB 693
SB 706
HB 2058
Chiropractic examiners
HB 2103
Computer conversions
HB 1434
Condoms
HB 2095
HB 2196
Construction
SB 389
HB 1991
Contracts
SB 389
SB 703
HB 1897
HB 1991
Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET)
SB 556
Credits, transfer of
HB 1561
Dentistry
SB 448
SB 514
HB 2155
Ebonics
HB 1810
Economic development
SB 571
Education Oversight Board
SB 416
Electronic signatures
HB 1690
Employee associations
SB 218
Employee benefits
SB 174
SB 247
Employee reduction in force
SB 539
HB 1224
Employment Security
SB 43
HB 1130
Employment, temporary
SB 36
English as common language
HB 1231
Equalization Board
HB 1990
Fee, supplemental
SB 746
Fee waiver
SB 199
Forgery
HB 1642
Funding plan
SB 35
Government Tort Claims
HB 2031
Health/safety
SB 249
HB 2095
Income tax credit
SB 571
Innovation in education
SB 35
Insurance, disability
SB 451
Insurance, health
SB 22
SB 48
SB 87
SB 193
SB 248
SB 274
SB 277
SB 280
SB 552
SB 642
HB 1077
HB 1085
HB 1086
HB 1091
HB 1134
HB 1221
HB 1222
HB 1416
HB 1532
HB 1562
HB 1598
HB 1702
HB 1916
Inventory
HB 1694
HB 1991
Kerr, Robert S., Museum
SB 101
Langston University
SR 8
HCR 1018
Lead-based paint
SB 315
Leave
SB 698
HB 1145
Leave, military
HB 1210
Legislation on Internet
HB 1315
Maternity benefits
HB 1598
Medical licensure
HB 1023
Medical school faculty/students
HB 2012
Military service
HB 1210
National Assessment of Educational Progress
SB 760
Northeastern State University
HB 2105
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
SB 103
SB 122
Oklahoma Education Television Auth. (OETA)
SB 73
HB 1024
Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP)
SB 273
Oklahoma State University
SB 420
Payroll
SB 218
SB 706
Physical therapists
HB 1248
Physician Manpower Training Comm.
SB 144
Poison control center
HB 1362
Prepaid tuition
HB 1561
Privatization functions
SB 699
Professional development
HB 1467
Purchasing
SB 78
Residential Care Administrative Training Certification
HB 1540
Retirement
SB 181
SB 182
SB 183
SB 354
SB 473
HB 1085
HB 1094
HB 1100
HB 1102
HB 1408
HJR 1034
Science/Math
SB 1
Science/Technology
HCR 1016
Small Business Development Act
SB 571
Smoke detectors
HB 1531
Smoking
SB 60
Sole source
HB 1897
State-owned vehicles
HB 1008
State Regents
SB 143
Student advisory boards
SB 684
Surplus
SB 362
Swimming pools
HB 1980
Taxation
HJR 1024
Tax, sales
SJR 3
Teacher certification
SB 202
HB 1342
Teacher education/training
SB 398
Teacher preparation
SB 202
SB 398
HB 1342
HB 1559
HB 1872
HB 1877
HB 2017
Technicians
HB 1607
Technology
SB 398
HB 1921
Telecommunications
SB 336
HB 1815
Telemedicine
SB 48
Telephone system, automated
SB 298
HB 2138
Testing, school
HB 1455
HB 1560
Trailblazer schools
SB 592
Travel
SB 90
SB 360
Tuition/fees
SB 199
SB 746
Tuition prepayment program
HB 1561
Tuition savings
HB 2102
Unemployment
SB 40
University Hospitals
HB 1362
HB 1644
HB 1854
HB 1859
HB 1995
University of Oklahoma
SB 43
SB 541
HB 1038
Violence prevention
HCR 1002
Vouchers
HB 1817
Weapons
SB 523
Welfare/work training
SB 743
HB 1246
HB 2170
Workers' compensation
SB 80
SB 674
SB 730
HB 1038
HB 1203
HB 1601
SENATE BILLS
* SB 1 (Fisher/Tyler) - SCIENCE/MATH CURRICULUM PILOT PROJECT. Requires the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics to solicit proposals and award grants for pilot projects that develop and establish model programs implementing advanced science and math curriculum at local vo-tech or school sites by distance learning; creates an advisory council to establish student participation criteria in such pilot program, determining the curriculum needs and to work in the recruitment and hiring of faculty for the pilot program, all in conjunction with the School of Science and Mathematics. (70 § 1210.404)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/17/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(43 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
EDUCATION
* SB 13 (Williams/Roach) - ACADEMIES. Creates the Alternatives Approaches Act; defines the term academy as a pubic school established by contract with a local board of education to provide learning that will improve student achievement; authorizes a pubic school, public body, public or private college or university, private person or private organization to contract with a sponsor to establish an academy; establishes purpose and specifies other requirements; requires the State Department of Education to notify eligible school districts for Statewide Alternative Education Program Grants and the procedure for applying; authorizes the Board to award one or more competitive grants to establish arts academies in Oklahoma public schools with minority student enrollment comprising 70 percent or more and a high percentage of students qualifying for Title I free lunch; lists programs eligible for funding; lists eligibility for grant funding in subsequent years. (70 §§ 3-130/3-134)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/12/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/12/97
BILL FAILED - SENATE 03/12/97
(22 AYE / 16 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 10 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
MOTION TO RECONSIDER - SENATE 03/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/13/97
(35 AYE / 9 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
ENGROSSED - SENATE 03/13/97
* SB 22 (Fisher) - PRIMARY EYE CARE PROVIDER ACT. Creates the "Primary Eye Care Provider Act.
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(30 AYE / 11 NAY )
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RULES
* SB 35 (Williams/Hager) - INNOVATION IN EDUCATION. Creates the "Incentives for Academic Quality and Innovation Act"; authorizes the State Regents, the State Board of Education, the Board of Vocational and Technical Education, and the Commission for Teacher Preparation to prepare a joint funding plan to provide incentives for academic quality and innovation programs such as institutes for professional and academic development of classroom teachers, administrators, and related faculty; directs the State Board of Education to prepare a plan for incentive grants for Advanced Placement opportunities in core curricular areas and other programs that help ensure that every child will perform at their appropriate grade level. (70 § 818)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(39 AYE / 5 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
EDUCATION
* SB 36 (Dickerson/Hefner) - TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to establish and operate a temporary employment agency to supply temporary employees to state agencies. (74 § 840-9.1)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(30 AYE / 12 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 6 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY FAILED - SENATE 03/10/97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 38 (Dickerson/Hefner) - ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. Removes authority of the Department of Health and Department of Labor to establish priorities for asbestos abatement in public schools and state-owned buildings. (74 § 61.6)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(37 AYE / 9 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 40 (Fisher/Roach) - UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION. Provides that, during the period from July 1, 1997, through Dec. 31, 1999, the contribution rate of all employers who qualify for an earned contribution rate shall be reduced by 25 percent after the earned contribution rate is calculated; provides that employers who are given an earned rate of 5.5 percent shall not be eligible for such rate reduction. (40 § 3-109.2)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
(41 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
* SB 43 (Long/Roach) - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. Modifies the Oklahoma Employment Security Act; Section 13 modifies confidentiality requirements to permit the release of information required to identify economic trends to the OU Center for Economic and Management Research; requires confidentiality; permits OU to release aggregated data, provided such aggregation meets disclosure requirements of the Employment Security Commission. The amendment adds a section increasing the fee for a workers' compensation non-compliance from $10 to $15; directs the Labor Commissioner to design a questionnaire to determine the basis for the claim of exemption from the requirements of the Workers' Compensation Act; requires conspicuous warnings on the application and the certificates that giving false information is a criminal offense; requires applicants to provide certain information may be punishable as perjury. (40 § 4-508)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/10/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/10/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/11/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/13/97
COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & LABOR
* SB 48 (Robinson/Deutschendorf) - TELEMEDICINE. Creates the "Oklahoma Telemedicine Act"; prohibits health care service plans, disability insurer programs, workers' compensation programs and state Medicaid managed care program contracts from requiring person-to-person contact between a health care practitioner and patient for services that a health care practitioner determines to be appropriately provided by means of telemedicine; requires a health care practitioner who is in physical contact with a patient, prior to the delivery of health care via telemedicine, to have the ultimate authority over the care of the patient and to obtain informed consent from the patient; specifies procedure for such consent. (36 § 6801)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(43 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
* SB 60 (Robinson/Settle) - SMOKING. Adds state- and local-government-owned or operated facilities to the list of facilities in which all smoking may be prohibited. (63 § 1-1523)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/06/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/17/97
(42 AYE / 4 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/19/97
COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & LABOR
* SB 73 (Harrison/Askins) - OETA. Changes the termination date of several entities, including the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, to July 1, 2002. (74 § 3903)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/04/97
(43 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/06/97
GOVT OPS & AGENCY OVERSIGHT
* SB 78 (Dickerson/Dunegan) - PURCHASING. Clarifies language relating to acquisitions excluded from Central Purchasing; exempts certain expenditures incurred by the Department of Transportation and the Securities Department. (74 § 85.12)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
GOVT OPS & AGENCY OVERSIGHT
* SB 80 (Snyder/Paulk) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Permits an employer to elect not to secure workers' compensation insurance coverage for employees; provides that an employer who elects not to secure workers' compensation shall not be subject to the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, but is required to provide equivalent benefits for occupational or job-related injuries or occupational diseases. (85 § 61.3)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/18/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/18/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(41 AYE / 5 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
JUDICIARY
* SB 87 (Leftwich/Glover) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Modifies the requirement for comprehensive health services to provide that, with respect to chiropractic services, such covered services shall be provided on a referral basis within the network at the request of an enrollee who has a condition of an orthopedic or neurological nature if a referral is necessitated in the judgment of the primary care physician and treatment for the condition falls within the licensed scope of practice of a chiropractic physician. (63 § 2505)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(41 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
