54th Oklahoma Legislature

The Fifty-fourth Oklahoma Legislature was the meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma from January 8, 2013 to January 5, 2015.[1] The first session met from February 4, 2013, to May 24, 2013, in the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, during the third year of the first administration of Governor Mary Fallin. After the 2012 elections, the Republican Party held more than two-thirds of the seats in the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

54th Oklahoma Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Leadership
Term:
January 8, 2013-February 10, 2014
Term:
February 10, 2014-January 5, 2015
Composition:
Senate
36   12  
House
72   29  

The 2013 session resulted in an overhaul of the workers' compensation system, funding for relief and recovery efforts in response to a 2013 tornado outbreak, and employee development initiatives to improve care at veteran care centers.

Dates of sessions

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  • Organizational day: January 8, 2013
  • First regular session: February 4, 2013 – May 24, 2013[2]
  • First special session: September 2-6 and 9, 2013
  • Second regular session: February 3, 2014 - May 30, 2014

Previous: 53rd Legislature • Next: 55th Legislature

Major legislation

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Enacted

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2013 Legislative Session

  • Budget - HB 2301 contained the state budget that began July 1, 2013 and ends July 1, 2014.
  • Abortion - HB 1361 requires 48-hour written notice to parents before a minor has an abortion.
  • Abortion - HB 2226 requires a prescription for emergency contraception to women under the age of 17.
  • Criminal procedure - HB 1068 enables those convicted of violent crimes to request DNA testing of evidence.[3]
  • Disaster recovery - SB 249 transfers $45 million from the constitutional reserve fund to fund relief and recovery efforts resulting from the 2013 tornado outbreak.
  • Education - HB 1658 revises state A-F grading system scoring.[3]
  • Income tax cut - HB 2032 reduces the top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent on 2015 and sets up a mechanism to cut the rate to 4.85 percent in 2016 if the total revenue growth in the 2016 fiscal year is equal to or greater than the fiscal impact of the 0.15 percent tax cut; funds Capitol repairs.[4]
  • Infrastructure planning - HB 1910 forms Long-Range Capital Planning Commission with goals to repair the Oklahoma State Capitol and develop an eight-year plan to address the maintenance of state assets.
  • Smoking - SB 501 gives municipalities and counties the right to ban smoking on government property and makes state property smoke-free.[6]
  • Workers' compensation - SB 1062 moves the state from a court-based workers’ compensation system to an administrative system, allowing for more timely processing of claims and reducing the adversarial nature of the process for both workers and employers.[7]
  • Veteran care - SB 228 creates employee development initiatives at veteran care centers to improve care.[8]
  • Government reform - HB 2201 privatizes CompSource Oklahoma, an agency which provides workers' compensation insurance to private business, into a private insurance company
  • Drugs - HB 1783 prohibits automatic refills on products containing hydrocodone
  • Welfare reform - SB 887 prevents those convicted of illegally transferring food stamp benefits from enrollment in the program
  • Public safety - HB 1871 grants federally-recognized Indian tribes' law enforcement agencies the power to enforce state law

2013 Special Session

  • Lawsuit reform - SB 1x provides for an affidavit of merit for negligence lawsuits that are required to include expert testimony if necessary for the case.[9][10]

2014 Legislative Session

  • Budget - SB 2127 contained the state budget that begins July 1, 2014 and ends July 1, 2015.
  • Abortion - HB 2684 bans the off-label use of the drug RU486. The drug is used during the first seven weeks of a pregnancy to induce an abortion.
  • Education - HB 2625 modifies the Reading Sufficiency Act by allowing a student reading proficiency team to recommend promotion for a student who fails a reading test. The district superintendent would ultimately decide to promote or retain the student based on their recommendation. The legislation would also allow students to use a screening assessment at any point prior to the third-grade reading test to qualify for promotion.
  • Income tax cut - SB 1246 gradually lowers Oklahoma’s top income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 4.85 percent over several years, if general revenue increases during that time. Under the legislation, the top personal income tax rate will fall to 5 percent in Fiscal Year 2016 or later when state revenue projects are greater than projections in the previous year. The rate will further fall to 4.85 percent at a minimum of two years after the first cut, if revenue increases again.
  • Pension reform - HB 2630 switches new state employees who participate in the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System to a 401(k)-style defined contribution plan. Under the new plan, workers contribute between 3 and 7 percent of their salaries into the retirement system and receive a dollar-for-dollar match from the state. Participants can become 20 percent vested in the retirement system after one year and are completely vested after 5 years. Employees could also leave their jobs and receive their contributions back plus a percentage of the state’s contribution. The defined-contribution system would take effect Nov. 1, 2015.

