Governor Signs Student Privacy Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill signing ceremony for House Bill 1989, the Student Data Accessibility, Transparency and Accountability Act (Student DATA Act), was held today at the State Capitol. This new law establishes Oklahoma as a leader in student privacy. The bill establishes new procedures and safeguards for the collection and use of student data by our public school system.

Supt. Janet Barresi, Rep. Jason Nelson, Sen. Greg Treat, Gov. Mary Fallin,
Rep. David Brumbaugh, Rep. Sally Kern, John Kraman

The Student DATA Act requires the State Board of Education to publicly set policies and establish safeguards for student data collected by the State Department of Education. Student data privacy has been handled largely at the staff level within the Department.

The law establishes new, strict limits on the transfer of student data, including de-identified data, to federal, state or local agencies or organizations outside Oklahoma. It further restricts the Department from requesting delinquency records, criminal records, medical and health records, social security numbers and biometric information as part of student data collected from districts.

Gov. Mary Fallin praised the successful effort to pass HB1989.

"The new law is a strong, conservative solution to a problem every state in the country is struggling to address,” said Gov. Fallin. “States play a vital role in protecting students’ privacy and Oklahoma takes that responsibility seriously. I applaud our legislators and Superintendent Barresi for working together on this legislation.”

Rep. David Brumbaugh, R-Broken Arrow, was the principle author of HB1989.

“Over time, I have been hearing more and more from parents about the data schools gathered about our children, what data was passed on to the state and federal governments and how that data could be used – and by whom," said Rep. Brumbaugh. "These concerns are what prompted me to author this bill. The Student DATA Act is the critical first step in developing a set of comprehensive and strict privacy controls on student data collected by Oklahoma's public school system."

Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, a House coauthor, helped draft the language of HB1989.

"As a parent of two children in public schools I know it's important for educators to keep records on students so they can do their jobs," said Rep. Nelson. "But, as a parent I also want the information handled appropriately. Now that the Student DATA Act opens the student data collection process to the public, everyone has the tools to help make sure there is an appropriate balance between having critical information about students but not collecting more data than is absolutely necessary while protecting such sensitive information."

Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, the Senate author, noted it is rare for a bill dealing with education to get such overwhelming support.

"I was pleased to work with these individuals who have diverse perspectives on education," said Sen. Treat. "Everyone came together to protect student data privacy."

The new law addresses the growing need to protect more fully our children’s privacy as the State Department of Education works with districts to expand teacher access and use of data for the purpose of improving instruction to increase student achievement.

Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, a House coauthor, highlighted the importance of transparency about data collection.

"The new law creates additional transparency," said Rep. Murphey. "For the first time, the process for protecting student data will be required to be open to the public. Being open with the public is the best way to avoid problems in the future."

Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, Senate coauthor, said the law protects student privacy while allowing essential data to be used for accountability purposes.

“It is paramount to protect student privacy by securing the data, but still allowing for funding decisions to be made from what is proven effective rather than what we hope or think will be effective,” said Sen. Jolley. "With state resources being so limited, every dollar counts.”

Superintendent Janet Barresi called the new law a well thought out approach to protect student information.

“The Oklahoma State Department of Education has been working with local administrators and teachers to determine what data they need from the state to improve student learning," said Supt. Barresi. "As more data are made available to classroom teachers, the state needs thoughtful and transparent rules about who can access the data and how it can be used."

It is anticipated this new level of transparency will lead to a healthy public debate about the proper role and scope of data collected on the State's public school students. With the level of detail now available to the public, concerned Oklahomans will have the information necessary to better guide policy makers in decisions regarding the sensitive issue of information collected on students. As lawmakers, we look forward to a public conversation on this issue and expect to run additional legislation in the future to build on this foundation.

“This was a combined effort to ensure that the new law would achieve desired outcomes without causing unintended consequences for teachers and students,” says Rep. Brumbaugh, adding that, “we will continue to work with the Department of Education as they implement the law.”

HB1989 received near unanimous support, passing the House 88-2 and the Senate 41-0. The bill was signed by Gov. Fallin on May 29th and becomes effective July 1.

