The Oklahoma House of Representatives is approaching another legislative deadline. On April 10, the House will finish committee work on Senate measures. The following legislative actions took place from March 23-31:
House Chamber Hosts Program Commemorating Magna Carta Exhibit at Capitol
On Tuesday, March 31, the Oklahoma House of Representatives chamber hosted a special program commemorating the 800th anniversary of one of the most enduring symbols of liberty and the rule of law, the Magna Carta.
The program featured Oklahoma City President Robert Henry and law professor Andy Spiropoulos as guest speakers.
The Magna Carta: Enduring Legacy 1215-2015 exhibit tells the story of the Magna Carta. It can be viewed at the Capitol through April 5.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Measure Becomes Law
On Tuesday, March 31, the governor signed a prescription drug monitoring measure into law.
House Bill 1948 requires physicians and other medical providers to check a prescription drug database before writing new prescriptions or renewing old ones for opiates, synthetic opiates, semisynthetic opiates, benzodiazepine or carisoprodol.
Checks would be required for all new patients and once every 180 days for other patients, less often than in a similar measure that failed to pass last year.
This year’s legislation, unlike last year’s, had the support of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
The law takes effect Nov. 1.
Senate Approves Measure Providing More Options for Oil and Gas Development
On Monday, March 30, a measure opening more opportunities to use new and advanced drilling technology in Oklahoma was approved by the Oklahoma Senate.
In order to support the energy industry, House Bill 2177 allows oil and gas developers to obtain permission from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for larger acreage spacing to drill extended lateral-horizontal wells across multiple units outside of shale formations. This method is currently limited to the Marmaton Formation in Beaver and Texas counties in the Oklahoma panhandle and in shale plays since the adoption of the 2011 Shale Reservoir Development Act.
The Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association and the Coalition of Oklahoma Surface and Mineral Owners have been working closely together in the development of HB 2177 and support the legislation.
The legislation has now returned to the House with amendments. If amendments are accepted it will proceed to the governor. Otherwise, it will go to conference committee.
House Sends Medicaid Oversight Measure to Governor
On Monday, March 30, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved legislation that would improve state oversight of the Medicaid program.
Senate Bill 338 would make state tax records of Medicaid recipients and potential recipients available to the agency administering the program.
The legislation was approved by a vote of 86-8 and now proceeds to the governor’s desk.
Senate Votes to Ban Payment of Union Dues by State Payroll Deduction
On Thursday, March 26, the Oklahoma Senate voted to ban the payment of union dues by state payroll deduction.
House Bill 1749 would apply to groups that participate with the state in collective bargaining, or negotiations over conditions of employment. It would affect the American Federation of Teachers and the Oklahoma Education Association.
The legislation will now proceed to the governor’s desk.
Senate Committee Advances Proton Therapy Bill
On Thursday, March 26, the Oklahoma Senate Insurance Committee advanced legislation to encourage insurance companies to cover proton therapy treatment.
House Bill 1515 would prohibit health benefit plans from subjecting proton radiation therapy to a higher standard of evidence than other radiation therapy, when making coverage decisions.
The legislation will now proceed to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
House Approves School Workplace Safety Training Legislation
On Wednesday, March 25, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved legislation to encourage workplace safety training in public schools.
Senate Bill 262 directs the Oklahoma State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Labor, to make available to school districts information regarding workplace safety training for grades seven through twelve. School districts could use this information to inform teachers in grades seven through twelve about the importance of incorporating workplace safety training in their curriculum.
The legislation will now proceed to the governor’s desk.
House Budget Committee Advances Domestic Violence Docket Measure
On Wednesday, March 25, the Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Committee approved a measure to authorize a pilot program dealing with domestic violence.
Senate Bill 726 would statutorily authorize Tulsa County’s Integrated Domestic Violence Docket pilot program and the Family Safety Center. The highly regarded program, which is funded by a federal grant, combines related proceedings in divorce, child custody, domestic violence, protective orders and juvenile delinquency cases.
The pilot project could be challenged if not specifically authorized by statute, according to the bill’s author.
The legislation will now proceed to the House floor for consideration.
Death Penalty Measure Advances in Senate
On Tuesday, March 24, the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee advanced legislation that would change the way in which Oklahoma conducts its death penalty executions.
House Bill 1879 moves to replace the current multi-drug lethal injection format with a new system involving execution of death row inmates via nitrogen hypoxia.
An East Central University study found that execution via nitrogen hypoxia is a humane way to carry out a death sentence, would not require the assistance of licensed medical professionals and would not depend upon the cooperation of the offender being executed. They also found that nitrogen is readily available for purchase.
The legislation will now proceed to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
House Bill to Expand Charter Schools Advances in Senate
On Monday, March 23, the Oklahoma Senate Education Committee advanced legislation to allow charter schools in rural communities.
House Bill 1696 proposes to allow a school district or community college to sponsor a charter school located within the district. The legislation also allows the state education board to sponsor a charter school under certain circumstances.
The legislation will now proceed to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Palliative Care Bill Advances in Senate
On Monday, March 23, the Oklahoma Senate Health and Human Services Committee advanced a measure to increase the input from experts on coordinated care of patients with chronic conditions on an advisory panel that helps set state health policies.
House Bill 1085 modifies the Home Care and Hospice Advisory Council to include palliative care and specifies membership of the Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Council. The measure directs the council to identify ways to improve the quality and delivery of palliative care.
The legislation will now proceed to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
‘Dismemberment’ Abortion Ban Advances in Senate
On Monday, March 23, a measure that would ban “dismemberment” abortions was advanced by the Oklahoma Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
House Bill 1721 seeks to ban “dismemberment” abortions, which are late-term abortion procedures also known as dilation and evacuation.
The legislation will now proceed to the Oklahoma Senate for consideration.