Failed

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  • Insure Oklahoma - SB 700 would have redirected $50 million on state tobacco tax money to fund Insure Oklahoma program, which provides insurance for low-income Oklahomans.[2]
  • Trooper pay raise - HB 2145 would have given Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers a 16 percent pay raise.[11]

Leadership

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Oklahoma State Capitol

Since the Republican Party held the majority of seats in both the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives, they held the top leadership positions in both chambers.

In Oklahoma, the lieutenant governor serves as President of the Oklahoma Senate, meaning that he serves as the presiding officer in ceremonial instances and can provide a tie-breaking vote. Todd Lamb served as the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, who presides over the state senate on the majority of session days. was Brian Bingman. He was aided by Majority Floor Leader Mike Schulz and Majority Whip Rick Brinkley.[12] The Democratic Minority leader of the state senate was Sean Burrage. Paul Ziriax served as the Secretary of the Oklahoma Senate.

The first session of the legislature was led by Speaker T.W. Shannon. Jeff W. Hickman succeeded Shannon on February 10, 2014. Speaker Pro Tempore was Mike Jackson, Majority leaders were Fred Jordan and Dennis Johnson, Majority Floor Leader was Pam Peterson and Majority Whip was Todd Thomsen.[13] The chair of the Republican caucus was Weldon Watson.[13] The Democratic Minority leader was Scott Inman.[13] Joel Kintsel served as Chief Clerk of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Rick Rose serves as Chief of Staff of the House and Special Counsel to the Speaker.

Membership

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Senate

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District Name Party Hometown First Elected Seat Up
Lt-Gov Todd Lamb Rep Oklahoma City 2010 2014
1 Charles Wyrick Dem Fairland 2004 2016 (term-limited)
2 Sean Burrage Dem Claremore 2006 2014
3 Wayne Shaw Rep Grove 2012 2016
4 Mark Allen Rep Spiro 2010 2014
5 Jerry Ellis Dem Hugo 2008 2016
6 Josh Brecheen Rep Coalgate 2010 2014
7 Larry Boggs Rep Wilburton 2012 2016
8 Roger Ballenger Dem Okmulgee 2006 2014
9 Earl Garrison Dem Muskogee 2004 2016 (term-limited)
10 Eddie Fields Rep Pawhuska 2010 2014
11 Jabar Shumate Dem Tulsa 2012 2016
12 Brian Bingman Rep Sapulpa 2006 2014
13 Susan Paddack Dem Ada 2004 2016 (term-limited)
14 Frank Simpson Rep Ardmore 2010 2014
15 Rob Standridge Rep Norman 2012 2016
16 John Sparks Dem Norman 2006 2014
17 Ron Sharp Rep Shawnee 2012 2016
18 Kim David Rep Tulsa 2010 2014
19 Patrick Anderson Rep Enid 2004 2016 (term-limited)
20 Ann "AJ" Griffin Rep Guthrie 2012 2016
21 Jim Halligan Rep Stillwater 2008 2016
22 Rob Johnson Rep Piedmont 2010 2014
23 Ron Justice Rep Chickasha 2004 2016 (term-limited)
24 Anthony Sykes Rep Moore 2006 2014
25 Mike Mazzei Rep Tulsa 2004 2016 (term-limited)
26 Tom Ivester Dem Sayre 2006 2014
27 Bryce Marlatt Rep Woodward 2008 2016
28 Harry Coates Rep Seminole 2002 2014 (term-limited)
29 John Ford Rep Bartlesville 2004 2016 (term-limited)
30 David Holt Rep Oklahoma City 2010 2014
31 Don Barrington Rep Lawton 2004 2016 (term-limited)
32 Randy Bass Dem Lawton 2004 2016 (term-limited)
33 Nathan Dahm Rep Tulsa 2012 2016
34 Rick Brinkley Rep Owasso 2010 2014
35 Gary Stanislawski Rep Tulsa 2008 2016
36 Bill Brown Rep Broken Arrow 2006 2014
37 Dan Newberry Rep Tulsa 2008 2016
38 Mike Schulz Rep Altus 2006 2014
39 Brian Crain Rep Tulsa 2004 2016 (term-limited)
40 Cliff Branan Rep Oklahoma City 2002 2014 (term-limited)
41 Clark Jolley Rep Edmond 2004 2016 (term-limited)
42 Cliff Aldridge Rep Midwest City 2002 2014 (term-limited)
43 Corey Brooks Rep Washington 2012 2016
44 Michael Brooks-Jimenez Dem Oklahoma City 2017 2018
45 Kyle Loveless Rep Oklahoma City 2012 2016
46 Al McAffrey Dem Oklahoma City 2012 2016
47 Greg Treat Rep Oklahoma City 2011 2016
48 Constance N. Johnson Dem Oklahoma City 2006 2014

