Cockroft Column: House Session Update - 3/9/2015

Thursday, March 12, marks the midpoint of the first session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature. After that point, any bills that have not been heard in their legislative chamber of origin are effectively dead for this legislative session.

I was pleased to be among those who voted again a bill that would put another unfunded mandate on our schools. House Bill 1589 failed by the thinnest of margins, 50-19, which seems like passage, but a majority of at least 51 is needed for a bill’s passage. While I support any school district’s attempts to increase math requirements for graduation, I think that schools must have the local power to determine what is best for their students.

We did unanimously approve a measure to improve the care of children in Oklahoma’s child welfare system. House Bill 1078 expands a program that transitions children in the system into their adult lives, updates requirements for foster parents and group homes to ensure the child is engaged in typical childhood activities and revises protocols used to deal with runaways and child trafficking victims.

Under the legislation, a team model would be used to transition children into adulthood. The measure would lower the age at which the transition program would begin from 16 to 14.

House lawmakers also approved two measures I authored. House Bill 1277 proposes to create a state fund that uses oil and gas taxes to create compressed natural gas infrastructure within county vehicle fleets. House Bill 1281 provides procedures for establishing scholarships for Child Development Associate and Child Care Professionals, thus removing federal oversight.

While the death penalty is becoming more controversial nationally, it continues to have the support of most Oklahomans. Even so, after last year’s botched execution, we have wanted to improve the method. This past week, we voted to change the way in which Oklahoma conducts its death penalty executions. House Bill 1879 moves to replace the current multi-drug lethal injection format with a new system involving execution of death row inmates via nitrogen hypoxia. A study conducted by professors at East Central University found the process to be humane, that it would not require the assistance of licensed medical professionals, that nitrogen is readily available for purchase and that it could not be botched because of an offender’s actions.
Thursday, March 12, marks the midpoint of the first session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature. After that point, any bills that have not been heard in their legislative chamber of origin are effectively dead for this legislative session.

I will begin to discuss the budget and Senate bills in my next column.

It is an honor to serve you. It matters not if you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent; I am here to serve you. Please visit my policy blog at www.RepJoshCockroft.blogspot.com. Communication is important to me. I want to know how to I can better serve and lead for our district and our state. I am always a phone call away at: (405) 557-7349. You can also email me at: Josh.Cockroft@okhouse.gov.

Cockroft Column: Session Update

     The first session of the 55th Oklahoma Legislature has now passed an important deadline. House committee work on House bills has ended. At the same time, we passed several bills on the House floor.

    The Oklahoma House of Representatives has voted to improve the procedure for collecting DNA samples from those individuals convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor. House Bill 1683 allows the offices of district attorneys to collect the DNA sample from a convicted criminal. The DNA samples are submitted to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Laboratory for processing and inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). The legislation was approved by a vote of 93-3.

    A bill aimed at curbing the dangerous trend of texting while driving also passed a vote on the House floor. House Bill 1965 strengthens language aimed at preventing texting while driving, marking a first offense fine at $250. Subsequent offenses would register a $500 fine. The bill passed by a 96-2 margin.

    We also approved a measure that would create Rural Opportunity Zones in counties across the state. House Bill 1747 allows for the creation of 25 Rural Opportunity Zones across the state. For taxable years beginning in 2016, the legislation would allow for a five-year tax exemption for anyone who moves from out-of-state into a county projected to see a population loss between the effective date and 2075 per the 2012 Demographic State of the State Report – Oklahoma State and County Population Projections through 2075. The legislation passed by a 64-11 margin.

    A measure that would ban “dismemberment” abortions was approved by the House. House Bill 1721 was approved by a vote of 84-2.

    Finally, the House unanimously approved a bill that would increase the input from experts on coordinated care of patients with chronic conditions on an advisory panel that helps set state health policies. House Bill 1085 modifies the Home Care and Hospice Advisory Council to include palliative care and specifies membership of the Home Care, Hospice and Palliative Care Advisory Council. The measure directs the council to identify ways to improve the quality and delivery of palliative care.

   The legislation, which will increase the panel’s membership from seven to nine members, was approved by a vote of 90-0.

    In several weeks, these bills will be considered in the Oklahoma Senate. I look forward to telling you about their progress.

    It is an honor to serve you. It matters not if you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent; I am here to serve you. Please visit my policy blog at www.RepJoshCockroft.blogspot.com. Communication is important to me. I want to know how to I can better serve and lead for our district and our state. I am always a phone call away at: (405) 557-7349. You can also email me at: Josh.Cockroft@okhouse.gov.