COMMITTEE DELAYS DRUG AGENCY BILL

Action on a bill to give state narcotics investigators access to
Oklahoma Tax Commission records was delayed Thursday by the House
Corrections and Criminal Justice Committee.

The state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs is seeking the
ability to subpoena state tax forms filed by people under
investigation.

"We're asking to be able to access that information and then use it
during prosecution," said Scott Rowland, attorney for the state Bureau
of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Bill author Rep. John Nance, R-Bethany, agreed to delay a vote in the
committee so more work can be done on the measure. Several committee
members were concerned about releasing tax filings.

"There are some real good filters to ensure this wouldn't be a fishing
expedition," said Nance, a former agent for the Internal Revenue Service.

House Bill 1321 would add to the 25 confidentiality exceptions for
state tax forms, said Tony Mastin, director of tax policy and research
at the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Mastin said he fears a "chilling effect" such a law could have on
people filing tax returns. Right now, tax returns are only available
in prosecutions on violations of tax laws, he said.

"We are concerned about the erosion of that confidentiality," Mastin
said.