House of Representatives

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Speaker T.W. Shannon
Name District Party City First elected
Curtis McDaniel 1 Dem Smithville 2012
John R. Bennett 2 Rep Sallisaw 2010
James Lockhart 3 Dem Heavener 2010
Mike Brown 4 Dem Tahlequah 2004
Doug Cox 5 Rep Grove 2004
Chuck Hoskin 6 Dem Vinita 2006
Larry Glenn 7 Dem Miami 2004
Ben Sherrer 8 Dem Pryor 2004
Marty Quinn 9 Rep Claremore 2010
Steve Martin 10 Rep Bartlesville 2004
Earl Sears 11 Rep Bartlesville 2006
Wade Rousselot 12 Dem Okay 2004
Jerry McPeak 13 Dem Warner 2004
Arthur Hulbert 14 Rep Fort Gibson 2012
Ed Cannaday 15 Dem Porum 2006
Jerry Shoemake 16 Dem Morris 2004
Brian Renegar 17 Dem McAlester 2006
Donnie Condit 18 Dem McAlester 2010
R. C. Pruett 19 Dem Antlers 2004
Bobby Cleveland 20 Rep 2012
Dustin Roberts 21 Rep Durant 2010
Charles McCall 22 Rep Atoka 2012
Terry O'Donnell 23 Rep Tulsa 2000
Steve Kouplen 24 Dem Holdenville 2008
Todd Thomsen 25 Rep Ada 2006
Justin Wood 26 Rep Shawnee 2000
Josh Cockroft 27 Rep 2010
Tom Newell 28 Rep Seminole 2010
Skye McNiel 29 Rep Bristow 2006
Mark McCullough 30 Rep Sapulpa 2006
Jason Murphey 31 Rep Guthrie 2006
Jason Smalley 32 Rep Stroud 2012
Lee Denney 33 Rep Cushing 2004
Cory T. Williams 34 Dem Stillwater 2008
Dennis Casey 35 Rep Morrison 2010
Sean Roberts 36 Rep Hominy 2010
Steve Vaughan 37 Rep Ponca City 2010
Dale DeWitt 38 Rep Braman 2002
Marian Cooksey 39 Rep Edmond 2004
Mike Jackson 40 Rep Enid 2004
John Enns 41 Rep Waukomis 2006
Lisa Johnson Billy 42 Rep Purcell 2004
Colby Schwartz 43 Rep Yukon 2006
Emily Virgin 44 Dem Norman 2010
Aaron Stiles 45 Rep Norman 2010
Scott Martin 46 Rep Norman 2006
Leslie Osborn 47 Rep Mustang 2008
Pat Ownbey 48 Rep Ardmore 2008
Tommy Hardin 49 Rep Madill 2010
Dennis Johnson 50 Rep Duncan 2006
Scott Biggs 51 Rep 2012
Charles Ortega 52 Rep Altus 2008
Mark McBride 53 Rep Moore 2012
Paul Wesselhoft 54 Rep Moore 2006
Todd Russ 55 Rep Cordell 2009
David Perryman 56 Dem Grady County 2012
Harold Wright 57 Rep Weatherford 2008
Jeff W. Hickman 58 Rep Dacoma 2004
Mike Sanders 59 Rep Kingfisher 2008
Dan Fisher 60 Rep Banner 2012
Gus Blackwell 61 Rep Goodwell 2002
T.W. Shannon 62 Rep Lawton 2006
Don Armes 63 Rep Faxon 2002
Ann Coody 64 Rep Lawton 2004
Joe Dorman 65 Dem Rush Springs 2002
Jadine Nollan 66 Rep Sand Springs 2010
Pam Peterson 67 Rep Tulsa 2004
Glen Mulready 68 Rep Tulsa 2010
Fred Jordan 69 Rep Jenks 2006
Ken Walker 70 Rep Tulsa 2012
Katie Henke 71 Rep Tulsa 2004
Seneca Scott 72 Dem Tulsa 2008
Kevin Matthews 73 Dem Tulsa 2012
David Derby 74 Rep Owasso 2006
Dan Kirby 75 Rep Tulsa 2008
David Brumbaugh 76 Rep Broken Arrow 2010
Eric Proctor 77 Dem Tulsa 2006
Jeannie McDaniel 78 Dem Tulsa 2004
Weldon Watson 79 Rep Tulsa 2006
Mike Ritze 80 Rep Broken Arrow 2008
Randy Grau 81 Rep Edmond 2010
Mike Turner 82 Rep Oklahoma City 2012
Randy McDaniel 83 Rep Oklahoma City 2006
Sally Kern 84 Rep Oklahoma City 2004
David Dank 85 Rep Oklahoma City 2006
William Fourkiller 86 Dem Stilwell 2010
Jason Nelson 87 Rep Oklahoma City 2008
Kay Floyd 88 Dem Oklahoma City 2006
Rebecca Hamilton 89 Dem Oklahoma City 2002
Jon Echols 90 Rep Oklahoma City 2012
Mike Reynolds 91 Rep Oklahoma City 2002
Richard Morrissette 92 Dem Oklahoma City 2002
Mike Christian 93 Rep Oklahoma City 2008
Scott Inman 94 Dem Oklahoma City 2006
Charlie Joyner 95 Rep Midwest City 2006
Lewis H. Moore 96 Rep Edmond 2008
Mike Shelton 97 Dem Oklahoma City 2004
John Trebilcock 98 Rep Tulsa 2002
Anastasia Pittman 99 Dem Oklahoma City 2006
Elise Hall 100 Rep Oklahoma City 2010
Gary Banz 101 Rep Midwest City 2004

