OKLAHOMA CITY (June 1, 2009) – Two local legislators have won legislative approval for a law that will close a loophole in the law. House Bill 1295 was presented to the legislature by Representative Jason Murphey and Senator Clark Jolly after a state employee who works in one of the state`s licensing entities informed Murphey of the loophole.

The state employee described how professional license holders had discovered a loophole in the law that allowed them to ignore the requirement to correct any outstanding state tax liabilities prior to renewing their licenses. The licensees were simply allowing their licenses to expire and renewing them shortly thereafter and in doing so, dodging the requirements of the law. Murphey explained that this was separating the licensees into two groups; some licensees were keeping up with their tax obligations while others could continue to ignore their debt.

Murphey learned about the problem because he encountered the employee while going door to door during the 2008 campaign cycle. "This is a great example of a constituent spotting a problem that needed correction. I really need this type of input to help correct this type of injustice," he said.

The law was signed by Governor Henry and will go into effect later this year.