State House convenes special session

Wednesday, May 19th 2004, 5:55 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state House of Representatives formally convened a special session of the Legislature Wednesday, a procedural move that will allow a committee investigating Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher to complete its work.

The concurrent special session, which can be convened during a regular session, was requested by Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday.

After convening the special session, lawmakers approved two resolutions -- one recreating the investigative committee and another authorizing temporary personnel to staff the panel -- and then adjourned the special session.

The move was necessary for the investigative panel to meet and allows the House and Senate to meet freely beyond the May 28 deadline for adjournment of the regular session.

The investigative committee is determining whether Fisher committed any impeachable offenses. Fisher and his assistant, Opal Ellis, have been charged with felony counts related to embezzlement and operating a charity illegally.

If the panel decides to forward articles of impeachment, the full House would then vote on whether to send the articles to the Senate for an impeachment trial.

The committee plans to hold a brief meeting at 8:30 AM Tuesday.