From: Bryce Fair & Carolyn McCoy
Date: Friday, January 31, 1997
Subject: Bill Tracking Update
The following document consists of three sections. Section I provides
a brief narrative of legislative highlights from 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.
On Thursday, January 30, the House and Senate Education Committees conducted a joint meeting. The first part of the meeting was held at Rogers University in Tulsa where presentations were made on the following issues:
Following the morning session, several committee members traveled to the OSU Technical Branch in Okmulgee for lunch and a tour of campus facilities.
Legislators attending one or both of the sessions included:
Upcoming Events:
Upcoming Legislative Deadlines:
February 3, Monday -- First Day of 1996 Legislative Session
February 20, Thursday -- Pass Bills from Committee in House of Origin
March 13, Thursday -- Pass Bills from Floor of the House of
Origin
Meetings Next Week:
At the time this document was produced, we did not have agendas for committee meetings next week that might address higher education legislation or issues. However, the committees through which most relevant legislation will pass have the following regular meeting days each week while bills are in committee.
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Bill Tracking: We added about 140 bills to our list this
week which now totals over 300 bills. Many bills are "shell"
bills at this point which means they currently contain only minimal
language making no real changes. If the bills continue through
the legislative process, substantive language will be inserted
at some point.
Just a few bills of special note are:
Note: Our weekly legislative updates are available on the
internet homepage of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
at: http://www.osrhe.edu. The updates are located under "Legislative
Updates" in the Directory of Documents. Each week's update
should be posted on the homepage by late Friday afternoon.
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
Ad valorem taxes
SB 589
HB 1072
HB 1337
HB 1338
HB 2075
Administrative procedures
SB 216
SB 217
HB 1120
HB 1121
HB 1564
HB 2111
HB 2120
Admission standards
HJR 1003
Agricultural Linked Deposit
HB 1251
Aircraft
HB 1009
HB 1012
HB 1019
HB 1915
Alcohol/drug counselor licensure
BH 2089
Appropriations
SB 110
SB 122
SB 169
SB 170
HB 1119
HB 1610
Appropriations (cont'd)
HB 1854
HB 1872
HB 1880
HB 1885
HB 1887
HB 1894
HJR 1002
HJR 1009
Asbestos abatement
SB 38
HB 1987
Attorney General opinions
HB 1014
Benefits
SB 174
SB 232
SB 535
SB 677
SB 681
Bidding
SB 549
Bonds
SB 713
HB 1895
HB 1992
Bribery
HB 1642
Budgeting
HB 1907
Campus police
SB 529
HB 1934
Certified Public Accountants
HB 1166
Charitable fiduciary
HB 1660
Charter schools
SB 740
HB 1011
HB 1418
HB 1603
Child care facilities
HB 2133
Child support
SB 706
HB 1294
HB 2058
Computer conversions
HB 1434
Computer donations
HB 1688
Construction
SB 389
HB 1991
Contracts
SB 389
SB 703
HB 1897
HB 1991
Credits, transfer of
SB 420
HB 1561
Data processing
HB 1818
HB 2076
Dentistry
SB 448
HB 2090
HB 2155
Deposits
HB 1817
Discrimination
HJR 1010
Early childhood
HB 1413
Ebonics
HB 1810
Economic development
HB 1254
Educational Indicators
SB 758
HB 2125
Electronic signatures
HB 1690
Employee associations
SB 218
Employee benefits
SB 174
SB 232
Employee discount
SB 262
Employee protection
HB 1017
Employee rights
HJR 1019
Employment Security
SB 43
HB 1206
HB 2200
Employment, temporary
SB 36
SB 330
English as common language
SB 343
HB 1231
English proficiency
HB 1364
Equestrian activities
HB 1083
Fees, student
HB 1042
HB 1365
Fee, supplemental
SB 746
Fee waivers
SB 199
HB 1312
Fiscal year
HB 2061
Funding plan
SB 35
Genetic discrimination
HB 2021
Government reform
HB 1981
Health/safety
SB 249
HB 2095
High challenge schools
HB 1755
Holidays
HB 1997
Homosexual lifestyles
HB 1260
Income tax credit
SB 9
SB 346
SB 616
HB 1483
HB 1507
HB 1623
HB 1688
Income tax credit (cont'd)
HB 1791
HB 2062
HB 2117
Insurance, disability
SB 451
Insurance, health
SB 22
SB 48
SB 87
SB 248
SB 254
SB 274
SB 277
SB 327
SB 412
SB 536
SB 538
SB 551
SB 552
SB 640
SB 642
SB 658
SB 692
SB 752
HB 1077
HB 1086
HB 1091
HB 1173
HB 1222
HB 1416
HB 1532
HB 1562
HB 1563
HB 1598
HB 1608
HB 1702
HB 1916
HB 2014
HB 2047
HB 2093
HB 2094
HB 2114
Inventory
HB 1694
HB 1991
Investment
HB 1990
HJR 1017
HJR 1018
Land Office Commissioners
HB 1719
HJR 1018
Langston University
HB 1774
Leave
SB 698
SJR 1
HB 1145
HB 2161
Leave, military
HB 1210
Legal representation
HB 1739
Legislation
HB 1315
Livestock activities
HB 1159
HB 1521
Maternity benefits
SB 412
HB 1598
Medical savings
HB 1666
Medical school faculty/students
SB 410
HB 2012
Motor vehicles
HB 1331
Northeastern State University
HB 2105
Nurses
SB 435
Obscene materials
HB 1692
HB 2151
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
SB 122
Oklahoma Education Television Auth.
HB 1024
Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP)
SB 273
SB 594
Oklahoma State University
HB 1515
Oklahoma State University Cooperative
Extension Service
HB 1251
Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
SB 708
OneNet
HB 1610
Payroll
SB 218
SB 706
Physical therapists
SB 2
HB 1366
Physician Manpower Training Comm.
SB 144
Poison control center
HB 1362
Prepaid tuition
HB 1055
HB 1349
Prevailing wage
HB 1773
Private colleges/universities
SB 741
Privatization functions
SB 699
Professional development
HB 1467
Purchasing
SB 37
Records
SB 617
Retirement
SB 181
SB 182
SB 183
SB 354
SB 473
SB 533
HB 1085
HB 1092
HB 1093
HB 1094
HB 1096
HB 1098
HB 1099
HB 1100
HB 1101
HB 1102
HB 1119
HB 1173
HB 1408
HB 1553
HB 1609
HB 1651
HB 1654
HB 1656
HB 1670
HB 1964
HJR 1030
HJR 1034
Right to work
SB 21
SB 23
SB 302
SB 444
Right to work (cont'd)
SJR 1
HB 1259
HB 1453
Risk management
HB 1768
School land fund
SB 541
School testing
HB 1560
HB 2125
Science/Math
SB 1
Smoke detectors
HB 1531
Smoking
SB 60
HB 2146
Sole source
HB 1897
State-owned vehicles
HB 1008
State Regents
SB 143
Student advisory boards
SB 684
Student loans
SB 417
Swimming pools, public
HB 1980
Tax improvement
HJR 1012
Teacher certification
SB 202
SB 422
HB 1308
Teacher certification (cont'd)
HB 1342
HB 1411
Teacher education/training
SB 200
SB 398
Teacher preparation
SB 200
SB 202
SB 416
SB 707
HB 1411
HB 1412
HB 1559
HB 1872
HB 1877
HB 1986
HB 2017
Technicians
SB 517
HB 1607
Technology
SB 398
HB 1921
Telecommunications
HB 1073
HB 1671
HB 1815
HB 2076
Telemedicine
SB 48
Telephone system, automated
SB 298
HB 2138
Trailblazer schools
SB 592
Training
HB 1732
Travel
SB 90
Travel (cont'd)
SB 360
SB 697
SB 701
SB 725
HB 1961
Tuition/fees
SB 199
SB 746
HB 1042
HB 1139
HB 1312
HJR 1022
Tuition savings
HB 2060
HB 2102
Tuition trust
HB 1055
HB 1349
Unemployment
SB 40
University Hospitals
SB 58
SB 454
HB 1362
HB 1644
HB 1854
HB 1859
HB 1995
HB 2013
HB 2015
University of Oklahoma
SB 43
University of Oklahoma Law Center
HB 1484
Weapons
HB 1934
Welfare/work training
HB 1246
HB 2168
HB 2170
Workers' compensation
SB 80
SB 240
SB 411
SB 522
SB 562
SB 577
SB 674
SB 730
HB 1038
HB 1039
HB 1065
HB 1067
HB 1068
HB 1203
HB 1296
HB 1382
HB 1439
HB 1565
HB 1672
HB 1673
HB 1820
HB 1963
HB 1998
SENATE BILLS
* SB 1 (Fisher) - 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)
* SB 2 (Fisher) - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS/CONTINUING EDUCATION.
Modifies membership of the Physical Therapy Committee; provides
educational and training requirements for foreign-trained applicants
for a license to practice as a physical therapist or a physical
therapist assistant; requires continuing education for renewal
of physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licenses;
directs the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to
establish requirements for continuing education and to consider
certain programs. (59 O.S. § 887.4)
* SB 9 (Milacek) - INCOME TAX DEDUCTION/TUITION/FEES.
Provides an income tax deduction for certain adoption expenses,
certain retirement income, and for tuition and fees at an Oklahoma
public or private college or university of not more than $1,200
for each fall or spring semester in which student is enrolled
in at least 12 credit hours, and $600 for summer semesters with
a minimum enrollment of six hours; disallows deduction for tuition
and fees paid by grants, scholarships, stipends, employer reimbursements
or payments, or amounts subject to tuition waivers. (68 §
2358)
* SB 13 (Williams) - ACADEMIES. Creates the Academies
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.
(70 §§ 3-130/3-134)
* SB 21 (Fair) - RIGHT TO WORK. Creates the "Oklahoma
Freedom to Work Law"; declares public policy that the freedom
to work not be subject to undue restraint or coercion; provides
that the freedom to work shall not be infringed or restricted
in any way based on membership in, affiliation with or financial
or other support of a labor organization or on refusal to join,
affiliate with or financially or otherwise support a labor organization.