The Student DATA Act:

• requires the State Board of Education to publish a public inventory of student data elements collected by the State Department of Education with definitions of each student data element,


• requires the Board to publish a public list of additional student data elements it is proposing for collection including a statement about the reason for the proposal,


• requires the Board to develop and make public policies and procedures to comply with all relevant privacy laws,


• requires the Board to develop and make public policies limiting who can access student data, what student data can be accessed and the circumstances under which the data may be accessed,


• requires that student data collected and maintained by the Department be kept confidential except where the Board has developed and made publicly available the criteria for exceptions,


• requires the Board to ensure compliance by the Department with privacy laws,


• requires the Board to ensure vendor contracts include express provision that safeguard privacy and include penalties for noncompliance, and


• requires the Board to make annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.


• establishes new strict limits on the transfer of student data, including de-identified data, to federal, state or local agencies or organizations outside Oklahoma, and


• further restricts the Department from requesting delinquency records, criminal records, medical and health records, social security numbers and biometric information as part of student data collected from districts.

Supt. Barresi Thanks Legislative Leaders for Additional Funds

State Superintendent Janet Barresi last week thanked legislative leaders for shepherding approval of additional dollars so that school districts across the state can receive a total of $33 million for instructional and textbook purposes.

“Our first goal should be to get dollars to the classroom, where funds can help students,” said Barresi. “These additional dollars will help to lessen the impact of a tough budget year.”

Senate Bill 1535 passed the House of Representatives last week 88 to 3. The bill appropriates an additional $3 million to Oklahoma’s education budget. The money will help to offset a potential shortfall and will allow $33 million to be disbursed to districts to help them cover costs for a variety of instructional purposes. Traditionally earmarked for textbook expenses, for the past few years local districts have been given flexibility to spend the dollars on other needs.

Barresi said that same flexibility for districts would continue and that the full $33 million would be distributed to districts. Lawmakers earlier passed legislation that diverted a portion of the textbooks fund to the general education budget, something Supt. Barresi had not sought. The additional funds approved today ensures those dollars can be used for their original purpose.

“While the standstill state budget passed for education will create funding challenges, we will continue to work with lawmakers to seek supplemental appropriations in the upcoming legislative session next year,” Barresi said.

State Sen. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; State Sen. Jim Halligan (R-Stillwater), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education; State Rep. Earl Sears (R-Bartlesville), chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee; and State Rep. Lee Denney (R-Cushing), chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, have pledged to work to restore funding for the state education budget in the next legislative session beginning in February 2013.

“I’m grateful to Senator Jolley, Senator Halligan, Representative Sears and Representative Denney for their work on this issue — as well as to Speaker Steele and Senate President Pro Temp Brian Bingman,” Barresi said.

Governor Fallin Signs Supplemental Funding Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed into law Senate Bill 1959, which provides $92.5 million in emergency supplemental funding for needs in education, public safety, natural disaster relief, and at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. The governor released the following statement:

“Today’s supplemental funding measures will help to ensure the state of Oklahoma is keeping its commitment to our teachers, protecting our citizens by putting more troopers on our state highways, and providing necessary assistance to communities hard-hit by natural disasters. It also provides necessary personnel and equipment upgrades at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, helping to put that agency back on a path to accreditation.

“All of these funding measures are both urgent and necessary. I applaud the Legislature for sending this supplemental bill to my desk quickly, and I am happy to be able to sign it into law.”

SB 1959, authored by Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Earl Sears, includes emergency funding provisions for natural disaster assistance to local communities, counties and other qualified entities ($34.1 million); insurance benefits for teachers and support staff ($37.6 million); a trooper academy for the Department of Public Safety ($5 million); personnel and equipment for the State Medical Examiner’s Office ($1 million); and funding for teacher National Board Certification bonuses ($14.8 million).

State Senate Approves Supplemental Funding Measure

The full Senate gave approval last week to a $92.5 million supplemental funding bill to meet specific needs in public safety and education. Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is the Senate Appropriations Chairman and author of Senate Bill 1959, which was overwhelmingly approved on Thursday.

“This sends a clear message that promises made to Oklahoma teachers will be kept. Those who are qualified for National Board Certification bonuses will get them. Insurance benefits for educators that required funding have been addressed as well,” Jolley said. “We know the state needs more Highway Patrol Troopers on the road—it’s an important public safety issue, and so we’ve included money for a new trooper academy. Resources for Medical Examiner’s office will assist in their efforts to gain national accreditation. We also were very aware of the need to include emergency funds for our communities and counties throughout Oklahoma in the wake of wildfires and storm damage over the past year.”

