Source: http://www.okhighered.org/leg-info/1996/may_31.html
Timestamp: 2018-04-25 18:22:36
Document Index: 751402481

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3218', '§ 631', '§ 1277', '§ 4651', '§ 3', '§ 14', '§ 85', '§ 14', '§ 1136', '§ 1316', '§ 85', '§ 3219', '§ 3', '§ 6060', '§ 5011', '§ 623', '§ 18']

Date: Friday, May 31, 1996
Note: In order to get out today's update in a timely manner, the report does not reflect all action taken by the Legislature and the Governor on Friday. A more complete report will be distributed early next week.
Higher Education Funding Bills Signed by Governor: The Governor signed two bills this week, HB 1809 and HB 1810, which provide $71.4 million in additional funding for higher education in FY'97. The increase of over 12%, which is the largest ever for higher education, will raise the total state appropriations for higher education from $564.8 million to $636.2 million.
Governor Exercises Funding Vetoes: Though higher education's funding was spared the Governor's veto, several funding items in other agencies were disapproved by the Governor. Vetoed items included $1.5 million for the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, $3 million in additional funds for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, $1.5 million for the State Department of Vocational and Technical Education, and $100,000 appropriated to the Department of Agriculture for the Oklahoma State University Swine Diagnostic Laboratory. None of the Governor's vetoes were overridden.
Branch Campus Bill Approved: HB 2164, which establishes several institutional branches, makes the Enid Higher Education Program a campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and changes the names of Tulsa Junior College and the University Center at Tulsa/Rogers State College, was signed by the Governor on Thursday.
Higher Education Retirement Bill Passed: A bill making changes to higher education's participation in the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System passed the Senate and House late Thursday. A more complete description of the contents of the bill will be included in next week's report.
Bill Amends Private College Accreditation Requirements: A bill expanding the accreditation options of private/independent colleges passed the House and Senate late this week. The bill, HB 2466, allows private colleges to be accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. Current law requires private colleges to be accredited by either the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or the regional accrediting agency (North Central Association).
Tuition Savings Account Bill Dies in Senate: HB 2059, which would authorize tuition savings accounts exempt from state income taxes, was not considered in the Senate before the legislative session ended Friday. The bill had passed the House last week on a 99-0 vote.
June 15, Saturday, -- Last Day for Governor to Act on Bills
(Note: The Governor has 15 days after the end of the legislative session, until June 15, to act on all bills which he received during the last 5 days of session. Bills he does not sign are automatically disapproved, or "pocket vetoed".)
SB 800 - appropriations; common education, vo-tech
SB 810 - appropriations; University Hospitals, sections line-item vetoed
SB 814 - appropriations; Dept. of Agriculture, sections line-item vetoed
HB 1780 - appropriations; OCAST, sections line-item vetoed
SB 800 - line item veto; vo-tech, Teacher Preparation Commission
SB 810 - line item veto; University Hospitals Authority
SB 814 - line item veto; OSU Swine Diagnostic Laboratory
HB 1782 - Ok. Center for the Advancement of Sci. and Tech. (OCAST)
Bills Sent to the Governor (subject to June 15 signing deadline):
SB 811 - budgetary limits; University Hospitals Authority
SB 832 - teachers retirement; higher education amendments
SB 908 - fee waiver for dependents of state employees killed on job
SB 923 - retirement, Medicaid insurance
SB 1130 - payroll deductions
HB 1811 - appropriating $120,000 to the State Regents for institutions
HB 2102 - ad valorem taxes
HB 2189 - health insurance
HB 2317 - school testing; educational indicators
HB 2466 - accreditation of private colleges
HB 2938 - Attorney General; representation of institutions & agencies
SB 742 - travel reimbursement
SB 782 - Oklahoma Telecommunications Commission
SB 801 - budgetary limitations
SB 831 - budgetary limitations
SB 850 - shell bill related to State Employees Benefit Council
SB 896 - Ok. Healthcare Auth.; State Employees Benefit Council
SB 903 - Teachers Retirement task Force