(40 § 471.1)
* SB 22 (Fisher) - HEALTH INSURANCE/EYE CARE. Creates
the "Primary Eye Care Provider Act"; requires health
benefit plans covering eye or vision care to ensure direct access
to primary eye care providers who have contracted with the plan,
to allow an enrollee in a gatekeeper system to designate from
a list of eye care providers provided by the plan, to not discriminate
between or recommend certain individual providers or classes of
providers; to include an adequate number of providers to ensure
reasonable accessibility and to make available to covered persons
a list of all primary eye care providers who have contracted with
the plan, their practice locations and telephone numbers on a
regular, timely basis. (36 §§ 6052.1/6052.3)
* SB 23 (Hendrick) - RIGHT TO WORK. Provides that
the right to work not be subject to undue restraint or coercion;
prohibits infringement upon or restriction of the right to work
in any way based on membership in, affiliation with or financial
or other support of a labor organization or on refusal to join,
affiliate with or financially or otherwise support a labor organization.
(40 § 471)
* SB 35 (Williams) - EDUCATION FUNDING. Directs
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 innovative education programs subject to the availability
of funds; requires that such plan provided for incentives to be
awarded for competency-based programs that emphasize effective
learning practices. (70 § 818)
* SB 36 (Dickerson) - TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT. Creates
the "State Temporary Employment Act.". (74 § 842-1.1)
* SB 37 (Dickerson) - PURCHASING. Clarifies language
relating to the Central Purchasing Act. (74 § 85.2)
* SB 38 (Dickerson) - ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. Authorizes
the Department of Central Services to charge state agencies and
other entities a fee for services provided by the Asbestos Abatement
Division. (74 § 61.6)
* 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)
* SB 43 (Long) - 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 Management Research; requires
confidentiality; permits OU to release aggregated data, provided
such aggregation meets disclosure requirements of the Employment
Security Commission. (40 § 1-208)
* SB 48 (Robinson) - TELEMEDICINE. Creates the "Oklahoma
Telemedicine Act"; prohibits health care service plans, disability
insurer 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 provide by means of telemedicine;
requires informed consent. (36 § 6801)
* SB 58 (Robinson) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Clarifies
language relating to operation and licensing of the University
Hospitals. (63 § 3205)
* SB 60 (Robinson) - 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)
* SB 80 (Snyder) - WORKERS' COMP. 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)
* SB 87 (Leftwich) - 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)
* 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)
* SB 110 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates
to the State Regents and the Physician Manpower Training Commission;
states legislative intent regarding expenditure of certain funds.
* SB 122 (Haney/Hamilton) - OKLAHOMA CENTER FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (OCAST). Specifies budgetary
limitations for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science
and Technology (OCAST).
* SB 143 (Haney/Hamilton) - STATE REGENTS. This
is a shell bill relating to the powers of the State Regents.
* SB 144 (Haney/Hamilton) - PHYSICIAN MANPOWER TRAINING.
Specifies budgetary limitations for the Physician Manpower Training
Commission
* SB 169 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates
to the special cash fund from the cash-flow reserve fund; provides
that, in the event of a monthly shortfall of revenues for the
1997 fiscal year, the Director of State Finance shall transfer
from the special cash fund to the cash-flow reserve fund an amount
necessary to avert the shortfall.
* SB 170 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates
to the special cash fund from the cash-flow reserve fund; provides
that, in the event of a monthly shortfall of revenues for the
1997 fiscal year, the Director of State Finance shall transfer
from the special cash fund to the cash-flow reserve fund an amount
necessary to avert the shortfall.
* SB 174 (Haney/Hamilton) - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Clarifies
language relating to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Act.
(74 § 1361)
* SB 181 (Monson) - RETIREMENT. Clarifies language
relating to the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma (OTRS).
(70 § 17-101)
* SB 182 (Monson) - RETIREMENT. This is a shell
bill relating to the OTRS. (70 § 17-101)
* SB 183 (Monson) - RETIREMENT. Clarifies language
relating to the OTRS. (70 § 17-101.1)
* SB 199 (Leftwich) - FEE WAIVER. Authorizes tuition-free
attendance at State System institutions for children of employees
of this state 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)
* SB 200 (Hendrick) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Provides
that the Teacher Preparation Commission shall not require less
than 124 semester hours to complete a teacher education degree.
(70 § 6-185)
* 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)
* SB 216 (Maddox) - 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)
* SB 217 (Hendrick) - 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)
* SB 218 (Dickerson) - 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)
* SB 232 (Monson) - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Clarifies
language relating to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council.
(74 § 1365)
* SB 240 (Milacek) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Allows
employers to elect not to secure workers' compensation for employees;
requires such employers to provide equivalent benefits for workers.
(85 § 61.3)
* SB 248 (Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Provides that
in selecting health maintenance organizations, the Employee Benefits
Council shall consider plan characteristics, provider network,
quality of care, geographic coverage and access and price. (74
§ 1365)
* SB 249 (Monson) - 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)
* SB 254 (Helton) - HEALTH INSURANCE. 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 the accident and health insurance policies
associated with those organizations; outlines requirements for
preferred provider organizations; requires health care insurers
to file certain information with the state insurance commissioner;
requires policies which provide incentives for covered persons
to use preferred provider services to contain certain provisions;
prohibits discrimination. (36 § 6057.1)
* SB 262 (Herbert) - EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT. Provides
that all full-time state employees shall receive a 10-percent
discount on food and lodging at state-owned parks and lodges.
(74 § 1807.1)
* SB 273 (Horner) - 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)
* SB 274 (Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires individual
and group health insurance and health benefit plans 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 25 or fewer employees; provides
for a five-year phase-in for certain disorders identified as severe,
biologically based mental illness and Axis I diagnoses, or the
"walking wounded." (36 § 6060.10)
* SB 277 (Cain) - 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)
* SB 298 (Maddox) - AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM.
Requires that all agencies have a person available at all times
in the agency's reception area to answer telephone calls during
normal business hours; prohibits a state agency from using an
automated telephone system for answering phone calls during regular
hours of operation. (74 § 3306)
* SB 302 (Gustafson) - RIGHT TO WORK. Declares public
policy that the right to work not be subject to undue restraint
or coercion; provides that the right to work shall not be infringed
or restricted in any way based on membership in, affiliation with
or financial support of a labor organization or on refusal to
join, affiliate with or financially or otherwise support a labor
organization. (40 § 470)
* SB 327 (Taylor) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Modifies sections
relating to the Insurance Code; modifies time periods for acknowledging
receipt of certain notification, advising claimant of acceptance
or denial of a claim, extending deadlines, completing investigation
and giving a claimant certain notice; modifies the age of full-time
student dependent qualifying for certain coverage. (18 §
2002)
* SB 330 (Long) - TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. Authorizes
the governor, upon declaration of financial emergency, to freeze
the awarding of professional services contracts; directs the Office
of Personnel Management to establish and operate a temporary employment
agency for the purpose of supplying temporary employees to state
agencies. (74 § 340-2.14)
* SB 343 (Martin) - ENGLISH AS COMMON LANGUAGE.
Recognizes English as the common language of this state and requires
its use in public records and transactions, with certain exceptions.
(25 § 300)
* SB 346 (Martin) - INCOME TAX CREDIT/GRADUATES. Provides
for a state income tax credit for employers hiring full-time Oklahoma
residents who have graduated or received a degree from a four-year
public Oklahoma college or university within one year prior to
employment and have worked at least one full year for the eligible
employer. (68 § 2357.26)
* SB 354 (Stipe) - 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)
* SB 360 (Smith) - TRAVEL. Authorizes state employees
traveling outside the state on official business to use alternate
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)
* SB 389 (Weedn) - CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTS. Provides
that a purchase order issued by a county or political subdivision
issued to an architect, contractor, engineer or supplier of materials
shall constitute 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)
* SB 398 (Roberts) - TEACHER/TECHNOLOGY TRAINING. Modifies
teacher training requirements to require that technology training
be included in professional development institutes. (70 §
6-200)
* SB 410 (Herbert) - HEALTH SERVICES/MEDICAL STUDENTS.
Relates to expansion of health care facilities; provides that
when an application is made by a facility for a certificate of
need to construct, expand or modernize a health care facility,
acquire major medical equipment or add services, the application
should be considered in terms of its impact on existing and proposed
institutional training programs for doctors at the student, internship
and residency training levels. (63 § 2656.11)
* SB 411 (Maddox) - WORKERS' COMP. Permits employers
subject to provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act to participate
in any claim for compensation or benefits commenced by a claimant,
wherein the employer is named as a party or joined as a party;
specifies rights of such employers; provides that failure on the
part of a self-insured employer, group self-insurance association
or an insurance carrier to implement certain requirements for
workplace safety shall constitute grounds for revocation by the
administrator of the Workers' Compensation Court of the employer's
self-insurance permit or approval of the association's self-insurance
association. (85 § 26)
* SB 412 (Brown) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Modifies conditions
under which a health benefit plan that provides maternity benefits
may provide coverage for a shorter length of hospital inpatient
stay for services related to maternity and newborn infant care;
requires that the determination that a mother and a newborn infant
meet certain medical criteria be made by an attending physician.
(36 § 6060.3)
* SB 416 (Williams) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Adds
to the definitions in the Teacher Preparation Act "para-teacher,"
defined as a person who does not hold a valid license to teach
or has not been issued a certificate by the Board of Education
who may perform or assist a classroom teacher in the performance
of a homeroom duty, extracurricular activities involving school
functions or any other non-instructional duty the board may prescribe.
(70 § 6-182)
* SB 417 (Williams) - STUDENT LOANS. Permits the
exchange of confidential information, indexed by Social Security
number, between state government entities and any official, employee
or agent of the State Regents, where the information is required
for use in the default prevention efforts or collection of defaulted
student loans guaranteed by the Regents; requires confidentiality;
provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for any error
or omission in the disclosure of such information; provides that,
when the person to be in default on a student loan is a licensed
attorney, the Regents may report the matter to the Oklahoma Bar
Association for appropriate license suspension action in accordance
with the Rules of Professional Conduct. (70 § 623)
* SB 420 (Williams) - CREDITS. Clarifies language
relating to transferring credits earned by students in a State
System institution. (70 § 3207.1)
* SB 422 (Williams) - TEACHER CERTIFICATION. Clarifies
language relating to alternative placement teaching certificates.