SB 1959 includes:

• $14.8 million for NBC bonuses
• $37.6 million for insurance benefits for teachers and support staff
• $34.1 million for the State Emergency Fund to reimburse local communities and counties for disaster assistance
• $5 million for the Department of Public Safety for a Trooper Academy 
• $1 million for the State Medical Examiner for personnel and equipment required for national accreditation

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said passage of the supplemental funding bill would help individuals and communities in every part of the state.

“I want to commend Senator Jolley for his work on this legislation,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “I also want to thank our members for their support. The needs were clear, and I’m pleased we were able to come to an agreement allowing us to address them early in the legislative session.”

SB 1959 now moves to the House of Representatives for approval.

Sen. David to head Health and Human Services Subcommittee

Sen. Kim David
R-Porter

State Sen. Kim David has been chosen to serve as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. 

David, R-Porter, previously served as vice-chair of the committee. 

Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, now takes over as vice-chairman. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said the appointments would guarantee a continuity of leadership for the subcommittee.

“Last session this subcommittee had the responsibility of determining the allocations of nearly $2 billion for agencies touching lives in every single community in Oklahoma,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “With Senator Clark Jolley now serving as chairman of full appropriations, we are grateful that Senator David was willing to step up to head the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. I am also confident that Senator Treat will do an excellent job as vice-chairman.”

The subcommittee determines the budgets of 12 state agencies, including the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“The agencies contained in the Health and Human Services subcommittee impact some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens,” David said. “There are limited resources, so it is critical for us to be diligent in our efforts to prioritize every single dollar allocated for these agencies to do the greatest good possible for our citizens.”

Treat previously served as a member of the Health and Human services subcommittee.

“I am grateful to Pro Tempore Bingman for this opportunity. Without a doubt, the agencies within Health and Human Services represent an extremely complex but crucial area of state government,” Treat said. “I look forward to working with Senator David in meeting these challenges.”

Person Convicted of DUI Praises Erin Swezey Act

Sen. Clark Jolley posted an email he received praising the Erin Swezey Act – from a person convicted of DUI. It confirms what Sen. Jolley and I said during session: http://nelsone.ws/tMzsne

Stronger DUI law starts Tuesday

Erin Swezey

OKLAHOMA CITY – Starting next Tuesday, November 1, Oklahomans who drive drunk will face tougher penalties—changes that supporters say will save lives.  Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Jason Nelson authored the Erin Swezey Act last session, which won overwhelming approval by the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.  The legislation was named for a 20-year-old Oklahoma State University student from Edmond who was killed in 2009 by a drunk driver with numerous DUI arrests and convictions.

“We want people to know that if they choose to drink too much and get behind the wheel, they will face greater consequences.  Hopefully that may discourage some people from driving drunk in the first-place,” said Jolley, R-Edmond.  “If not, the provisions of the Erin Swezey Act will make it much more difficult for them to drink and drive once they’ve been convicted of DUI.”

Sen. Clark Jolley speaking at a Capitol press conference with
Erin Swezey's family, Rep. Nelson and State Troopers

As of November 1, an interlock device will be required for 18 months on a first conviction for those with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher.  For a second or subsequent offense, the interlock will be mandatory for those with a BAC of .08 for a period of four years, and for five years on subsequent offenses.  Under the new law, those convicted will have the designation “Interlock Required” on the face of their driver licenses as long as they’re required to have an interlock device.

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office has already begun airing a new Public Service Announcement about interlock devices, which can be viewed on their website (http://ok.gov/ohso/) and will also be working to raise public awareness about the Erin Swezey Act.

“Keeping the public safe on Oklahoma roadways is a top priority for law enforcement,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Major Rusty Rhodes.  “This law provides stricter rules for DUI offenders and will help us keep impaired drivers off the roads.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, interlock devices are credited with reducing repeat drunk driving offenses by an average of 67 percent, with a 30 percent reduction of alcohol related fatalities.  However some states have seen even greater results. 

Keith and Dixie Swezey visit
with Rep. Nelson after Erin Swezey
Act passed the final House vote

“In Arizona, they’ve cut their fatalities by nearly half.  That’s pretty dramatic,” said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City.  “We’ll never know whose life we’ve saved with this law, but it could be any one of us or our own children or grandchildren.”

Among those attending Thursday’s State Capitol press conference to raise public awareness about the new law were Erin’s parents, Keith and Dixie Swezey, her brothers, and other friends and family members.

