Oklahoma Governor Henry Signs Bills Regarding Biofuels, OHLAP, Child Abuse

June 05, 2007 -- Oklahoma City - Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today signed measures that will bolster renewable energy, increase the numbers of college graduates and help protect children against child abuse and neglect.

Among those signed by the Governor is legislation to help position Oklahoma as a global leader in renewable energy. A key component of Gov. Henry’s 2007 legislative agenda, Senate Bill 609 establishes the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center to coordinate biofuels research and development at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University and the Ardmore-based Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

The state’s expertise in energy and agricultural issues makes it well-suited for a leadership role in biofiuels, the Governor said.

“The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center will have a significant impact on future generations of Oklahomans, and all Americans,” he said. “Biofuels are a critical component in reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, protecting the environment, creating high-paying jobs and diversifying our state’s economy.”

Biofuels research supported by the OBC will include development of feedstocks (primarily cellulosic biomass), collection and transportation, conversion technologies and distribution. The legislation was authored by state Sen. Joe Sweeden (D-Pawhuska) and Rep. Dennis Adkins (R-Tulsa).

Another newly signed law ensures a stable, dedicated funding source for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program.

Under SB 820, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will estimate each year how much funding is needed for the OHLAP college scholarship program, also known as Oklahoma’s Promise. That sum will then be subtracted from general revenue estimates by the Board of Equalization so that funding is not dependant on legislative appropriation.

“Oklahoma’s Promise is vital to the future of our state,” Gov. Henry said. “Producing more college graduates is the key to success in Oklahoma’s second century, and Oklahoma’s Promise does that by targeting those students who are most deserving and most in need. There is no better investment of state funds than the future of our children.”

The bill’s authors were state Sen. Mike Morgan (D-Stillwater) and Rep. Tad Jones (R-Claremore).

The Governor today also signed the Taxpayer Transparency Act. Authored by state Sen. Randy Brogdan (R-Owasso) and Rep. Paul Wesselhoft (R-Moore), SB 1 establishes a user-friendly online datatbase indicating how taxpayer dollars are spent. The searchable site will be maintained by the Office of State Finance.

In signing the legislation, however, Gov. Henry acknowledged concerns that the State Chamber and others have about the bill.

“It is critical that the Legislature acts expeditiously to further explore the impact of this legislation on economic development, as well as any unintended consequences of this legislation, and take action to rectify any unintended consequences,” the Governor wrote in an accompanying signing statement.

Among the last bills signed by Gov. Henry was the Letha Kay Louise Slate Act, named after a 6-month-old girl who died in Duncan last year. Letha Slate’s mother was sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter. The woman had been taking a nap when the baby drowned in a bathtub.

Prosecutors had wanted to pursue a second-degree murder charge but were stymied because of wording in the state’s child-neglect statutes. The language is remedied by SB 790, which was authored by Sen. Debbie Leftwich (D-Oklahoma City) and Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee).

SB 790 also requires the state Department of Human Services and Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to publicly release information regarding certain child-death and near-death cases.

“Oklahoma must have every tool at its disposal to guard against the endangerment of our youngest, most vulnerable citizens,” Gov. Henry said. “Every incident of child abuse and neglect is a tragedy and will not be abided.”

Source: Oklahoma Governor

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