(70 § 6-122.3)
* SB 435 (Taylor) - NURSES. Designates certain sections
as the "Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act" and the "Oklahoma
Nurse Aide Training and Certification Act", respectively;
directs the Board of Nursing to promulgate and enforce rules governing
persons practicing or desiring to practice as a certified nurse
aide or as a nurse aide trainee. (59 § 567.1)
* SB 444 (Laughlin) - RIGHT TO WORK. Creates the
"Oklahoma Right to Work Act"; provides that no person
shall be required, as a condition of employment or continued employment,
to resign or refrain from voluntary membership in or dues payment
to a labor organization, be a member of or pay dues to such an
organization, pay to any third party an equivalent amount in lieu
of dues or be recommended, approved, referred or cleared by or
through a labor organization, except where preempted by federal
law. (40 § 470)
* 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)
* SB 451 (Weedn) - DISABILITY INSURANCE. Expands
eligibility for participation in the disability insurance program
of the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to
include all eligible participating employees under the State and
Education Employees Group Insurance Act. (74 § 1332)
* SB 454 (Robinson) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Clarifies
language relating to agreements and undertakings of the University
Hospitals Authority. (63 § 3210)
* SB 473 (Milacek) - RETIREMENT. Deletes the cap
on post-retirement earnings for former public school employees.
(70 § 17-116.10)
* SB 517 (Helton) - TECHNICIANS/LICENSURE. Provides
for licensure of plumbing technicians and mechanical technicians.
(59 § 1003)
* SB 522 (Helton) - WORKERS' COMP. Clarifies language
relating to criminal penalties for failure to provide workers'
compensation. (85 § 631.3)
* SB 529 (Helton) - CAMPUS POLICE. Requires certification
of campus police officers by the Council on Law Enforcement Education
and Training (CLEET); authorizes expansion of the jurisdiction
of campus police officers by agreement with the local municipal
law enforcement agency or the sheriff of the county wherein the
campus is located; provides that the jurisdiction of any appointed
campus police or juvenile officer commissioned by the Department
of Human Services shall be limited to that jurisdiction of property
controlled by the Department unless an agreement has been made
with a local municipal law enforcement agency or the sheriff.
(74 § 360.15)
* SB 533 (Williams) - RETIREMENT. Increases from
five to 10 years the amount of out-of-state service credit a teacher
may receive upon becoming a member of the OTRS. (70 § 17-104)
* SB 535 (Long) - BENEFITS. Modifies flexible benefit
allowance available for purchase of benefits by state employees;
provides that the allowance shall amount to a sliding-scale percentage
of insurance premium cost based upon the annual salary of the
employee. (74 § 1370)
* SB 536 (Stipe) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires that
health insurance premiums for active state employees and retirees
under age 65 be set at the same amount by the State and Education
Employees Group Insurance Board; provides that a retired employee,
other than an education employee, who elects to continue the health
insurance plan shall receive an allowance equal to the least expensive
health care option authorized by the State Employees Benefits
Act, to cover a retiree under 65 years of age; provides that if
a retiree elects a total benefits package whose total price is
less than his or her allowance, the retiree shall receive any
excess allowance as taxable compensation, which will be paid in
substantially equal amounts over each benefit pay period over
the plan year; requires the board to offer health, dental, disability,
and life coverage to all participants and their dependents; requires
the board to offer a high-deductible health benefit plan. (74
§ 1306)
* SB 538 (Horner) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Prohibits
health care insurers from prohibiting or limiting licensed physicians
willing to accept the operating terms and conditions of a health
benefit plan, its schedule of fees, covered expenses, utilization
regulations and quality standards, from participating in the plan.
(36 § 6065)
* SB 541 (Hobson) - SCHOOL LAND FUNDS. Clarifies
language relating to school land funds. (70 § 3904)
* SB 549 (Stipe) - PUBLIC BIDDING. Clarifies language
relating to the "Public Competitive Bidding Act". (61
§ 101)
* SB 551 (Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires the
State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board to establish
a defined percentage of an eligible employee's premium for dependent
coverage on the health insurance plan, dental insurance plan,
or by any available health maintenance organization which shall
be paid by the state through monies appropriated by the Legislature.
(74 § 1309)
* SB 552 (Herbert) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Increases
from misdemeanor to felony the crime of fraud as it relates to
the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Act. (74 §
1323)
* SB 562 (Hendrick) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. For
workers' compensation purposes, provides that no respondent employer
or insurance carrier shall be liable for temporary total disability
payments for the period of time for which an employee was paid
full wages. (85 § 41.1)
* SB 577 (Shurden) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. For
workers' compensation purposes, provides that an employee shall
be considered disabled if the employee qualifies for Social Security
disability benefits. (85 § 17.1)
* SB 589 (Ford) - AD VALOREM TAXES. Provides that
on property for which ad valorem taxes are paid under protest
and held in escrow, a school district's assessed valuation shall
not include the property on which the tax is being protested until
the year during which the district receives the proceeds from
the taxes. (70 § 18-200.1)
* 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;
limits such schools to no more than 25 in this state at any one
time; 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. (70 § 3-130)
* SB 594 (Hobson) - OHLAP. Clarifies language relating
to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). (70 §
2602)
* SB 616 (Wilcoxson) - INCOME TAX CREDIT. Provides
for an income tax credit of $25 per credit hour for courses taken
by a certified teacher seeking a master's degree from a certified
college or university. (68 § 2357)
* SB 617 (Robinson) - PUBLIC RECORDS. Authorizes
optical imaging of public records for certain purposes. (67 §
301)
* SB 640 (Snyder) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Creates the
Oklahoma Maintenance Organization Act; provides requirements for
certificates; requires provision of list of service providers;
requires plans for handling insolvency; allows transfer of group
enrollees upon insolvency; requires equity in coverage and rates;
prohibits pre-existing conditions in succeeding carrier's contracts;
requires certain employers to allow employees option of enrolling
in a health maintenance organization; limits amount employer must
pay for health benefits; prohibits financial discrimination against
health maintenance organization enrollees' allowing adoption of
coordination of benefit provisions; requires health maintenance
to make certain payments for services. (36 § 2699.1)
* SB 642 (Taylor) - 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. (63 § 2508.2)
* SB 658 (Monson) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Adds an annual
eye exam to the basic benefits plans of the State and Education
Employees Group Insurance Act. (74 § 1371)
* SB 674 (Leftwich) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Modifies
definition of injury under the Workers' Compensation Act to include
respiratory system injury, illness or death, cancer, disease from
blood-borne pathogens, and post-traumatic stress syndrome; deletes
from the definition injury resultant from stress in excess of
that experienced by a person in the conduct of everyday living.
(85 § 3)
* SB 677 (Haney) - BENEFITS. Clarifies statutory
reference relating to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Act.
(74 § 1361)
* SB 681 (Haney) - BENEFITS. Clarifies statutory
reference relating to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Act.
(74 § 1362)
* SB 684 (Williams) - STUDENT ADVISORY BOARDS. Establishes
student advisory boards for the A&M Board of Regents, the
OU Board of Regents, and the Board of Regents for 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. (70 § 3205.7)
* SB 692 (Campbell) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Includes
a provision in health insurance policies for female participants
to have a choice of gynecologists for both wellness checks and
any preventative or post-operative care that is agreed to by the
primary care physician. (36 § 6055)
* SB 697 (Gustafson) - TRAVEL. Allows for reimbursement
under the State Travel Reimbursement Act for employees using local
transportation between an alternative hotel and the designated
hotel or motel, if the cost of the alternative hotel, motel and
local transportation does not exceed the single occupancy room
rate charged by the designated hotel, motel. (74 § 500.9)
* SB 698 (Dickerson) - 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 without pay
to perform the work required by that official position. (74 §
840-2.25)
* SB 699 (Dunlap) - 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 writing 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)
* SB 701 (Muegge) - TRAVEL. Provides that reimbursement
for authorized use of a privately owned vehicle for official state
business shall be at the maximum amount per mile allowable for
federal tax purposes. (74 § 500.4)
* SB 703 (Snyder) - CONTRACTORS. 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)
* SB 706 (Cain) - 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)
* SB 707 (Williams) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Clarifies
language relating to the teacher preparation system. (70 §
6-185)
* SB 708 (Williams) - OKLAHOMA TUITION AID GRANTS (OTAG).
Clarifies language relating to awarding college tuition aid grants.
(70 § 626.7)
* SB 713 (Herbert) - BOND OVERSIGHT. Abolishes the
Executive Bond Oversight Commission; transfers duties of the state
bond advisor to the Office of State Finance; authorizes the State
Finance Director to employ a person or firm who shall hold the
title of state bond advisor; authorizes the granting or proprietary
inducements if the State Finance Director and Legislative Bond
Oversight Commission approve a proposal in advance and it furthers
the best interest of the state; requires independent approval
of financing proposals by the Commission and the State Finance
Director. (62 § 695.1)
* SB 725 (Hobson) - TRAVEL. Clarifies language relating
to per diem and other reimbursements for expenses not authorized
for state boards and commissions. (74 § 500.36)
* SB 730 (Maddox/Askins) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION.
This is a comprehensive bill modifying the Workers' Compensation
Act. (85 § 1.1)
* SB 740 (Wright) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Creates the
"Oklahoma Charter Schools Act"; defines "charter
school" as a public school established by contract with a
local board of education or the State Board of Education to provide
learning that will improve student achievement; specifies contents
of applications for charter schools; allows a public school, public
body, public or private college or university, private person
or private organization to establish a charter school under contract.
(70 § 3-130)
* SB 741 (Williams) - PRIVATE COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES.
Clarifies language relating to accreditation of private educational
institutions by the State Regents. (70 § 4103)
* SB 746 (Williams) - SUPPLEMENTAL FEES. Clarifies
language relating to supplementary fees established by the State
Regents. (70 § 3218.10)
* SB 752 (Campbell) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires
certain medical benefit plans to allow participants to choose
their own gynecologists for both wellness checks and any preventative
or post-operative care that is agreed to by the primary care physician.
