Overview of 2012 session

              1
OVERVIEW OF 2012 SESSION
The 2012 Oklahoma Legislative Session convened on February 6 and adjourned sine die on May 25, 2012, under the leadership of Senator Brian Bingman, President Pro Tempore, Senator Mike Schulz, Majority Floor Leader and Senator Sean Burrage, Democratic Floor Leader. The Legislature considered over 2,000 bills and joint resolutions, of which 171 Senate measures and 221 House measures became law. Governor Mary Fallin vetoed 11 measures. Four state questions were referred to the people for a vote in November, along with two which were referred in 2011 (for more information, see Legislative Brief at http://www.oksenate.gov/publications.aspx).
General appropriations for state government for fiscal year 2013 were included in SB 1975, including funding for National Board Certification bonuses, bridge and road funding, water monitoring, increased services mandated by a lawsuit settlement involving the Department of Human Services, the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and Highway Patrol trooper academies. Supplemental funding for fiscal year 2012 for health benefits for education personnel, National Board Certification bonuses, Highway Patrol trooper academies, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the State Emergency Fund was provided in SB 1959.
In the 2011 interim, the Senate accepted the resignations of long-time Senators Jim Reynolds and Andrew Rice, and mourned the loss of the late Senator David Myers. In their places, the Senate welcomed three new members: Senators Greg Childers, Al McAffrey and A.J. Griffin. Due to redistricting, Senator Childers will serve out the remainder of the unexpired term but will not return for the 2013 session. The Senate thanked seven other members who will not be returning: Senators Tom Adelson, Judy Eason McIntyre, Charlie Laster, Richard Lerblance, Jonathan Nichols, Steve Russell and Jim Wilson.
Senate leadership agenda items passed in 2012 include:
Job Creation and Economic Development
 SJR52 (Sen. Mike Mazzei and Rep. David Dank) – Sends to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment change which would exempt intangible property from taxation. (Passed Senate and House; headed to statewide ballot).
 HCR1031 (Sen. Ron Justice and Rep. John Enns) – Calls for Congressional oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency due to rules and regulations passed by that agency which hinders businesses and makes it more expensive for them to operate. (Approved).
 HB2204 (Sen. Dan Newberry and Rep. Randy McDaniel) – Requires individuals to register for work on OESC website after applying for unemployment benefits. Claimant has burden of proof when there is a positive drug or alcohol test. 25% penalty for fraud related to overpayment of unemployment benefits. Increases efficiency in the unemployment claim process. (Signed by the Governor).