“Drunk driving is not a victimless crime.  Erin’s life was cut tragically short by a senseless and 100 percent preventable act,” said Keith Swezey.  “But if this new law is properly enforced, countless Oklahoma citizens will not have to suffer the tragedy that our family and so many others have gone through.”

(For digital audio go to www.oksenate.gov and select “Media”)

State Board of Education Approves Budget, Legislative Leaders Praise Action

Legislative leaders praised the financial plan approved today by the state Board of Education, saying it maximizes classroom funding even in a tough financial environment.

“Faced with difficult choices, the school budget approved today strikes the right balance by funding those programs that provide the most direct benefit to students,” said state Rep. Earl Sears, a Bartlesville Republican who chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. “The budget adopted today will allow our schools to continue their important mission of preparing the next generation of leaders for college and the workforce.”

“This is the third year the state has faced a major budget shortfall, and government continues to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of budget austerity,” said state Sen. David Myers, a Ponca City Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. “However, the budget approved today for Oklahoma schools adopts the right approach by prioritizing student learning over bureaucracy and fulfilling important funding obligations established in law. I appreciate the strong leadership of Superintendent Barresi in making the tough decisions necessary to guide our schools through this tough financial time.”

State Senator Clark Jolley also praised State Superintendent Janet Barresi and members of the state Board of Education for funding reading programs throughout the state.

“Our recent reforms to end social promotion for students who can’t read after the third grade can only succeed with the appropriate level of support,” said Jolley (R-Edmond). “I appreciate the hard work that Superintendent Barresi did in making sure that reading sufficiency funding was addressed in this tight fiscal climate.”

Superintendent Barresi today recommended that the board approve an approximately $401 million school activities budget for fiscal year 2012 that includes more than $6 million for reading sufficiency programs.

Additional attachment

Governor signs Erin Swezey Act into law

Gov. Mary Fallin has signed The Erin Swezey Act into law.

Erin Swezey

Thursday, the governor approved Senate Bill 529 which is named for the 20-year-old Oklahoma State University student from Edmond who was killed in 2009 by a drunk driver with numerous DUI arrests and convictions.

“Public Safety is a top priority for Oklahoma, and I believe the Erin Swezey Act will help us save lives,” Fallin said. “My own daughter is only a little bit older than Erin would have been. My heart goes out to the Swezeys and all Oklahomans who’ve been victims of drunk drivers. I’m proud to support legislation that will help us prevent such tragedies.”

Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is principal author of SB 529. He said the bill was requested by Erin’s parents, Keith and Dixie Swezey.

“I am extremely grateful to Governor Fallin for her support of this measure, and to my House author, Representative Jason Nelson, for all of his hard work securing passage of the Erin Swezey Act,” Jolley said. “I also want to express my thanks to Keith and Dixie for bringing this important issue to the forefront, and having the courage to fight for it so that other parents will be spared their loss.”

As of November 1, 2011, an interlock device will be required for 18 months on a first conviction for those with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher. For a second or subsequent offense, the interlock will be mandatory for those with a BAC of .08 for a period of four years, and for five years on subsequent offenses. Under the new law, those convicted will have the designation “Interlock Required” on the face of their driver licenses as long as they’re required to have an interlock device.

Visiting with Keith and
Dixie Swezey after final
House vote

“Arizona has a similar law and they’ve reduced drunk driving deaths by 46 percent,” said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. “I know we will save lives in Oklahoma as well.”

Speaking on behalf of his wife Dixie, Keith Swezey said they were elated that the Erin Swezey Act has been signed into law.

“We are so thankful to Governor Fallin for signing this bill, and to Senator Jolley and Representative Nelson who made its passage a reality,” Swezey said. “The glory belongs to God. We give thanks to Him for our beautiful daughter, and for the enactment of this law which honors her life by helping protect other innocent Oklahomans.”

For more information please visit:

www.erinswezeyact.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ErinSwezeyAct or

http://twitter.com/ErinSwezeyAct

Health care compact heads to Governor Fallin

The Oklahoma state Senate this week (Wednesday, May 11) passed Oklahoma’s health care compact. Oklahoma became the fourth state to pass such a proposal. It authorizes an accord among participating states and, according to a leading national advocate, would allow Oklahoma to create its own health care policies. Supporters contend the compact could trump prior federal law. 


Read full story by Patrick B. McGuigan at www.capitolbeatok.com.