(74 § 1371)
* SB 758 (Gustafson) - EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS. Requires
the State Board of Education to provide for school districts to
participate in the administration of the National Assessment of
Educational Progress; requires the results of the assessment to
be included in the summary report of the Oklahoma Educational
Indicators Program. (70§ 1210.531)
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
* SJR 1 (Long) - RIGHT TO WORK/LEAVE. Proposes a
constitutional amendment prohibiting the requirement that a person
be a member of a labor organization or pay dues or similar fees
to a labor organization in order to be hired or remain employed;
provides an option for receiving representation under collective
bargaining, upon payment of an assessment equal to no more than
90 percent of the annual "core dues" or a contribution
of a like amount to charity; requires employers to provide health
insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation to all full- and part-time
employees; requires 48 hours' written notice prior to termination
an employee. (Art XXIII § 5A)
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)
* HB 1009 (Roach/Mickle) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Provides
procedures for use of aircraft owned, leased, or operated by the
state; requires implementation of provisions by any state entity
that owns, leases or operates an aircraft; requires travel logs;
provides procedures and requirements for travel logs. (74 §
500.61) (See HBs 1012, 1019)
* HB 1011 (Dank) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Enacts the Oklahoma
Charter Schools Act; allows a public school, public body, public
or private college or university, private person or private organization
to establish a charter school under contract. (70 §§
3-130/3-142)
* HB 1012 (Tim Pope) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Prohibits
state-owned or -leased aircraft from being used for travel that
includes the attending of any type of political fund raiser. (74
§ 500.91) (See HBs 1009, 1019)
* HB 1014 (Leist) - ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS. Provides
for review of official opinions of the attorney general; authorizes
the filing of a petition for judicial review by the person who
requested the opinion or any elected state officer authorized
to request an opinion; authorizes the reviewing court to stay
the enforcement or effect of an opinion; provides that any opinion
not issued by the attorney general in office at the time of the
request for review must be first reviewable by the sitting attorney
general. (74 § 18b-1)
* HB 1017 (Askins) - EMPLOYEE PROTECTION. Creates
the "Workplace and Employee Protection Act"; states
intent to provide optional remedies against workplace violence
to supplement existing remedies and shall not obligate or create
a duty on an employer to seek such optional remedies; authorizes
an employing entity, on behalf or itself or its employees, agents,
contractors or business invitees receiving threats of physical
harm, harassment or stalking, to seek relief by filing a petition
for a protective order; specifies requirements for filing protective
orders. (22 § 70)
* HB 1019 (Hamilton/Rozell) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Provides
that state aircraft shall not be used for travel that includes
an event sponsored by or promoting a political party or candidate
from July 1 through the date of the general election during election
years, and from the first day of the filing period through the
date of the special election during such times as a special election
is necessary to fill a vacant office; prohibits use of such aircraft
for family travel or for conducting personal business or for travel
that includes a political fundraising event; provides that travel
on any state aircraft shall be limited to state officers and employees
on official state business, federal and local government officers
or employees accompanying them and persons in the care and custody
of a state officer or employee; prohibits travel on a state aircraft
if the passenger is to be transported to or from a place where
the passenger will attend or has attended an event sponsored by
a political party or candidate, or will perform or has performed
a service for which the passenger is to receive an honorarium,
unless the passenger reimburses the state for transportation costs.
(74 §§ 500.71/500.73) (See HBs 1009, 1012)
* HB 1024 (Askins/Harrison) - OETA. Changes the
termination date of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority
to July 1, 2002. (74 § 3903)
* HB 1038 (Settle) - WORKERS' COMP. Clarifies language
relating to the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 § 6)
* HB 1039 (Toure) - WORKERS' COMP. This is a shell
bill relating to the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 § 6.1)
* HB 1042 (Greenwood) - STUDENT FEES. Provides that
students with adequate health insurance would not have to pay
a student health care fee at public higher education institutions.
(70 § 3218.12)
* HB 1055 - (Davis) - TUITION TRUST. This is a shell
bill relating to the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act. (70 § 6002)
* HB 1065 (Ervin) - WORKERS' COMP/SAFETY. Clarifies
language relating to workplace safety plans developed pursuant
to the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 § 61.2)
* HB 1067 (Toure) - WORKER'S COMP. Clarifies language
relating to the penalty for discharging an employee in violation
of the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 § 6)
* HB 1068 (Sadler) - WORKER'S COMP. Provides that,
for workers' compensation purposes, contractors shall be liable
only for compensation due to their direct employees. (85 §
3)
* HB 1072 (Ramsey) - AD VALOREM TAX. Provides for
submitting ad valorem tax complaints and the distribution of protested
funds. (68 § 3106.1)
* HB 1073 (O'Neal) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Modifies
telecommunications service and rental charges subject to sales
tax to delete installation and construction charges. (68 §
1354)
* HB 1077 (Seikel) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires
that health insurance and health benefit plans include coverage
for severe mental illness equal to coverage for other physical
diseases and disorders; provides an exception for policies that
provide coverage for a specified disease or other limited-benefit
coverage or groups with 25 or fewer employees. (36 § 6060.4)
* HB 1083 (Beutler) - EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES. Requires
any person participating in equestrian activities to assume the
risk and legal responsibility for any injury to his person or
property caused by hazards inherent in equestrian sports, unless
the injury was proximately caused by the negligence of the person
providing the horse to the participant or the failure to guard
or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity
by the person providing the horse or the person's agents or employees.
(76 § 50.1)
* HB 1085 (Roberts) - 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)
* HB 1086 (Roberts) - 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)
* HB 1091 (Roberts) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires
that the benefit price of a health maintenance organization made
available to participants by the State Employees Benefits Council
be determined on a competitive bid basis; requires that the benefit
price for the next fiscal year be finally determined by 1 p.m.
on the second Wednesday in January of the previous fiscal year;
requires that all plans offered by health maintenance organizations
not be subject to the provisions of the Central Purchasing Act;
requires the Council to promulgate rules establishing appropriate
competitive bidding criteria and procedures for such contracts.
(74 § 1371)
* HB 1092 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Teachers' Retirement
System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
* HB 1093 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Teachers' Retirement
System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
* HB 1094 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Creates the "Public
Retirement Systems Technical Corrections Act of 1997".
* HB 1096 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Clarifies language
relating to establishment of the Teachers' Retirement System (OTRS).
(70 § 17-102)
* HB 1098 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Requires that
a minimum of 10 percent of the total monies of the various state
retirement systems, including the OTRS, be invested by an entity
the principal business offices of which are located within the
state if the entity otherwise qualifies to manage monies of the
systems as prescribed by law. (70 § 17-106.1)
* HB 1099 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Teachers' Retirement
System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
* HB 1100 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Teachers' Retirement
System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
* HB 1101 (Roberts) - RETIREMENT. Teachers' Retirement
System Fiscal Health Task Force Recommendations Act.
* HB 1102 (Roberts) - 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)
* HB 1119 (Roberts) - APPROPRIATIONS/RETIREMENT.
Appropriates $56,664,006 from the Constitutional Reserve Fund
(Rainy Day Fund) to the OTRS to reduce the pension fund's unfunded
accrued liabilities.
* HB 1120 (Webb) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Deletes
obsolete language relating to the Oklahoma Administrative Code.
(75 § 250.9)
* HB 1121 (Webb) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Correcting
reference to the Oklahoma Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental
Relations. (75 § 308)
* HB 1139 - (Hager) - TUITION/STATE EMPLOYEES. Provides
for reimbursement for state employees' tuition, required books
and materials for a course taken at a state college or university
or at a vo-tech school, if the employee receives the equivalent
of a letter grade of "C" or better; requires the employing
agency to determine whether the course furthers a legitimate purpose
of the agency by improving the employee's skills or abilities.
(74 § 840-2.28)
* HB 1145 - (Dunegan) - 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)
* HB 1159 - (Clay Pope) - LIVESTOCK LIABILITY. Creates
the "Oklahoma Livestock Activities Liability Limitation Act";
states legislative intent to encourage livestock activities by
limiting the civil liability of livestock activities sponsors,
whether operating for profit or nonprofit, and livestock professionals
involved in such activities; requires livestock professionals
and livestock activity sponsors to post and maintain appropriation
warning signs. (76 § 50.1)
* HB 1166 - (Hager) - CPA EDUCATION. Requires applicants
for a certificate of certified public accountant, beginning July
1, 2002, to have earned 150 semester hours or its equivalent including
a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited four-year
college or university in the state or such college or university
recognized by the board; provides exceptions to education requirements.
(59 § 15.8)
* HB 1173 (Roberts) - HEALTH INSURANCE/RETIREES.
Clarifies language relating to health care coverage for retired
members of the OTRS. (74 § 1316.3)
* HB 1203 (Kinnamon) - WORKERS' COMP. Clarifies
language relating to the workers' compensation rating plans. (360
§ 924.2)
* HB 1206 (Morgan) - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. This is
a shell bill relating to the Oklahoma Employment Security Act.
(40 § 1-208)
* HB 1210 (Wells) - MILITARY SERVICE. Introduces
the "Military Service Relief Act"; provides for reemployment
rights and other benefits for persons called to military service
in the reserve forces; authorizes an employer to pay compensation
to an employee who leaves employment to perform military service,
during the employee's military service; requires that, if an employer
elects to pay such compensation, it be paid on a uniform basis
to all such employees called to military service; provides for
a stay of a court action or adjudicatory or licensing proceeding
during the term of military service, with exceptions; provides
for continuation of insurance and retirement benefits; requires
reinstatement to employment under certain circumstances; prohibits
the unnecessary disruption of higher education of a student member
of a reserve unit. (72 §§ 501/535)
* HB 1222 (Steidley) - 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)
* HB 1231 (Kirby) - ENGLISH AS COMMON LANGUAGE.
Recognizes English as the common language of this state, with
certain exceptions. (25 § 300)
* HB 1246 (Roach) - WELFARE/WORKFORCE. Creates the
"Workforce Training Act."
* HB 1251 (Glover) - OSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION.
Modifies the purpose of the Oklahoma Agricultural Linked Deposit
Program, to provide funding for eligible agricultural businesses;
states legislative intent that the Cooperative Extension Service,
in evaluating products to be specified as alternative agricultural
products include only those considered to be emerging innovations
and technologies in agriculture and farm management designed to
improve farm management and profits for Oklahoma farmers. (2 §
1761)
* HB 1254 (Roach) - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Creates
the "Oklahoma Economic Improvement Act."
