Bills That Became Effective July 1st, 2012

Tax Enforcement/Zapper. HB 2576 by Rep. Ownbey and Sen. Mazzei. contains definitions in both criminal liability and an administrative fine, plus the immediate revocation of a person’s sales tax permit for conviction related to the sales suppression device. It makes it unlawful to willfully and knowingly sell, purchase, install, transfer, or possess any automated sales suppression device, zapper or phantom-ware.  This was a result of the Municipal Sales Tax Task Force that was established by SB 216 from 2011.  The bill is effective 07/01/12.

Psuedophedrine Control. HB 2941 by Rep. Derby and Sen. Brinkley limits the purchase of pseudoephedrine, or PSE, the main chemical used in the production of the drug, to 7.2 grams per month and place a 72-hour purchase block on Oklahomans who exceed the daily purchase limit. The bill also upgrades the state’s real-time electronic blocking system, making it compatible with systems in other states that limit the sale of pseudoephedrine.  The bill is effective 07/01/12.

Special Events Permits. SB 1263 by Sen. Barrington and Rep. Nelson authorizes a special event permit for the sale and on-premises consumption of low-point beer with the application mailed to the municipal chief of police, sheriff and district attorney.  If there is no objection to the special even permit after 10 days of filing, the court clerk shall grant the permit.  However, if an objection or restrictions to the permit is filed within those 10 days, a district court judge upon five days’ notice to the applicant, chief of police or marshal of the city or town, and sheriff and district attorney where the event is to occur, shall determine whether the special event permit should be granted, restricted, or denied based upon the totality of circumstances concerning the proposed event, including but not limited to, the location, qualifications and history of the applicant and public safety concerns.  The bill goes into effect 07/01/12.

Court Clerk Fees. SB 1875 by Sen. Holt and and Rep. Banz creates the Safari McDoulett Community Service Act. It permits a county that has a community service program to impose a community service program assessment upon a majority vote of the board of county commissioners. The bill sets the community service program assessment at a minimum of $25 and not to exceed $250 for each felony or misdemeanor for which a person is ordered to complete community service. The bill sets the community service program assessment at a minimum of $25 and not to exceed $250 against a child each time the child is adjudicated as a delinquent child or agrees to a deferred adjudication, provided the delinquent child is ordered to complete community service in the community service program of the county. The bill requires all money collected to be forwarded monthly by the court clerk to the community service program revolving fund of the county.  The bill is effective 07/01/12.