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Mar 18, 2024
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Speaker McCall, Rep. Moore Comment on Passing of Gen. Thomas P. Stafford

OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, today issued a statement commenting on the passing of General Thomas P. Stafford. "Today is a sad day for our state and nation as we mourn the loss of Gen. Thomas P. Stafford," McCall said. "His service to our country inspired generations who came after to dream big and reach for the stars. His commitment to public outreach through the Apollo Program allowed millions of Americans to experience the wonder of space, something that has continued at the Stafford Air & Space Museum that shares his name. My sincere condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. He was a truly great Oklahoman and will be missed." Gen. Thomas P. Stafford was an American Air Force officer, test pilot and NASA astronaut, and one of 24 astronauts who flew to the Moon. He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office from 1969 to 1971. "General Stafford played an instrumental role in leading humanity to the stars," Moore said. "As a little boy growing up in western Oklahoma, he had no idea the immense impact he would eventually have on space exploration. His storied career opened unprecedented horizons of scientific exploration and brought a new understanding of our universe. His hometown of Weatherford and all of western Oklahoma have remained and always will be eternally proud to call him one of our own, and I pray that his loved ones find peace during this time." After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Stafford was commissioned in the United States Air Force, flying the F-86 Sabre before becoming a test pilot. He was selected to become an astronaut in 1962, and flew aboard Gemini 6A in 1965 and Gemini 9A in 1966. In 1969, Stafford served as the commander of Apollo 10, the second crewed mission to orbit the Moon. On the mission he, along with Gene Cernan, became the first to fly an Apollo Lunar Module in lunar orbit, descending to an altitude of nine miles. Born in Weatherford, OK on Sept. 17, 1930, Stafford attended Weatherford High School and went on to play football at the University of Oklahoma and attend the United States Naval Academy. He was 93. -END- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Speaker Charles McCall Phone: (405) 557-7412 Contact: Rep. Anthony Moore Phone: (405) 557-7325



Mar 15, 2024
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Humphrey Comments on Dead Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today commented on his legislation that did not advance from the House of Representatives by the March 14 third-reading deadline for bills from their chamber of origin. One of Humphrey's bills that did not get a vote, House Bill 3086, would have required all Oklahoma school and university board members to be United States citizens. "I received credible reports that China is working to place Chinese nationals on our major university boards," Humphrey said. "I authored a bill to require boards members to be U.S. citizens, but the bill was not heard. This makes it harder for us to stop foreign nationals form serving on our school boards." Another bill that failed to get a floor hearing, House Bill 3133, would have resulted in cartel and gang members trafficking in fentanyl being charged as terrorists. "Cartels are intentionally distributing fentanyl to kill Americans," Humphrey said. "I received reports that approximately 107,0000 Americans were killed last year due to fentanyl. I am truly mystified why anyone would oppose legislation that would declare cartel or gang members trafficking fentanyl terrorists." Humphrey said House Bill 3083, a measure that would have cut excise tax on the sale of motor vehicles, was not heard. "This bill would have reduced excise tax significantly, but it did not get a hearing," Humphrey said. He also filed a bill to allow elected officials to tour state prisons without prior notification or approval, a move he said is necessary with all the reports of rape, assaults, stabbings, and staff shortages. "This would have allowed those elected to serve the people the ability to determine the real condition of prisons," Humphrey said. "It is disappointing for public safety that this bill was not heard." Humphrey also filed House Bill 3024 to prevent homeless people from dominating the state's critical infrastructure. "I don't want to have people defecating on the sidewalks and streets," he said. "I don't think we need drug paraphernalia in our public places. I ran a bill to ensure that we maintain and protect our public facilities and infrastructure. However, this bill was not allowed a hearing on the House floor." Humphrey also introduced House Bill 3084 to stop students from coming to schools dressed as or acting as animals, commonly referred to as furries. "Schools across the state have some asking for animal accommodations," Humphrey said. "It is sad this issue was not addressed." He said his biggest disappointment, however, was a bill that would have created a data system that would connect all criminal justice agencies. "Presently we have many claiming that State Question 780 has been a success," he said. "However, we have zero data to verify these claims. I submit that due to McGirt we have had many cases removed from state court dockets. No one is able to establish how many cases have been removed from the state tribal court. State question 780 reduced numerous felony charges to misdemeanors. Despite the reduced felonies and the numerous case removed by McGirt, it is my understanding our prison population continues to significantly increase. This would certainly indicate that we have huge issues in our criminal justice system. That is why I am tremendously perplexed why such a critical piece of legislation was not considered."