* HB 1259 (Graves) - RIGHT TO WORK. Creates the
"Oklahoma Right to Work Law"; provides that no person
shall be required, as a condition of employment or continued employment,
to resign or refrain from voluntary membership in or dues payment
to a labor organization, be a member of or pay dues to such an
organization, pay to any third party an equivalent amount in lieu
of dues or be recommended, approved, referred or cleared by or
through a labor organization, except where preempted by federal
law. (40 § 470)
* HB 1260 (Graves) - HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLES. Prohibits
employers from offering or requiring any employee to take any
training which is designed to put homosexual lifestyles in a favorable
light. (74 § 840-3.1a)
* HB 1294 (Pettigrew) - CHILD SUPPORT/PAYROLL. Changes
the "Oklahoma Welfare Self Sufficiency Initiative" to
"Oklahoma Welfare Reform of 1997". Section 43 requires
employers to report to the Department of Human Services (DHS),
Child Support Enforcement Division, the hiring or employment of
any person who resides or works in this state to whom the employer
anticipates paying earnings. (40 § 2-802)
* HB 1296 (Reese) - WORKERS' COMP. Provides that,
if an individual lacks sufficient base period wages because of
a job-related injury for which the individual received total temporary
disability payments awarded by the Workers' Compensation Court,
upon written application by the claimant, an extended base period
will be substituted for the current base period on a quarter-by-quarter
basis as needed to establish a valid claim for benefits pursuant
to the Employment Security Act. (40 § 1-202A)
* HB 1308 (Greenwood) - TEACHER CERTIFICATION. Requires
the State Board of Education to grant a special license to teach
mathematics, science, or foreign language to a person who applies
to the board and has at least a baccalaureate degree from an institution
whose accreditation is recognized by the State Regents, has completed
a major in the specified areas of specialization, and can document
at least 20 years of work experience which is related to the subject
area of specialization; requires that such persons participate
in and complete at least one school year of teaching services
as a resident teacher in a residency program; requires the board
to issue a teaching certificate to any person who holds a special
teaching license and who has served a minimum of one school year
as a resident teacher, been recommended for certification by the
residency committee and made the necessary application and paid
the certification fee. (70 O.S. § 6-122.4)
* HB 1312 (Lindley) - FEE WAIVER. Requires a waiver
of general enrollment fees and nonresident tuition in the State
System institutions and a tuition waiver at vo-tech schools for
state employees; limits such waivers to five years and makes the
waivers a service benefit. (70 §§ 3218.7a, 14-105.1)
* 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)
* HB 1331 (Worthen) - STATE-OWNED VEHICLES. Modifies
requirements of certain persons to install ignition interlock
devices on their vehicles; prohibits exemption for a person using
an employer-owned motor vehicle; requires a person intending to
operate an employer-owned motor vehicle who is restricted to the
operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock
device to notify the employer and obtain consent in writing from
the employer to install a device in the employer-owned motor vehicle.
(22 § 991a)
* HB 1337 (Begley) - AD VALOREM TAX. Clarifies language
relating to the Ad Valorem Tax Code. (68 § 2808)
* HB 1338 (Begley) - AD VALOREM TAX. Modifies the
process for submitting and handling ad valorem tax complaints;
requires the State Board of Equalization 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; 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 of railroads, air carriers
or public service corporations paid under protest, to determine
the amount of such taxes that would have been apportioned to each
school district and vo-tech 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)
* HB 1342 (Begley) - ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT TEACHER CERTIFICATION.
This is a shell bill relating to alternative placement teaching
certification. (70 § 6-122.3)
* HB 1349 (Matlock) - PREPAID TUITION. Enacts the
"Oklahoma Tuition Prepayment Program Act"; requires
the State Regents by Sept. 1, 1998, and for each year thereafter,
to determine the weighted average tuition of bachelor-degree-granting
institutions within the State System for the academic year that
begins on or after Aug. 1 of the current year; provides for calculation;
authorizes the Regents, beginning Jan. 1, 1998, to begin entering
into contracts on behalf of an Oklahoma Tuition Prepayment Trust
with purchasers for the sale of tuition units; provides requirements
for such contracts; specifies requirements for applying tuition
units accumulated under a contract towards payment of tuition
at a higher education institution; limits the total number of
tuition units purchased on behalf of a single beneficiary from
exceeding the number necessary to pay for four years of full-time
attendance as a resident undergraduate at the institution within
the State System that has the highest resident undergraduate tuition,
as determined by the Regents, in the anticipated academic years
that the tuition units will be used; provides for termination
of prepaid tuition contracts; provides for a refund of unused
tuition units; requires the Regents to contract with an actuary
or actuarial firm to annually evaluate whether the assets of the
prepaid tuition trust fund are sufficient to meet the obligations
of the Regents and to advise the Regents on setting the price
of a tuition unit; creates the Oklahoma Tuition Prepayment Trust
and specifies powers and duties; provides annual reporting requirements;
authorizes the Regents, if it is determined that the program is
financially infeasible, to discontinue entering into contracts
and selling tuition units; creates the Prepaid Tuition Trust Fund.
(70 §§ 6020/6034)
* HB 1362 (Laura Boyd) - 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.
* HB 1364 (Laura Boyd) - ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. Clarifies
language relating to the requirement that higher education instructors
speak English proficiently. (70 § 3224)
* HB 1365 (Laura Boyd) - STUDENT FEES. This is a
shell bill relating to higher education fees. (70 § 3218.12)
* HB 1366 (Laura Boyd) - PHYSICAL THERAPISTS. This
is a shell bill relating to licensure for physical therapists.
(59 § 887.6)
* HB 1382 (Mitchell) - WORKERS' COMP. This is a
shell bill relating to the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 §
3.4)
* HB 1408 (Pettigrew) - RETIREMENT. Creates the
"Teachers' Retirement System Act of 1997".
* HB 1411 (Coleman) - TEACHER PREPARATION/CERTIFICATION.
Clarifies language relating to teacher preparation and certification.
(70 § 6-190)
* HB 1412 (Coleman) - TEACHER EDUCATION. This is
a shell bill relating to teacher education. (70 § 6-182)
* HB 1413 (Coleman) - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
This is a shell bill relating to early childhood education. (70
§ 11-103.7)
* HB 1416 (Betty Boyd) - HEALTH CARE. Creates the
"Fairness in Managed Care Act"; provides for the certification
process and requirements for managed care plans. (63 § 2525.2)
* HB 1418 (Bryant) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Creates the
"Oklahoma Charter Schools Act"; allows a public school,
public body, public or private college or university, private
person or private organizations to establish a charter school
under contract; specifies requirements and terms for such schools.
(70 §§ 3-130/3-142)
* HB 1434 (Deutschendorf) - 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)
* HB 1439 (Newport) - WORKERS' COMP. This is a shell
bill relating to the Workers' Compensation Act. (85 § 6.1)
* HB 1453 (Phillips) - RIGHT TO WORK. Creates the
"Oklahoma Right to Work Law"; provides that no person
shall be required, as a condition of employment or continued employment,
to resign or refrain from voluntary membership in or financial
support of a labor organization, become or remain a member of
an organization, pay dues or other charges to an organization,
pay to a third party an equivalent amount in lieu of such payments
or be recommended, approved, referred or cleared by or through
a labor organization, except where preempted by federal law. (40
§ 470)
* HB 1467 (Staggs) - 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)
* HB 1483 (Leonard Sullivan) - INCOME TAX CREDIT/TUITION.
Provides for an income tax credit for tuition paid to an accredited
Oklahoma four-year public college or university by a teacher for
courses satisfactorily completed in pursuit of an advanced degree.
(68 § 2357)
* HB 1484 (Leonard Sullivan) - OU LAW CENTER. Abolishes
the OU Law Center; removes from the membership of the Domestic
Relations Recodification Committee the member who is an OU law
professor; modifies the distribution of the Oklahoma Statutes
and Session Laws to OU from 55 copies to five copies, to be placed
in the law center library. (70 § 3103.1, 43 § 700.2)
* HB 1507 (Adkins) - INCOME TAX CREDIT/GRADUATES. Provides
for a state income tax credit for employers hiring full-time employees
who have graduated or received a degree from a four-year public
Oklahoma college or university within one year prior to employment
and have worked at least one full year for the eligible employer.
(68 § 2357.26)
* HB 1515 (Leist) - OSU/AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH.
Requests that Oklahoma Food and Agricultural Products Research
and Technology Center at OSU study and research alternative fiber
production in the state. (2 § 3101)
* HB 1521 (Rice) - LIVESTOCK ACTIVITIES/LIABILITY. States
legislative intent to encourage livestock activities by limiting
the civil liability of livestock activities sponsors. (76 §§
50.1/50.4)
* HB 1531 (Blackburn) - 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)
* HB 1532 (Blackburn) - HEALTH INSURANCE/BREAST CANCER.
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)
* HB 1553 (Pettigrew) - RETIREMENT. Provides that
no cost-of-living adjustments shall be provided to retirees of
the OTRS unless pursuant to an appropriation from the general
revenue fund; provides that no supplemental appropriation for
such adjustment shall be made to the system unless requirements
governing employer contributions can be satisfied through the
total amount of monies available to participating employers; provides
that the money which may be used by participating employers may
be provided through general or special appropriations or through
other sources. (62 § 1002)
* HB 1559 (Hager) - 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)
* HB 1560 (Hager) - NORM-REFERENCED TESTS. Requires
that a norm-referenced test be administered to every student enrolled
in grade 10 in the public schools; deletes obsolete language referring
to additional criteria that could have been included as part of
the standard by which a school is determined to be low performing
and high challenge. (70 §§ 1210.508, 1210.541)
* HB 1561 (Wells) - CREDITS. Deletes obsolete language
requiring the State Regents to submit to the Legislature a report
on the progress made toward transferal of credits within the State
System institutions. (70 § 3107.1)
* HB 1562 (Deutschendorf) - 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)
* HB 1563 (Gray) - HEALTH BENEFITS. Requires health
benefit plan contracts to provide coverage for reconstructive
surgery for the insured after removal of artificial breast implants
when medically necessary and when recommended by a physician or
other licensed health care provider; requires supplemental payment
for capitated or global rate plans; prohibits plans from reducing
or canceling coverage due to the requirements of this section.
