Fallin to sign several “agenda” bills Tuesday morning
Published: May 23rd, 2011
On Tuesday morning (May 24), Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin intends to sign several “agenda” bills she and allies pressed for throughout the 2011 legislative session. The chief executive made the announcement in a press advisory sent to CapitolBeatOK and other news organizations today.
While unsurprising, the announcement means several more new laws reflecting conservative and business objectives will soon enter the statute books.
One is Senate Bill 878, the workers compensation reform package for which full details were unveiled just a week ago. It was perhaps the most significant of the bills to surge through the House and Senate late last week. Although it lacked some provisions that Fallin allies had hoped to see, the measure nonetheless is cheered by the State Chamber and many legislators.
Fallin persistently pressed legislators to create a “Quick Action Closing Fund” to allow her to leverage deals to attract new or expanded business investment. House Bill 1953, authorizing the fund, was one of the items she pressed legislators to advance in negotiations touching a range of policy issues. However, she had originally asked for such authority in her State of the State address in January.
The chief executive will also sign House Bill 1304, which she and allies believe will lead to moderation of Information Technology, House Bill 2140, to make some moves toward agency consolidation, and House Bill 1086, a “transparency, accountability, and innovation” bill.
Also on the desk for formal signature will be Senate Bill 435, which increases the governor’s hand in appointment of members to the state Board of Education.
House Bill 1601 will be signed, and is intended to create a “one-stop shop” for licensing and other business requirements. Senate Bill 772 is intended to speed up the business licensing process.