Representative Rick West

R

District 3

Hi, I'm Rick West and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 3rd District.


representative

News & Announcements

Apr 19, 2024
Recent Posts

Gov. Signs Bill to Protect Privacy of Homemade Food Producers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed into law legislation that amends the Homemade Food Freedom Act to protect the private information of producers. House Bill 2975, authored by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, will allow producers of homemade food products to obtain a registration number to affix to their product labels instead of the current requirement that they list their name, phone number and the physical address where the food is produced on all products sold. The $15 registration fee is voluntary. "This is for the safety of the people that make food for sale in their homes," West said. "The government should have record of a producer's personal information in case there needs to be some recourse for a product sold, but the general public does not need a seller's private phone number or physical address. This also should help cut down on identity theft or fraud." West said the idea for the legislation came from a constituent that makes and sells homemade food products at local outlets such as farmers markets and area stores. Homemade food products for sale or distribution must still adhere to a list of safety guidelines. The product label must still list ingredients, including common allergens, as well as notice that they were produced in a private residence that is exempt from government licensing and inspection. The act takes effect Nov. 1. 

Apr 16, 2024
Recent Posts

House Observes OKC Bombing Anniversary

OKLAHOMA CITY – The upcoming 29 th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing was remembered in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday with a special presentation. House Resolution 1037, authored by Reps. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, recalls the events of the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and expresses gratitude to those who responded to the act of terrorism. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 168 people and injured more than 850 others. It is the worst domestic terrorist attack ever to occur in United States history. West, who worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the time of the bombing, lost seven co-workers that day. Each year that he's served as a state representative, he's presented a resolution in the House to remember his coworkers and others killed or injured in the terrorist bombing. "It is gut-wrenching to relive the events of the Oklahoma City bombing," West said. "But as legislators and Oklahomans, we have a responsibility. We've got people who were not born when this terrible atrocity happened, so it's up to the ones who remember to tell our stories so that we never, ever forget."  Hefner said, "Today’s presentation was a solemn one as we remember those lost and honor the lives of countless others forever changed. The brutality of the attack brought out a brave and tender response." Tuesday's floor presentation featured several guest speakers, including Gov. Kevin Stitt. Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur told the emotional story of how her mother was killed in the bombing. Arthur was accompanied by her sister Rosslyn Biggs and their aunt Susan Winchester, who also serves as Gov. Stitt's Cabinet Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Longtime family friend, Dr. Lee Denney, a former state representative, gave the closing prayer during Tuesday's ceremony. Also in attendance were Kari Watkins, director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, and members of her staff. A video produced by House Communications was shown, profiling several House and Senate sergeants who assisted in the recovery efforts after the bombing. The sergeants were recognized on the House floor as well. Acknowledged were: House sergeants Bobbie Barnett, Joe Bullock , Harvey Weathers and Nita Williams; House Chief of Security John Dawson; and Senate sergeants Rusty Higby and Stewart Meyer. Hefner said she is "proud to work alongside sergeants in the House and Senate who showed Oklahoma City their bravery and tenderness 29 years ago. Their stories and the painfully beautiful story Blayne Arthur and her sister Rosslyn Biggs shared will help us never forget." She said she also is grateful to Kari Watkins and the staff at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum for "continuing the mission of the memorial and helping us never forget." The full text of HR1037 can be read here . The video of House sergeants sharing their memories can be seen here . 

Mar 27, 2024
Recent Posts

4-H Excused Absences Signed by Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Stitt on Tuesday signed House Bill 1006 into law, which will grant 4-H students an excused school absence when participating in an approved activity. The bill's author, Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, said he's pushed the legislation for the past four years as a way to provide fairness for students that participate in 4-H. "Students that participate in FFA and other school activities already get excused absences," West said. "Our 4-H students deserve the same consideration to not have their grades negatively affected when they participate in an activity that is recognized by the county 4-H facilitator." This will allow students to make up any missed work, West said. He said the request for the measure was from a constituent, but it has gained statewide support. The number of excused absences allowed is still subject to the attendance policy of the local school board. Students are not excused if they miss days during statewide assessments or during any period of time for which the student has been disciplined, suspended or expelled, if the terms of punishment would preclude them from participating in an educational field trip or extracurricular activity. 4-H is not offered through local school districts but is instead part of the Oklahoma State University Extension Program. FFA, by contrast, is offered through local school districts but overseen by the state Department of Career and Technology Education. That was part of the challenge West said he had to overcome in convincing other lawmakers to vote in favor of the bill. The measure passed the House in 2023 but only passed the Senate on March 19 this year. West praised his Senate author, Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, for getting the bill over the final hurdle and sent to the governor who quickly signed it into law. The bill will become effective 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die, in time for the next school year, West said.