PUBLIC HEALTH
* SB 90 (Dickerson/Stites) - TRAVEL. Permits reimbursement of local transportation expenses for state officers and employees who choose to acquire less expensive lodging at an alternative public lodging place; limits such reimbursement to the difference between the cost of the designated lodging and the cost of the optional lodging. (74 § 500.9)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 101 (Haney/Hamilton) - ROBERT S. KERR MUSEUM. Authorizes the Historical Society to enter into an agreement to operate and manage the Robert S. Kerr Museum on the grounds of the Kerr Conference Center.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 103 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates to the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(44 AYE / 3 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 110 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates to the State Regents and the Physician Manpower Training Commission; states legislative intent that certain funds be allocated for general operating budgets of the institutions, campus expansion, OHLAP, OTAG, National Guard Fee Waiver program, the Section 13 Offset Program, and the general operating budget of the administrative offices of the State Regents.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 122 (Haney/Hamilton) - OKLAHOMA CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (OCAST). This is a shell bill specifying budgetary limitations for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 143 (Haney/Hamilton) - STATE REGENTS. This is a shell bill relating to the powers of the State Regents.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 144 (Haney/Hamilton) - PHYSICIAN MANPOWER TRAINING. Specifies budgetary limitations for the Physician Manpower Training Commission.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/17/97
* SB 160 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates to various entities, including the State Regents, the Physician Manpower Training Commission, OCAST, the Teacher Preparation Commission, and the University Hospitals Authority.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(44 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 03/12/97
GENERAL ORDER - HOUSE 03/12/97
* SB 174 (Haney/Hamilton) - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. This is a shell bill relating to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Act. (74 § 1361)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 03/12/97
GENERAL ORDER - HOUSE 03/12/97
* SB 181 (Monson/Roberts) - RETIREMENT. This is a shell bill relating to definitions in the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma (OTRS). (70 § 17-101
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RETIREMENT LAWS
* SB 182 (Monson/Roberts) - RETIREMENT. This is a shell bill relating to the OTRS. (70 § 17-102)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RETIREMENT LAWS
* SB 183 (Monson/Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Clarifies language relating to the OTRS. (70 § 17-101.1)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RETIREMENT LAWS
* SB 193 (Hendrick/Cox) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Adds definitions to the Health Insurance High Risk Pool Act; provides for coverage under the High Risk Pool Act for federally defined eligible individuals; modifies the Long-Term Care Insurance Act. (36 § 6532)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(42 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 6 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
INSURANCE
* SB 199 (Leftwich/Blackburn) - FEE WAIVER. Authorizes tuition-free attendance at State System institutions for children of state employees who have lost their lives while in the course of employment as a result of the intentional criminal act of another person; requires exhaustion of certain other grants and scholarships. (70 § 3218.7)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
(38 AYE / 3 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 202 (Roberts/Hager) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Provides that, subject to availability of funds, the Teacher Preparation Commission shall have authority to establish a program to assist teachers seeking National Board Certification. (70 § 6-203)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/17/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/19/97
EDUCATION
* SB 216 (Maddox/Kinnamon) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Creates the "Oklahoma Regulatory Review Act"; requires state agencies to review their rules and regulations by Dec. 31, 1998; requires that regulations be limited to those demonstrably necessary and carefully tailored to fulfill specific, legitimate public health, safety or other public protection objectives; provides that on or after Sept. 1, 1999, any person may petition any agency to repeal, rescind, amend or otherwise modify any regulation affecting a business or profession within that agency's jurisdiction; provides that within 90 days of the filing of the petition, the agency shall either take the action petitioned for or state the basis for concluding that the regulation is in compliance with this act. (75 § 401)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE REVIEW
* SB 217 (Hendrick/Vaughn) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Requires that agency rules state a prospective effective date, or in the absence of such, shall only be effective on and after the date of promulgation; requires agencies to notify affected parties of any intent to make a different interpretation, implementation or application of a statute or rule and afford the parties the opportunity to contest the change within 10 days and, if the change is so contested, promulgate a new rule pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act to put the change into effect. (75 § 308.2)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/03/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
(40 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
ADMINISTRATIVE RULE REVIEW
* SB 218 (Dickerson/Paulk) - PAYROLL DEDUCTION/EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS. Authorizes payroll deduction for membership dues or contributions to its tax-exempt foundation in the Oklahoma Public Employees Association or any other statewide association limited to state employee membership with a minimum membership of 1,000 dues-paying members. (62 § 7.10)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/12/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 02/24/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
RULES
* SB 247 (Monson/Laura Boyd) - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Requires the Employee Benefits Council to act in accordance with the Open Meeting Act and the Open Records Act; authorizes the Council to procure insurance indemnifying Council members from personal loss or accountability from liability resulting from a member's action or inaction as a member of the Council. (74 § 1362)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(43 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
RULES
* SB 248 (Monson/Voskuhl) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Modifies duties of the State Employees Benefits Council to require that data provided from the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Plan and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) include the current health plan employer data and information set (HEDIS); modifies procedures for rejection of bids by or restriction of enrollment in participating HMOs. (74 § 1365)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
RULES
* SB 249 (Monson/Laura Boyd) - HEALTH/SAFETY. Provides that the Oklahoma Wellness Council may provide programs to state agencies for quarterly health and safety training as required by the Department of Labor. (74 § 1367)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
RULES
* SB 273 (Horner/Betty Boyd) - OKLAHOMA HIGHER LEARNING ACCESS PROGRAM (OHLAP). Authorizes the State Regents to award the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) benefits for courses of post-secondary units taken more than five years after a student's first semester of post-secondary enrollment only in hardship circumstances; provides that no program participant may receive benefits beyond a cumulative time period of five years; authorizes the Regents to establish a maximum limit on the number of courses or other post-secondary units to which program benefits will apply; authorizes the Regents to process student agreements and verify compliance with the agreements. (70 § 2604)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(43 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/17/97
EDUCATION
* SB 274 (Monson/Eddins) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires individual and group health insurance and health benefit plans, including the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board, to include coverage for severe mental illness equal to coverage for other physical diseases and disorders; provides exception for policies that provide coverage for a specified disease or other limited benefit coverage or groups with 50 or fewer employees. (36 § 6060.10)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/06/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 02/17/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/17/97
(41 AYE / 5 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/19/97
INSURANCE
* SB 277 (Cain/Askins) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires health benefit plans that provide benefits for the dependents of an insured individual to provide coverage for each child of the insured, from birth through the date such child is 18 years of age, for immunizations required for children by the State Board of Health; prohibits such benefits from being subject to a deductible, co-payment or coinsurance requirement. (36 § 6060.4)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/06/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
INSURANCE
* SB 280 (Long/Taylor) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Provides that a health maintenance organization or prepaid health plan shall be deemed in noncompliance and shall not be relicensed by the State Insurance Department if its application for license renewal, evidence of coverage, standards and procedures for the selection of providers or any other documents filed with the department contain definitions of words or terms that are contrary to or inconsistent with the definitions of words or terms appearing in the department's rules; prohibits such entities form prohibiting or restricting a primary care physician from referring a patient to a specialist within the network if such referral is deemed medically necessary in the judgment of the primary care physician; requires such entities to provide comprehensive health services in a manner that is reasonably geographically convenient to residents of the service area for which it seeks a license. (63 § 2504)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
PUBLIC HEALTH
* SB 298 (Maddox/Paulk) - AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM. Requires that at the central administrative office of every state agency (including higher education institutions) and at every other state agency office normally contacted by the public that is not on the same agency telephone system as the central office, the primary telephone designated to receive calls from the public shall be answered during normal business hours by an employee of the agency; prohibits answering devices from being used to answer calls to the primary telephone designated to receive calls form the public during normal business hours and prohibits calls to the primary designated telephone from being automatically forwarded to a telephone that is not answered by an employee of the agency; authorizes agencies to use answering devices to answer calls during other hours and calls to other numbers the agency maintains. (74 § 3306)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/04/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/04/97