SB 910 - health care
SB 931 - international trade
SB 941 - shell bill related to teachers retirement
SB 1163 - school testing; educational indicators
SB 1237 - children and youth services
HB 1672 - employment issues
HB 2059 - tuition savings accounts
HB 2088 - retirement/insurance benefits
HB 2192 - Youth Apprenticeship Committee
HB 2231 - children and youth services
HB 2268 - charter schools
HB 2336 - university supporter license plates
HB 2422 - shell bill related to teachers retirement
HB 2475 - health insurance
HB 2534 - legal representation
HB 2690 - privatization contracts
HB 2748 - tax deduction for tuition expenses
HB 2809 - state agency reform
HB 2819 - budget and program oversight
HB 2820 - shell bill for appropriations
HB 2841 - shell bill for appropriations
HB 2861 - retirement funds; child support
HB 2890 - contracts; travel reimbursement
HB 2986 - child care facilities
Resolutions Adopted by the House and Senate (not requiring Governor's approval)
SCR 38 - revenue bonds for Connors State College
SCR 52 - revenue bonds for OU Health Sciences Center
SCR 64 - revenue bonds for University of Oklahoma
SCR 66 - revenue bonds for Eastern Oklahoma State College
SCR 69 - recognizing Earl Abernathy; service to Western Ok. State College
SR 63 - recognizing Cameron University's men's golf team
HCR 1059 - revenue bonds for Cameron University
HCR 1090 - revenue bonds for Oklahoma State University
HCR 1103 - recognizing Peggy Smith
HCR 1108 - computer conversions; year 2000
HCR 1115 - rules for Board of Oklahoma Colleges
HCR 1117 - revenue bonds for Langston University
HR 1064 - recognizing Don Reynolds; Rose State College
SB 903 - teachers retirement; beneficiaries; OTRS Task Force extension
SB 923 - managed care plan
SR 63 - recognizing Cameron U. men's golf team
HB 1780 - Dept. of Commerce; SEOSU; UCT
HB 2053 - juvenile court records
HB 2063 - college & university supporter license plates
Section II: Index of Bills
Reported Status as of 5/29/96
* SB 742 (Dickerson/Dunegan) - TRAVEL. The conference committee report authorizes state agencies to enter into contracts and agreements for payment of classroom space, food and lodging expenses for employees attending official conferences, meetings or training sessions; lists forms of transportation that may be used by authorized persons traveling out-of-state on state business; limits reimbursement for certain forms of transportation; transfers the Employee Assistance Program and makes provisions for the transfer. The second conference committee substitute no longer authorizes payment for classroom space and no longer transfers the Employee Assistance Program and makes provisions for the transfer.
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 05/28/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 05/28/96
SECOND CCR READ - HOUSE 05/28/96
MOTION TO ADOPT CCR FAILED - HOUSE 05/30/96
RE-REFERRED TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE 05/30/96
* SB 800 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. Appropriates to various education entities; Section 17 allocates $280,344 to be expended on a competitive application basis to a State System institution for implementing a statewide telecommunications curriculum; Section 40 appropriates $1.5 million to the Commission for Teacher Preparation. The Governor vetoed Section 40 which contains the $1.5 million appropriation for the Commission for Teacher Preparation.
* SB 810 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS. The conference committee substitute appropriates $1,450,141 to the University Hospitals Authority; provides for funding for the Poison Control Center and for additional operational support of the Child Study Center, to be used to strengthen the administrative interaction of the Center with the OU Department of Pediatrics to meet the needs of children with developmental disabilities; creates the University Hospitals Trust Revolving Fund and provides for transfer of funds. The Governor vetoed Section 32 which appropriates $1,450,141 to the Universities Authority.
GOVERNOR ACTION - LINE ITEM VETO 05/29/96
* SB 811 (Haney/Hamilton) - BUDGET LIMITATIONS. Provides budgetary limitations for various health-care entities including the University Hospitals Authority. The second conference committee substitute modifies the University Hospitals Authority Act; provides that certain indebtedness not involve certain bonding capacity; requires certain agreements to include certain provisions; provides for transfer of funds; directs the Health Care Authority to pay certain reimbursement enhancements for certain employees.