(36 § 6060.4)
* HB 1564 (Gray) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Modifies
references in the Administrative Procedures Act. (75 § 308)
* HB 1565 (Glover) - WORKERS' COMP. Requires the
Administrator of the Workers' Compensation Court to develop and
provide procedures and forms to be used for enrollment in a certified
workplace medical plan. (85 § 14.2)
* HB 1598 (Roach) - MATERNITY BENEFITS. This is
a shell bill relating to maternity benefits. (36 § 6060.3)
* HB 1603 (Bryant) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Creates the
"Oklahoma Charter Schools Act". (70 § 3-130)
* HB 1607 (Fields) - TECHNICIANS. Provides for a
journeyman plumber technician, journeyman electrical technician
and mechanical journeyman technician and establishes registration
fees. (59 § 1002)
* HB 1608 (Fields) - HEALTH CARE. Authorizes health
insurers to enter into agreements with health care providers relating
to terms and conditions of reimbursement for health care services
that may be rendered to an insured, including agreements relating
to the amounts to be charged an insured for services rendered,
quality standards and the terms and conditions for activities
intended to reduce unnecessary or inappropriate care; authorizes
health insurers to issue and administer policies and subscriber
agreements that include incentives or disincentives for insureds
to use the services of a health care provider who has entered
into a reimbursement agreement with the health insurer; provides
requirements for terms and conditions to be established by the
insurer. (36 § 6057.1)
* HB 1609 (Voskuhl) - DISABILITY/RETIREMENT. Provides
that during the period a state employee receives temporary total
disability benefits due to a work-related injury or illness, the
employer must make the contribution to the state retirement system
based on the salary of the employee; requires that such employees
receive credit for participating service during the period of
absence subject to certain requirements. (85 § 2e)
* HB 1610 (Reese) - APPROPRIATIONS/ONENET. Appropriates
$2.64 million to the State Regents for funding the membership
fee for public school districts to connect to the OneNet telecommunications
system.
* HB 1623 (Vaughn) - INCOME TAX CREDIT/TUITION. Provides
for an income tax credit for tuition paid to an accredited Oklahoma
four-year public college or university by a certified teacher
for courses satisfactorily completed in pursuit of an advanced
degree; prohibits such credit for tuition paid by or through a
grant, scholarship or stipend or subject to a tuition waiver;
prohibits such credit until the tax year following the year in
which the course or courses for which the tuition was paid are
satisfactorily completed. (68 § 2357)
* HB 1642 (Settle) - CONTERFEITING/BRIBERY. 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)
* HB 1644 (Ervin) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Clarifies
language relating to transfer of jurisdiction of the University
Hospitals. (63 § 3204)
* HB 1651 (Eddins) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT/GROSS PRODUCTION
TAX. Apportions part of the funds from gross production tax
now going to the General Revenue Fund to the OTRS. (68 §
1004a)
* HB 1654 (Settle) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Requires
that a classified member of the OTRS who retired prior to July
1, 1996, have retirement allowance calculated on the member's
current minimum average salary plus $1,000; repeals section relating
to limitations on retirement benefit increases . (70 § 116.2)
* HB 1656 (Settle) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Increases
the amount of the death benefit for members of the OTRS from $4,000
to $5,000; repeals section relating to limitations on retirement
benefit increases . (70 § 17-105)
* HB 1660 (Benson/Taylor) - CHARITABLE FIDUCIARY. Creates
the "Oklahoma Charitable Fiduciary Act;" authorizes
charitable (including educational) organizations to act in certain
fiduciary capacities; provides that governing boards must require
fidelity bonds on officers and employees; 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 employee 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. (60 § 301.1)
* HB 1666 (Cox) - MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT. This
is a shell bill relating to the Medical Savings Account Act. (63
§ 2622)
* HB 1670 (Pettigrew) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Prohibits
cost-of-living adjustments to retirees of state pension systems
unless pursuant to a special appropriation; provides that no supplemental
appropriation shall be made for such purpose unless the system
from which the adjustment is to be paid is funded with sufficient
revenue from employer and employee contributions and other sources
of revenue to provide for payment of pension benefit obligations
for active members at normal cost. (62 § 1003)
* HB 1671 (Deutschendorf) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Clarifies
language relating to the Oklahoma Governmental Telecommunications
Network (OGTN). (62 § 41.5m)
* HB 1672 (Pettigrew) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Requires
that attorney fees be paid in periodic installments in any workers'
compensation case in which the award is paid in periodic installments;
provides that after a claim for compensation is submitted, the
claimant shall submit a report to the court of all previous relevant
or contributory injuries, which shall be open for review by the
insurance carrier, State Insurance Fund, a group self-insurance
plan or self-insured employer involved in the claim. (85 §
41)
* HB 1673 (Deutschendorf) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Requires
workers' compensation insurance carriers, the State Insurance
Fund and group self-insured plans to notify an insured employer
of the possibility of, and/or terms of, any settlement of a workers'
compensation case; permits employers to participate in any claim
for compensation or benefits commenced by a claimant, wherein
the employer is named as a party or joined as a party; outlines
employer's rights; provides that failure of a self-insured employer
or group self-insurance association to implement the requirement
for development of a workplace safety plan shall constitute grounds
for revocation by the administrator of the Workers' Compensation
Court of the employer's self-insurance permit or approval of the
association's self-insurance application. (85 § 26)
* HB 1688 (Perry) - TAX CREDIT/COMPUTER DONATIONS. Establishes
a one-time income tax credit for donations of computer hardware
and software to schools or higher education institutions; sets
credit at 50 percent of the estimated value of the items. (68
§ 2357.26)
* HB 1690 (Perry) - ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Creates
the "Electronic Signature Act;" provides that an electronic
signature may be used to sign a writing and shall have the same
force and effect as a written signature; authorizes the Secretary
of State to issue certificates for the purpose of verifying digital
signatures; provides for imposition of a reasonable fee; requires
agency heads to implement control procedures to ensure adequate
integrity, security, confidentiality and auditability of business
transactions conducted by the agency using electronic commerce.
(74 § 8201/8207)
* HB 1692 (Perry) - OBSCENITY. This is shell bill
relating to obscenity. (21 § 1040.12)
* HB 1694 (Wells) - INVENTORY. Increases to $500
the value of equipment which must be inventoried by the Department
of Central Services. (74 § 110.1)
* HB 1702 (Stanley) - 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; deems such organizations and plans
in noncompliance for certain actions, omissions or submissions;
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)
* HB 1719 (Leist) - LAND OFFICE COMMISSIONERS. Creates
the "Commissioners of the Land Office Investment Reform Act.
* HB 1732 (Beutler) - COUNTY GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL TRAINING.
This is a shell bill pertaining to the Commission on County
Government Personnel Education and Training. (19 § 130.1)
* HB 1739 (Mitchell) - LEGAL REPRESENTATION. Clarifies
language relating to legal representation of state agencies and
officials. (74 § 20i)
* HB 1755 (Ross) - HIGH CHALLENGE SCHOOLS. This
is a shell bill relating to high challenge schools. (70 §
1210.541)
* HB 1768 (Toure) - RISK MANAGEMENT. Requires the
risk management administrator to provide for the reimbursement
of personal property casualty losses sustained by state employees
if the loss to personal property was a result of the performance
of an authorized duty or responsibility of the employee sustained
while the employees was in the course of employment; limits reimbursement
to $500; prescribes condition on reimbursement based upon coverage
of losses by insurance policies or losses not covered by insurance.
(74 § 85.23l)
* HB 1773 (Toure) - PREVAILING WAGE. Creates the
"Oklahoma Prevailing Wage Act"'; declares public policy
that a wage of no less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages
for work of a similar character in the locality in which the work
is performed shall be paid to all workers employed by or on behalf
of any public body engaged in public works exclusive of maintenance
work; provides that the act shall apply only where the total cost
of a project to be performed by contractors in connection with
construction of a public work is $600,000 or more; prohibits splitting
into partial contracts; provides that not less than the prevailing
hourly rate of wages for work of a similar character in the locality
in which work is performed, and not less than the prevailing hourly
rate of wages for legal holiday and overtime work, shall be paid
to all workers employed by or on behalf of a public body engaged
in the construction of public works, exclusive of maintenance
work; provides that only such workers as are directly employed
by contractors or subcontractors in actual construction work on
the site of a building or construction job shall be deemed to
be employed upon public works; provides that, when the hauling
of materials or equipment includes some phase of construction
other than the mere transportation to the site of the construction,
workers engaged in this dual capacity shall be deemed employed
directly on public works; specifies requirements for determining
the prevailing wage. (40 § 196.20)
* HB 1774 (Toure) - LANGSTON UNIVERSITY/BONDS. Modifies
bonds authorized for purchase, redemption or defeasance to include
Langston University Building Bonds Series I (1963) and Series
II (1967). (62 § 57.200)
* HB 1791 (Hopper Smith) - INCOME TAX CREDIT. Provides
for an income tax credit for donations to charitable organizations,
including educational organizations; sets amount of credit at
1 percent of the tax imposed on a corporation subject to income
tax for donations that will be used or expended in the state;
requires that the amount of the donation be at least equal to
the credit; prohibits such credit from exceeding the tax liability
of the taxpayer; permits unused credits to be carried forward
for five years. (68 § 2357.28)
* HB 1810 (Cox) - 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)
* HB 1815 (Adair) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Creates
the "Telephone Competition, Rural Service and Consumer Protection
Act of 1997"; specifies requirements that apply to all local
exchange telecommunications service providers. (17 § 139.101)
* HB 1817 (Askins/Hobson) - PUBLIC DEPOSITS. Authorizes
designees of certain administrative authorities to countersign
vouchers; authorizes the state treasurer, for purposes of securing
public deposits, to accept certain securities and other instruments
as collateral; authorizes the treasurer to establish standards
which restrict, or limit further, any of the types of classes
of securities or instruments which may be accepted; permits the
treasurer to select surety bonds issued by an insurance company
licensed in the state whose claims-paying ability is rated in
the highest category by at least one nationally recognized statistical
rating agency. (62 § 41.21)
* HB 1818 (Perry) - DATA PROCESSING. Clarifies language
relating to state agencies' electronic data processing plans.