(31 AYE / 10 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/06/97
RULES
* SB 315 (Easley/Beutler) - LEAD-BASED PAINT. Modifies definition section in the Lead-based Paint Management Act; adds "child-occupied facility" to definitions; requires certification of lead-based paint construction contractors, inspectors and hazard evaluators and specialists performing or offering to perform lead-based paint services on target housing or child-occupied facilities. (27A § 2-12-102)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/13/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/04/97
(37 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 11 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/06/97
ENERGY ENVIRONMENT & NAT RES
* SB 336 (Roberts/Begley) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Creates the Technology Endowment Fund for the State Board of Education to encourage use of the state's telecommunications network and to aid in the development of cooperative projects between schools and businesses. (70 § 1210.556)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/17/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 348 (Ford/Perry) - AD VALOREM TAX. For purposes of exemption from ad valorem taxation, provides that during the first five tax years following expiration of the five-year period during which a manufacturing facility was exempt from ad valorem taxes, the fair cash value of the facility shall be presumed not to have decreased from the fair cash value of the preceding tax year, unless it is shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the fair cash value of the facility has decreased. (68 § 2902)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/18/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
REVENUE & TAXATION
* SB 354 (Stipe/Dunegan) - RETIREMENT. Allows continuation of additional life insurance after retirement for members of the state retirement systems; requires that the rate for additional benefits be paid at an actuarially adjusted rate. (74 § 1316.1)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 02/26/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
RULES
* SB 360 (Smith/Steidley) - TRAVEL. Authorizes state employees traveling outside the state on official business to use appropriate forms of transportation; prohibits reimbursement from exceeding the normal charge for the type of transportation used, but in no instance shall reimbursement for transportation used in lieu of commercial airplane exceed the cost of coach class air fare. (74 § 500.11)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
RULES
* SB 362 (Cain/Seikel) - SURPLUS EQUIPMENT. Authorizes state departments, institutions, and agencies to dispose of obsolete or surplus equipment by transfer to a public school district without compensation . (62 § 120.1)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/17/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/19/97
GOVT OPS & AGENCY OVERSIGHT
* SB 389 (Weedn/Steidley) - CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTS. Provides that a purchase order issued by a county or political subdivision to an architect, contractor, engineer or supplier of materials may include notice to the vendor that submission of an invoice or acceptance of payment pursuant to the purchase constitutes a statement by the vendor that the invoice and work meet certain requirements. (74 § 3109)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(39 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 9 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
COUNTY & MUNICIPAL GOVT
* SB 398 (Roberts/Begley) - TEACHER PREPARATION/TECHNOLOGY TRAINING. Modifies teacher training requirements to require that technology training be included in professional development institutes. (70 § 6-200)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/19/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/24/97
EDUCATION
* SB 416 (Williams/Hager) - EDUCATION OVERSIGHT. Modifies the membership of the Education Oversight Board, authorizing the appointment of two non-legislative members by the Governor and two non-legislative members each appointed by the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; increases terms from three to five years; makes funding for the Office of Accountability a designated line item in the budget of the State Board of Education each year; designates the Education Oversight Board to make budget recommendations for the Office of Accountability to the State Department of Education; transfers certain duties from the State Board of Education to the Education Oversight Board; deletes section that the Board of Education and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation not require more than a four-year program or more than 124 semester hours to complete a teacher education degree. The amendment adds to the Oversight Board one non-legislative member appointed jointly by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House; specifies terms; exempts legislators who serve on the Board from statutory dual office holding prohibitions; provides that the Office of Accountability's budget will be solely under the direction of the Education Oversight Board, which shall submit a program budget for the Office to the State Board of Education. (70 § 3-116)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/12/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
HOUSE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/13/97
* SB 420 (Williams/Steidley) - OSU COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE. Changes the name of the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery to the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. (70 § 697.3)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/04/97
(39 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/06/97
RULES
* SB 436 (Wright/Vaughn) - ANATOMICAL GIFTS. Creates the "Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act"; provides for who may become donees and the purposes for which anatomical gifts may be made; allows an accredited medical or dental school, college, or university for education, research, advancement of medical or dental science to become donees. (63 § 2226)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/11/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/11/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/13/97
JUDICIARY
* SB 448 (Robinson/Stanley) - DENTISTS. Changes the name of the Board of Governors of the Registered Dentists of Oklahoma to the Board of Dentistry; modifies licensure and examination provisions for permanent and temporary licensure of in-state and out-of-state dental hygienist applicants; requires that out-of-state applicants meet certain standards; modifies provisions relating to issuance of faculty permits to certain dentists. (25 § 307.1)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/13/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/13/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(26 AYE / 17 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
PUBLIC HEALTH
* SB 451 (Weedn/Staggs) - DISABILITY INSURANCE. Expands eligibility for participation in the Disability Insurance Program of the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to include education and other eligible participating employees under the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Act; requires that education and other eligible employees who elect to participate in the Disability Insurance Program shall make contributions as established by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board. (74 § 1332)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/12/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
(37 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 11 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
RULES
* SB 473 (Milacek/Reese) - RETIREMENT. Raises the cap on post-retirement earnings for former public school employees from a maximum $10,000 to a maximum $15,000. (70 § 17-116.10)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(40 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 8 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
RETIREMENT LAWS
* SB 514 (Long/Voskuhl) - DENTAL HYGIENISTS. Defines practice of dental hygiene; defines "dental hygienist" as an individual who has fulfilled the educational requirements and is a graduate from an institution of higher education whose dental hygiene educational program has a minimum of two academic years of dental hygiene curriculum and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation; authorizes dental hygienists to practice in dental offices, health service facilities and public or private schools with the authorization of a licensed dentist. (59 § 328.3)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(45 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
PUBLIC HEALTH
* SB 523 (Helton/Askins) - CAMPUS POLICE. Authorizes peace officers making contact with a person who possesses a weapon to take the weapon if there is probable cause to believe the person who has possession of the weapon is a convicted felon or an adjudicated delinquent, is under the influenced of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substance, is mentally or emotionally unbalanced or disturbed, is suicidal or is involved in an act of or attempt of domestic abuse. (21 § 1289.12)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/17/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/17/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
(30 AYE / 12 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 6 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY FAILED - SENATE 03/03/97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
* SB 539 (Monson/Steidley) - REDUCTION IN FORCE. Provides that if an agency has posted a reduction-in-force (RIF) implementation schedule, all employees in positions covered in the plan and any within the displacement limits established by the plan shall be eligible for priority reemployment consideration, with certain exceptions; requires all state entities to certify whether or not a reduction-in-force is due to reduced funding, and if so, to offer a severance package to persons scheduled to be terminated by RIF due to a reduced funding that causes a substantial reduction in services; outlines requirements for severance packages; requires review of severance package plans by the director of the Office of State Finance; provides that employees who receive the severance pay shall not be eligible for reemployment with any state entity for two years, unless the costs of the severance payments are repaid; exempts the University Hospitals Authority from this section; provides that if an appointing authority does not certify that a RIF is due to reduced funding, any person terminated may appeal on the grounds that the RIF was due to reduced funding and that the entity should have offered a severance package. (74 § 840-2.27)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/05/97
(42 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 541 (Hobson/Laura Boyd) - OU/CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. Authorizes the Regents of the University of Oklahoma to establish a capital improvement program consisting of improvement plans associated with campus expansion, construction or other capital improvements as specified by the OU Regents. (70 § 3305.1)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(47 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 552 (Herbert/Bastin) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Increases from $500 to $5,000 the maximum fine for the crime of fraud as it relates to the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Program. (74 § 1323)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/05/97
(39 AYE / 4 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
RULES
* SB 556 (Wilkerson/Plunk) - COUNCIL ON LAW ENFORCEMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING (CLEET). Increases the education requirement for full-time salaried police or peace officers from 300 hours to 450 hours.
