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education choice; resisting the rights-of-way. The advisory on driver-less Medicaid expansion; breaking the specifies how the trails will be vehicles. cycle of incarceration; boosting established and maintained, labor force participation and permitted and prohibited uses, and empowering teachers. liability protections for railroads, Federal Cuts trail managers, adjacent Early reports indicate that under Water, Water Rights landowners. A feature of the bill the new Trump Administration the will permit “rails with trails” use if U.S. Departments of Commerce, Thirteen water and/or water rights a railroad wishes to allow it. Energy, Transportation, Justice bills have been filed for this and State are slated for major session. They include: reductions in funding and Infrastructure elimination of programs. Also, the ►SB 285 - Updating references to Read the Blueprint To Rebuild U.S. Economic Development Oklahoma Brine and Produced America's Infrastructure Administration, the National Water Development Act; released earlier this week by Endowment for the Arts; the members of the U.S. Senate. The National Endowment for the ►SB 421 - Oklahoma Water proposal notes that the plan would Humanities and the Corporation Sustainability Act of 2017; would make a historic $1 trillion for Public Broadcasting. The cuts develoment of regional water federal investment to modernize reflect policies outlined by the projects; America’s crumbling infrastructure conservative Heritage Foundation. and create more than 15 million

►HB 2098 - Water Act of 2017; jobs. Also, the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency staff has been ►HB 2099 – Water Policy Act of instructed to freeze all grants ― 2017; Texting including funding for research, SB 44 relates to texting and redevelopment of former industrial ►HB 1739 – Water Rights Act of driving. It would modify sites, air quality monitoring and 2017; inclusions, provide exceptions and education. Also, employees have delete certain definitions. The bill been instructed not to discuss the ►HB 2279 – Repealing 82 O.S. builds upon legislation passed last freeze with the public. EPA social 2011, Section 1B, which relates to year to ban texting while driving. media properties are under review a moratorium on the sale or The bill would ban handheld along with traditional public exportation of water; phone calls in the car except for relations products such as blog emergencies and also allow posts and external news releases. ►SB 448 – Department of enforcement to issue citations for Environmental Quality; prohibiting violations based on their own eye Department from promulgating witness accounts. Currently, ACOG’s Central OK public water supply rules beyond motorists must admit to texting certain federal . and driving before citations can be Clean Cities Program written. Members of President Trump’s transition team have included the Bicycle Related Bills elimination of the U.S. Department HB 2191 relates to overtaking and EVs of Energy’s Office of Energy HB 1449 relates to motor vehicle passing bicycles; modifying due Efficiency and Renewable Energy registration fees including an care requirements in certain (DOE EERE) in a budget outline, additional $20 fee (annual) for conditions; modifying according to The Hill. ACOG’s Electric Vehicles. circumstances when Clean Cities program, now in its certain fine is applicable; 21st year, received $85,000 in modifying fine amounts and more. Oklahomans in the funding last year through DOE EERE programs. ACOG provides HB 1724 permits a bicyclist to New Administration $8,000 in matching funds annually. treat a stop sign as yield, red light Oklahoma Attorney General Scott In recent years this funding has as a stop. Pruitt was nominated to serve as fluctuated between $70,000 and director of the U.S. Environmental $85,000, annually. If EERE is HB 1725 permits railroads to cease Protection Agency. Mayor Mick eliminated the future of the Clean operations on a line without Cornett was named to the federal Cities program is uncertain. abandonment, and allows temporary recreational trail use of ACOG’s Economic such as raising teacher pay, regional transit alternatives and supporting new graduation solutions for Central Oklahoma. Development District requirements and enhancing Additional proposed cuts include Career Tech. ACOG’s Commuter Corridors eliminating the U.S. Economic Study recommendations to Development Administration, ► Numerous healthcare issues implement mitigation strategies for which many conservatives such as in incentivizing the future congestion. characterize as corporate welfare. recruitment and retention of ACOG will receive up to $180,000 primary care physicians and allied The Chamber further supports the in EDA funding to support the health professionals in rural and development and implementation work of the Central Oklahoma underserved areas in Oklahoma. of a task force consisting of core Economic Development District Central Oklahoma cities working this fiscal year. Also, providing municipalities toward the goal of establishing a with local control over local Regional Transit Authority to Arts, Humanities issues such as tobacco use and further plan and launch future Also proposed for elimination are smoking. Also, supporting regional transit services. the National Endowment for the stakeholders’ to end Arts, National Endowment for the prescription drug abuse. The Chamber will work with Humanities and the Corporation ACOG, municipal governments, for Public Broadcasting would be ► Numerous transportation ODOT and Class 1 railroads to entirely eliminated. The NEA issues including advocating for full conduct early-stage planning for provided about $1 million in grant funding and timely completion of introducing commuter rail service funding to Oklahoma arts work on major interchanges. Also, into downtown organizations in 2016. The NEH adequate funding for the state’s from Norman, Edmond and provided $692,000 in grant Bridge Improvement Program; the Midwest City. Further planning funding to the Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of consideration should be given to Humanities Council. In addition, Transportation’s eight-year potential future expansion of rail the Corporation for Public construction work plan, and the service to the Shawnee and Broadcasting provides grants to Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s Yukon areas. support the work of KOSU, “Driving Forward” program. KGOU and other public radio and Also, protecting state revenues Also, the Chamber will work with TV stations across the state. allocated into the state’s Public the City of Oklahoma City, Transit Revolving Fund. ACOG, COTPA, ODOT and the state legislature to ensure the OKC Chamber’s ♥ In addition, the Chamber will continued viability of the work with Oklahoma’s intermodal hub at the Santa Fe Legislative Priorities congressional delegration, state station as well as support The Greater Oklahoma City legislators, ODOT and ACOG to alternative transportation by Chamber of Commerce has oppose efforts to reduce or supporting increased construction identified numerous legislative eliminate state or federal funding of sidewalks, trails and bike lanes. priorities in a full report on their received by Oklahoma to operate website. Many of the issues speak the Heartland Flyer Amtrak to the needs and priorites of service to Fort Worth, Texas. ACOG members. Highlights include: ► Several municipal issues including Mass Transit/Commuter ► Protecting economic Rail. The Chamber supports development programs such as the implementation of transit programs Historical Building that will best serve central Rehabilitation Tax Credit; Oklahoma including the Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking ► Working to ensure the Authority (COTPA) 2005 Fixed availability of a long-term water Guideway Transit Study and its supply for Central Oklahoma. following components: ACOG’s Regional Transit ► Numerous education and Dialogue to identify workforce development issues