Senate approves ‘Amazon’ bill; ‘ball and die’ bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Debate has been completed and the Oklahoma Senate approved two bills designed to generate about $40 million that Republican leaders hope will placate thousands of teachers striking for more money for public schools.

The Senate voted 41 to 3 Friday morning to tax certain internet sales. HB 1019XX, the so-called “Amazon bill,” requires any remote seller, marketplace facilitator or referrer with aggregate sales in the state to remit sales tax and report to Tax Commission.

The Senate also approved the emergency clause of the bill.

The Amazon bill is estimated to generate approximately $20 million and when added to growth revenue in the state budget more than makes up for the hotel/motel tax.

Just after noon, the Senate started debate on HB3375, which would expand tribal gambling to include games with a ball or dice, such as craps and roulette. The bill passed 29 to 16, but the emergency clause failed, 31 to 14.

The bill would take 10 percent net of games such as craps and roulette for the exclusivity funds; 88  percent of the 10 percent through exclusivity funds would go into the 1017 fund account.

The $20 million projected from the sales tax would be dedicated for public schools.