Magna Carta News
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Summary of activity Feb. 2-4 in Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Mike W. Ray, Media Division Director
February 4, 2004
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A salute to military veterans, introduction and assignment of bills and resolutions, the initial round of a flurry of committee meetings, and the Governor's "State of the State" address highlighted the first week of the annual legislative session.
The Second Regular Session of the 49th Legislature commenced at noon Feb. 2; shortly afterward the House of Representatives and the Senate assembled in joint session to hear the Governor's annual report.
The four-month legislative session is required by the state Constitution to conclude by 5 p.m. May 28.
The lawmakers scheduled three weeks of committee meetings to review the bills and resolutions that were introduced this year. The 101 state Representatives filed 908 bills and 38 House joint resolutions; the 48 state Senators filed 789 Senate bills and 28 Senate joint resolutions.
Legislative committees must decide whether to amend, pass or reject those measures by the end of the day Feb. 19.
The House wasted no time in passing House Resolution 1030, commending Oklahomans who are stationed stateside and overseas in the armed forces "for their service in the war with Iraq..." In the resolution the House extends its "sincere commendation and gratitude" to "the many Oklahoma military personnel who are serving and protecting our nation's security."
The resolution singled out former state Rep. Hopper Smith, R-Tulsa, for particular praise. Smith is a lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade who relinquished his House seat last November when summoned to active duty to assist in training the national army of Afghanistan. "[P]rotection of this nation from terrorism and military aggression is a duty that is not taken lightly," HR 1030 notes.
The House gallery was overflowing with military veterans Feb. 3 on hand for the annual House salute to our nation's armed forces. The Oklahoma Public Employees Association was the first organization to conduct a rally at the Capitol this year, on the first day of the session, and the halls were teeming with veterans the next day.
Proponents of cockfighting flocked to the Capitol on Feb. 4. So did "right-to-life" advocates who were at the Capitol in observance of Rose Day; that is an annual event in which legislators are visited by opponents of abortion.
If history is any guide, a host of other organizations will gather in the Capitol at various times throughout the session. Typically those groups include the 4-H and FFA, senior citizens, home-schooled children and their parents, county officers, and many others.
This year's legislative session will be the last for at least 29 House members; 28 will be forcibly retired in November by constitutional term limits Oklahoma voters approved in 1990, and one Representative said he will retire voluntarily this fall after 10 consecutive years of service in the House.
In addition, one state Representative plans to run for Congress, two Representatives have announced they plan to seek state Senate seats that will be vacated by term limits, and another Representative announced she will file for election to a Senate seat that becomes vacant effective Feb. 29.
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Oklahoma House of Representatives
Mike W. Ray, Media Division Director
February 4, 2004
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A salute to military veterans, introduction and assignment of bills and resolutions, the initial round of a flurry of committee meetings, and the Governor's "State of the State" address highlighted the first week of the annual legislative session.
The Second Regular Session of the 49th Legislature commenced at noon Feb. 2; shortly afterward the House of Representatives and the Senate assembled in joint session to hear the Governor's annual report.
The four-month legislative session is required by the state Constitution to conclude by 5 p.m. May 28.
The lawmakers scheduled three weeks of committee meetings to review the bills and resolutions that were introduced this year. The 101 state Representatives filed 908 bills and 38 House joint resolutions; the 48 state Senators filed 789 Senate bills and 28 Senate joint resolutions.
Legislative committees must decide whether to amend, pass or reject those measures by the end of the day Feb. 19.
The House wasted no time in passing House Resolution 1030, commending Oklahomans who are stationed stateside and overseas in the armed forces "for their service in the war with Iraq..." In the resolution the House extends its "sincere commendation and gratitude" to "the many Oklahoma military personnel who are serving and protecting our nation's security."
The resolution singled out former state Rep. Hopper Smith, R-Tulsa, for particular praise. Smith is a lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade who relinquished his House seat last November when summoned to active duty to assist in training the national army of Afghanistan. "[P]rotection of this nation from terrorism and military aggression is a duty that is not taken lightly," HR 1030 notes.
The House gallery was overflowing with military veterans Feb. 3 on hand for the annual House salute to our nation's armed forces. The Oklahoma Public Employees Association was the first organization to conduct a rally at the Capitol this year, on the first day of the session, and the halls were teeming with veterans the next day.
Proponents of cockfighting flocked to the Capitol on Feb. 4. So did "right-to-life" advocates who were at the Capitol in observance of Rose Day; that is an annual event in which legislators are visited by opponents of abortion.
If history is any guide, a host of other organizations will gather in the Capitol at various times throughout the session. Typically those groups include the 4-H and FFA, senior citizens, home-schooled children and their parents, county officers, and many others.
This year's legislative session will be the last for at least 29 House members; 28 will be forcibly retired in November by constitutional term limits Oklahoma voters approved in 1990, and one Representative said he will retire voluntarily this fall after 10 consecutive years of service in the House.
In addition, one state Representative plans to run for Congress, two Representatives have announced they plan to seek state Senate seats that will be vacated by term limits, and another Representative announced she will file for election to a Senate seat that becomes vacant effective Feb. 29.
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