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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Legislature wrapped up the 2015 legislative session on Friday, one week before its constitutionally mandated deadline, by passing dozens of last-minute measures. Among them are several related to the $7.1 billion state budget.
Other major bills have already been signed by Gov. Mary Fallin since the legislative session began in February. Following is a look at some of those new laws:
ANTI-ABORTION MEASURES: Fallin signed two bills that were pushed by anti-abortion activists, including one that will ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure that critics describe as dismembering a fetus. The other requires a woman to wait 72 hours, instead of the current 24 hours, to receive an abortion after a doctor gives her details about the procedure, such as the age of the fetus, the risks involved, and that ultrasound and heart monitoring are available. Abortion rights groups opposed both measures, which take effect Nov. 1, arguing that both will unconstitutionally make it more difficult for women to access a safe, legal medical procedure.
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CANNABIS OIL: Although the governor said she remains opposed to legalizing medical marijuana, Fallin signed a bill authorizing a study of clinical trials on certain patients with severe forms of epilepsy using oil derived from the marijuana plant.
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DEATH PENALTY: Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to approve nitrogen gas for executions under a bill that provides the alternative death-penalty method if lethal injections aren't possible, either because of a court ruling or a drug shortage. There are no reports of nitrogen gas ever being used to execute humans. Critics say the lack of previous use is among their main concerns, but supporters argue that nitrogen-induced hypoxia — or a lack of oxygen in the blood — is a humane method of execution.
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GAY MARRIAGE-MINISTERS: This new law allows ministers to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if such marriages conflict with their religious beliefs. Many gay rights supporters didn't oppose the bill, saying it was unnecessary because ministers already can decline to marry same-sex couples.
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GUN-TOTING TEACHERS: School districts will be able to allow teachers or other school employees with firearms training to carry a handgun onto school property. The law will apply to district employees who attend a program for armed security guards or reserve peace officers.
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PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR TEACHERS: School districts will no longer be able to deduct union dues from Oklahoma teachers' paychecks, despite objections from educators who say they're being unfairly targeted. The new law, which takes effect Nov. 1, will not prevent anyone from joining a union, and teachers, administrators and school support personnel can still pay membership dues with a personal credit card or draft from a bank account.
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PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE: The first bill Fallin signed this year requires doctors in Oklahoma to check a prescription drug database before prescribing certain addictive drugs. With one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country, Fallin made addressing prescription drug abuse one of her top priorities. The new law takes effect Nov. 1.
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RIGHT TO TRY: Terminally ill patients will have access to experimental medications and procedures that are being used in clinical trials but are not yet on pharmacy shelves. Known as the Right to Try Act, the new law allows patients to obtain medications or devices that have passed the first of multiple phases of U.S. Food and Drug Administration testing.
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TEXTING AND DRIVING: Oklahoma became the 46th state in the nation to pass a ban on texting while driving. The bill was dubbed the Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act in honor of two troopers struck by a motorist who authorities say was distracted by his phone. Dees was killed and Burch was seriously injured in the January accident. The new law makes texting while driving a primary offense, which means an officer could pull someone over who they believe was texting. Violation of the law can result in a $100 fine.
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TOBACCO-FREE SCHOOLS: Oklahoma's public schools and off-campus school-sponsored events will be tobacco-free zones under this bill signed into law by Fallin, who says it will prevent children from being exposed to cigarettes and other tobacco products.
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WIND ENERGY TAX CREDITS: Fallin also signed separate measures that will phase out two tax incentives for the wind industry. One eliminates the current five-year property tax exemption for wind facilities, beginning in 2017. The other makes wind facilities ineligible for a job creation tax credit currently offered by the state. A zero-emissions tax credit currently available to the wind industry will remain in place.
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