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
PUBLIC SAFETY
* SB 569 (Monson/Seikel) - CHILD CARE FACILITIES. Prohibits employers who provide services to children from knowingly or willfully employing or contracting with any person required to register under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/13/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(39 AYE / 7 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
HUMAN SERVICES
* SB 571 (Gustafson/Ramsey) - INCOME TAX CREDIT. Creates the "Small Business Development Act of 1997"; allows an income tax credit for amounts paid by a small business for training of eligible employees; sets credit at 50 percent of the amount paid to an accredited educational provider. (68 § 2357.33)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/18/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/18/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/26/97
(41 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 7 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
SMALL BUSINESS
* SB 592 (Williams/Bryant) - TRAILBLAZER SCHOOLS. Creates the "Trailblazer Schools Act"; defines "trailblazer school" as a public school established by contract with a school board to provide learning that will improve student achievement; authorizes school boards to sponsor one or more trailblazer schools; requires an applicant seeking to establish a trailblazer school to submit a written proposal to a proposed sponsor in the form and as prescribed by the State Board of Education; authorizes a public school, public body, public or private college or university, private person or private organization to contract with a sponsor to establish a trailblazer school; provides that a sponsor may be any local board of education; requires the State Board to establish standards and requirements for trailblazer schools which ensure compliance with certain criteria. The amendment adds two options for sponsorship of a trailblazer school: municipalities and vo-tech schools; sets priorities for the types of trailblazer schools adopted; requires schools to keep a record of all applicants and all students accepted in order to assure nondiscrimination. (70 § 3-130)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM DO PASS SUB 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/11/97
(29 AYE / 18 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/13/97
EDUCATION
* SB 642 (Taylor/Benson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires the State Board of Health to promulgate rules pertaining to managed health care plans including information regarding coverage, benefits, limitations and any exclusion by category of service, provider or physician, prior authorization or other review requirements, financial responsibility of enrollees with regard to coinsurance or non-covered or out-of-plan services and, as applicable, other areas of financial responsibility of the enrollee; requires use of objective criteria and standards of quality for credentialing of physicians and other health care providers; requires minimum standards for the administration and operation of manage health care plans. The floor substitute provides legislative intent; allows managed care plans to provide health care on a prepaid, capitated basis; defines managed care plans, preferred provider organizations and provider service networks; requires HMOs and prepaid health plans, preferred provider organizations and provider service networks, and managed care plans to be licensed by the State Health Department; provides various levels of licensing; prohibits untrue or misleading advertising. (63 § 2508.2)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/20/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/20/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/11/97
BILL FAILED - SENATE 03/11/97
(24 AYE / 22 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
MOTION TO RECONSIDER - SENATE 03/11/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/13/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/13/97
(27 AYE / 17 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
ENGROSSED - SENATE 03/13/97
* SB 674 (Leftwich/Glover) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Requires written notice of an employee election to participate in a certified workplace medical plan be given the employer on forms prescribed by the administrator; requires that the election be made available to the employee prior to the annual open enrollment period; requires forms to be prescribed by the administrator and be made available to the employee at least 30 days prior to the date of election; requires that the form include information on employee rights. (85 § 3)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/05/97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
JUDICIARY
* SB 684 (Williams/Laura Boyd) - STUDENT ADVISORY BOARDS. Establishes student advisory boards for the A&M Board of Regents, the OU Board of Regents, and the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges; sets membership of student boards; designates a member of the student board to attend each meeting of the respective governing board with privileges to speak. The amendment adds a student advisory board for the Board of Regents of Rogers University. (70 § 3205.7)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(44 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
EDUCATION
* SB 693 (Cain/Blackburn) - CHILD SUPPORT. Establishes procedures for tribunals to determine which child support becomes enforceable if more than one order has been issued concerning the same parent and child; continues exclusive jurisdiction; provides for enforcement of child support orders between states; states procedures pertaining to contesting the validity of certain income-withholding orders; states procedure for receipt of multi-income withholding orders; states conditions of modification of certain child support orders; requires filing of documents and provides penalty for failure to do so.
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/04/97
(36 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 11 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/06/97
COMMUNITY & FAMILY RESPONSIB
* SB 698 (Dickerson/Paulk) - LEAVE. Allows a state employee who is an elected official of a job-related professional organization to take up to five additional days of leave per year with pay to perform the work required by that official position. (74 § 840-2.25)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(40 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RULES
* SB 699 (Dunlap/Bryant) - PRIVATIZATION FUNCTIONS. Creates the Oklahoma Privatization Functions Act; states purpose to set guidelines for privatization of state services and contracts; no such contracts shall be valid unless they comply with the Central Purchasing Act; agencies considering privatization must prepare a comprehensive written estimate of the costs including all direct and indirect costs of agency employees providing the service; requires independent estimate by Office of State Finance; requires agencies to provide resources to state employees and to consider employee bids for providing the service; allows employee bids to be made as a joint venture; prohibits certain activities and conduct; imposes restrictions on certain employment; requires certification of certain information in writing. (74 § 595.5)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/25/97
(42 AYE / 4 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
RULES
* SB 703 (Snyder/Wells) - CONTRACTORS. Prohibits the awarding of a public construction contract to a bidder unless the bid lists each subcontractor who will perform services under the contract; prohibits a successful bidder on a public construction contract from changing any subcontractor without written consent of the governing body of the awarding public agency. (61 § 120.1)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 02/12/97
(26 AYE / 19 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/20/97
COMMERCE, INDUSTRY & LABOR
* SB 706 (Cain/Seikel) - CHILD SUPPORT/PAYROLL. Requires employers to report to the Child Support Enforcement Division the employment of any person to whom the employer anticipates paying earnings. (40 § 2-802)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/11/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/11/97
BILL FAILED - SENATE 03/05/97
(17 AYE / 26 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
HELD ON NOTICE - SENATE 03/05/97
CALLED UP FOR CONSIDERATION 03/11/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/11/97
(42 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/13/97
HUMAN SERVICES
* SB 730 (Maddox/Askins) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. This is a comprehensive bill reforming the Workers' Compensation Act. The committee substitute adds language including cumulative trauma in the definitions of injury and personal injury; provides that no injury which requires surgery will be considered a strain or sprain injury; authorizes the Workers' Compensation Court to waive a penalty of $500 per week for untimely payment of benefits; prohibits a claim for legal services in contested temporary disability cases from exceeding 10 percent of the amount of the award; permits doctors, hospitals and others providing services to sue workers' compensation insurers, rather than the injured employee, when their bills are not paid in a timely manner; increases from 15 days to 30 days the time allowed for an employee to give an employer notification of injury. (85 § 1.1)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/18/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
(46 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/03/97
JUDICIARY
* SB 743 (Brown/Toure) - WELFARE/WORKFORCE. Creates the "Temporary Assistance to Promote Self-sufficiency (TAPS) Program Act"; provides that in order to establish a coordinated approach to restoring to families who receive public assistance the sense of self worth and dignity that comes with meaningful employment, and to provide such families with supportive services that enhance their ability to obtain and retain such employment, the Legislature shall establish a managed system of employment and related support services which include employment and training activities; removes certain requirements placed on the Department of Human Services (DHS) in respect to applying for and expediting receiving federal waivers; requires a copy of the annual report to the DHS on the work rate of participants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program be sent to the Legislature and Governor; authorizes DHS to eliminate the limit on the number of hours a recipient may work and be considered unemployed for eligibility purposes; changes reference to Aid to Families with Dependent Children to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; requires that a participant in the TANF program be involved in a work, education or training activity pursuant to federal law from the time the individual is determined eligible through the 60-month period. (56 § 229.1)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/19/97
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 03/03/97
(42 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 6 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
APPROPRIATIONS & BUDGET
* SB 746 (Williams/Steidley) - SUPPLEMENTAL FEES. Increases from $1.50 to $2.50 the cap on the per-semester-credit-hour library automation and materials fee at State System institutions. (70 § 3218.11)
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(35 AYE / 12 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
EDUCATION
* SB 760 (Williams/Hager) - NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. Requires the State Board of Education to participate in the administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress; requires the board to make the application for participation of this state by the first deadline after the passage of this act. The amendment requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules requiring schools and school districts to allow students to test out of a course previously taken, regardless of the grade in which it was taken and to promulgate rules prohibiting schools or school districts from requiring transfer students to retake any or all of a course that the student has successfully completed, including a course taken on a block schedule. (70 § 1210.514)
SENATE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(42 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
EDUCATION
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
* SJR 3 (Stipe/Mass) - SALES TAX. Calls for a vote of the people to increase the sales tax from 4.5 to 5 percent; requires that extra revenue would go either to a corrections reform revolving fund or for education and early childhood development, as determined by a vote of the people.
