(OKLAHOMA CITY - Feb. 19, 2009) Oklahoma Bar Association leaders are concerned that legislators are making a decision about Senate Bill 997 based on misinformation. In a 12-9 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the bill, authored by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, to make dues to the Oklahoma Bar Association voluntary.

Sen. Coffee claims the need for the bill stems from the association’s lobbying on "abortion and other inappropriate matters."

OBA President Jon K. Parsley of Guymon said, "I can find no evidence that our Board of Governors or House of Delegates have ever even discussed these issues. I can find nothing to substantiate Sen. Coffee's allegations. The association bylaws are clear on the matters that we can place on our legislative agenda. The OBA has stayed true to its mission and stuck to the issues that relate to maintaining a fair and impartial court system for the public and making the profession better for our members."

The association is concerned that adequate research on the issue was not performed. Previously, Parsley has asked Coffee for information on this issue and has not received a reply.

Next step for the bill is consideration by the full Senate.

The 16,000-member Oklahoma Bar Association, located in Oklahoma City, was created by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to advance the administration of justice and to foster and maintain learning, integrity, competence, public service and high standards of conduct among Oklahoma's legal community.