4/25/02 - HB2380, a bill that strikes language from a 2001 law authorizing the Transportation Authority to build a toll road along the path of U.S. 69, has been sent back from the Senate to the House with amendments. For bill status, call (405) 521-2711. The session adjourns May 31.

3/13/02 - A House bill introduced last month would relieve the state's Transportation Authority from building a turnpike through eastern Oklahoma if it becomes law. Local officials have expressed concern a toll road could hamper their community's ability to grow.

HB2380, sponsored by Reps. Paul Roan (D-Tishomingo) and Sen. Frank Shurden (D-Henryetta), strikes language from a 2001 law authorizing the Transportation Authority to build the road along the path of U.S. 69. Officials estimate transforming the four-lane highway stretching from south of Colbert near the Texas state line to Vinita into a turnpike would cost $450 million. Making a toll road parallel to U.S. 69 would nearly double the cost at $800 million.

The House voted 93-4 to approve the bill and is currently waiting to be discussed in the Senate.

For bill status, call (405) 521-2711.

2/20/02 - HB2224, introduced earlier this month by Rep. Wayne Pettigrew, has been referred to the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. If signed into law, fuel taxes in the state would jump 2 cents per gallon with most of the $50 million a year raised by the increase going to state highway maintenance. The bill status number is (405) 521-2711.

2/5/02 -- A Sooner State lawmaker is pushing legislation to increase fuel taxes in the state to bring in more money for roads. If approved, most of the $50 million a year raised by the bill would go to state highway maintenance.

HB2224, introduced by Rep. Wayne Pettigrew (R-Edmond), calls for a general election vote on raising the diesel tax from 13 to 15 cents per gallon and gasoline tax from 16 to 18 cents per gallon. Pettigrew says increasing the state's diesel and gasoline taxes may be the only way to get additional money for road maintenance during what is expected to be a tight budget year. Oklahoma truckers may call Rep. Pettigrew at (405) 557-7342 to voice your concerns.

2/27/01 - Two legislative bills recently introduced by Oklahoma lawmakers are close to being dead. The bills would've placed restrictions on trucks traveling through the state.

According to published reports, HB1665, a bill to limit the use of triple trailer trucks in the state, failed to pass out of the House Transportation Committee before a legislative procedural deadline. The bill, introduced by Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, would have allowed counties to ask the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for special privileges to route triple trailers around the county.

SB572, introduced by Carol Martin, R-Lawton, died in committee last week. The bill would have restricted trucks to the right lane on limited access highways in the state except to pass.