SENATE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/11/97
BILL PASSED - SENATE 02/24/97
(27 AYE / 20 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO HOUSE COMMITTEE 02/25/97
REVENUE & TAXATION
SENATE RESOLUTIONS
* SR 4 (Price) - SEN. WALTER ALLEN. Praises the life and public career of the late State Senator Walter Allen, who formerly served on the Board of Regents of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
ADOPTED - SENATE 02/05/97
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE 02/05/97
* SR 8 (Horner) - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY CENTENNIAL. Commemorates Langston University on its Centennial.
ADOPTED - SENATE 03/04/97
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE 03/04/97
HOUSE BILLS
* HB 1008 (Stanley) - STATE VEHICLES/DAMAGE CLAIMS. Modifies exemptions from liability under the Governmental Tort Claims Act relating to work release programs ordered by a court or the Dept. of Corrections; makes such exemption not apply to property damage claims made by individuals not in custody of the department based on accidents involving motor vehicles owned or operated by the state or any state agency. (51 § 155)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
RULES
* HB 1009 (Roach/Herbert) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Creates the "State Aircraft Regulation Act"; states purpose of act is to provide guidelines for the purchase and use of state aircraft. (74 § 500.71) (See HB 1019)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/20/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(63 AYE / 36 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY FAILED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(63 AYE / 36 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
RULES
* HB 1019 (Hamilton/Rozell) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Creates the "State Aircraft Regulation Act"; states purpose of act is to provide guidelines for the purchase and use of state aircraft. 74 § 500.71) (See HB 1009)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/20/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE (97-0) 03/11/97
ENGROSSED - HOUSE 03/11/97
* HB 1023 (Askins/Harrison) - MEDICAL LICENSURE. Re-creates the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision until July 1, 2003. (59 § 481)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/18/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/20/97
SUNSET REVIEW
* HB 1024 (Askins/Harrison) - OETA. Changes the termination date of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority to July 1, 2002. (74 § 3903)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/18/97
EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/18/97
(92 AYE / 8 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/20/97
SUNSET REVIEW
* HB 1038 (Settle/Monson) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION/OU. Relates to the Workers' Compensation Act; modifies the definitions; prohibits physicians from testifying on any issue outside of the customary areas of expertise for which the physician is permitted to practice; allows a claimant to request continuing medical maintenance supervised by the claimant's attending physician within a certain time; allows a claimant to request appointment of medical case manager; requires the court to appoint a medical case manager if the parties cannot agree; outlines a procedure for electing whether to participate in a certified workplace medical plan; requires employers to give employees written notice of the option to elect to participate in a plan; changes from mandatory to discretionary an employee's entitlement to vocational rehabilitation services; provides that if an employee unreasonably refuses the evaluation or services and accepts permanent partial disability benefits, the employee would not be entitled to permanent total disability benefits unless a change of conditions is established; provides that if an employee refuses services or training ordered by the court or fails to complete training in good faith, the cost of the evaluation or training, previously paid by the employer, would be deducted from any unpaid employee benefits; requires an insurance carrier to notify the employer of the possibility and/or terms of any settlement; gives employers certain rights and obligations regarding workers' compensation claims. The amendment adds a section requiring the University of Oklahoma Business Research College to conduct a comparative study of injured workers' benefits; requires the study to include a comparison among the states of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas; requires the study to reflect a national comparative ratio and to be based on workers' compensation benefit data for the year 1998. (85 § 2.5)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 02/25/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(100 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
JUDICIARY
* HB 1077 (Seikel/Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires that individual and group health insurance and health benefit plans include coverage for severe mental illness equal to coverage for other physical diseases and disorders when medically necessary and subject to the terms and conditions of the health benefit plan, agreement, contract or policy; provides an exception for policies that provide coverage for a specified disease or other limited-benefit coverage. (36 § 6060.4)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/06/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/06/97
(81 AYE / 16 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/11/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1085 (Roberts/Monson) - RETIREMENT/LIFE INSURANCE. Increases from three-fourths to the full basic life insurance coverage the amount certain members of state retirement systems may elect to continue after severance from state employment. (74 § 1316.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1086 (Roberts/Monson) - INSURANCE BOARD. Increases membership of the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board from eight members to nine by adding the executive director, or a designee, of an employee organization representing the largest number of state employees. (74 § 1304)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/20/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(62 AYE / 37 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(78 AYE / 20 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1091 (Roberts) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires that the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board approve the amount of premiums for insurance plans no later than the bid submission date for HMO plans as set annually by the Employees Benefits Council for the previous fiscal year; provides that if the solvency of a benefit plan is in jeopardy based on negative claims experience, the board may approve a mid-year adjustment provided need is substantiated by an actuarial determination which includes a review of negative claims experience and the plan reserves. (74 § 1306)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/20/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1094 (Roberts/Monson) - RETIREMENT. Clarifies language relating to the state retirement systems, including OTRS. (70 § 17-102)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/04/97
(97 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
RULES
* HB 1100 (Roberts/Monson) - RETIREMENT. This is a shell bill creating the Teachers' Retirement System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1102 (Roberts/Monson) - RETIREMENT. Increases, over a period of five years, the proportion of the gross production tax which goes to the OTRS, which also reduces the amount of the tax now going to the General Revenue Fund (from which most appropriations are made). (68 § 1004a)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/20/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(97 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1130 - (Fields) - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. Modifies the Oklahoma Employment Security Act; modifies confidentiality requirements to permit the release of information required to identify economic trends to the OU Center for Economic and Management Research; requires confidentiality; permits OU to release aggregated data, provided such aggregation meets disclosure requirements of the Employment Security Commission. (40 § 4-508)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/12/97
(96 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/13/97
* HB 1134 - (Fields) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Creates the nine-member Public Health Insurance Plan Reserves Task Force; states the purpose of the Task Force is to study and review the financial reserves and retained earnings of the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board and to advise the Legislature on the nature and amounts of the reserves and retained earnings.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/20/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/11/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/12/97
* HB 1145 - (Dunegan/Dickerson) - LEAVE. Provides that employees may take leave without pay for authorized absences under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; authorizes employees to donate sick leave for such purpose. (74 § 840-2.22)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/05/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1203 (Kinnamon/Maddox) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. This is a comprehensive reform bill for the Workers' Compensation Act. (360 § 924.2)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/11/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/11/97
(97 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/12/97
* HB 1210 (Wells/Wright) - MILITARY SERVICE. Provides that the federal Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 and the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) shall be adopted as state law and applied to National Guard members when they are ordered to state active duty. (44 § 208.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(95 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
VETERANS, MIL. AFF. & PUB. SAF
* HB 1221 (Steidley/Dickerson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires that insurance policies offering coverage for adopted children include the actual and documented medical costs associated with the birth of the adopted child who is 18 months old or younger. (36 § 6059)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/04/97
(94 AYE / 5 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1222 (Steidley/Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Provides that a temporary or seasonal employee who works full-time shall be considered an employee for purposes of the State and Education Employee's Group Insurance Act. (74 § 1303)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/20/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(76 AYE / 23 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1224 (Steidley/Monson) -REDUCTION IN FORCE. Provides that if an agency has posted a reduction-in-force implementation schedule, all employees in positions covered in the plan and any within the displacement limits established by the plan shall be eligible for priority reemployment consideration, with certain exceptions; outlines the type of severance package to be offered employees if the reduction in force is due to a reduction in funding. (74 § 840-2.27)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(74 AYE / 25 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1231 (Kirby) - ENGLISH AS COMMON LANGUAGE. Recognizes English as the common language of this state, with certain exceptions; provides that the right of Native Americans to express themselves through the use of Native American languages shall not be restricted in any public proceeding, including publicly supported education programs. (25 § 300)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/18/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/05/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(96 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
