Representative Justin Humphrey

R

District 19

Hi, I'm Justin Humphrey and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 19th District.


representative

News & Announcements

Mar 21, 2023
Recent Posts

The Chicken Crosses the Rotunda: Humphrey Cockfighting Bill Sent to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would reduce violations relating to cockfighting from felonies to misdemeanors flew through the House today, landing in the Senate. Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, authored House Bill 2530. "Voters in Oklahoma several years ago said they wanted us to reduce the population of our state prisons and reduce a number of offenses from felonies to misdemeanors," Humphrey said. "This bill is just in keeping with those wishes. No person has ever died from a chicken fight. This bill ensures that people who breed these birds will not face undue punishment." The measure also would provide that 5% of the voters of a county may call an election on the issue by submitting a petition signed by such voters to the county election board. A majority of a county's commissioners also may call the special election. Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, now will battle for the bill in the Senate.

Mar 9, 2023
Recent Posts

Correction Reform Measures Advance to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, this week secured passage of House Bills 2589 and 2608 in the House. House Bill 2589 would allow county sheriffs or jail trust administrators to request an immediate transfer of inmates from their jails to the Department of Corrections. The Department would be required to schedule transport of the inmate or inmates within three working days after the request is made. "These are men and women that have already been sentenced for crimes committed, and they are the responsibility of the Department of Corrections," Humphrey said. "This bill just allows county sheriffs or jail trust administrators to request an immediate transport of these individuals from the jail to prison should the need arise." Humphrey said the Department of Corrections worked with him on the legislation. It passed in the House last year but did not advance in the Senate. This year, the bill passed unanimously in the House and now awaits committee assignment in the Senate. It is authored in that chamber by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. House Bill 2608 would modify the definition of "local law enforcement authority" within the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registration Act to include the police or law enforcement officers of any federally recognized Indian nation or tribe in Oklahoma. This will require persons subject to registration to report to such law enforcement if they reside or stay within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Indian nation or tribe. Humphrey explained that this does not put additional burden on the offender, but instead just allows the state's federally recognized Native American nations or tribes to access the information in the state's sex offender registration and for the state to have access to the systems the tribes use as well. "This is so all people in the state can know who is a registered sex offender and where they reside. This will help us keep all Oklahomans safe," Humphrey said. He said the request for the bill came from the Department of Corrections. He also visited with the Choctaw Nation, which is in his House district, and they expressed no problem with the bill. He believes other tribes will want to participate as well. "I think it is a good thing to try to work with our tribal governments to try to extend law enforcement across boundaries and help each other in this manner," Humphrey said. This bill also now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Bullard.

Feb 28, 2023
Recent Posts

Cockfighting Penalty Reduction Bill Passes Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, this week secured passage of House Bill 2530, which would reduce violations relating to cockfighting to misdemeanors. The measure also would provide that 5% of the voters of a county may call an election on the issue by submitting a petition signed by such voters to the county election board. A majority of the county commissioners may also call the special election. "This is about criminal justice reform and bringing fairness to sentencing," Humphrey said. "Drugs like methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl have killed hundreds of Oklahomans, but possession of these drugs results in only a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, fighting chickens continues to be a felony punishable by ten years of incarceration. To perhaps ask it better, How many people have died from chicken fighting?" Humphrey said. he is very proud to carry House Bill 2530. "I know that being just and fair is the right thing to do," he said. The bill received a do-pass recommendation from the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. It now is eligible to be considered on the House floor.