Source: http://okhighered.org/leg-info/2000/update-00-4-07.htm
Timestamp: 2018-06-20 13:19:20
Document Index: 751543137

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 3907', '§ 11', '§ 1', '§ 21', '§ 17', '§ 3218', '§ 698', '§ 1365', '§ 1219', '§ 2525', '§ 19', '§ 50', '§ 62', '§ 1', '§ 169', '§ 6591', '§ 2528', '§ 21', '§ 11']

Legislative Update April 7, 2000
New College Savings Program to Open April 12: The Oklahoma College Savings Plan, authorized by legislation in 1998, will open for business on Wednesday, April 12. The Plan takes advantage of federal and state tax benefits and provides an affordable way for families to save for college expenses.
A seven-member Board of Trustees, chaired by Oklahoma State Treasurer Robert Butkin, oversees the program. Higher Education Chancellor Hans Brisch serves as vice-chair for the board, which is staffed by the State Regents’ office.
ü No family income limits for participation.
ü Federal and state tax benefits: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars; however, no annual federal or state income taxes are assessed on earnings in the program until money is actually withdrawn. At that point, the earnings portion is taxed as income to the beneficiary (student), not the account owner (parent or other), and therefore may have a smaller tax liability.
ü Low minimum contribution: $25, or even $15 per pay period with automatic payroll deduction.
ü High contribution limit; $100,000 per beneficiary.
ü No residency requirements.
ü The beneficiary does not have to be related to the account owner.
ü The account owner always retains control of the account, not the beneficiary.
ü The account owner can change the beneficiary to any “family member” of beneficiary (as defined by the IRS) without tax consequences.
ü Funds can be used at any institution in the country that is eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs.
ü Funds can be spent on tuition, fees, books, supplies, required equipment, and room & board if enrolled at least half-time ($1,500 at home, $2,500 off-campus, actual cost for on campus housing).
ü There is a 10-percent penalty on earnings for distributions not used for eligible higher education expenses.
ü How the funds are invested is based on the age of the student. The allocation changes automatically as the student gets closer to college age
ü Low cost: There are no enrollment or annual account fees. An average program management fee of about 0.8 percent (80 basis points) will be assessed on account balances.
The Board has contracted with TIAA-CREF to manage the program operations and investments. TIAA-CREF is a well-known nonprofit financial organization that has provided pension services to the higher education and research community for over 80 years. TIAA-CREF has over $200 billion in assets currently under management. The organization is developing a specialty niche in the administration of state college savings plans and is currently operating state college savings programs in New York, California, Missouri, Kentucky and Vermont, and has been awarded contracts to operate programs in Tennessee and Minnesota.
Beginning April 12, persons interested in the Oklahoma College Savings Plan may call toll-free at 1-877-654-7258 (877-OK4-SAVING) or visit the program website at: www.ok4saving.org.
Bills Deleted from List: We have deleted over forty bills that did not survive the March 30 deadline for passage from committee. Those bills are listed further in the report under the section entitled “Bills Deleted from the Tracking List.”
HB 1969 – ABLE agents; education requirements
HB 2222 - Appropriations
HB 2249 - Appropriations
HB 2250 - Appropriations
HB 2251 – Appropriations
HB 2261 – Appropriations
HB 2263 - Appropriations
HB 2277 – Appropriations
HB 2278 - Appropriations
HB 2283 - Appropriations
HB 2290 - Budgeting
SB 1172 – Public bidding
SB 1176 - Public bidding
SB 1252 – Telemedicine
SB 1389 – Income tax exemption
SCR 70 – General LaVern E. Weber, graduate of East Central University
SCR 73 – Northern Oklahoma College; Dr. Joe Kinzer, Jr.