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 05/30/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 05/30/96
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 05/30/96
ENROLLED - SENATE 05/30/96
* SB 814 (Haney/Hamilton) - APPROPRIATIONS/ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. Section 4 appropriates $100,000 to the State Department of Agriculture for the OSU Swine Diagnostic Laboratory; Section 12 requires the Agriculture Department to budget certain amounts for various divisions and programs including $117,562 for OSU's Statewide Intensive Financial Management Assistance Program, $47,525 for the OSU Animal Diagnostic Laboratory Equipment and the $100,000 for the OSU Swine Diagnostic Laboratory; Section 19 provides that funds be spent as necessary to accomplish contractual responsibilities for OSU's extension service which benefits businesses and students of business by direct professional assistance provided by professors, associates and university staff and to improve and complement technical assistance provided by the Department; permits the Department to disallow any expenditures for activities not within the scope of approved contractual responsibilities; Section 33 requires appropriate agencies, including the State Regents, to cooperate with the Department of Labor to provide information required for an annual report to the Legislature detailing the amount per agency of all state, federal and local funds received for asbestos abatement, projects completed per agency, number of agency employees used in the programs and the projected needs for the next succeeding fiscal year. The Governor vetoed Section 4 which appropriates $100,000 to the Agriculture Department for the OSU Swine Diagnostic Laboratory.
* SB 832 (Haney/Hamilton) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. Modifies provisions related to contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System (OTRS); makes certain contributions subject to maximum compensation levels; requires certain State System entities or institutions to make contributions based on certain amount; modifies provisions related to retirement benefit computations; modifies references to employee contributions; adds requirement for employee contributions for certain period; authorizes certain members of retirement system to make election; provides for effect of election upon service performed for certain period; prescribes procedures for computation of retirement benefits for members having service for State System entities or institutions; provides computations for determination of retirement benefits.
SIGNED & TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR 05/30/96
* SB 846 (Haney/Hamilton) - SALARY INCREASE. The conference committee substitute modifies salary increases in SB 1128; includes certain state employees in the salary increase and excludes certain others; modifies the date of service rating used to determine eligibility for such pay increase; modifies the effective date of SB 1128 to July 1, 1996.
CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 05/29/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE 05/29/96
CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/29/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 05/29/96
(0 AYE / 0 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
* SB 903 (Monson/Roberts) - TEACHERS' RETIREMENT. The third conference committee substitute pertains to various retirement systems; Section 4 pertains to OTRS, providing for designation of a beneficiary other than a spouse; Section 9 grants the OTRS Fiscal Health Task Force an extension, until Jan. 1, 1997, to issue a report of findings and recommendations.
THIRD CCR READ - SENATE 05/29/96
* SB 908 (Leftwich/Blackburn) - FEE WAIVER. The third conference committee substitute provides a fee waiver to the children of state employees who have lost their lives as a result of the intentional criminal acts of another while in the course of their employment; provides that the provisions apply only when all other grants and scholarships available to such children have been exhausted. (70 § 3218.7)
THIRD CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 05/30/96
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE (47-0) 05/30/96
THIRD CCR READ - HOUSE 05/30/96
* SB 910 (Monson/Fields) - HEALTH CARE. Specifies portion of premium tax assessed on the premiums of Medicaid recipients collected from the OU Managed Care Plan to be allocated to the Medicaid contingency fund. The conference committee substitute advances the deadline for approval of premiums by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board from March 1 to the second Wednesday in January; requires insurance and benefits coordinators to complete the training course offered by the Employee Benefits Council prior to making presentations regarding the self-insured plans offered by the state and/or the health maintenance organization prepaid plans available as an alternative to the state self-insured plans; provides for standardized information packets; requires that HMO contracts provide for a risk adjustment factor for adverse selection; requires the state employees insurance board to study the feasibility of offering state-owned managed care plans as an alternative to the state self-funded indemnity plans; requires that such study also consider the feasibility of offering state-owned Medicare risk-sharing plans. (36 § 631)
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - SENATE 05/29/96
BILL FAILED - SENATE 05/29/96
(23 AYE / 19 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 6 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
* SB 923 (Monson/Roberts) - OU MANAGED CARE PLAN. The second conference committee substitute clarifies the portion of premium tax available for allocation to the Medicaid Contingency Revolving Fund from taxes assessed on the premiums of Medicaid recipients collected from the OU Managed Care Plan.