Mar 15, 2024
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Vote Exposes Democrat Hypocrisy on Helping the Working Class

OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today called out House Democrats for their hypocrisy in voting against tax cuts for low income Oklahomans.   "Every year, House Democrats lecture their Republican colleagues about not doing enough to help low income Oklahomans," McCall said. "We have to endure endless diatribes meant to paint Republicans as defenders of the rich and greedy, meanwhile, when the time actually comes for House Democrats to give low income Oklahomans tax relief, they showed our citizens what they really are: performance artists." House Bill 2950, which exempts from income taxes the first $13,350 of income for single filers and $27,100 for joint filers, heads of household and qualifying widowers, passed by a vote of 74-21. All Democrats present voted against the legislation. "This bill helps all Oklahomans, but especially low income earners, by letting them keep more of their money. Actions taken by House Democrats this week should signal to all Oklahomans, especially those who are middle to lower income, that they do not actually care about saving you money," McCall said. "Based on the average salary in Oklahoma, this bill will make half, or more, of that salary not subject to Oklahoma income tax. By their own votes, House Democrats have shown that they want to grow government instead of helping with the economic burdens that the citizens of our state are currently experiencing." HB 2950 was one of three tax cut bills heard this week in the House, along with HB 2948 and HB 2949, all authored by McCall. No House Democrat voted in favor of any of the bills. The bills have now been sent to the Senate for consideration. -END- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Daniel Seitz, House Leadership Communications Liaison Phone: (405) 962-7649 Email: daniel.seitz@okhouse.gov



Mar 15, 2024
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Rep. Kevin West's Medical Right-of-Conscience Bill Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Thursday passed a bill in the House that would ensure nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals and organizations in the state are not forced to participate in specific procedures or pay for services that violate their deeply held beliefs. House Bill 3214 would protect Oklahoma’s health care providers from civil or criminal liability or discriminatory actions. The measure does not, however, override the requirement to provide emergency medical treatment to all patients, and health care professionals would still be expected to provide a patient with any other services that do not conflict with the professional’s conscience. "There are instances when doctors or other medical professionals are pressured to perform procedures or provide services that violate their personal conscience and that may even be harmful to the patient," West said. "This measure would protect them from facing retaliatory actions because of their sincerely held beliefs." West said similar legislation is already in place in seven states and has been in place since 1977 in Illinois and 2004 in Mississippi. He said it builds upon laws already in place that protect against religious discrimination in the workplace. HB3214 also provides protections for the First Amendment rights of health care professionals, ensuring that they can’t lose their license when they speak out on matters of public importance. It further protects health care professionals who report unlawful or unethical conduct to the appropriate authorities. 



Mar 14, 2024
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House Passes Bill allowing Law Officers to Review Camera Footage Prior to report

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week passed legislation in the House that would allow police to review camera footage before completing reports or making statements regarding events while they are performing their official duties.  House Bill 3598 would require law enforcement agencies that utilize any type of camera system – including fixed security cameras in a police station or law enforcement office, vehicle mounted cameras, or body cameras worn by peace officers – to establish policies and procedures addressing the proper use, maintenance, and storage of the various cameras and the data recorded. The policies would be individual to each entity, but they must include guidelines that permit a peace officer to review the recorded data before writing a report or providing a statement about any event during performance of their official duties. "We're looking for accuracy," Ford said. Ford, a former police officer, said this would be akin to referring to notes taken at a crime scene before completing reports, or the same as allowing officers the ability to look at documents to refresh their memory before they go to court. The policies also must include guidelines regarding the proper release of audio and video data in compliance with the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Ford said he filed an amendment to the bill that specifies that any policy permitting review of recorded footage by a peace officer may not be used to delay or deny records requests or public access to recorded footage from such cameras. Ford also passed House Bill 3885 on the House floor. The measure would extend the amount of time municipal or district courts would have to file for misdemeanor warrants for a traffic citation when a defendant was released on personal recognizance but failed to appear in court and no arrangement was made with the court to satisfy the citation. The bill moves the requirement to file the warrant from 120 days to one year, giving municipalities and courts more time to obtain accurate records from Service Oklahoma. The measures now move to the Senate for consideration. 



