^Legislation signed into law authorizes the sale of unneeded state properties and directs that the money generated be used to maintain other buildings.
“Our constituents expect us to be good stewards of their tax dollars and take care of our infrastructure,” said Rep. T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton. “Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case in the past. On one hand we have buildings in use that are deteriorating, on the other we have excess property we don’t need. And all along the way, no one seems to be able to even itemize the assets we own. It’s a prime example of government waste, and my hope is that this new law will be a good solution.”
House Bill 2262, by Shannon, creates a Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund, which will receive the revenue generated by proceeds from the sale of state-owned land and buildings. Money in the fund would then be used to maintain and repair other state properties and buildings.
In addition, the bill requires that the state’s Long Range Capital Plan include an index ranking state buildings based on maintenance needs. Money in the Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund would be allocated to projects based on those with greatest need.
The new law builds on the Oklahoma State Government Asset Reduction and Cost Savings Program, a measure that Shannon shepherded into law last year. That legislation required the Director of the Department of Central Services to identify 5 percent of the most underutilized state-owned properties on a yearly basis with an eye toward liquidating them.
Recent estimates indicate there are thousands of state-owned properties, but no one knows how many the state owns for sure.
“Selling these properties will reduce government costs while providing money to pay for the maintenance of those buildings that continue to serve a public purpose,” Shannon said. “This new law will finally put us on a path to responsibly manage and maintain useful properties for the benefit of taxpayers.”
^Legislation signed into law will improve on a current training incentive for firefighters, according to the bill’s author.
“I first authored House Bill 1835 last year and am very pleased to see it signed into law this session,” said state Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher.
“It changes the firefighter training incentive to an earned performance-based training system. Our rural firefighters need to be able to address a variety of natural disasters, especially wildfires and severe storms. Since there are already incentives in place, this is not an additional expense, but simply a better use of an existing appropriation.”
Sanders said lawmakers have had to fight to ensure the continued existence of the incentive in the past.
“We’ve had terrible fire seasons and I cannot believe anyone would push for the removal of this critical training incentive,” Sanders said. “The majority of towns and cities in Oklahoma are small rural communities that rely on rural fire departments. Eliminating some incentives is necessary and appropriate, but not when it affects public safety, I can’t fathom slashing such an important tool.”
House Bill 1835 requires a volunteer to complete 12 initial credit hours toward the State Support or State Basic Firefighter or Firefighter I, an equivalent or other training approved by the Council of Firefighter Training in order to receive the incentive. The legislation also allows local fire chiefs to approve volunteer firefighter training and requires volunteer firefighters to annually complete six hours of State Support or State Basic Firefighter or Firefighter I. Volunteers who have completed these courses must complete six hours of Intermediate or Advance Firefighter or Firefighter I to be eligible for the incentive.
The measure modifies the membership and appointment requirements of the Council on Firefighter Training, increases the number of annual meetings of the council to six and makes the council responsible for consistent basic and continuing education programs for all ranks and positions.
“This is a comprehensive reform of this earned incentive with the goal of improving the quality of firefighter training,” Sanders said. “I think this will make our communities much safer.”
^A measure to help returning veterans use their military training and skills to better qualify for employment is on its way to the Governor’s desk after receiving overwhelming support from both legislative bodies. Senate Bill 1863, by retired Army Lt. Colonel Sen. Steve Russell and Rep. Ann Coody, creates the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act.
“Most military personnel don’t have the opportunity to go to college prior to enlisting but they obtain training, education and skills that are just as useful in the workforce as anything they could learn in a college classroom,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “This bill will help veterans save time by getting them college credits for any training or education they received in the military. We want to help them get that degree or occupation license or certification as quickly as possible so they can return to the civilian workforce.”
SB 1863 would allow Oklahoma colleges, university and technology centers to provide academic credit to a military veteran, who was honorably discharged in the previous three years, for any applicable education, training and experience received through military duty that pertains to his or her area of study. Governing boards must adopt policies for military academic credit by January 1, 2013, and courses must meet the standards of the American Council on Education or equivalent standards.
The measure also instructs administrative bodies, state agency directors or officials with authority over professional licensure to accept qualifications received during military service and apply them toward licensure where applicable.
“Most employers won’t recognize the alternative training and education veterans receive in the military. This bill will apply veterans’ knowledge and skills obtained during service to whatever area of education or employment they’re seeking,” said Coody, R-Lawton. “This is a tremendous bill that will help our veterans and their spouses qualify for more jobs.”