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - SENATE (39-0) 05/30/96
SECOND CCR READ - HOUSE 05/30/96
* SB 1050 (Shurden/Stanley) - WEAPONS. Prohibits concealed handguns from being carried into or upon any college or university property except in a vehicle in a parking area; prohibits removal of the weapon from the vehicle without prior consent of the college or university president; allows university and college presidents discretion to authorize exceptions to the law; provides penalty for violation . (21 § 1277)
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/24/96
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 05/24/96
(56 AYE / 38 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 4 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE 05/24/96
(68 AYE / 28 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
SIGNED & TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR 05/28/96
* SB 1100 (Don Williams/Anthony) - COMMON EDUCATION REFORM INITIATIVE. The third conference committee substitute provides for professional development programs approved by the Teacher Preparation Commission and a stipend to be paid to teachers who complete such programs; requires the State Board of Education to award grants for professional development programs approved by the Commission in the areas of arts and humanities, and to award scholarships to public school districts who wish to have teachers and administrators attend the Northeastern Oklahoma State University Great Expectations Summer Institute for Teachers; provides that, contingent upon availability of funds, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics shall solicit proposals and award grants for pilot projects that develop and establish model programs implementing advanced science and math curriculum at local vocational-technical school sites or at local school sites via distance learning; requires establishment of an advisory council for the program; requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Placement Incentive Program; provides for financial incentives to schools based upon student placement on a college advanced placement exam; repeals sections relating to authorization for boxing in physical education, requirement for wearing industrial quality eye protective devices, the Developmental Research School Act, and Task Force 2000.
LAID OVER - HOUSE 05/28/96
SECOND CCR REJECTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
GOVERNOR ACTION - SIGNED 05/28/96
THIRD CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/24/96
(59 AYE / 39 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 2 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
* SB 1162 (Penny Williams/Steidley) - UCT/ROGERS. Declares that UCT and Rogers State College constitute a single institution within the State System; transfers governance, supervision, management and control from separate governing boards to the Board of Regents of University Center at Tulsa and Rogers State College; provides a five-year window within which a resident or student may file a civil action for a declaration that the Board has not governed the facilities in a proper manner; allows Board members who currently serve on either board to continue to serve on the new board until their terms expire; allows the Governor's pending nominations to the existing boards that have not yet been confirmed by the Senate to be part of the new single board and will allow the Governor to appoint one new member annually to the new board (otherwise the Governor would not have been allowed to appoint any members of the new board until the new board's total membership had decreased by attrition from 18 to nine) This bill was amended by HB 2164. (70 § 4651)
* SB 1163 (Penny Williams/McCorkell) - SCHOOL TESTING/EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS. Prohibits school districts from developing and implementing educational improvement plans which would exempt the district from certain regulations including those related to core curriculum standards, the School Testing Program and the Educational Indicators Program. The second conference committee substitute no longer pertains to the School Testing Program and the Educational Indicators Program. (70 § 3-124)
CCR REJECTED 05/28/96
SECOND CCR SUBMITTED TO SENATE 05/30/96
BILL PASSED - HOUSE (85-11) 05/30/96
* SB 1310 (Shedrick/Steidley) - WORKERS' COMPENSATION. The second conference committee substitute provides that, if any insurer except the State Insurance Fund fails to contract with or provide access to a certified workplace medical plan, an insured may contract independently with a plan of his or her choice for a year to provide medical care under the Workers' Compensation Act; authorizes an insured to contract for additional one-year periods if his or her insurer has not contracted with or provided access to a certified workplace medical plan; provides that an employer is not required to provide compensation for an injury resulting directly from use or abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs or chemicals or abuse of prescription drugs, with certain exceptions; prohibits the Commissioner of Health from certifying a plan that does not utilize the medical treatment guidelines and protocols substantially similar to those established for use by medical service providers which have been recommended by the Physician Advisory Committee and adopted by the Administrator of the Workers' Compensation Court; excludes certain claim amounts paid under the medical benefits deductible from the calculation of an employer's experience modifier; provides that the Board of Mangers of the State Insurance Fund may use present value discounting at a rate of 4 