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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Below is the state legislative update for March 19-22. Bills are now being heard in committee of the opposite house from where the bill was originally introduced (Senate bills being heard in House committees and vice-versa). The next deadline is April 12 for bills to be passed out of the committees.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Bryce Fair<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:150%'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name=body></a><span style='color:black'>The update below reflects the current status of major legislation concerning Higher Education during the week of March 19, 2012 –March 22, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>If you have any questions, please contact Hollye Hunt at <a href="mailto:hhunt@osrhe.edu">hhunt@osrhe.edu</a> or 405.225.9424.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>Legislative Report</span></u></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:16.0pt;color:black'>March 19, 2012- March 22, 2012 </span></u></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><u><span style='color:black'>Appropriations </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>No pending legislation. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><u><span style='color:black'>Tuition/ Funding </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2677</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Jabar Shumate and Senator Gary Stanislawski// The legislation<b> </b>states no higher education institution shall take any action or enforce any policy that would deny a religious student group any benefit available to any other student group based on the religious student group's requirement that its leaders or members adhere to its sincerely held religious beliefs or standards of conduct.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill failed in Senate Education on March 19, 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></b></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2927// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Don Armes and Senator Bryce Marlatt//</span><span style='color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>The legislation creates a revolving fund for the Commissioners of the Land Office to be designated the "Multiyear Education Distribution Stabilization Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of bonus and delay rental income received by the Commission, and if it is determined by the Commission to be in the best interest of the trust it may make distributions of the income upon a five-year rolling average. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 1, 2012 with a vote of 87-2. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB1649 // </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Senator Bryce Marlatt and Representative Don Armes// The legislation creates a revolving fund for the Commissioners of the Land Office to be designated the "Multiyear Education Distribution Stabilization Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of bonus and delay rental income received by the Commission, and if it is determined by the Commission to be in the best interest of the trust it may make distributions of the income upon a five-year rolling average. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 12, 2012 with a vote of 43-0. The bill has been referred to the House A & B Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Joint Resolutions </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HJR 1091// Representative Randy McDaniel and Senator Patrick Anderson// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>The state question requires the Legislature to establish standards to adequately fund the public retirement system.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The resolution passed out of the House on February 29, 2012 with a vote of 66-24. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Concurrent Resolutions</span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SCR 30</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Patrick Anderson// The resolution disapproves the Medical Examiner's Facility Project proposed by the University of Central Oklahoma which appears on the Master Lease list submitted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The resolution has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SCR 31// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Senator Patrick Anderson// The resolution disapproves the Medical Examiner's Facility Project proposed by the University of Central Oklahoma which appears on the Master Lease list submitted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPATE: The resolution was filed on March 13, 2012. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HCR 1033// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Jason Murphey// The resolution disapproves the Medical Examiner's Facility Project proposed by the University of Central Oklahoma which appears on the Master Lease list submitted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The resolution has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee. The resolution was heard in committee on March 19, 2012. The resolution failed in committee on March 19, 2012.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>CIO</span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>No pending legislation. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Consolidation/ Transparency/ Modernization </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2196</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Jason Murphey and Senator Greg Treat// The legislation outlines funding and criteria for performance audits by the State Auditor. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 56-17. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB2197</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Jason Murphey and Senator Josh Brecheen// The legislation directs the State Purchasing Director to form an advisory committee consisting of representatives from entities exempted from the provisions of The Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act. The purpose of the committee is to allow committee members to provide input into the development of shared state purchasing contracts, collaboratively participate in the integration of their purchasing platforms or electronic purchasing catalogs, analyze solutions that may be used by state government to meet the purchasing needs of the entities, explore joint purchases of general use items that result in mutual procurement of quality goods and services at the lowest reasonable cost and explore flexibility, administrative relief, and transformation changes through utilization of procurement technology.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 63-28. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <b><i><u>OKPromise </u></i></b></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2679</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Gary Banz and Senator Clark Jolley// The legislation alters the second income check so that the amount of tuition a student would receive from the OK Promise scholarship is based on their income level. A student would receive 100% of the scholarship if their parent’s income was below $50,000. A student would receive 90% of the scholarship if their parent’s income is greater than $50,000 but less than $60,000. A student would receive 80% of the scholarship if their parent’s income is greater than $60,000--$70,000. A student would receive 70% of the scholarship if their parent’s income is greater than $70,000 but less than $80,000. A student would receive 60% of the scholarship if their parent’s income is greater than $80,000 but less than $90,000. And finally a student would receive 50% of the scholarship if their parent’s income is greater than $90,000 but less than $100,000.