Senate redistricting plan unveiled

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report 
Published: 11-May-2011 

The Senate Committee on Redistricting has completed its task of redrawing Senate district boundaries based on the 2010 U.S. Census.  Sen. Clark Jolley, an Edmond Republican, and Sen. Bryce Marlatt, a Woodward Republican, are co-chairs of the committee.

While the measure is widely expected to pass, it will draw some opposition votes, according to the Senate minority leader. 

Jolley said it was a painstaking and difficult process, but in the end, the final boundaries were the result of a bipartisan effort and reflect a strong commitment to civil rights. The committee approved the proposal Wednesday afternoon (May 11).

“We had to make sure the each district has approximately the same number of people and that we preserved districts where a majority of citizens are minorities. Oklahoma’s population grew by some 300,000 people over the past ten years, but there’s also been a major shift from rural areas to metropolitan suburbs,” Jolley said.

“In addition, we’ve had significant demographic changes with the growth of our Hispanic population. After much work and negotiations, we’ve developed a comprehensive and fair approach which meets our constitutional and statutory mandates.”

The current district boundaries were designed so that each would have approximately 72,000 people. Oklahoma’s population increased by 8.7 percent from 2000 to 2010, which meant each Senate district had to be redrawn to expand those districts to approximately 78,000 people.

“We’ve had changes in both size and concentration of populations that had to be taken into account. We didn’t want to divide smaller communities, and we also wanted to avoid dividing counties into different districts whenever possible. It was difficult, but we succeeded,” Marlatt said. “Ultimately, the districts we drew came within one percent of a completely even population division, even though the law allows up to a five percent variance. The final product is a testament to the hard work and professionalism of our staff and our members.”

Sen. Sean Burrage, a Democrat from Claremore, served as co-vice chair of the redistricting committee. He said the final proposal is the product of common sense and bipartisanship.

“I am very pleased that many of the district lines have changed as a result of the work we have done with Senator Jolley and Senator Marlatt,” Burrage said. “It has been a tough and intense process and I commend people on both sides of the aisle for improving the bill.”

“I want to express my thanks to Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman for his great leadership throughout this process,” Jolley said. “I also want to acknowledge the hard work of my co-chair, Senator Marlatt, and vice co-chairs, Senator Andrew Rice and Senator Sean Burrage, as well as our outstanding staff -- their commitment, patience and experience have been invaluable.”

In response to question from CapitolBeatOK, Senate Minority Leader Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat from District 46 in the MidCity area, commented, "In the end they were fair to Senate District 46 and many other Democratic districts, but I will be voting NAY on the overall bill to show solidarity with members of my caucus who are unhappy with the process, and who will vote against the bill. However, there will be enough bi-partisan votes for the bill to pass."

Note: Editor Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.

Sen. Jolley comments on House passage of ‘Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act’

Statement from Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, author of SB 529

Sen. Clark Jolley

“Wednesday evening’s House vote in favor of Senate Bill 529, the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act, is another important step toward protecting the lives of innocent Oklahomans by strengthening our drunk driving laws.

“I want to express my profound thanks to House Speaker Kris Steele and Floor Leader Dan Sullivan for ensuring this bill was heard, along with my House author, Rep. Jason Nelson, for all he has done.

“The title is off, which means the bill will go to conference committee so that all concerns can be fully addressed. My goal with this legislation is that we save lives and never forget the loss that Erin Swezey’s family and so many others in our state have endured needlessly because of drunk driving.”

Grau Praises New Medical Examiner Appointment

Rep. Randy Grau
R-Edmond

State Rep. Randy Grau today praised the appointment of Dr. Eric Pfeifer as Oklahoma’s new chief medical examiner.

“Dr. Pfeifer’s qualifications are impeccable and make clear that the Office of Medical Examiner is undertaking the steps necessary to re-establish a reputation for experience and professionalism at the agency,” said Grau, R-Edmond. “I applaud Dr. Pfeifer’s hiring and expect he will be instrumental in giving the ME’s office a fresh start in Edmond.”

Pfeifer previously worked at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and as the Olmsted County coroner in Minnesota.

Grau and state Sen. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond) have authored legislation, Senate Bill 671, to reform the Office of the Medical Examiner.

The legislation renames the agency’s governing board as the Board of Forensic Pathology, allowing for new board members to be named and authorizing the hiring of the new executive director.

“Our legislation will be crucial in giving the ME’s office a new start by giving it a new name, new board, and a new administrative structure,” Grau said. “I believe it is time to give this agency the tools it needs to serve the citizens of Oklahoma.”