percent for computing reserves; makes it a felony to fail to keep certain records or to misrepresent certain facts; increases from 3 percent to 5 percent of the amount of compensation awards for permanent total disability or permanent partial disability the amount a political or municipal subdivision of the state must include in its annual estimate of needs for the use and purpose of the special indemnity fund; authorizes workers' compensation carriers to use present value discounting at a rate of 4 percent for disability and death claims; allows any person not required to be covered under a workers' compensation insurance policy or other plan for payment of workers' compensation to apply to the Labor commissioner for a "Certificate of Non-Coverage Under the Workers' Compensation Act;" exempts the State Insurance Fund from hiring freezes by the Governor in response to a financial emergency. (85 § 14.3)
SECOND CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/29/96
(98 AYE / 2 NAY / 0 ABSENT / 0 EXCUSED / 0 NOT VOTING)
* SB 1315 (Robinson/Anthony) - TELECOMMUNICATIONS. Requires the Department of Central Services to recognize as a statewide contract an unencumbered contract consummated in behalf of the telecommunications network known as OneNet by the State Regents or any other state entity assigned responsibility for OneNet; mandates that such recognition require recommendation by the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance; prohibits the Department of Central Services from subjecting purchases pursuant to said contracts to any quantity limit; provides that for purchases that require review of the purchase requisition by the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance and that are not available on a statewide contract but are available from a General Services Administration (GSA) schedule or contract, or are available from a GSA schedule or contract at a lesser price than from a state contract, state agencies may, with the approval of the Information Services Division, purchase from the vendor or vendors on the GSA schedule or contract; authorizes the State Regents and any other state entity assigned responsibility for OneNet to negotiate for education or government discounts from published price listings and to make contracts at such prices subject to adjustment for price increases nationally published; adds the State System institutions, State Regents, University Centers, and OneNet to entities exempt from the provisions of the Central Purchasing Act; requires that purchases of computer software maintenance and hardware maintenance contracts for OneNet be coordinated with the Information Services Division of the Office of State Finance. (74 § 85.9E)
ENROLLED - SENATE 05/29/96
* SCR 42 (Taylor/Johnson) - RETIREMENT. Creates a 16-member OTRS Fiscal Health Task Force to study the current and long-term financial condition of the system and to advise the executive and legislative branches on alternatives to solving funding problems; specifies scope of study; requires that appointments be made by Feb. 16, 1996, and the first meeting be held by Feb. 23; requires the task force to submit a report of findings and recommendations by May 1, 1996, to the Legislature and the Governor. [SB 903 extends the report deadline.]
HOUSE COMMITTEE - DO PASS 05/29/96
ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/29/96
ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE 05/24/96
* SR 29 (Campbell) - HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLES. Opposes the position of the National Education Association that public schools should celebrate a Lesbian and Gay History Month. [See HR 1045]
* SR 51 (Campbell) - ACADEMIC SCHOLARS. Directs the State Regents to conduct a study of the Academic Scholars Program consisting of a review of the goals, qualifying criteria, including the merits of removing subpopulation requirements, attrition, revenue needed to fund all categories of qualified students and the follow-up on graduates; directs the State Regents to report their findings to the Senate by Oct. 1, 1996.
* SR 63 (Maddox) - CAMERON UNIVERSITY GOLF. Congratulates the Cameron University golf team for winning third place at the NCAA Men's Division II golf championship.
ADOPTED - SENATE 05/30/96
* HB 1672 (Toure/Lewis Long) - CLAIMS/OU ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH/DRUG TESTING. The third conference committee substitute modifies the Employment Security Act of 1980; modifies method of filing a claim; authorizes the release of information required to identify economic trends to officials, employees and agents of OU's Center for Economic and Management Research; prohibits disclosure and public inspection of information obtained by the University and its agents; authorizes OU to release aggregated data, provided that such aggregation meets disclosure requirements of the Commission; outlines conditions for hair-sample testing for the presence of drugs; establishes misdemeanor penalties for wrongful release of test information. (70 § 14-131)
FOURTH CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
BILL FAILED - HOUSE (47-51) 05/30/96
* HB 1780 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS/SEOSU/UCT. The conference committee substitute appropriates to the Department of Commerce; Section 12 requires that the agency contract with Southeastern Oklahoma State University for the Small Business Development Centers Network; Section 21 requires the Department, in conjunction with the University Center at Tulsa and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, to contract for development of a comprehensive urban economic development model. The Governor vetoed Section 31, $3,003, 112 to OCAST.