RULES
COMMITTEE REASSIGNMENT 03/13/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1246 (Roach) - WELFARE/WORKFORCE. Creates the "Workforce Training Incentive Act"; provides for an income tax credit equal to 50 percent of the cost of a qualified employee training expense incurred by an employer eligible for incentive payments under the Quality Jobs Program Act; provides that the credit may be carried forward for a period not to exceed four years. The amendment creates the Job Training Partnership Committee within the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission in accordance with the purposes of the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/10/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
RULES
* HB 1248 (Roach/Fisher) - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. Increases membership of the Physical Therapy Committee from three to five members; adds a licensed physical therapist assistant and a lay person as members; provides that the committee is established to advise the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision on all matters pertaining to the licensure, education, and continuing education of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants; outlines licensing requirements for physical therapist applicants educated outside the United States; provides for continuing education requirements for license renewal. (59 § 887.4)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/10/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
BUSINESS & LABOR
* HB 1315 (Deutschendorf) - LEGISLATION ON INTERNET. Requires the Legislative Service Bureau, by Jan. 1, 1998, to make available on-line through the Internet all proposed legislation, including all versions of a measure and the status history of each measure; requires the bureau to work with other agencies and entities to make the service available. (74 § 450.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/04/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/04/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
ENGROSSED - HOUSE 03/04/97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
RULES
* HB 1337 (Begley/Weedn) - AD VALOREM TAX. Creates a 23-member Task Force on Centrally Assessed Property to review state laws and rules relating to the Court of Tax Review, the definition of "public service corporation", determining the values of public service corporations and business personal property; requires the task force is to make recommendations for changes relating to centrally assessed property and submit a report by Dec. 1, 1997. (68 § 2946.4)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB PASSED 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/06/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/06/97
(81 AYE / 19 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/11/97
FINANCE
* HB 1338 (Begley/Roberts) - AD VALOREM TAX. Extends from 20 days to 30 days the time allowed for submitting a complaint after which a railroad, air carrier or public service corporation is notified of ad valorem tax assessments by the secretary of the State Board of Equalization; extends from 15 days to 40 days the time allowed for the equalization board to file an answer; requires the board to notify the Attorney General and all affected school districts and other interested parties of the complaint, in writing and by certified mail, within 10 days of the filing of the complaint; authorizes the Attorney General to appear in all actions to enforce the valuation and assessment of property by the Board and the collection of ad valorem tax which is the subject of a complaint; places the burden on the Equalization Board to show that the Board followed applicable constitutional and statutory law and applicable rules regarding the valuation and assessment of railroads, air carriers and public service corporations; provides that, upon such showing, the taxpayer must then bear the burden to show in what respect the action is incorrect; requires that, if the taxpayer fails to file a written complaint within the 30-day period, the expiration of the 30 days from the date the notice is mailed to the taxpayer; requires that taxes paid under protest by railroads and public service corporations be remitted to the Tax Commission; requires that taxes paid under protest by other property owners and public service corporations be remitted to the appropriate county treasurer; requires the Tax Commission to deposit taxes paid under protest by railroads, air carriers and public service corporations to a protested ad valorem tax escrow fund; requires that any portion of such taxes not paid under protest be apportioned as provided by law; requires that the Commission, as soon as practicable after determination of the total amount of ad valorem taxes or railroads, air carriers or public service corporations paid under protest, determine the amount of such taxes that would have been apportioned to each school district and vocational-technical school district if the protest had not been made and to reimburse such amount to each district from monies in an education cash flow fund; provides for proportional distribution of such monies if such fund does not contain sufficient revenues; prohibits the Commission from reimbursing such amount if the ad valorem taxes being protested, which are directly attributable to an affected district, do not exceed $2,000; creates a protested ad valorem tax escrow fund and an education cash flow fund for the Commission; requires that the first $135,000 accruing to the education cash flow fund, unless otherwise appropriated by the Legislature, be used for administering and hearing complaints and appeals. (68 § 2881)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/06/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/06/97
(90 AYE / 11 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/11/97
FINANCE
* HB 1342 (Begley/Williams) - ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT TEACHER CERTIFICATION/TEACHER PREPARTATION. Allows the State Board of Education to issue a standard teaching certificate to a person who has made application to the Teacher Preparation Commission for admission into an Alternative Preparation Program; requires a minimum of two years post-baccalaureate teaching experience or subject matter with experience which corresponds directly to the area of specialization for the Elementary-Secondary Certificate, Secondary Certificate or vocational-technical certificate, has passed the general education competency exam and subject matter examinations, takes the Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination and develops an Individual Residency Plan and has successfully completed a teaching portfolio in collaboration with the residency committee which documents the candidate's competency in both the general and full teacher competencies approved by the State Board of Education; has successfully presented the portfolio to the Competency Review Panel, and has paid required fees; requires promulgation of rules; requires each teacher education institution to provide the Office of Accountability an annual report of information specified by the Office of Accountability regarding participation in the Alternative Preparation Program; requires the Office of Accountability to collaborate and coordinate with the Teacher Preparation Commission, the State Department of Education, the State Regents, and the State Department of Vo-Tech Education when determining what information shall be contained in the annual report; after June 30, 1997, the Teacher Preparation Commission shall not accredit, renew the accreditation of, or otherwise approve the teacher education program, of a state higher education institution that has not worked collaboratively with a local school district in the development and implementation of Alternative Preparation Programs; requires that persons enrolled in an Alternative Preparation Program shall have never been denied admittance to a teacher education program approved by the State Regents, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation to offer teacher education programs, nor have enrolled in and subsequently failed courses necessary to successfully meet the minimum requirements of such program, except those persons who hold a certificate; specifies other requirements of the program. (70 § 6-122.3)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/03/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(73 AYE / 28 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
EDUCATION
* HB 1362 (Laura Boyd/Leftwich) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS/POISON CONTROL. Directs the University Hospitals Authority to ensure that funding for the Poison Control Center be no less than $690,000 for fiscal year 1998.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(82 AYE / 18 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1408 (Pettigrew) - RETIREMENT. Requires that no cost of living adjustments shall be made for retirees of the OTRS unless done by legislative appropriation from the General Revenue Fund; provides that no cost of living increase will be made unless the requirements of statute can be met through the total amount of monies available to the participating employers of the OTRS.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/11/97
BILL FAILED - HOUSE 03/11/97
(45 AYE / 50 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
* HB 1416 (Betty Boyd/Henry) - HEALTH CARE. Creates the "Fairness in Managed Care Act"; provides for the certification process and requirements for managed care plans. (63 § 2525.2)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/20/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/12/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/12/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/12/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/13/97
* HB 1418 (Bryant/Williams) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Creates the "Oklahoma Charter Schools Act"; allows a public school, public body, public or private college or university, private person or private organization to contract with a sponsor to establish a charter school; provides that the sponsor of a charter school is the board of education of a school district; specifies requirements and terms for such schools. The floor substitute limited the bill's charter school provisions to Oklahoma and Tulsa counties. The amendment provides for the "Oklahoma Pilot Charter Schools Act"; provides that a charter school may be chartered only in school districts having 30,000 or more average daily membership; provides that each charter school shall be created for no more than five years after the effective date of the Act; limits new pilot charter schools to nor more than five in any given calendar year; specifies other requirements. (70 §§ 3-130/3-143)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/12/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/12/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/12/97
BILL FAILED - HOUSE 03/12/97
(48 AYE / 48 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
CALLED UP FOR CONSIDERATION 03/13/97
BILL FAILED - HOUSE 03/13/97
* HB 1434 (Deutschendorf/Robinson) - COMPUTER SYSTEMS. Requires all state agencies of the executive branch that use date-dependent computer systems, such as legacy systems, programs, databases and security systems, to have completed work on converting the systems for the year 2000 by Jan. 1, 1999; requires agencies to report by July 1, 1999, on operations of the system after the conversion and outlining any system problems the agency may still be experiencing and plans the agency has to address any continuing problems; prohibits agencies from purchasing additional hardware or software or add additional personnel to convert and prepare the computer systems for the millennium unless the purchase has been included in the long-range plan of the agency submitted to the Information Services Division of the Office State Finance. (62 § 41.5o)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/10/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/26/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/26/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/04/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1455 (Staggs/Robinson) - CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS. Requires that the results of criterion-referenced tests be returned to school districts prior to May 1 of each year. (70 § 1210.508)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