Senate gives unanimous approval to Erin Swezey Act

A bill to reduce Oklahoma’s drunk driving fatalities has cleared the Senate and is on its way to the House of Representatives. Dixie and Keith


Swezey, of Edmond, and other family members watched from the Senate Gallery as lawmakers voted unanimously for Senate Bill 529, the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act. The bill is named for the Swezeys’ 20-year-old daughter, Erin, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, is principal author of SB 529, which is authored by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, in the House. Jolley and the Swezeys met with reporters shortly after Tuesday’s passage of the measure.

“We’re trying to keep drunk drivers off the road. That is our purpose. Today was a significant step towards that direction. I’m very honored to serve in a body that agreed with that principle and moved that public policy forward,” Jolley said “I want to thank publicly all the members of the State Senate today who gave their voice of support for this bill.”

As approved by the full Senate, the measure would require an interlock ignition device for two years for a first-time DUI conviction. On a second offense, the device would be required for five years. Subsequent offenses would mandate the use of an interlock device for eight years. Some Senators voiced concerns because the bill required the words “DUI Conviction” to be branded on the person’s driver license. Jolley accommodated those members by amending the bill so that instead, the words “Interlock Required” would be on the individual’s license for as long as they were required to have an interlock device.

“Our goal is not to stigmatize those who are convicted of drunk driving—it’s to make sure they are not driving while drunk,” Jolley said.

The Swezeys thanked Jolley and the Senate for passage of the measure, and urged the House to join in supporting the Erin Swezey Act.

“Oklahoma is one of the top six states in deaths from DUI accidents. That’s not a distinction we want. This bill would stop that. In every state that has a law like this—13 states so far—drunk driving deaths have dropped by at least 30 percent. In Arizona they’ve dropped 46 percent,” said Keith Swezey. “Oklahoma needs to join the ranks of those states.”

For more information, contact:
Sen. Clark Jolley, 405-521-5622
Rep. Jason Nelson, 405-557-7335

www.erinswezeyact.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/ErinSwezeyAct

http://twitter.com/ErinSwezeyAct

Governor's Plan to Save $3.6 Million Approved by Committee

Governor Mary Fallin

Governor Mary Fallin’s proposal to modernize the state’s vendor payment system and save $3.6 million per year has been approved by the House of Representatives’ Government Modernization Committee.

House Bill 1086 proposes to utilize electronic payments methods such as direct deposit to pay the state’s thousands of vendor invoices. The bill is sponsored by state Reps. Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie), Josh Cockroft (R-McLoud), and state Sen. Clark Jolley (R-Edmond).

Fallin called on legislators to approve the reform during her State of the State address. Fallin proposed the change after the Office of State Finance indicated that the state could be spending up to $13.50 per vendor payment for each payment made using traditional paper conveyances such as payment warrants. This compares to electronic payments which cost the state approximately 5 cents per transfer.

Currently, approximately 230,000 checks are made with traditional paper payment conveyances. If House Bill 1086 is approved, it will require nearly all vendor payments to be made by electronic payment with an estimated savings of $3.6 million each year.

“This is an important reform,” Murphey explained. “This should have occurred several years ago and I appreciate the leadership of Governor Fallin and Treasurer Miller in introducing and supporting this innovative reform.”

In addition to the electronic payment proposal, House Bill 1086 represents an omnibus approach to using technology to enable taxpayer savings through efficiencies and spending transparencies. It includes Governor Fallin’s proposal for a shared state payroll system, which is also estimated to save at least $2 million each year, the placement of common education spending transactions on the data.ok.gov website, and a one-stop shop for many state documents and annual reports to be located in a searchable format for easy purview by the taxpayers at the website documents.ok.gov.

House Bill 1086 was approved by a vote of 11-1 in the last committee vote to take place before the 2011 House committee House Bill consideration deadline and now goes to the full House for approval.

Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act bill passes committee unanimously; Family announces Erin's Hope Foundation

Family of 20-year-old killed by drunk driver seeks to increase penalties for drunk driving

One day after the Senate Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 529, the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act, the family of Erin Swezey announced it has established the Erin’s Hope Foundation. Erin Swezey was hit and killed by a drunk driver on April 4, 2009. She was a 20 year old student at Oklahoma State University.

Erin’s parents, Keith and Dixie Swezey, contacted State Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Jason Nelson who authored the bill that would significantly change the penalties for DUI convictions, including requiring a "brand" of "DUI conviction" be put on driver licenses or identification cards of people convicted and requiring an ignition interlock on the first conviction.