GOVERNOR ACTION - VETO 05/30/96
* HB 1809 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. Section 1 appropriates $39,900,000 to the State Regents for the education and general operating budgets of the State System institutions; Section 2 states legislative intent that $11.3 million be expended for the purpose of funding the new start-up and operation costs associated with the 1992 Bond Issue; Section 3 states legislative intent that $1.5 million provide funding for OHLAP; Section 4 states legislative intent that $16.3 million be expended for OTAG; Section 5 states legislative intent that $1 million be expended for the National Guard Fee Waiver Program; Section 6 states legislative intent that $5,540,000 be allocated for the Section 13 Offset Program; Section 7 states legislative intent that $343,636 be expended for the general operating budget of the Administrative Offices of the State Regents; Section 8 appropriates $114,921 to the Physician Manpower Training Commission. The Governor vetoed Section 8 which appropriates $114,921 to the Physician Manpower Training Commission.
GOVERNOR ACTION - SIGNED 05/30/96
* HB 1811 (Hamilton/Haney) - PHYSICIAN MANPOWER TRAINING. Sets budgetary limitations for the Physician Manpower Training Commission. The conference committee substitute appropriates $120,000 to the State Regents for the education and general operating budgets of the institutions.
CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
BILL PASSED - HOUSE (86-9) 05/30/96
CCR READ - SENATE 05/30/96
* HB 2053 (Laura Boyd/Brown) - JUVENILE RECORDS. Deletes sections permitting individuals or agencies engaged in legitimate research for education, scientific or public purposes to inspect juvenile court records without a court order.
* HB 2063 (Sadler/Robinson) - LICENSE PLATES. The conference committee substitutes adds special license plates for various groups; modifies apportionment of funds from university supporter license plates. (47 § 1136)
SECOND CCR READ - SENATE 05/29/96
* HB 2088 (Roberts/Monson) - RETIREMENT/INSURANCE BENEFITS. Provides that, if the basic life insurance amount is increased, a retiree shall have 30 days in which to make an election to continue the increased basic life insurance amount by paying the full cost of the life insurance at the rate and under such terms and conditions as established by the State and Education Employees Group Life Insurance Board; provides that, if the retiree does not make an election, the person shall retain the ability to make payment for the life insurance amount in effect prior to any increase in coverage. The second conference committee substitute also modifies the authority of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority; limits the duties of the Authority relating to health care benefits for state and education employees; requires the Authority to provide advice and input to the Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council as it contracts for delivery of health care services to be offered by health services vendors; deletes language which previously had transferred responsibility for the purchase of health care benefits from the State Employees Benefits Council to the Health Care Authority; authorizes the Council to enter into contracts for the delivery of health care and establish standards and criteria which must be met by entities to be eligible to contract with the Council for such services; requires the Council to develop proposed standard basic health care benefits packages to be offered by providers with whom the Council contracts, study all matters connected with the purchase of health care benefits for participants and exercise all incidental powers which are necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the State Employees Benefits Act; provides for communication with plan participants. (74 § 1316.1)
SECOND CCR READ - HOUSE 05/29/96
BILL PASSED - HOUSE (72-23) 05/30/96
BILL PASSED - SENATE (32-15) 05/30/96
* HB 2147 (McCorkell/Dickerson) - PURCHASING. The second conference committee substitute amends certain sections of SB 1315 relating to the Central Purchasing Act; modifies definitions; modifies powers and authority of the Central Purchasing Director and requires certain initiatives to be undertaken by the Director. (74 § 85.2)
