April, 2013
Dear House District 78 Neighbor:
It is an honor to serve you in the House of Representatives in the 54th Legislative Session. The legislative session lasts approximately 16 weeks (through sine die adjournment at the end of May), so we have a lot of work ahead as we review the 100s of introduced bills moving through the legislative pipeline and most importantly – settle on a budget for 2014. I send an email at the end of each week giving you an update on the current activities at the Capitol. If you would like to be included in these weekly updates – please let me know through the channels listed at the bottom of this letter.
We have just finished the first half of our session. This is the time of year when bills that have passed out of the Senate are assigned to committees in the House. We are hearing Senate bills now. The Senators are hearing House bills. There are no decisions and little discussion on the budget for next year, education, the OSU Medical Center, and much more.
When we began in February there were 668 bills filed in the Senate and just 384 are still in play today. Representatives originally filed 1299 bills in the House and today only 330 bills remain alive or under consideration. So as you can see - not all bills filed are given a hearing, some die in committee by too few votes, and some bills that are passed are never given a hearing on the chamber floor. Many more bills will be amended and change language many times before they might be signed by the Governor. Remember: each bill must be passed by both chambers in the same form before it goes to the Governor for her signature. So we still have a lot of work ahead.
Some of the bills that receive a lot of press have died before becoming law. Despite popular support the bill to prohibit texting with hand-held devices while driving did not get a hearing on the House floor. Also, a bill to allow cities to determine smoking issues did not get a hearing despite support from many groups. But other bills – like lifting the ban on horse slaughter have already passed both chambers and been signed by the Governor.
Your opinion is important to me. Please contact my office any time with your questions and concerns. If you have questions about certain bills – you can look them up under “legislation” on the state websites at www.okhouse.gov or the www.oksenate.gov. Use the bill #. Or, we will help you through my office and I’m easy to access at jeanniemcdaniel@okhouse.gov , our toll free number is 1(800) 522-8502 - ask for my office.
Respectfully,
Jeannie McDaniel
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