Representative Jim Grego

Hi, I'm Jim Grego and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 17th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements


Mar 8, 2024
Recent Posts

Grego Bill to Help Restore Prison Rodeo Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House on Thursday passed a bill by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, that would create a revolving fund to restart the prison rodeo at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. House Bill 3749 would direct the fund to be used for complete revitalization of the prison rodeo grounds in McAlester. The last rodeo was held at the facility in 2009. "For many years, the prison held a rodeo in this facility that was very popular with inmates and their families as well as staff, and it drew visitors from across the nation to Southeast Oklahoma," Grego said. "The rodeo was discontinued due to a lack of funding and deterioration of the grounds, but we have support now to reintroduce this event and reap the economic reward it will bring." Grego said the Department of Corrections has committed to putting $1 million toward the project, and both the City of McAlester and the McAlester Chamber of Commerce are supportive. He said the Oklahoma Department of Tourism has committed to promoting the rodeo once it is again in operation. Grego said many professional cowboys have expressed an interest in holding events at the McAlester prison once the rodeo grounds are restored. He said the Oklahoma Department of Commerce agrees the event will have a positive economic impact on McAlester and surrounding areas of Southeast Oklahoma. This could bring a return on investment to the Department of Corrections and the state and local economy. Currently, Louisiana is the only state that has a behind-the-walls prison rodeo. Grego said the rodeo is seen as a positive event that gives inmates something to look forward to and work toward, improving their outlook and behavior. HB3749 now moves to the Senate. 



Mar 5, 2024
Recent Posts

Grego Passes Veterans' Families First Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, passed the Veterans' Families First bill on the House floor Tuesday afternoon. House Bill 3747 offers veterans in need of long-term care that are located more than 100 miles from a state veteran's center the option to contract and stay in a local nursing home. "With the closure of the Talihina Veterans Center in my House district, this displaced several veterans moving them far from their family members," Grego said. "I wanted to ensure they had the option to remain closer to home and those they love. It's important that our veterans receive family support and that we not ask family members to drive long distances to visit their loved ones. "This should help other veterans throughout our state as well should they be faced with similar circumstances." Grego said he worked with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs on the measure. It would require the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to contract with private long-term, skilling nursing facilities to offer services to eligible veterans who live over 100 miles from a state veteran's residence. The bill passed the House on a vote of 84-10 and now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. 



Oct 31, 2023
Recent Posts

Governor Signs Haiden Fleming Memorial Act to Update 911 Service

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday ceremonially signed a bill that updates the state's 911 system in hopes of saving more lives. Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, is the principal author of House Bill 1590, which was a request by the state's 911 Commission. "Working off of outdated technology, 911 dispatchers are challenged to find the right addresses in emergencies when every second counts," Grego said. "This upgrade will ensure pinpoint accuracy so no matter where someone lives, 911 will know exactly where that person is and get them the assistance they need in a timelier manner." Grego previously held an interim study on this issue asking constituents to share stories of when they or a loved one faced life-threatening situations while 911 calls were rerouted through different dispatch centers, and ambulance drivers struggled with navigating using outdated maps. Grego said the issue is a particular concern in rural areas or where someone who lives too close to a county line may face time delays while 911 calls are sent to different call centers while the system tries to locate their address. That was the case for Haiden Fleming for whom the bill is named. The 22-year-old Oklahoman died after suffering a cardiac incident. He was the former student of Sen. Blake "Cowboy" Stephens, R-Tahlequah, who is a co-author of the bill. Stephens also is a close family friend of the Flemings. “Haiden’s death was a heartbreaking tragedy that could have possibly been avoided if our state had a more updated and efficient 911 system. Time is of the essence in emergency situations, and hopefully by modernizing our system, no more families will have to face the horror my dear friends did when they lost their precious son Haiden,” Stephens said. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is the Senate principal author of the bill. “This new law and the upgrades that will be made to our state’s 911 system will save more lives,” Murdock said. “Oklahomans deserve to have the best emergency services, and the Next Generation 911 System will ensure faster response times through more precise caller location and improved response coordination between counties and communities.” In addition to infrastructure and computer upgrades, the bill also requires mandatory CPR training for emergency telecommunicators and will equalize fees charged for the service so it is uniform across the state. Grego said he's hopeful the updated fee structure will allow some communities to hire more dispatchers to help with emergency calls. He pointed out that the state's 911 system was last updated in 1975. The legislation takes effect Nov. 1. HB 1590 was formally signed into law in May. The governor frequently holds ceremonial bill signings to allow people outside the Legislature who were involved in the drafting of the bill to participate in the process.