Oklahoma state Capitol briefs, Feb. 22

A bill intended to close a federal loophole in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called the food stamp program, won approval Thursday from a House panel. House Bill 2014, by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, would make people ineligible to receive SNAP benefits if they have more than $5,000 in cash, bank account funds, savings bonds or certificates. The House budget subcommittee on public health and social services voted 7-0 to pass HB 2014. It now goes to the House Human Services Committee.

Bond cap legislation advances

House Bill 2195, by House Speaker T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, to establish a cap on the state's bond debt, has won approval from a House committee. Under the bill, a new requested bond could not push the amount of the state's total bond debt over the current level of about $2 billion. The House Appropriations and Budget Committee voted 18-0 to pass HB 2195. It now goes to the House Calendar Committee, which will decide if it should advance to the full House.

Bill would place moratorium on fees