(62 § 41.5e)
* HB 1820 (Perry) - WORKERS' COMP. Expands exemptions
from coverage under the Workers' Compensation Act to include an
injury caused by a prank, horseplay or similar irresponsible behavior,
except for innocent victims, and an injury resulting directly
from a preexisting condition about which the employee knowingly
and willfully provided false or misleading information to the
employer prior to the occurrence of the injury. (85 § 11)
* HB 1854 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/UNIVERSITY
HOSPITALS. Appropriates to various health agencies, including
the University Hospitals Authority.
* HB 1859 (Hamilton/Haney) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Provides
budgetary limitations for the University Hospitals Authority.
* HB 1872 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/TEACHER
PREPARATION. Appropriates to various education entities, including
the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.
* HB 1877 (Hamilton/Haney) - TEACHER PREPARATION. Sets
budgetary limitations for the Teacher Preparation Commission.
* HB 1880 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/STATE REGENTS.
Appropriates to the State Regents for Higher Education.
* 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.
* HB 1887 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates
to the special cash fund from the cash-flow reserve fund.
* HB 1894 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Makes
reappropriations to the State Regents for each of the State System
institutions and to various other agencies.
* HB 1895 (Hamilton/Haney) - BOND OVERSIGHT. Clarifies
language relating to the Legislative Bond Oversight Commission.
(62 § 675.4)
* HB 1897 (Hamilton/Haney) - SOLE SOURCE. This is
a shell bill relating to sole source and professional service
contracts.
* HB 1907 (Hamilton) - PROGRAM BUDGETING. Clarifies
language relating to the program budgeting initiative. (62 §
41.44)
* HB 1915 (Erwin) - STATE AIRCRAFT. Requires the
Aeronautics Commission to promulgate rules specifying guidelines
for use of state airplanes. (3 § 85.1)
* HB 1916 (Erwin) - HEALTH CARE. This is a shell
bill relating to Oklahoma Health Care Authority duties regarding
health care access information. (63 § 5013)
* HB 1921 (Stites) - TECHNOLOGY. Creates the "Training
for New Technology Act." (70 § 1210.581)
* HB 1934 (Morgan) - WEAPONS. Authorizes peace officers
to seize any weapon or instrument the officer has probable cause
to believe is subject to being used by a person with a mental
illness or chemical dependency, and who as a result of such can
be expected within the immediate future to seriously and physically
cause injury, and who has engaged in a recent overt act that reasonably
supports that expectation. (21 § 1283.1)
* HB 1961 (Ferguson) - TRAVEL. Creates the "State
Travel Reimbursement Reform Act."
* HB 1963 (Hastings) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Provides
that a workers' compensation claimant must in good faith request
a hearing and final determination within two years of filing a
claims or within two years from the date of last payment of compensation
or wages in lieu thereof, or the same shall be barred and shall
be dismissed by the Workers' Compensation Court; provides for
voluntary dismissal of claim. (85 § 43)
* HB 1964 (Fields) - RETIREMENT. Increases the amount
of the death benefit for members of the OTRS from $4,000 to $5,000;
provides that beginning July 1, 1997, a classified member who
retired prior to July 1, 1996, shall have the member's retirement
allowance calculated on the member's current minimum average salary
plus $1,000; repeals section relating to limitations on retirement
benefit increases . (70 § 17-105)
* HB 1980 (Sadler) - 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 permitting
of public bathing places by the Health Commissioner; provides
for inspections; provides for penalties. (63 § 1-1012.1)
* HB 1981 (Hamilton/Rozell) - STATE AGENCY REFORM.
Creates the "State Agency Reform and Improvement Act."
* HB 1986 (Coleman) - TEACHER PREPARATION/READING.
Authorizes the Teacher Preparation Commission to develop professional
development institutes which train teachers to instruct students
in balanced and comprehensive reading programs that incorporate
phonological awareness, phonics, and decoding skills. (70 §
6-200)
* HB 1987 (Hamilton/Rozell) - ASBESTOS ABATEMENT.
Authorizes the Department of Central Services to levy and collect
a reasonable fee from state agencies and other entities for services
provided by the Asbestos Abatement Division. (74 § 61.6)
* HB 1990 (Hamilton/Rozell) - PUBLIC FUNDS INVESTMENT.
Creates the "Oklahoma Public Funds Investment Practices Reform
Act."
* 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 district or area vo-tech school district for payment
to an architect, contractor, engineer or supplier of materials
of $2,000 or more; increases to $500 the value of equipment which
must be inventoried by Central Services. (62 § 102)
* HB 1992 (Hamilton/Rozell) - BOND OVERSIGHT. Authorizes
the Executive and Legislative Bond Oversight Commissions to review
proposed issuance of obligations to fund capital additions or
expenditures by local entities which are to be retired by certain
payments, even though payments are not directly or expressly pledged
for payment of principal or interest on the obligations, if the
payments are to be made from the appropriation of state funds
and such funds represent a significant source of anticipated revenue
for repayment of the obligations. (62 § 695.8)
* HB 1995 (Hamilton/Robinson) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS.
Clarifies language relating to the University Hospitals Authority.
(63 § 3207)
* HB 1997 (Bastin) - MURRAH BUILDING MEMORIAL. Designates
April 19 as Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Memorial Day. (25
§ 82.1)
* HB 1998 (Fields) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Provides
that parties to a disputed compensation claim are not entitled
to a contested case hearing or a prehearing conference on the
claim unless a benefit review conference is conducted; requires
the court to adopt guidelines relating to claims that do not require
a benefit review conference and may proceed directly to a contested
case hearing or a prehearing conference; defines a benefit review
conference as a nonadversarial, informal dispute resolution proceeding;
provides for benefit review officers; requires the Workers' Compensation
Court to adopt rules of conducting conferences; provides that
agreements shall be binding; requires benefit review officers
to prepare certain reports; authorizes benefit review officers
to issue interlocutory orders. (85 § 3.4)
* HB 2012 (Askins) - MEDICAL SCHOOL FACULTY. Provides
that when an adult person, because of a medical condition, is
treated by a licensed doctor holding a faculty appointment at
an accredited medical school, and such person is incapable of
giving informed consent for a local-institutional-review-board-approved
experiment treatment, test or drug, then such treatment, test
or drug may proceed upon obtaining informed consent of a legal
guardian, attorney in fact or a family member. (63 § 3102A)
* HB 2013 (Askins) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. This
is a shell bill relating to the University Hospitals Trust. (63
§ 3224)
* HB 2014 (Askins) - HEALTH CARE. Requires health
benefit plans that provide benefits for a family member of the
insured to provided coverage for each newly born child of the
insured, from birth through the date the child is 18 years of
age, for certain immunizations. (36 § 6060.4)
* HB 2015 (Askins) - UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS. Clarifies
language relating to the certificate of need for the University
Hospitals. (63 § 3205)
* HB 2017 (Betty Boyd/Hager) - TEACHER PREPARATION.
Requires the State Board of Education to set aside a portion
of the funds appropriated annually for professional development
for the purpose of funding intensive professional development
institutes developed by the Teacher Preparation Commission in
reading for elementary school teachers and mathematics for teachers
of grades five through nine; requires the State Board of Education
to ensure participation of school districts in the National Assessment
of Educational Progress; requires the State Board to submit to
the Legislature a proposal for implementing a system of performance
standards for public schools; requires the State Board to review
mathematics components of the Priority Academic Student Skills
and make necessary revisions to ensure a more rigorous and in-depth
mathematics curriculum. (70 § 6-200)
* HB 2021 (Betty Boyd) - GENETIC DISCRIMINATION. Creates
the 10-member Task Force on Prevention of Genetic Discrimination
to review legislation relating to genetic discrimination and make
recommendations to the Legislature. (63 § 1-1712)
* HB 2047 (Greenwood) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Clarifies
language relating to insurance coverage for bone density screening.
(36 § 6060.1)
* HB 2058 (Greenwood) - CHILD SUPPORT/EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES.
Provides that if a custodial parent incurs child care expenses
as a result of being employed or receiving elementary, secondary,
higher, or vocational education training, such expenses shall
be prorated in the same proportion as base child support and shall
be added to the base child support obligation. (43 § 118)
* HB 2060 (Greenwood) - SCHOOL SAVINGS. Creates
the "School Savings Act;" provides a tax-free
savings account for education expenses at all levels, at both
public and private schools. (70 § 24-160)
* HB 2061 (Hamilton) - FISCAL YEAR. Changes the
state fiscal year to run from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30; requires
the Office of State Finance to analyze the needs of state entities
to which appropriations have been made for fiscal year 1998 and
make recommendations regarding a method for either an extended
fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1998, or a transitional fiscal year
beginning July 1, 1998 and ending Sept. 30, 1998. (62 § 1.1,
1.2)
* HB 2062 (Greenwood) - INCOME TAX DEDUCTION/TUITION/FEES.
Provides an income tax deduction for tuition paid to an Oklahoma
public or university of not more than $1,000. (68 § 2358)
* HB 2075 (Steidley) - AD VALOREM. Clarifies language
relating to ad valorem taxation. (68 § 2819)
* HB 2076 (Perry) - DATA PROCESSING/TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
This is a shell bill relating to the Joint Legislative Committee
on Data Processing and Telecommunication. (62 § 41.5k)
* HB 2089 (Weaver) - ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELOR. Creates
the "Alcohol and Drug Counselor Licensure Act"; establishes
licensure criteria; exempts school counselors certified by the
State Department of Education; provides for education and training
requirements. (43A § 3-431)
* HB 2090 (Glover/Robinson) - DENTISTS. Changes
the name of the Board of Governors of the Registered Dentists
of Oklahoma to the Board of Dentistry; authorizes the Board to
enter into cooperative contracts or agreements with other states
for purposes of formulating and conducting simultaneous regional
examinations of applicants for a license to practice dentistry
or a certificate of ability to practice dental hygiene; authorizes
the Board to establish eligibility requirements for dental hygienists
and dental assistants; outlines format of examination; provides
for reciprocity; provides for faculty permits; requires supervision
of dental hygienists; outlines procedures which may not be assigned
to dental hygienists or assistants. (59 § 328.3)
* HB 2093 (Weese) - GROUP INSURANCE BOARD. Increases
the membership of the State and Education Employees Group Insurance
Board from eight to 10 members, to include one education employee
and one state employee, both to be appointed by the Governor.