EDUCATION
* HB 1467 (Staggs/Robinson) - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Adds school counselors to local professional development committees; provides that each adopted professional development program shall allow school counselors to receive at least one-third of the hours or credit required each year through programs or courses specifically designed for school counselors. (A local professional development committee shall consult with a higher education faculty and programs adopted by the committee may include higher education courses.) (70 § 6-194)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS AS AMENDED 02/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/11/97
(93 AYE / 6 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/13/97
EDUCATION
* HB 1531 (Blackburn/Cain) - SMOKE DETECTORS. Requires all new construction or remodeling of residential dwellings which require a building permit to include installation of smoke detectors or the electrical wiring necessary for installation of electrical smoke detectors. (74 § 324.11a)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97)
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(90 AYE / 9 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
ENERGY, ENV. RES. & REG AFFAIR
* HB 1532 (Blackburn/Weedn) - HEALTH INSURANCE/BREAST CANCER. Creates the "Oklahoma Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act"; requires health insurance plans that provide medical and surgical benefits with respect to the treatment of breast cancer and other breast conditions to ensure that coverage is provided for not fewer than 48 hours of inpatient care following a mastectomy and not fewer than 24 hours of inpatient care following a lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer, with certain exceptions. (36 § 6060.4)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/12/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(94 AYE / 4 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1540 (Erwin) - RESIDENTIAL CARE/EDUCATION TRAINING. Provides that an individual applying for administrator training certification pursuant to the Residential Care Act may at any time make the institution of higher learning aware of past educational courses taken and work experiences; provides that the institution can then make a determination of possible credit hours towards certification for that individual; authorizes an existing certified administrator to request that the Health Department place the administrator's certification on inactive status for up to five subsequent calendar years; provides that all existing certified administrators who have taken the 50-hour course shall be eligible to take 16 hours of continuing education to become active or ask the department to place their certificate on inactive status. (36 § 6060.4)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
BUSINESS & LABOR
* HB 1559 (Hager/Williams) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Modifies teacher preparation competencies for administrators to include skills necessary to be an effective leader of a school or school district; requires that competency examinations include subject areas for licensure or certification as an administrator; provides that professional development institutes automatically qualify for professional development purposes and be defined as continuing education experiences which consist of a minimum of 30 clock hours; designates the Commission for Teacher Preparation as the lead agency responsible for coordinating the preparation of a joint funding plan for the teacher education, assessment, licensure and certification, residency and professional development system. (70 § 6-182)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/06/97
(79 AYE / 20 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/11/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1560 (Hager/Williams) - NORM-REFERENCED TESTS. Provides that the test administered to determine whether a school is a low-performing or high challenge school shall be a norm-referenced test. The floor substitute adds language which provides that each school in which at least 50 percent of first-time test takers did not achieve a satisfactory performance on at least two of the four content areas of reading, writing, mathematics and science on the criterion-referenced test administered in grade seven pursuant to the School Testing Program Act shall cooperate with the State Department of Education to develop a program to address low achievement and implement such program by the beginning of the fall semester of the school year following the school year for which such low achievement is reported. (70 § 1210.541)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/10/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(97 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
EDUCATION
* HB 1561 (Wells/Morgan) - PREPAYMENT PROGRAM. Extends to Jan. 1, 1998, the date by which the State Regents must submit to the chairs of the respective legislative education subcommittees a report on the progress made in ensuring that students move smoothly from one level of education to another; allows colleges and universities to establish a prepayment program where students can establish short-term savings accounts with the institution of their choice for the purpose of prepaying educational expenses. (70 § 3207.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1562 (Deutschendorf/Rozell) - HEALTH CARE. Creates the "Preferred Provider Organizations Act"; states purpose to encourage health care cost containment while preserving quality of care by allowing health care insurers to create preferred provider organizations and by establishing minimum standards for preferred provider organizations and their insurance policies; outlines requirements for the organizations. (36 § 6057.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB - DO PASS 02/05/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/27/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/27/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/04/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
COMMITTEE REASSIGNMENT 03/10/97
BUSINESS & LABOR
* HB 1598 (Roach/Brown) - MATERNITY BENEFITS. Provides that the attending physician may determine that a mother and newborn infant meet medical criteria contained in current treatment standards that determine the appropriate length of hospital stay based on certain factors. (36 § 6060.3)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/05/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/05/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
BUSINESS & LABOR
* HB 1601 (Roach) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Provides that if an employer secures workers' compensation insurance within 30 days after receiving notice of a violation for failure to provide such insurance, the employer shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50 per employee; deletes current law which permits the labor commissioner to remit, negotiate or mitigate said penalty; provides that an employer who knowingly and willfully requires an employee or subcontractor to obtain a certificate of non-coverage for which the individual is not eligible, the employer shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $500 for a first offense, and not more than $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense. (85 § 63.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/12/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/12/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/12/97
(92 AYE / 6 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/13/97
* HB 1607 (Fields/Long) - TECHNICIANS. Provides for journeyman plumber technicians, journeyman electrical technicians and mechanical journeyman technicians and establishes requirements for licensing. (59 § 1002)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/11/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/04/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/04/97
(98 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
BUSINESS & LABOR
* HB 1642 (Settle) - FORGERY/BRIBERY. Redefines the term "writing" to include typewriting, laser printing, printing, impression, seal, photostatting, photographing, magnetic impulse, mechanical or electronic recording, or other form of data compilation; provides that forgery occurs when a person makes a false writing which has apparent legal significance and which is made with the intent to defraud; provides punishment for forgery; prohibits bribery of sports officials or participants; prohibits bribery of pubic servants and prohibits public servants from accepting bribes. (21 § 101)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/10/97
PASSED HOUSE
(97 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
RULES
COMMITTEE REASSIGNMENT 03/12/97
JUDICIARY
* HB 1644 (Ervin) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Changes certain references to Oklahoma Memorial Hospital to University Hospitals. (63 § 3204)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(93 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 8 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1660 (Benson/Taylor) - CHARITABLE FIDUCIARY. Creates the "Oklahoma Charitable Fiduciary Act," the purpose of which is to authorize charitable, religious, educational, and eleemosynary organizations to act as a fiduciary and to clarify the powers of such organizations when acting in a permitted fiduciary capacity; provides that governing boards must require fidelity bonds on officers and employees who are involved in the funding and administration of a charitable trust; permits a charitable organization to establish trust funds for furnishing investments to itself as a fiduciary, to itself and others as co-fiduciaries or to affiliated charitable organizations; authorizes such organizations to invest funds held in trust for investment in common charitable trust funds, with certain exceptions, and to employ investment advisors, counselors and financial institutions; outlines requirements for common charitable trust fund investments; prohibits employees, officers, and governing board members from receiving pecuniary benefits other than reasonable compensation for their employment; outlines reporting requirements; requires an annual audit; provides that charitable organizations shall not be subject to the Open Meeting Act or the Open Records Act, but annual audit reports shall be deemed a record for purposes of the Open Records Act. (60 § 301.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/11/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(101 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
JUDICIARY
* HB 1690 (Perry/Robinson) - ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Creates the 21-member Task Force on Electronic Signature Technology to study the technology of and applications for electronic signatures and to prepare recommendations for legislative and other action needed to assure the availability and use of electronic signature technology in the state. One of the members of the Task Force would be the Chancellor.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/05/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
GOVT OPS & AGENCY OVERSIGHT
* HB 1694 (Wells/Harrison) - INVENTORY. Increases to $500 the value of equipment which must be inventoried by the Department of Central Services. (74 § 110.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 03/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
GOVT OPS & AGENCY OVERSIGHT
