The number of bills active in the Oklahoma legislature is down from more than 2,800 to about 800 now that the deadline for them to pass their chamber of origin has come and gone.
Tulsa County Director of Governmental Affairs Terry Simonson briefed county officials Monday on measures that could still become law, including ones boosting fees to help pay for records storage, one dealing with law enforcement body camera video, even one bill allowing on-course alcohol sales at golf courses.
"Not one single bill asks for one single dollar, but every single bill asks for authority or permission in one of these elected offices to make county government run better," Simonson said.
There are several medical marijuana bills still active in the legislature. House Bill 2601 would let counties sign off on patients and caregivers possessing more medical marijuana than state law allows. How much more isn’t spelled out, but the county may charge a fee for it.
"That would make some revenue for the county, but who knows how much. You can’t find out how many people in the county hold a medical marijuana license because it’s considered private," Simonson said. "You can find out how many businesses have a license, but you don’t know how many customers they have."
HB2601 currently sets the fee at $250.
Tulsa County officials also had several now-dead bills on their wish list, including one to change how county building projects are awarded. Simonson said the current process is inefficient and wastes taxpayer dollars.
"Because the selection of the contractor isn’t based on a bid, it’s based on qualifications, and that’s never a good way to do it, if you can’t see what the other guys are going to bid," Simonson said.
Remaining bills must pass the opposite chamber by April 25.