(74 § 1304)
* HB 2094 (Glover) - HEALTH BENEFITS BOARD. Abolishes
the Oklahoma Basic Health Benefits Board and transfers its duties
and responsibilities to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board.
(63 § 5005)
* HB 2095 (Tim Pope) - HEALTH CARE. Prohibits state
funds from being expended for the purpose of providing condoms
for the prevention of human acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
(62 § 97)
* HB 2102 (Laura Boyd/Henry) - TUITION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
Enacts the "Oklahoma Tuition Savings Account Act"; allows
state residents to deposit up to $5,000 during each taxable year
into one or more tuition savings accounts; exempts such contributions
from taxation as adjusted gross income; provides for account custodians;
authorizes disbursement of funds no more than three times in a
calendar year, by check to the beneficiary's higher education
institution or vo-tech school; provides for unqualified disbursements
with a 10-percent penalty to be paid to the Tax Commission; provides
that interest earned on an account during the year in which a
withdrawal occurs shall be considered income for tax purposes;
provides for qualified expense disbursements of no more than 20
percent of the interest earned from the account during the year;
provides that any remaining balance shall be distributed to the
beneficiary no later than 30 days after the 30th birthday
of the beneficiary or graduation of the beneficiary, whichever
occurs first; provides for transfer, upon request by the beneficiary,
of balance to one or more accounts established for another beneficiary;
outlines procedure for distribution if beneficiary does not attend
a higher education institution or vo-tech school; repeals sections
relating to the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act. (70 § 6020)
* HB 2105 (Gray) - NSU COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY. Requires
approval of the rules of the Board of Examiners in Optometry by
the president of the Northeastern State University College of
Optometry. (59 § 604)
* HB 2111 (Gray) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. Requires
that the State Regents rules be filed with the Secretary of State;
requires any agency exempt from certain sections of the Administrative
Procedures Act to submit any previously adopted agency rules to
the Secretary of State by July 1, 1998; requires submission of
agency rules after July 1, 1998. (74 § 324.13)
* HB 2114 (Roberts) - HEALTH INSURANCE. This is
a shell bill relating to requirements for the State and Education
Employees Group Insurance Board. (74 § 1307.2)
* HB 2117 (Clay Pope) - INCOME TAX CREDIT. Provides
for an income tax credit for agricultural producers producing
agricultural commodities and using new or modified agricultural
production or marketing methods demonstrated by or acquired from
an accredited agricultural college or university, adult agricultural
education program provided by a secondary school or agricultural
producing or farming association located in the state; sets the
amount of the credit at $500. (68 § 2357)
* HB 2120 (Hilliard) - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE.
Creates the "Oklahoma Regulatory Reform Act"; requires
agencies within one year, to conduct a comprehensive review of
all rules and regulations within their jurisdiction. (75 §
401)
* HB 2125 (Coleman) - SCHOOL TESTING/EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS.
Requires norm-referenced testing, beginning with the 1997-98 school
year, in grades five, nine, and 11 of the public schools; requires
that the results be included in the summary report of the Oklahoma
educational indicators program. (70 § 1210.508)
* HB 2133 (Seikel) - CHILD CARE FACILITIES. Section
19 directs DHS to require a criminal background investigation
for any person making an application for establishment and operation
of a child care facility prior to issuance of a license certification
or any other authorization for contract to operate a facility.
(10 § 404.1)
* HB 2138 (Paulk/Herbert) - AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM.
Prohibits a state agency from using an automated telephone system
for answering phone calls during regular hours of operation. (62
§ 41.5h)
* HB 2146 (Blackburn) - SMOKING. Clarifies language
relating to the Smoking in Public Places Act. (63 § 1-1523)
* HB 2151 (Perry) - OBSCENE MATERIALS. Requires
public libraries and other entities to remove or block materials
in computers or computer systems that are harmful to minors. (21
§ 1040.76)
* HB 2155 (Gray) - DENTAL EDUCATION. Requires that
continuing education requirements under the State Dental Act be
established pursuant to recommendations presented by the Oklahoma
Dental Association and the dean of the OU School of Dentistry;
requires that continuing education be provided in clinical settings.
(59 § 328.15)
* HB 2161 (Laura Boyd) - LEAVE. Enacts the "Sick
Leave Modification Act."
* HB 2168 (Toure) - WELFARE/WORK TRAINING. Enacts
the "Oklahoma Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Act"; states legislative intent to encourage persons receiving
temporary assistance to become responsible, self-sufficient, taxpaying
citizens; establishes an integrated and coordinated program titled
the "Statewide Temporary Assistance Reintegration System
(STARS) program; states legislative intent to establish one-stop
career/employment centers to link federal/state resources and
programs by encouraging interorganizational collaborative partnerships
between certain state governmental agencies, including the State
Regents, and private and nonprofit entities; states purpose of
such partnerships to assist persons receiving temporary assistance,
employed low-income persons and unemployed persons to explore
career and employment and job referral opportunities, improve
skills through education and training and to obtain information
on various services and programs in the state. (56 § 230.21)
* HB 2170 (Seikel) - WELFARE/WORK TRAINING. Enacts
the "Oklahoma Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Act"; states legislative intent to encourage persons receiving
temporary assistance to become responsible, self-sufficient, taxpaying
citizens; establishes an integrated and coordinated program titled
the "Statewide Temporary Assistance Reintegration System
(STARS) program; states legislative intent to establish one-stop
career/employment centers to link federal/state resources and
programs by encouraging interorganizational collaborative partnerships
between certain state governmental agencies, including the State
Regents, and private and nonprofit entities; states purpose of
such partnerships to assist persons receiving temporary assistance,
employed low-income persons and unemployed persons to explore
career and employment and job referral opportunities, improve
skills through education and training and to obtain information
on various services and programs in the state. (56 § 230.21)
* HB 2200 (Weese) - EMPLOYMENT SECURITY. Expands
benefit wages not charged to an employer pursuant to the Oklahoma
Employment Security Act to include wages paid to a former employee
who was separated from employment with that employer due to a
medically verifiable illness or medical condition of the employee
or the minor child or the employee. (40 § 3-106)
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
* HJR 1002 (John Sullivan) - APPROPRIATIONS. Proposes
a constitutional amendment to require legislative approval of
appropriations for expenses directly related to the education
of students in the common schools prior to final passage of any
other appropriation measure; requires final approval of the common
education appropriation at least 30 calendar days prior to sine
die adjournment of the session during which the measure is being
considered; requires that such measure also be passed at least
20 days prior to the date as of which any other measure containing
an appropriation receives final approval by either house. (Art.
V, § 55)
* HJR 1003 (Bonny) - ADMISSION STANDARDS. Proposes
a constitutional amendment requiring that the legislature rather
than the State Regents prescribe admission standards for institutions
within the State System of Higher Education (Art. XIII-A, §
2).
* HJR 1009 (John Sullivan) - APPROPRIATIONS. Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide that appropriations for expenses directly related to the education of students in the common schools shall be passed prior to final passage of any other appropriation measure; requires approval of such appropriations and transmission of them to the Governor at least 30 calendar days prior to sine die adjournment of the Legislative session; requires final passage of such measures at least 20 days prior to the date as of which any other appropriation measure receives final approval by either house.
(Art. V, § 55).
* HJR 1010 (Graves) - DISCRIMINATION. Proposes a
constitutional amendment to prohibit the state from discriminating
against or granting preferential treatment to any individual or
group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national
origin in the operation of public employment, education or contracting,
with certain exceptions. (Art. XXIII, § 12).
* HJR 1012 (Webb) - TAX REVIEW. Creates the Tax
Review and Improvement Task Force; provides that the Task Force
shall review the constitutional provisions, laws, rules, and procedures
relating to the Oklahoma tax system and evaluate the system's
ability to provide appropriate and timely revenue, distribute
tax burdens fairly, and to promote economic and administrative
efficiency; requires a report and recommendations by June 1, 1998.
* HJR 1017 (Weese) - INVESTMENT OF FUNDS. Proposes
a Constitutional amendment requiring that all assets of any fund
administered by an agency for the benefit of public employees
be held, invested or disbursed as provided for by law as in trust
for the exclusive purpose of providing for those public employee
benefits, refunds, investment management and administrative expenses
of the agency; prohibits such fund from being encumbered for or
diverted to any other purpose. (Art. XXIII, § 13)
* HJR 1018 (Leist) - INVESTMENT OF FUNDS. Proposes
a Constitutional amendment to remove investment authority from
the Commissioners of the Land Office and transfer such authority
to the State Treasurer. (Art. XI, § 6)
* HJR 1019 (Toure) - EMPLOYEE RIGHTS. Proposes a
vote of the people to prohibit an employer from terminating the
employment of an employee who has been employed by such employer
for at least 30 days without just cause. (40 § 199.5a)
* HJR 1022 (Phillips) - FEES. Proposes a Constitutional
amendment prohibiting a state agency, board, commission, or authority
from imposing new or increasing existing fees or charges; requires
a vote of the people unless the increase is approved by three-fourths
of the House and Senate and approved by the Governor. (Art. V,
§ 33)
* HJR 1030 (Webb) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Proposes
a Constitutional amendment requiring that monies not otherwise
appropriated, not deposited to the credit of the Constitutional
Reserve Fund and not required for payment of outstanding and unpaid
bonded indebtedness be appropriated by the Legislature either
for retiring the unfunded accrued actuarial liability of the OTRS
or for providing cost-of-living adjustments to retirees of the
public retirement systems; requires a simple majority of the House
and Senate to pass such measures. (Art. X, § 23b)
* HJR 1034 (Roberts) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Proposes
a Constitutional amendment requiring that 35 percent of growth
revenue, if any, in income tax, sales tax and motor vehicle registration
fees be apportioned to the OTRS to be distributed as determined
by the board of trustees, subject to the requirement that the
revenue apportioned to the retirement system be used in a manner
to decrease the unfunded accrued actuarial liability of the OTRS;
limits such diversion to five years. (Art. V, § 62A)
* * *