Greater OKC Chamber 2011 Legislative Update

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Greater Oklahoma City Chamber <mvanlandingham@okcchamber.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 4:21 PM
Subject: Greater OKC Chamber 2011 Legislative Update
To: Sandy Meier <chamber@yukoncc.com>

MEMORANDUM To: Legislative Action Center, Active Members Subject: 2011 Legislative Session Update Date: March 11, 2011   The legislative session is approaching the March 17th deadline for the passage of bills in their house of origin.  We've been working with legislators to move our legislative priorities.     Tort (Lawsuit) Reform   Lawsuit reform is moving quickly through the legislature in the form of several key pieces of legislation.  However, there are significant issues yet to be resolved.  One of the most critical is the placement of a cap on non-economic awards.  SB 863 (Sen. Sykes) limits non-economic damages in negligence cases to $250,000; while HB 2128 (Speaker Steele) would cap non-economic damages at $300,000.  While it appears that a cap on non-economic damages will be included in tort reform legislation, there is some opposition to this component of tort reform legislation.    After passing through the Senate, SB 863 awaits action in the House. HB 2128 is currently scheduled on the House floor agenda and is expected to receive action by the full House soon.     For more information contact Mark VanLandingham.     Workers' Compensation Reform   Comprehensive workers' compensation reform legislation moved forward this week, when the Senate voted 44-0 to pass SB 878 and send it to the House for consideration.  As has been noted in previous updates, SB 878 is a major 205-page rewrite of the state's workers' compensation laws, which came out of Governor Fallin's Workers' Compensation Task Force (last week's update contained detail on significant provisions in the bill).  In order to underscore the importance of passing such changes into law, Oklahoma employer's currently pay the 4th highest workers' comp rates in the nation, which is a staggering 141% of the national average.    There is some opposition to this legislation, and it will be of great assistance to continue to remind your legislators of the importance of enacting major workers' compensation reform this year.    For more information contact Mark VanLandingham.   Immigration Reform   This week, the Chamber Board modified its position on state immigration reform in order to address our efforts to improve immigration legislation being considered by the legislature.  Formerly, the Chamber's position was a statement of support for comprehensive immigration reform occurring exclusively at the federal level, and an expression of opposition to all immigration reform undertaken at the state level.  The new position allows the Chamber to suggest solutions on this issue at both the federal and state levels.  The new Chamber position on immigration reform is:    The Chamber opposes illegal immigration.  The Chamber supports an improved immigration process that promotes the ability of students and workers/employees to enter the United States lawfully and allows employers to accurately verify the status of employees through a federal database.  The Chamber believes that immigration policy should be set by the federal government and supports comprehensive reform at that level.    Additionally, the Chamber will support immigration reform on the state level that:  1) is not inconsistent with federal law; 2) does not place unreasonable burdens, costs or penalties on Oklahoma employers; 3) is directed toward law enforcement issues related to Oklahoma crimes; 4) seeks to prevent "racial profiling" by law enforcement officials; and, 5) does not limit the ability of students graduating from Oklahoma high schools to qualify for state-supported aid or pay in-state tuition.   In addition, HB 1446 (Rep. Faught), which is one of the immigration bills being considered this session, passed the House this week by a vote of 85-7. Given the movement of such legislation, we are focused upon continuing to work within the process to improve immigration legislation that satisfies the requirements identified in our new position.    For more information contact Mark VanLandingham.   Modernizing Oklahoma Liquor Laws   Progress was gained this week in the Chamber's efforts to study the consequences and benefits of the sale of wine and single strength beer in grocery and convenience stores.  SB 658 (Sen. Jolley) would create a task force charged with examining and updating Oklahoma's liquor laws.  This task force would include a variety of industry stakeholders.  SB 658 passed the full Senate with a vote of 32-13 and will now to go to the House for consideration.   Rep. Peters will be carrying this legislation in the House.    For more information contact Mark VanLandingham.   Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program Voted out of House   The Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program (HB 1381, Rep. Cox) establishes a mechanism which would procure federal matching funds designed to fully reimburse hospitals for services already provided to Medicaid patients. This is intended to supplement, not supplant, existing state appropriations and is not a tax or fee that could be passed on to the patient or physician.   The program is expected to generate approximately $123 million available for the state's share in order to garner a federal match of approximately $228 million for a total of $351 million.   The bill is set to sunset in 2014 and any extension would require new legislation.   This week the bill passed the House by a vote of 76-22 and now moves on for consideration in the Senate.   For more information contact True Wallace.     Teacher Due Process Reform Continues to Move   The legislation that will make it easier and less expensive to dismiss poor performing teachers by eliminating the right to a trial De Novo is moving forward. Two key bills, that include identical language, HB 1380 by Rep. Holland and SB 1 by Sen. Ford, passed their respective chamber and will move on to be heard by the opposite house.   We are also working defeat efforts to water down the legislation. For example, we are trying to stop language in HB 1457 that will replace the right to a trial De Novo with a hearing in front of a three judge panel. We believe local school boards should be able to make the final decision about teacher terminations.     For more information contact Drew Dugan .   Additional  Math Requirements to be Considered   For many years the Chamber has advocated for curriculum standards that require four years of math in high school. The business community expects that high school graduates be prepared to work or go into higher education. Math prepares students for "real world" problem solving and provides skills to deal with complex issues   HB 1268 by Rep. Coody will require all high school students to complete four years of math in order to graduate. This bill is waiting to be heard on the House floor.   For more information contact Drew Dugan .   Higher Education   The Chamber has always opposed legislation that would allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon on a college campus. We are working to defeat efforts to allow concealed carry of firearms on campus.   For more information contact Drew Dugan .

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