SCR 78 - Linda L. Batty, University of Central Oklahoma graduate
HCR 1076 – Oklahoma Science and Technology Month
HCR 1080 – Recalling HB 1002 (Tobacco Settlement Fund) from Governor’s desk
SB 897 - Payroll; employee recognition
SB 1047 – Amendments to HB 1759
SB 1139 – State textbook committee
SB 1308 – Income tax exemption for certain retirement benefits
SB 1409 - Flexible benefits
SB 1500 - Administrative hearings
HB 1170 - OSU College of Vet Medicine
HB 1462 – Employee protection
HB 1710 – Elimination of remedial courses at OU and OSU
HB 1942 – Travel reimbursement
HB 1945 - Employee information
HB 2016 – Teacher certification for math teachers
HB 2125 – Addictive Disorders Council
HB 2187 – Health insurance participation
HB 2406 – Advanced Placement
HB 2437 – Graduation requirements
HB 2454 – Disability plan participation
HB 2620 – School testing
HB 2622 – Modifications of HB 1759
HB 2647 – Health insurance; internal review
HB 2655 – Teacher incentives
Curriculum, SB 788, SB 1015, HB 2728
Diploma of honor, SB 788, HB 2128, HB 2728
East Central University graduate, General LaVern E. Weber, SCR 70
International baccalaureate, HB 2728
Literacy Initiatives Commission, HB 1850, HB 1856
Certification, SB 1392, HB 2013, HB 2728
Weber, General LaVern E., SCR 70
Status Reported as of April 6, 2000
4/05/00Bill Amended Passed – House (91-6) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb824_hasb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Passed – House (98-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb843_hasb.rtf
SB 863 (Harrison/Easley) – CLIMATOLOGICAL SURVEY/LITERACY INITIATIVES. Re-creates until 2006 various boards including the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. (74 § 3907)
4/04/00Senate Rejects House Amendments, Requests Conference
4/06/00In Conference Committee
SB 1015 (Williams/Roberts) - DIPLOMA OF HONOR. Provides that a school district shall not be required to offer every course listed in core curriculum requirements, but must offer a sufficient course selection to allow a student to meet graduation requirements; provides that a school district not be responsible for tuition for concurrent courses unless the district does not offer enough course selection to meet graduation requirements; specifies graduation requirements for correspondence courses, individualized education programs, and charter schools. (70 §§ 11-103.6, 3-136)
4/05/00Bill Amended Passed – House (91-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1023_hasb.rtf
SB 1172 (Robinson/Paulk) - PUBLIC BIDDING. Increases from $13,500 to $25,000 the public construction contract amount above which the contractor must furnish a bond or irrevocable letter of credit and certified check equal to 5 percent of the bid. (61 §§ 1, 107)
4/06/00House Grants Conference
4/04/00Bill Passed – House (94-1) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/sb1176_enr.rtf
4/04/00to Governor
4/04/00Bill Passed – House (99-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/sb1178_enr.rtf
SB 1206 (Henry/Settle) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Enacts the “The HMO Reform and Accountability Act”; makes health maintenance organizations (HMOs) liable for damages for harm to an insured or enrollee proximately caused by health care treatment decisions made by its employees, agents or representatives acting on its behalf. (76 §§ 21.1/21.4)
4/05/00Bill Amended Passed – House (97-3) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1214_hasb.rtf
SB 1239 (Leftwich/Roberts) - Retirement. Requires the Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma to provide to a member making application to retire an application to participate in a retired teachers’ organization along with a form allowing the member to elect to have dues prorated and withheld from the member’s retirement benefits; requires such an organization to pay for the cost of applications and forms; requires that to qualify as a retired teachers’ organization, the organization must have at least 5,000 dues-paying members. (70 §§ 17-122, 17-122.1)
4/04/00Bill Passed – House (97-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1246_hasb.rtf
SB 1305 (Hobson/Gray) – SPECIAL FEES. Raises the cap on library automation and materials fees at State System institutions from $1.50 to $2.25 per semester credit hour; raises the cap on the fee for student service facilities, such as student union, infirmary and stadium from $4.30 to $7.30; raises the cap on student health care fees from $46 to $54. (70 §§ 3218.11, 3218.12)
4/3/00 Bill Amended Passed – House (100-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1389_hasb.rtf
4/03/00Bill Passed – House (96-1) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1392_hasb.rtf
SB 1393 (Ford/Bryant) - TEACHER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM. States legislative intent that the State Regents establish a teacher loan repayment program for students planning to teach math or science in an Oklahoma public secondary school. (70 § 698.3)
4/05/00Bill Passed – House (92-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1393_hasb.rtf
SB 1396 (Monson/Askins) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Authorizes the Employee Benefits Council to require vendors to set their rates in an amount not to exceed the rates offered to other large employers within the state for comparable benefits; requires that the enrollment period for participating members be extended in any legislative session in which benefits offered by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board or the Employee Benefits Council are modified by legislation; repeals a duplicate section relating to the flexible benefit allowance. (74 §§ 1365, 1370, 1374)
SB 1472 (Shurden/Erwin) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Decreases from 60 to 30 days the time period after which, if an insurance claim is not paid, the insurer shall pay interest. The amendment adds sections requiring health benefit plans to require at least 12 months for submission for medical benefit claims; requires publishing of reimbursement guidelines, including coverage limitations and appeals processes; requires a 60-day notice of guideline changes. (36 §§ 1219, 6061, 6062)
4/05/00Bill Amended Passed – House (93-1) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/sb1472_hasb.rtf
SB 1588 (Monson/Seikel) - HEALTH INSURANCE. Modifies the definition of a managed care plan to include one that requires an enrollee to initially seek services from a primary care provider as defined by the managed care plan. (63 §§ 2525.3, 2550.1)
SCR 70 (Hobson/Wells) – GENERAL LAVERN E. WEBER. Honors the memory and military career of the late General LaVern E. Weber. The former State Adjutant General of Oklahoma attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated from East Central College.