* HB 2164 (Steidley/Penny Williams) - STUDENT FEES/BRANCH CAMPUSES. Requires each State System institution to annually publish all tuition and fees charged at that institution; requires that the publication be provided free of charge to any person requesting any information relating to tuition or fees at that institution; requires the State Regents to provide certain courses and programs available through a branch campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College in McAlester and through a campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Woodward; transfers the governance of the Enid Higher Education Program to the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges; provides that the Enid Higher Education Program will serve as the Enid Campus of Northwestern Oklahoma State University; requires the State Regents to provide for a branch campus of Carl Albert State College in Sallisaw; changes the name of Tulsa Junior College to Tulsa Community College; combines the University Center at Tulsa and Rogers State College into "Rogers University;" changes the name of the Board of Regents of the University Center at Tulsa and Rogers State College to the Board of Regents of Rogers University. (70 § 3219.1)
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE (96-0) 05/30/96
SECOND CCR READ - SENATE 05/30/96
* HB 2193 (Hager/Ed Long) - SCHOOL TESTING/EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS. Pertains to educational deregulation; provides that a school district may not request an exemption from rules related to certain programs including the School Testing Program, the Educational Indicators Program, and the teacher preparation system. (70 § 3-126)
BILL PASSED - HOUSE 05/30/96
FOURTH CCR READ - SENATE 05/30/96
* HB 2268 (Bryant/Wright) - CHARTER SCHOOLS. Creates the "Charter Schools Act;" defines "charter school" as a public school established by contract with a board of education of a school district to provide learning that will improve student achievement; allows public schools, public bodies, public or private colleges or universities, private persons and private organizations to contract with a sponsor to establish a charter school. The second conference committee substitute applies only to public schools located in counties with a population of 50,000 or more; provides for phasing in the number of charter schools authorized each year, from 10 in the 1996-97 school year to an additional 25 for the 2002-2003 school year. (36 § 6060.1)
CCR REJECTED 05/29/96
FURTHER CONFERENCE GRANTED 05/29/96
* HB 2317 (Hager/Ed Long) - EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS/SCHOOL TESTING. Pertains to residence of child and school transfers; Section 3 modifies the Educational Indicators Program, allowing for separate reporting and depiction of test scores for certain students; Section 4 modifies the School Testing Program, requiring allocation of a certain percentage of State Aid to high challenge schools; Section 5 requires the development of an electronic tracking system for public school students to be used for the School Testing Program and the Educational Indicators Program; provides that social security account numbers or alternative student data numbers shall be used; requires the State Vo-Tech Board to adopt rules to ensure the provision of vocational offering in area vocational-technical school districts to transferred students. The second conference committee substitute pertains to school residency and no longer pertains to school testing and educational indicators.
* HB 2466 (Hager/Ed Long) - ACCREDITATION. The third conference committee substitute requires that a private educational institution be accredited under State Regents' rules unless the institution is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education; authorizes private educational institutions to grant only those degrees authorized by the State Regents unless approved otherwise by a national or regional accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the US Department of Education.
