- Source: 51st Oklahoma Legislature
The Fifty-first Oklahoma Legislature was a meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. State legislators met at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City from January 2, 2007 to January 3, 2009, during the first two years of the second term of Governor Brad Henry. A tie in the number of seats held by Republicans and Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate resulted in bipartisan leadership. Republicans held the majority of seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Dates of sessions
Organizational day: January 2, 2007
First regular session: February 3, 2007 – May 25, 2007
Second regular session: February 4, 2008 – May 30, 2008
Previous: 50th Legislature • Next: 52nd Legislature
Party Affiliation
= Senate
== House of Representatives
=Events
Republican Senator Nancy Riley switched to the Democratic Party in the summer of 2006.
Historic tie created in the number of seats held by Republicans and Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate.
Lance Cargill resigned as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Major legislation
= Enacted
=Immigration- HB1804, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007:
restricted the ability of illegal immigrants to obtain government IDs or public assistance;
gave police authority to check the immigration status of anyone arrested;
made it a felony for U.S. citizens to knowingly provide shelter, transportation or employment to illegal immigrants.
Ethics - HB2196 prohibited lobbyists from making campaign contributions to state legislators during the legislative session.
Roads and bridges - HB2272 created a $300 million bond package for roads and bridge maintenance and repair.
= Failed
=Lawsuit reform - HB 2458 would have enacted lawsuit reforms, but was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry.
Leadership
= Senate
=President of the Senate: Jari Askins (D-Duncan)
President pro tempore: Mike Morgan (D-Stillwater)
Co-President pro tempore: Glenn Coffee (R-Oklahoma City)
Democratic caucus
Co-Floor Leader: Charlie Laster
Co-Assistant Floor Leader: Jay Paul Gumm
Co-Assistant Floor Leader: Jeff Rabon
Whip: Susan Paddack
Whip: Nancy Riley
Whip: Charles Wyrick
Caucus Chair: Kenneth Corn
Republican caucus
Co-Floor Leader: Owen Laughin
Co-Assistant Floor Leader: Randy Brogdon
Co-Assistant Floor Leader: Mike Mazzei
Whip: Kathleen Wilcoxson
Whip: Cliff Branan
Whip: Clark Jolley
Caucus Chair: Todd Lamb
= House of Representatives
=Speaker: Lance Cargill
Speaker Pro Tempore: Gus Blackwell
Republican caucus
Majority Floor Leader: Greg Piatt
Caucus Chairman: John A. Wright
Majority Whip: Rob Johnson
Democratic caucus
Democratic Floor Leader: Danny Morgan
Democratic Floor Leader: James Covey
Whip: Terry Harrison
Caucus Chairman: Chuck Hoskin
Members
= Senate
== House of Representatives
=See also
Oklahoma state elections, 2006