3/14/00 Adopted, to Secretary of State -http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/scr70_enr.rtf
3/13/00Senate introduced – http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/SCR73_int.rtf
HB 1002 (Askins/Brown) - RETIREMENT/TOBACCO SETTLEMENT. Creates a Tobacco Settlement Fund, comprising monies received by the state in settlement of claims against tobacco manufacturers; requires the Director of State Finance to transfer from the Attorney General’s revolving fund to the Tobacco Settlement Fund $2,991,632 received by the Attorney General after Dec. 1, 1999, pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement between states and participating tobacco product manufacturers. (74 § 19; 62 § 50)
4/03/00CCR Adopted, Bill Passed - House (99-0)
4/03/00CCR Adopted, Bill Passed - Senate (46-0)
4/03/00to Governor - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1002_enr.rtf
4/04/00Recalled from Governor’s Desk
4/03/00Bill Passed – Senate (46-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1849_enr.rtf
4/06/00 Signed by Governor
4/03/00Bill Passed – Senate (46-0) – http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1850_enr.rtf
4/03/00Bill Passed – Senate (46-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1857_enr.rtf
HB 1905 (Covey/Fisher) – SURPLUS PROPERTY. Requires the Department of Central Services to manage state surplus property programs; requires the department to make surplus property available to state agencies and authorized entities, including political subdivisions, school districts and nonprofit entities of the state; provides an exemption for higher education institutions. (74 §§ 62.2/62.4, 62.6)
3/30/00Senate Committee – Passed as Amended - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb1905_sflr.rtf
4/04/00Bill Passed – Senate (45-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1918_enr.rtf
3/29/00Senate Committee – Passed as Amended - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb1939_sflr.rtf
HB 1947 (Ervin/Robinson) - TELEMEDICINE. Requires the State Health Board to establish the Center for Telemedicine as a separate unit of the health department; requires the center to establish and maintain a telehealth website. The committee substitute adds language modifying the duties of the Telemedicine Advisory Council. (63 §§ 1-2701, 1-2702, 1-2702.1)
4/04/00Bill Passed – Senate (43-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb1970_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Held on Notice to Reconsider
4/04/00Title restored
4/04/00Reconsidered, Amended and Passed – Senate (46-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb1970_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Passed – Senate (45-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb1987_enr.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (46-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2220_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2222_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2249_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2250_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2251_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Conference granted - Senate
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (46-1) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2261_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2263_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (46-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2277_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2278_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2283_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Bill Amended Passed – Senate (47-0) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2290_sahb.rtf
4/04/00Senate Committee – Passed as Amended - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2310_sflr.rtf
3/30/00Senate Committee – Passed - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2323_sflr.rtf
HB 2356 (Lindley/Cain) - DISABLED/COMPLAINTS. Establishes a 22-member Task Force to Review the Complaint System for Persons with Disabilities until June 30, 2001; requires the Task Force to conduct a thorough review of the procedures for reporting and resolving complaints regarding access to programs and services by persons with disabilities within various governmental entities and to recommend necessary changes to improve the system based on its findings; includes the Chancellor or a designee on the committee; requires the Task Force to issue a report of findings and recommendations by Jan. 15, 2001. (74 §§ 169.2/169.2b)
4/05/00Bill Passed – Senate (41-0)
4/03/00Bill Passed – House (76-25); Emergency Passed (74-27) - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/hb2468_enr.rtf
3/30/00Title restored
3/30/00Senate Committee – Passed as Amended - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2529_sflr.rtf
3/29/00Senate Committee – Passed as Amended - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2532_sflr.rtf
3/27/00Senate Committee – Passed - http://www2.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00SB/hb2559_sflr.rtf
HB 2710 (Toure/Henry) – HEALTH INSURANCE. Enacts the “Managed Health Care Reform and Accountability Act”; makes health care plans, HMOs and other managed care entities liable for damages for harm to an enrollee proximately caused by its failure to exercise ordinary care. (36 §§ 6591/6594; 63 § 2528.5; 76 §§ 21.1/21.4)
HB 2728 (Benson/Taylor) - CORE CURRICULUM/TUITION SCHOLARSHIP. Modifies certain curriculum requirements of HB 1759; modifies curriculum for high school graduation to include sets of competencies as well as course units; expands courses which meet criteria; provides that school districts shall not be responsible for costs of concurrent courses, unless the school district does not offer the required courses to meet graduation requirements; authorizes school boards to develop and issue a certificate of distinction to students who meet certain academic criteria; requires seventh- and eighth-grade math teachers to be certified at the intermediate or secondary level in math; requires charter schools to address graduation requirements in the charter; provides for student transfers; states legislative intent that the 1999-2000 school year be the final year students may apply for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP); makes eligible secondary students who have applied for the program, beginning July 1, 2000, eligible for benefits pursuant to the Oklahoma Tuition Scholarship Act; provides eligibility requirements for the Tuition Scholarship Act; states legislative intent for the coordination of spring break dates for public schools, area vo-tech schools and higher education institutions beginning with the 2001-2002 school year. (70 §§ 11-103.6, 11-103.2c, 6-189.1, 3-136, 8-101.2, 8-103, 6-114)
HCR 1076 (Bonny/Robinson) – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MONTH. Declares the month of April 2000, as “Oklahoma Science & Technology Month”.
3/14/00House introduced - http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/HCR1076_int.rtf
4/04/00House introduced - http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/1999-00HB/HCR1080_int.rtf