More than 70 bills take effect Monday, including legislation that will ultimately provide for a 2015 Oklahoma income tax reduction and fund repairs to the State Capitol.
ECapitol’s Shawn Ashley reports the bill apportions $60 million to the fund in fiscal year 2014 and FY2015.
Whether the $60 million actually is allocated, however, will be up to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Oklahoma City attorney Jerry Fent filed a legal challenge against the bill June 6. Fent claims the bill violates the Oklahoma Constitution's single-subject rule, which requires legislation to deal with only one issue. He also argues the bill creates a special appropriation by diverting revenue that would otherwise go to the General Revenue Fund to the repair and restoration fund. A hearing on the challenge is set for July 9.
Among the other bills taking effect Monday are several school safety measures passed in the wake of last year's deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
Other bills appropriate funds to various state agencies, exempt beekeepers fromstate inspections, require continuing education for school board members, and increase the penalties for littering and for cutting or damaging fences.