Mar 14, 2024
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House Passes Bill to Halt Trafficking of Chemical Abortion Pills

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, passed legislation in the House that would penalize with a felony anyone who distributes or possesses with the intent to distribute abortion-inducing drugs when the intent is to cause an abortion for another person. "My goal is to protect the physical and mental health of women," Crosswhite Hader said. "This bill addresses people that are trafficking abortion-inducing drugs to young women with little to no thought to the consequences. all to make a profit from a woman during one of the most vulnerable times of her life." House Bill 3013 does not restrict the Plan B or Morning After Pill, and it defines and specifies that nothing in the act would prohibit the use, sale, prescription or administration of a preventive contraceptive measure, such as birth control pills or devices. Crosswhite Hader said there are numerous reports of women being given these medical or chemical abortion-inducing drugs by non-medical professionals who do not understand what the medications can do to a woman if administered incorrectly. The drugs are often taken in isolation, leaving the woman to go through cramping and bleeding and the shedding of her pregnancy with no medical expert on hand to help her through not only the physical pain and after-effects of the drugs, but also the mental anguish that can result from seeing her pre-term pregnancy in a non-viable state.  Crosswhite Hader said even more alarming are reports that only the second drug in a two-drug sequence are being given in some instances. The first drug is intended to stop the growth of the pregnancy. The second is to evacuate. To give the second drug without the first presents a greater danger to the woman, she said. Under the provisions of the act, a person convicted of trafficking or attempting to traffic abortion-inducing drugs shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine not to exceed $100,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 10 years or by both. This is the same penalty as current law for performing an illegal abortion. The bill now moves to the state Senate where it is authored by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. If signed into law, it would become effective Nov. 1. 



Mar 14, 2024
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House Passes Bill to Update School Emergency Communication Systems

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week passed legislation in the House that would allow school districts to acquire communications and alarm systems that can be used between schools, counties, municipalities and law enforcement departments in the event of emergencies or school shootings.  House Bill 3860 would create the School Safety Interoperability Fund that would be administered by the Department of Public Safety. "This would allow school districts to purchase radio and camera systems that can interact with local law enforcement departments and others to help them respond quickly should an emergency arise," Ford said. "When these systems are in place, an officer can literally flip a switch and render instructions and assistance while en route to the school." Ford, a former police officer and director of school security, said the systems could save lives when minutes count. Ford also passed several additional measures in the House this week.  House Bill 3858 would modify the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement system, keeping the state in line with IRS requirements on the required minimum distribution age, and raising the penalties from 1.5% to 5% for late contributions to the system. House Bill 3862 would limit claw-backs by insurance companies when pre-authorization for medical procedures or services has been granted. Non-compliance with specified deadlines would result in health care services being deemed authorized. The measures now move to the Senate for consideration. 



Mar 14, 2024
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Representatives Issue Joint Statement After Death of Nex Benedict

OKLAHOMA CITY – A group of Oklahoma House representatives today released a statement about the death of Nex Benedict. The Owasso High School student's death was ruled an overdose according to the state medical examiner. Benedict died one day after being injured in an altercation inside an Owasso High School bathroom. "The tragic suicide of Nex Benedict is a harsh reminder of the power that words have. As public officials and policy makers, we have a sacred obligation to ensure that as we do the work of the people, we do so with respect and dignity. Every human life is precious and created in the image of God regardless of who they are or who they love. We call on all Oklahomans to join us in our commitment to being respectful and deliberate in our language." The statement is issued by Reps. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan; Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City; Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa; Mike Osburn, R-Edmond; Mark McBride, R-Moore; Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City; Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso; Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks. The lawmakers reminded the public that anyone feeling suicidal or experiencing thoughts of suicide should contact 988 or 911 immediately. LGBTQ youth also can call (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 to reach the Trevor Project." 



Mar 14, 2024
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House Approves Bill to Discourage Illegal Immigration

Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at reducing the number of individuals entering our state illegally. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, authored House Bill 3071, which would prohibit state revenue from being used to provide benefits to illegal immigrants unless the costs are related to education, jailing, or transporting an illegal immigrant to an out-of-state destination. "With porous borders and ineffective federal policies, every state in the United States is, in effect, a border state," Hays said. "The proposed legislation will act as a preemptive measure to deter people from entering Oklahoma illegally." HB3071 would allow for exceptions to be made for law enforcement agencies or personnel investigating incidents of domestic violence or human trafficking. It would ensure that victim service programs certified by the Office of the Attorney General to provide domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking services to a person are not restricted if the services are required under federal law. The measure would apply to all state agencies, public or private entities, meaning they must enact policies to ensure compliance or risk losing funding through state taxes. Hays said that this legislation does not prohibit providing services to illegal individuals. However, if someone offers these services knowingly, they would not qualify for state tax appropriation. HB3071 passed the House 71—17 and now moves to the Senate for consideration. The Senate author is Sen. Bullard, R-Durant.