References

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  1. ^ Publications - Senate Journals, Oklahoma Senate (accessed May 28, 2013)
  2. ^ a b Oklahoma lawmakers wrap up session, The Oklahoman, May 25, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Capitol Updates, The Oklahoman, May 26, 2013.
  4. ^ McNutt, Michael. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signs tax cut measure, Newsok.com (accessed May 13, 2013)
  5. ^ State Supreme Court Rejects Tax Cut Law as Unconstitutional, Tulsa World, 2013-12-18
  6. ^ http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/Fallin_signs_bill_to_ban_smoking_at_state_city_owned/20130430_16_A12_OKLAHO264386 - Tulsa World, April 30, 2013 (accessed May 8, 2013)
  7. ^ Oklahoma workers' compensation measure signed into law, The Oklahoman, May 7, 2013 (accessed May 8, 2013 at Newsok.com)
  8. ^ Gov. Fallin signs bill to improve Oklahoma veterans care, Tulsa World (accessed May 8, 2013)
  9. ^ Ellis, Randy and Graham Lee Brewer. "Oklahoma lawmakers conclude special session," The Oklahoman, September 9, 2013. (accessed September 10, 2013)
  10. ^ Krehbiel, Randy and Barbara Hoberock. "[1]," Tulsa World, September 9, 2013. (accessed September 10, 2013)
  11. ^ Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers given false hope about possible pay raise, The Oklahoman, May 26, 2013.
  12. ^ Senate Majority Leadership Archived May 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (accessed May 27, 2013)
  13. ^ a b c House Leadership Archived 2010-12-22 at the Wayback Machine (accessed February 27, 2014)
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