* HB 1702 (Stanley/Long) - HEALTH CARE. Provides that a health maintenance organization (HMO) or prepaid health plan shall be deemed in noncompliance and shall not be relicensed by the Health Department if its application for license renewal, evidence of coverage, standards and procedures for the selection of providers or any other document filed with the Department contain definitions of words or terms that are contrary to or inconsistent with statutory definitions; provides that an HMO or prepaid health plan shall not prohibit or restrict a primary care physician from referring a patient to a specialist within the network if such referral is deemed medically necessary in the physician's judgment; requires HMOs and prepaid health plans to provide comprehensive health services in a manner that is reasonably geographically convenient to residents of the service area for which it seeks a license. (63 § 2504)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/03/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/03/97
(96 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/05/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1810 (Cox/Horner) - EBONICS. Provides that Ebonics shall not be recognized as a language art and shall not be taught as a course or class in the pubic schools for which a student receives credit or which is counted towards fulfilling graduation requirements; defines Ebonics as an Africanized form of English reflecting Black Americans' linguistic-cultural ties to their African heritage. (70 § 11-1103.8)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/05/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/26/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/04/97
EDUCATION
* HB 1815 (Adair/Robinson) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Creates the "Telephone Competition, Rural Service and Consumer Protection Act of 1997"; specifies requirements that apply to all local exchange telecommunications service providers; provides that nothing in the act will affect OneNet or prevent a telecommunications carrier from using government facilities or rights-of-way to provide telecommunications service. (17 § 139.101)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/11/97
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
FLOOR AMENDMENT 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(76 AYE / 24 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING) 97
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
ENERGY, ENV. RES. & REG AFFAIR
* HB 1817 (Askins/Hobson) - VOUCHERS/SECURITIES. Allows vouchers drawn against an agency to be signed and countersigned by the principal financial officer or another person specifically designated by the administrative authority; restricts the types of securities the State Treasurer may accept and authorizes the Treasurer to establish standards which may further limit any types of classes of securities which may be accepted; adds letters of credit of the U.S. government to the list of acceptable securities; adds surety bonds to the list of acceptable securities; adds duplication in a manner acceptable to the Archives and Records Commission to the requirement that certain warrants must be micro-filmed. (62 § 41.21)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/06/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/11/97
FINANCE
* HB 1854 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Appropriates to various health agencies, including the University Hospitals Authority.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1859 (Hamilton/Haney) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Provides budgetary limitations for the University Hospitals Authority.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(99 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1872 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/TEACHER PREPARATION. Appropriates to various education entities. Section 7 appropriates to the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1877 (Hamilton/Haney) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Sets budgetary limitations for the Teacher Preparation Commission.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(99 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1878 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Makes appropriations to various education entities, including the State Regents (Sections 6 and 7), the Teacher Preparation Commission (Section 14), and the University Hospitals Authority (Section 57).
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(95 AYE / 5 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/26/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1880 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/STATE REGENTS. Appropriates to the State Regents for Higher Education from the Rainy Day Fund.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(63 AYE / 36 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY FAILED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(65 AYE / 34 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/26/97
GENERAL ORDER - SENATE 02/26/97
* HB 1883 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Makes supplemental appropriations to various agencies, including $2,800,000 to the University Hospitals Authority.
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/18/97
CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 03/10/97
(45 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SIGNED & TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR 03/10/97
* HB 1885 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Deletes oversight of executive branch compliance with legislative intent of appropriation measures from the duties of the Joint Legislative Committee on Budget and Program Oversight.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/24/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/24/97
(97 AYE / 1 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/26/97
GENERAL ORDER - SENATE 02/26/97
* HB 1887 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates to the Special Cash Fund from the Cash-flow Reserve Fund.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(88 AYE / 12 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/27/97
GENERAL ORDER - SENATE 02/27/97
* HB 1894 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Makes reappropriations to the State Regents for each of the State System institutions and to various other agencies.
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(86 AYE / 11 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 02/27/97
GENERAL ORDER - SENATE 02/27/97
* HB 1895 (Hamilton/Haney) - BOND OVERSIGHT. Clarifies language relating to the Legislative Bond Oversight Commission. (62 § 695.4)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(87 AYE / 10 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
APPROPRIATIONS
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 03/05/97
* HB 1897 (Hamilton/Haney) - SOLE SOURCE. This is a shell bill relating to sole source and professional service contracts. (74 § 85.42)
TITLE STRICKEN 02/25/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 02/25/97
(85 AYE / 11 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 5 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 02/27/97
APPROPRIATIONS
DIRECT TO CALENDAR 03/05/97
* HB 1907 (Hamilton/Rozell) - PROGRAM BUDGETING. Clarifies language relating to the program budgeting initiative. (62 § 41.44)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1915 (Erwin) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Requires the Aeronautics Commission to promulgate rules specifying guidelines for use of state airplanes. (3 § 85.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 02/18/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(99 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
RULES
* HB 1916 (Erwin) - HEALTH CARE. Requires the Health Care Authority to submit a plan to the Governor and the Legislature regarding a separate or new contract for delivery of health services to rural Oklahoma and requires the Authority to create a Rural Health Care Advisory Committee. (63 § 5013)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(98 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 3 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
RULES
* HB 1921 (Stites/Dickerson) - TECHNOLOGY. Creates the "Training for New Technology Act"; states that the purpose of the act is to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to enable them to best use technology for the benefit of student achievement; requires the State Board of Education to work with the State Regents and the State Board of Vocational and Technical Education to establish intensive programs designed to train public school teachers in the use of technology for the classroom in student achievement and in classroom applications of technology information; requires that the programs consist of intensive one-week sessions conducted by private or public entities at State System institutions or at area vo-tech school districts; requires the State Board, subject to availability of funds, to award technology training grants by school site to teachers in public school districts who have been designated by their local boards as technology designees for their school to attend the programs; authorizes school sites to have more than one technology designee; requires that grants be awarded on competitive basis beginning Jan. 1, 1998, allows grants to include funding for necessary lodging and per diem. (70 § 1210.581)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/18/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(85 AYE / 14 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1980 (Sadler/Long) - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS. Creates the "Public Bathing Place Regulation Act"; authorizes the State Health Commissioner to supervise sanitation, healthfulness, safety and design of public bathing places and the licenses of all owners and operators of public bathing places; requires permits issued by the Health Commissioner for public bathing places; provides for inspections; provides for penalties. (63 § 1-1012.1)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/17/97
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 03/05/97
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 03/05/97
(97 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/10/97
HUMAN RESOURCES
* HB 1987 (Hamilton/Rozell) - ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. Authorizes the Department of Central Services to contract with cities and towns for asbestos abatement services; requires that the Asbestos Abatement Division provide services to state agencies and common school districts without charge. The floor substitute provides for certification of the need for services only by the Labor Department, not in conjunction with the Central Services Department. The measure no longer requires that services to agencies and school be provided without charge; requires the Central Services Department to develop criteria and methods to evaluate which entities are capable of paying the cost of asbestos abatement services; requires that any funds appropriated to the Central Services Department for asbestos abatement be restricted to projects involving state-owned and common school facilities. (74 § 61.6)
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/11/97
(86 AYE / 11 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 03/12/97
* HB 1990 (Benson/Rozell) - EQUALIZATION BOARD. Clarifies language relating to estimation of funds by the State Board of Equalization and information supplied to the Director of State Finance by state agencies responsible for collection of monies for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.
HOUSE COMMITTEE - COM SUB DO PASS 02/19/97
TITLE STRICKEN 03/10/97
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 03/10/97
(100 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 1 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SECOND READING - REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEE 03/12/97
APPROPRIATIONS
* HB 1991 (Hamilton/Rozell) - PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION/INVENTORY. Increases dollar amount in definition of "public construction contract" to $12,500; requires that bids on public construction contracts exceeding $15,000 must be accompanied by certain documents and bonds; prohibits contracts involving sums in excess of $12,500 from being split into partial contracts to avoid certain requirements; requires certain notarized statements on invoices submitted to any school