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 6, 2012 with a vote of </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>54-36. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Education Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB3112// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Jeff Hickman and Senator Josh Brecheen// The legislation does not allow OK Promise scholarship funds to be used to pay for remedial courses. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 67-20. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1380</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Tom Ivester and Representative Paul Roan// The legislation allows a student to still be eligible for the OK Promise scholarship if their parent dies while the student is in the their 11<sup>th</sup> or 12<sup>th</sup> grade year of high school.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on February 29, 2012 with a vote of 45-0. The bill has been referred to the House A & B committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Governance </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2443</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Dale DeWitt and Senator Eddie Fields// The legislation creates a board of nine (9) trustees to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the administrative agency for the University Center at Ponca City.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill pass out of the House with a vote of 57-32 on March 5, 2012. The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee on March 19, 2012.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1111</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Eddie Fields and Representative Lee Denney// The legislation creates a board of nine (9) trustees to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve as the administrative agency for the University Center at Ponca City.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 41-1. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1797</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Clark Jolley and Representative Lee Denney// Creates Commission for Education, Instruction Quality and Accountability. The Secretary of Education will oversee the commission.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 13, 2012 with a vote of 39-0. The bill has been referred to the House A & B Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <b><i><u>Faculty </u></i></b></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>No pending legislation. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <u>Reporting </u></span></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1819</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Jim Halligan and Representative Lee Denney// The legislation directs the State Regents to provide information to the legislature regarding graduation rates, debt loads, student employed by specific disciplines, and information provided to students on employment possibilities and debt. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 40-0. The bill has been referred to the House Higher Education Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Legal Reform </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>No pending legislation. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'> </span><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Academic </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><span style='color:black'> </span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB2970// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Todd Thomsen// The legislation requires students to take high school, college, and job skills readiness exams. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, each school district shall ensure that each student enrolled in grade eight is administered the ACT Explore high school readiness assessment, each student enrolled in grade ten is administered, by no later than April 1 of each year, the ACT Plan college readiness assessment, and each student enrolled in grade eleven is administered the ACT WorkKeys job skills assessment. The results of the assessments administered shall be reported to the State Department of Education and the individual school districts.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE:</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <b>The bill passed out of the House on March 14, 2012 with a vote of 92-0. </b></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'>The bill was amended on the House floor to remove the language described above. Amendatory language was approved directing the State Board of Education to establish an appeals process for students that have been denied a high school diploma for failure to meet the end of instruction (EOI) testing requirements. See the current bill text at <a href="http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENGR/hB/HB2970%20ENGR.DOC">http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20ENGR/hB/HB2970%20ENGR.DOC</a>. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB1565</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Susan Paddack and Representative Ann Coody// The legislation directs the OSRHE to establish a dyslexia teacher training pilot program. The program should be designed to evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of having trained teachers who can provide assistance to children with risk factors for dyslexia. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 42-0. The bill has been referred to the House A & B Subcommittee on Education.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>SB1818</span></b><span style='color:black'>// Senator Jim Halligan and Representative Lee Denney// The legislation increases units of mathematics required from three to four for students entering the ninth grade in the 2012-2013 school year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill failed to pass out of the Senate on March 13, 2012 with a vote of 24-20. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>SB1863</span></b><span style='color:black'>// Senator Steve Russell and Representative Ann Coody// The legislation authorizes institutions or career and technology centers to award educational credits to a student enrolled in the institution or career and technology center for courses that are part of the student's military training or service and that meet the standards of the American Council on Education (ACE) or equivalent standards for awarding academic credit if the award of educational credit is based upon the institution's or technical career center's admission standards and its role, scope and mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 44-0. The bill has been referred to the House Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Tuition Waivers</span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2689</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Representative Gary Banz and Senator Jerry Ellis// The legislation allows students who are dependents of certain military personnel be eligible for in-state residency status.