Legislation; creating the Joint Committee on Line-Item Legislation. Emergency.
Impact
The introduction of line-item voting is set to significantly impact how legislation is considered in the Oklahoma legislature. By enabling votes on specific components of legislation rather than the bill as a whole, it aims to increase legislative accountability and responsiveness. This could permit legislators to support beneficial parts of a bill while opposing provisions they find objectionable, thereby refining the legislative outcomes to better reflect the preferences of their constituents.
Summary
Senate Bill 49 (SB49) establishes the Joint Committee on Line-Item Legislation in the State of Oklahoma. This committee is tasked with developing rules and procedures for line-item voting in the legislative process. Comprising five members each from the Senate and House of Representatives, the committee is also responsible for identifying any potential software requirements needed to implement these voting procedures effectively. The bill emphasizes the importance of clear procedures to enhance the legislative voting process.
Contention
While some lawmakers support the bill for promising more meticulous evaluations of legislation, others express concerns about potential complications arising from its implementation. Opponents warn that line-item voting can prolong legislative processes and create difficulties in reaching consensus on broader bills. Additionally, there is deliberation over the amendments to existing statutes and constitutional provisions that may be necessary to accommodate line-item voting, which could spur debate around the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current legislative procedures.
Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; making an appropriation; source; amount; creating certain special account; reports; appearance before certain joint committee; emergency.
Animal health and public health; creating the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority Act; defining terms; expressing legislative findings. Emergency.
Commissioners of the Land Office; requiring appointment of Secretary to be subject to the advice and consent of a joint committee. Effective date. Emergency.
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; making appropriations; source; amount; purpose; compliance; reports; requiring appearance before certain joint committee; emergency.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; provision related to officeholders raising funds when facing a recall; modify, and require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; funds donated to a candidate for recall efforts; require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
A concurrent resolution recognizing wild rice as sacred and central to the culture and health of Indigenous Peoples in Minnesota and critical to the health and identity of all Minnesota citizens and ecosystems and establishing a commitment to passing legislation to protect wild rice and the freshwater resources upon which it depends.