Oklahoma measure intended to stop national health care law advances

Committee members also voted 12-1 to pass HB 1254, which would set up a task force to look at ways to come up with an alternative health care plan for the state.

The committee also passed HB 1412, which would prohibit any city, town or county from adopting or implementing policy recommendations established by the United Nations Agenda 21-sustainable development action plan, a nonbinding, voluntarily implemented action plan regarding sustainable development. It also would prohibit the state from contracting with or exchanging funds with a nongovernmental or intergovernmental organization accredited by the U.N.

More than a dozen backers of HB 1412 applauded Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, the measure's author, when the committee voted 9-4 to pass the bill.

Robert Semands, of Edmond, told the committee that the Agenda 21 program has permeated his city because of its ties with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and Edmond having a sister city in Russia.

All three bills go to the House Calendar Committee, which will decide whether they will be heard by the full House.