Representative Jon Echols

Hi, I’m Jon Echols and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 90th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Floor Leader

59th Legislature

Majority Floor Leader

58th Legislature

News & Announcements


Jul 9, 2024
Recent Posts

Echols Mourns Passing of Former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, on Tuesday commented on the death of longtime former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. “Few have done more than James Mountain Inhofe for the people of Oklahoma. From supporting countless miles of infrastructure development, standing up for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, his commitment to our men and women in uniform, or his unwavering commitment to conservative values, and so much more, Oklahoma lost an irreplaceable legend.” 



Apr 17, 2024
Recent Posts

House Passes Bill to Remove Unlawful Occupants

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week passed legislation in the House that would create a procedure for the removal of unlawful occupants of property. Senate Bill 1994 would allow a property owner to request the sheriff of a county in which the property is located to immediately remove a person or persons unlawfully occupying real property if certain conditions are met. Ford, along with co-authors Reps. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, and Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, issued a joint statement about the importance of the bill. "Property owners throughout our state are being inundated with illegal occupancy," the lawmakers said. "This is exacerbated by the number of people coming across our Southern border illegally, property thefts through methods such as unlawful title changes, or just people moving a trailer onto someone else's land or moving into someone's home while they're on vacation and refusing to leave. Oklahoma is a property rights state, and we are working with our sheriffs and others to identify and stop this type of crime and to advocate for the rights of our property owners. Private property ownership is one of the very foundations of our constitutional system of government and protects an individual's ability to prosper and participate in the free market and in our representative form of government. This legislation is important to ensuring this fundamental right is protected."  Ford explained that currently such matters are treated through civil process, and law enforcement are reluctant to get involved. This forces private property owners to hire an attorney, and the process often drags out for lengthy periods. Worthen pointed out the measure does not allow anyone in a landlord-tenant relationship to circumvent the Landlord-Tenant Act. It only applies to someone who is occupying private property and refusing to leave when asked. SB1994 would create a form for the property owner to submit to their county sheriff. Once verified, the sheriff must serve a notice to immediately vacate on all unlawful occupants. If appropriate, the sheriff may arrest any person found on the property for trespass, outstanding warrants or any other legal cause. The sheriff is entitled to the fee for service of the notice. The measure also would create a crime for someone unlawfully detaining or occupying or trespassing upon a property and who intentionally damages the dwelling in an amount of greater than $1,000. Those found guilty would receive a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Any person who presents a false document purporting to be a valid lease agreement, deed, or other instrument conveying real property rights would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. The measure states that these provisions are not to be used to circumvent any rights or laws governing the landlord tenant relationship. Any person wrongfully removed may bring a civil cause of action. SB1994 passed the House with a vote of 77-16. The amended bill now returns to the Senate for final consideration. 



Apr 16, 2024
Recent Posts

House Passes Bill To Modify Statute of Limitations for Rape, Revenge Porn

The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape in certain situations.   Senate Bill 1658 from Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, eliminates the statute of limitations for rape when DNA evidence emerges or when a suspect confesses to the crime. The current statute of limitations for rape when the victim is age 18 or older is 12 years.   The bill passed the House unanimously after the measure was amended to include expanding the statute of limitations on the dissemination of revenge porn from 12 to 20 years.  “Oklahoma needs to be tough on crime when it comes to heinous offenses such as rape,” Garvin said. “This is a common-sense measure that will allow prosecutors to charge rapists to the full extent of the law when DNA evidence or a confession comes to light. I thank Leader Echols for partnering with me to make this critical legislation even stronger by also cracking down on those who disseminate revenge porn.” "Every victim, regardless of when they suffered, deserves equal opportunity to see justice done," Echols said. "By eliminating the statute of limitations in cases where DNA evidence exists or a confession is obtained, we can end impunity for perpetrators and deliver justice for victims." This bill was requested by Attorney General Gentner Drummond. SB 1658 now returns to the Senate, where it previously passed with unanimous support.