Votes at a glance: Senate advances DHS referral reform and several other measures

The Oklahoma Senate moved and recorded final action on several bills during the floor session.

SB 14 26 (Department of Human Services): Authored by Floor Leader Daniels (speaker 12), the bill would allow DHS to refer only substantiated findings of abuse of vulnerable adults to district attorneys, a change intended to reduce prosecutorial workload from screening unsubstantiated reports. The author cited fiscal-year report totals and said the change would concentrate limited DA resources on cases that can proceed to charges. The measure passed the Senate on third reading by voice and roll call (44–0 recorded on the floor).

SB 15 31 (FAA/drones placeholder): Senator Hace explained the measure is a vehicle to allow the Legislature to respond quickly should the FAA issue new rules on unmanned aircraft; he kept the title off so language can be added later if federal action occurs. After brief questioning, the measure passed on third reading, 33–12.

SB 15 61 (EMT disciplinary process): A floor leader explained SB 15 61 would permit progressive disciplinary options for emergency medical technicians for certain infractions, modeled on discipline available to other licensed professionals. The Senate adopted the bill, 46–0 on the floor.

SB 11 22 (broadband assessment rate): Covered in depth in a separate article, the Senate passed SB 11 22, 28–19, lowering the ad valorem assessment rate for broadband providers to 15% (extensive debate and fiscal-impact discussion occurred on the floor).

Other business: The author requested that SB 15 55 be laid over for further consideration. The Senate also recognized several guests and student groups and adjourned to a date and time announced from the floor.