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 85-0. The bill has been referred to the Senate Education.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1624</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator John Sparks and Representative Emily Virgin// The legislation directs the State Regents to adopt a policy which allows a student to enroll in an institution within Oklahoma and be eligible for resident tuition if the student was an Oklahoma resident at the time the student received a high school diploma.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on February 13, 2012 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on February 15, 2012. The legislation was amended in committee to include language to not allow unlawful residents to receive in-state tuition. The bill passed out of the Senate on March 15, 2012 with a vote of 38-1. The bill has been referred to the House A & B Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Bond Issues </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1134</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Patrick Anderson and Representative Jason Murphey// The legislation requires the State Regents to provide an itemized list of master lease projects to all members of the Legislature within the first seven days of the legislative session.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 40-0. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Other </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1280</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator Mike Schulz and Representative Kris Steele// The legislation creates the OK Hospital Residency Training Program. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 38-3. The bill has been referred to the House A & B Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1218</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>// Senator David Holt and Representative Randy McDaniel// The legislation authorizes beer and wine establishments that are licensed by the ABLE Commission to operate within 300 feet of a college or university if the campus is located within an improvement district created pursuant to Title 11, Section 39-103.1. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 43-0.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2967// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Todd Thomsen// The legislation<b> </b>relates to the Uniform Athlete Agents Act and requires submission of a surety bond if an athlete agent is charged with a violation and sets the amount of the surety bond.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 15, 2012 with a vote of 78-0. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></i></b></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Energy </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB2833// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Scott Martin and Senator Brian Bingman<b>// </b>The legislation directs state agencies and higher education to reduce energy costs for all state buildings. The Office of State Finance will oversee the implementation of an organizational behavior-based energy conservation program. The program will target a cumulative energy savings of at least twenty percent (20%) by the year 2020 when compared to the 2012 fiscal year utility expenditures. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 1, 2012 with a vote of 71-9. The bill has been referred to Senate General Government Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>SB 1096// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Senator Brian Bingman<b> </b>and Representative Scott Martin<b>// </b>The legislation directs state agencies and higher education to reduce energy costs for all state buildings. The Office of State Finance will oversee the implementation of an organizational behavior-based energy conservation program. The program will target a cumulative energy savings of at least twenty percent (20%) by the year 2020 when compared to the 2012 fiscal year utility expenditures. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 13, 2012 with a vote of 44-0. The bill has been referred to the House Energy & Utility Regulation Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><b><i><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Retirement/Health Insurance </span></u></i></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 2321// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Randy McDaniel and Senator Patrick Anderson// The legislation modifies the number of unused sick days that can be used for creditable service in the Teachers' Retirement System and the OK Public Employees Retirement System.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#000099'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>For members who join the System on or after November 1, 2012, unused sick leave shall be credited at the same rate but not used to round up to another year. Instead, any additional months of unused sick leave credit shall be added to other service credit without rounding.</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 5, 2012 with a vote of 65-18. The bill has been referred to the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee. </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>HB 3053// </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Representative Kris Steele<b>// </b>The legislation<b> c</b>reates the "Office of Enterprise and Management Services and the Capital Assets, Human Capital Management, and Employee Benefits divisions. </span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>UPDATE:</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <b>The bill passed out of the House on March 8, 2012 with a vote of 60-32. The bill has been referred to the Senate Appropriations.</b></span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></pre><pre><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></pre><pre><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'>Carry Over Bills from Last Legislative Session </span></u></b><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></pre><pre><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'> <i><u>Concealed Weapons/Open Carry</u></i></span><span style='color:black'> </span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></pre><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>HB 2522// </span></b><span style='color:black'>Representative Steve Martin and Senator Greg Treat// The legislation allows for unconcealed weapons in certain areas.<b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the House on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 85-9. The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>SB 1785</span></b><span style='color:black'>// Senator Steve Russell and Representative Leslie Osborn// The legislation allows out-of-state persons in compliance with the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to carry a concealed firearm in the State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 7, 2012 with a vote of 45-0. The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>SB 1733// </span></b><span style='color:black'>Senator Anthony Sykes and Representative Jeff Hickman// The legislation allows justices and judges to carry weapons in any courthouse in Oklahoma. The legislation also allows for unconcealed weapons in certain areas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>UPDATE: The bill passed out of the Senate on March 14, 2012 with a vote of 34-9. The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee.</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>