SB 1863 will also help the spouses of active military find employment easier by requiring agencies, boards and commissions to develop procedures to expedite the licensure of military spouse applicants. In order to qualify, the military member must be on active duty within the state or claim permanent residency in the state for six months prior to assignment to active duty or during the period of active duty. The applicant must be certified in another state to perform those professional services and have left employment in another state to accompany the spouse on active duty. A temporary permit may be issued if the person needs to complete additional requirements not required in the previous state.
^Legislation on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law would deter poachers by increasing the fine and mandating they lose their hunting and fishing licenses.
“Poachers currently face a measly $50 fine no matter how many times they’ve been caught,” said Ownbey, R-Ardmore. “Several constituents have been incensed by repeat offenders on their property. One poacher in the district shot a horse while illegally hunting deer and the property owner had already sold the horse and lost the sale of the animal, which I guarantee you is a frustrating situation. We need tougher penalties; otherwise we may see property owners begin to take matters into their own hands.”
House Bill 2573 increases the fine for poaching to a $500 minimum fine and $1,500 maximum fine. The legislation makes the penalty for a second offense a fine of $1,500-2,500, six months in county jail or both. The legislation also mandates that a repeat offender could lose their hunting and fishing licenses for up to 10 years.
“The current law does a poor job of protecting property owners. It is costing people money and I think repeat offenders should face stiff penalties that might make them think twice about their behavior,” Ownbey said. “I don’t think Oklahomans want to continue to tolerate repeat poachers.”
Ownbey said after working with the National Rifle’s Association, some protections were written into the law to protect someone accidentally shooting on a property if they were not trespassing. The bill also removes a requirement that property owners post a no hunting or no fishing sign.
^Rep. Anastasia A. Pittman has urged students, parents, educators and other organizations to participate in a May 11 rally to raise awareness about bullying.
Pittman urged potential participants to see the film Bully, which includes the story of Ty Field-Smalley, an 11-year-old Perkins boy who shot himself after bullying incidents that ultimately resulted in his suspension despite his being the victim.
“Bullying is killing our young people, and although there are heroic examples of schools, parents and students fighting to bring about change, it continues here in our state as it does throughout the nation,” said Pittman, D-Oklahoma City. “Everyone should see this documentary and get an inside look of the effects and consequences of bullying in our schools. Then come join our rally and take a stance against violence and bullying.”
Field-Smalley’s story is among a handful of stories in the film, which includes the story of Kelby Johnson, who grew up in Tuttle, and Alex Libby, who now lives in Edmond after being bullied in Sioux City, Iowa.
“This is a film that prominently features Oklahoman families,” Pittman said. “I think that alone should draw Oklahomans to the film. Bullying is an epidemic and with the help of Kirk Smalley, Ty’s father, and other individuals, there is a real movement in the state to reverse this trend of children being worn down by behavior that should be addressed in our schools.”
The May 11 rally will take place at the Oklahoma State Capitol, on the North steps from 10 a.m. to noon. It will feature artist and speaker Richard Hight, Kirk Smalley with Stand For the Silent, Michael Allen and student testimonials.Registration will take place on the Fourth Floor Rotunda at 9:30 a.m. Visiting booths on the Fourth Floor Rotunda will take place beginning at 12:30 p.m.
“It’s designed to cultivate an understanding of diversity and educate people about the warning signs of youth violence,” said Pittman. “We want to encourage collaboration between parents, school and educators. We will also have a number of booths with information from a variety of organizations.”
Gun safety will be among the topics and Pittman said she hopes to include the National Rifle Association.
“Our young people sometimes have access to guns without ever having been educated about them. I’m hoping we can get a reputable organization out to help teach them about gun safety,” Pittman said.
The rally will be co-sponsored by Stand For The Silent, the Central Oklahoma Chapter of Top Teens of America and the NAACP Youth Council of Oklahoma City.
Participants will include the Respect for Diversity Foundation, the Oklahoma Parent Teacher Association, the Cimarron Alliance, the Heart of a Champion Organization and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and other civic organizations are invited such as the Choctaw Nation Falvmmichi Project, YWCA, Eagle Ridge Institute, Eagle Wings, Effective Transitions Inc., C.O.P.E. Inc., the Urban Leage of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Chapter of LINKS, Emerging Young Leaders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Rise Above Project, Youth Services for Oklahoma County Inc., the National Rifle Association and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
“Oklahoma currently has anti-bullying laws that require school boards to create a policy to address bullying,” Pittman said. “If only we could get all the schools to actually follow that law, hundreds of children would not die each year from bullying-related incidents and suicides.”
The rally is free and open to the public. If you plan to attend, notify the office of state Rep. Anastasia A. Pittman at (405) 557-7393 or anastasia.pittman@okhouse.gov.
To watch video from last year’s rally, see http://www.okhouse.tv/iViewVideo.aspx?VideoID=336
