6/10/03-A bill to raise all vehicle tag fees by $2 to keep from furloughing Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers has been signed into law.
The additional fee is expected to raise $6.6 million a year to offset furloughing troopers 23 days each in the fiscal year.
The push for the increase accelerated in May after the state Department of Public Safety learned its budget would be cut 5 percent.
In April, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks told a Senate subcommittee the agency would have to furlough troopers and other employees if its budget were cut 5 percent.
The increase – HB1237 – will take effect Sept. 1 and end Aug. 30, 2005.

5/30/03-The Senate approved legislation May 29 that would raise all vehicle tag fees by $2 to keep from furloughing Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers.
The Senate voted 30-12 to approve the fee increase. HB1237, which passed the House on May 28, now heads to the governor.
If signed into law, the $2 increase will take effect Sept. 1 and end Aug. 30, 2005.
The additional fee is expected to raise $6.6 million a year for the state’s Public Safety Department.
Of the money generated by the tag increases, $4.5 million would be used to prevent furloughing troopers 23 days each during the next fiscal year. More than $1 million would be used to restore salaries of DPS personnel returning from military duty. Also, nearly $290,000 would be used for increased fuel costs, and $761,000 would pay salaries for last year ’s trooper academy graduates.

5/29/03-A bill to raise all vehicle tag fees by $2 to keep from furloughing Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers cleared the House May 28.
House members voted 62-36 to approve the fee increase. If the Senate approves HB1237 and Gov. Brad Henry signs it, the $2 increase will take effect Sept. 1 and end Aug. 30, 2005.
The additional fee is expected to raise $6.6 million a year to offset furloughing troopers 23 days each in the fiscal year.
The push for the increase accelerated recently after the state Department of Public Safety learned its budget would be cut 5 percent.
In April, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks told a Senate subcommittee the agency would have to furlough troopers and other employees if its budget were cut 5 percent.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

5/27/03-The Senate’s major budget writing committee agreed to raise all vehicle tag fees to help fund the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
HB1237 was approved by the Senate General Conference Committee on Appropriations on May 23 without debate. The bill now heads to the House floor for a vote.
If approved, the $2 increase would take effect Sept. 1 and end Aug. 30, 2005.
The fee increase is expected to raise $6.6 million a year to offset furloughing troopers 23 days each in the fiscal year.
The push for the increase accelerated earlier this month after the state Department of Public Safety learned its budget would be cut 5 percent.
In April, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks told a Senate subcommittee the agency would have to furlough troopers and other employees if its budget were cut 5 percent.
Gov. Brad Henry said he hasn’t decided whether he supports the proposal.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.