THIRD CCR ADOPTED - HOUSE 05/30/96
BILL PASSED - HOUSE (97-0) 05/30/96
THIRD CCR SUBMITTED TO SENATE 05/30/96
SECOND CCR SUBMITTED TO HOUSE 05/30/96
* HB 2497 (Anthony/Robinson) - HEALTH CARE. The second conference committee substitute provides that all employees of the University Hospitals Authority who are members of the University Hospitals Authority Model Personnel System who become subject to the classified or unclassified service of state government shall be eligible to transfer any unused leave balances; provides that if the Authority enters into a lease for University Hospital and Children's Hospital of Oklahoma with the University Hospitals Trust, and enters into an agreement or contract with another entity for performing services previously provided by the Authority which results in a reduction in the number of Authority employees, certain conditions must be met; creates the University Hospitals Trust Legislative Advisory Task Force; provides for transfer of certain personal property. (63 § 5011)
CCR REJECTED 05/30/96
FURTHER CONFERENCE GRANTED 05/30/96
* HB 2822 (Hamilton/Haney) - APPROPRIATIONS. This is a supplemental appropriations bill; Section 20 appropriates $107,128 for debt service on bonds to equip and furnish the OSU Food Processing Center. The Governor vetoed a section appropriating funds to the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE (98-0) 05/30/96
* HB 2887 (Settle/Don Williams) - GUARANTEED STUDENT LOANS. Authorizes the State Regents to promulgate rules pertaining to agreements with other Federal Family Education Loan Program participants, to notify licensing boards in this state of students who have defaulted on student loans, and to implement programs for administrative garnishment and wage withholding to collect on defaulted student loans; authorizes the State Regents to prescribe rules and procedures to provide an opportunity for a licensee to enter into a satisfactory repayment agreement and an opportunity for a hearing prior to notification of a licensing board; provides for notice and hearing; authorizes the Regents to notify licensing boards of any person who has been determined to be in default on a student loan, provided, the State Regents may consider hardship circumstances in their decision whether to proceed with notification; provides that, upon receipt of the notice, the licensing board shall suspend and not renew the license until further notification by the Regents; provides for license reinstatement when a licensee is no longer in default; states legislative intent that any state college, university or higher education program president, provost, chief executive officer or director who is or has been convicted of, plead guilty to or nolo contendere to a felony offense and a judgment of guilt has been entered, shall be dismissed or not reemployed unless a presidential or gubernatorial pardon has been granted. (70 § 623)
GOVERNOR ACTION - SIGNED 05/29/96
* HB 2938 (Hamilton/Dickerson) - ATTORNEY GENERAL. Adds to the duties of the Attorney General to represent a state agency or a state higher education institution to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and environmental and natural resources of the state by initiating, or appearing in, any state or federal administrative or judicial proceeding. In any such action in which the Attorney General obtains judgment, the Attorney General shall be entitled to recover costs and expenses of litigation and attorney fees. The second conference committee substitute makes language of statutes relating to the Office of Attorney General gender neutral. (74 § 18b)
BILL AND EMERGENCY PASSED - HOUSE (97-0) 05/30/96
* HCR 1058 (Cozort) - TULSA JUNIOR COLLEGE/BONDS. Authorizes the Board of Regents of Tulsa Junior College to issue revenue bonds in a sum not to exceed $12 million. [See SCR 36]
RECONSIDER THE VOTE - SENATE 05/23/96
AMENDMENT ADOPTED - SENATE 05/23/96
SENATE AMENDMENTS - PENDING 05/23/96
* HCR 1061 (Staggs) - CONNORS STATE COLLEGE/BONDS. Authorizes the A&M Board of Regents on behalf of Connors State College to issue revenue bonds in a sum not to exceed $2,394,000 for the purpose of renovating an existing dormitory and construction of a new residence hall. [See SCR 38]
* HCR 1086 (Anthony/Don Williams) - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Proclaims April 1996 as Oklahoma Science and Technology Month. [See SCR 55]
SIGNED & TRANSMITTED TO SENATE 05/30/96
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE 05/23/96
* HCR 1103 (Johnson/Taylor) - PEGGY SMITH. Commends Peggy Smith, executive director of the Small Business Capital Corp., on being selected the 1996 National Financial Services Advocate of the Year. Ms. Smith has served as a small business advocate on an advisory board of Tulsa Junior College.
TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE 05/28/96
* HCR 1108 (Perry/Wright) - COMPUTER CONVERSIONS. Directs all state agencies and encourages all higher education institutions, schools and other political subdivisions of the state, if applicable, to begin planning and budgeting for the conversion of legacy systems, programs and databases and to begin the process of preparing state computer systems for the millennium; requires agencies to report their plans to the Legislature through the Office of State Finance by Dec. 31, 1996; requires the colleges and universities to report through the office of the Executive Vice Chancellor or Chief Operating Officer of the State Regents. The committee substitute changes the date of reporting to Nov. 1, 1996.
* HCR 1115 (Hager/Ed Long) - BOARD OF REGENTS OF OKLAHOMA COLLEGES/APA. Waives the 30-day legislative-day review period for certain proposed permanent rules of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The floor substitute modifies the list of rules on which the 30-day review period is to be waived.
FLOOR SUBSTITUTE 05/30/96
SENATE INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING 05/30/96