“While we are very happy to see this important legislation pass through the committee unanimously, this is just the first hurdle,” said Keith Swezey. “I want to remind everyone to continue to spread this message and contact their legislators in support of the bill.”

Part of funds from the settlement, including a contribution by the Hudiburg Auto Group, will be used to contribute to the work of a foundation in Erin’s honor. The Erin’s Hope Foundation, founded last year, will be used to educate the public and legislators concerning legislation to prevent drunk drivers from causing accidents like this in the future. The foundation will also be used to honor God and Erin's memory by providing scholarships and funding for missions activity in the United States and abroad.

Erin Swezey

“By establishing the Erin's Hope Foundation, we hope legislation will be enacted that will prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to another family,” said Keith Swezey. “It is a way for us to honor Erin and keep her memory alive.”

“On behalf of the entire Hudiburg family and our employees, we are so sorry for this tragedy that shortchanged this beautiful life,” said David Hudiburg, president of the Hudiburg Auto Group. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or any substance is wrong and this loss is senseless. We are in support of the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act, Senate Bill 529, and encourage the state legislature in both houses to pass it and send it on to the Governor for signature.”

The Swezey’s have launched a Facebook page, “Erin Swezey Act,” to educate the public about the bill and its progress in the legislature. There is also a website dedicated to the legislation, erinswezeyact.com. Updates on the legislation are also being posted on Twitter.

Parents hope ‘Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act’ will save lives

An Edmond couple is hoping stronger DUI laws can help prevent other families from enduring their heartbreak.  Keith and Dixie shared their story at a State Capitol press conference Wednesday.

Erin Swezey

On April 4, 2009, the Swezey’s 20-year-old daughter, Erin, was hit and killed by a drunk driver whose blood alcohol content (BAC) was more than three times the legal limit.  The driver, a 32-year-old metro man, had just rear-ended another car.  In an attempt to flee that accident, he turned his vehicle around and began driving over 100 miles per hour on the wrong side of the Kilpatrick Turnpike, hitting Erin’s car head-on.  He also died in the collision.

“The fact that his BAC was .29 was shocking enough, but a quick search on the Internet revealed he had a history of drunk and reckless driving arrests starting when he was just a teen,” said Swezey, Professor of Mass Communications at the University of Central Oklahoma.  “Even though his license was suspended for six years and he couldn’t get insurance, he continued to drive drunk.  Somewhere along the way, he should have been stopped.”

The Swezey’s contacted State Sen. Clark Jolley and Rep. Jason Nelson to push for tougher DUI laws in Oklahoma.      

Keith and Dixie Swezey

“This is not an easy process for us, but we’re willing to share our story for Erin in the hopes of passing legislation that may prevent another family from going through such a senseless tragedy,” said Dixie Swezey.

Jolley is the principal author for Senate Bill 529, the “Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act.”  Under the bill, anyone convicted of DUI would be required to have an ignition interlock device for a period of two years on a first offense.  On a second offense, the device would be required for five years.  Subsequent offenses would mean 8 years of driving with an interlock device.  In addition, the words “DUI conviction” would be on their driver license for as long as the person was required to have an interlock device.

“As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine what the Swezey’s have endured—but I do know that we have an opportunity to honor Erin’s memory by strengthening our DUI laws,” said Jolley, R-Edmond. “The goal of this legislation is simply to save lives.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has announced its support of the measure, calling it their number one priority in the Oklahoma State Legislature.

“Oklahoma has the opportunity to take a giant step forward in its fight against drunk driving with the passage of the Erin Swezey Act,” said Laura Dean-Mooney, MADD’s National President. “MADD commends Senator Jolley for authoring this life-saving legislation to help eliminate drunk driving — a 100 percent preventable crime.”

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Public Safety Committee on Thursday, February 24 at 9:30 a.m. in rooms 419 A and B of the Capitol.  If the measure wins approval, it will next be heard by the full Senate.  Rep. Nelson will serve as principal author of the bill in the House.

“Our hearts go out to the Swezey’s.  This could have happened to any of our families,” said Nelson, R-Oklahoma City.  “Our task is to do everything in our power to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Swezey’s have launched a Facebook page, “Erin Swezey Act,” to educate the public about the bill and its progress in the legislature.  Launched less than a week ago, the page already has more than a thousand followers.  Updates on the legislation are also being posted on Twitter.