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

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.

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.

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