Representative Mark Lepak

R

District 9

Hi, I'm Mark Lepak and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 9th District.


representative

News & Announcements

Sep 30, 2025
Recent Posts

Lepak to Host Interim Study on Secure Oklahoma NOW Report

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, announced he will host an interim study to review the report from the Secure Oklahoma Now (Not on Our Watch) task force and consider potential supportive legislative action. The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk will be examined as an example to help assess the effectiveness of the tool. The study will focus on the construction and application of the security protocols developed in the task force’s planning and assessment tool, including how the protocols are designed, how they should be applied and which entities are responsible for their use. "It is unfortunate that, in these times, it is necessary to give this much attention to protecting the public and participants in gatherings of all sizes," Lepak said. "I applaud Governor Stitt for creating the task force, and I commend the members for producing a valuable guide that will be useful to any entity as they plan and prepare. I hope this study will highlight their great work product and ensure it is put to good use." The Department of Public Safety (DPS), with the NOW Advisory Council, was tasked with publishing industry-standard security protocols for large events statewide after Gov. Kevin Stitt launched the Secure Oklahoma NOW initiative through Executive Order 2025-02 earlier this year. Kirk’s death is the most recent high-profile event that could help assess and improve Oklahoma’s preparedness against terrorist threats and targeted violence. "While that tragic event was not anticipated at the time this topic was requested, it provides a vivid case study that should prove instructive," he added. "I hope that this study will provide a public platform to promote the use of these protocols for any event where the public will gather." Tim Tipton, Commissioner of Public Safety, will headline the presentation, and representatives from the advisory council that helped develop the protocols will be available for questions during the study. Also attending the study will be representatives from the private sector who previously presented to the task force. Munio Technologies will provide information on their mobile vehicle barrier, which will be on display outside on capitol grounds. The House Public Safety Committee will hear the interim study on Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. in Room 206 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Jan 31, 2025
Recent Posts

Duel Files Divestment Act to Protect National Security

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, has filed a bill that would require state pensions and state university endowment funds to divest from foreign adversary nations. House Bill 1561 would create the “Foreign Adversary Divestment Act of 2025.” "This is a matter of national security, ensuring Oklahoma public investment dollars are not put at risk in countries of concern," Duel said. "This also will assure we are not funding the development of military technologies and surveillance tools of our adversaries." Duel, a decorated Army Ranger who served the nation during four combat deployments to Afghanistan, said he understands well what constitutes a national security risk. He said this measure will protect Oklahomans and their savings and investments, and in a broader sense, the interests of the United States of America. Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, is co-authoring the bill. "As we continually seek to protect the retirement benefits of our state's pensioners, this bill adds the additional layer of security from foreign interests that might seek to do them immeasurable financial harm," Lepak said. Under the provisions of the bill, all state and local managed funds would be prohibited from holding investments in any foreign adversary, as well as any state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary, or any company or other entity domiciled within, owned or controlled by a foreign adversary. All state-managed funds would be required to immediately in good faith begin divestment of any holdings prohibited in this act, with total divestment achieved by Jan. 1, 2028, or two years after the effective date of this act, whichever is earliest. Total divestment would mean reducing the value of prohibited investments to no more than five-hundredths of one percent of the market value of all assets under management by a state or locally managed fund. The act would require the state treasurer to develop a notification system to identify foreign adversaries or countries of particular concern. Entities subject to the provision of the act would have six months from the effective date to identify all companies affected. HB1561 will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 3. If enacted, the act would become effective Nov. 1.