Representative Marilyn Stark

News & Announcements


Aug 25, 2023
Recent Posts

Sentencing Relief for Survivors of Child Trafficking and Abuse Ceremonially Signed

Legislation allowing Oklahoma courts to adjust the punishment of an offender who was trafficked, sexually abused or assaulted by the victim was ceremonially signed on Friday. House Bill 2210, authored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, states that the offender must have been a minor convicted as an adult for the offense and that the abuse by the victim must have occurred within 90 days. The court may depart from the mandatory minimum sentence, suspend any portion of the sentence or transfer the minor to the juvenile division for further proceedings. "When a child who has been the victim of a violent, traumatic situation is implicated for a crime against their trafficker, that is not justice. It is cruelty," Stark said. "These children, and everybody who has found themselves a victim of trafficking and sexual abuse, deserve to be met with empathy and compassion. I am immensely grateful to Governor Stitt for signing this legislation into law and to people like Sara Kruzan who speak up against these injustices." Joining the ceremonial bill signing was Sara Kruzan, who was 17 years old when she was sentenced to life in prison for killing the man who forced her into child sex trafficking at age 13. She was tried as an adult and no evidence of the abuse or trauma committed against Kruzan was admitted into evidence. Her sentence was commuted in 2013 and she was pardoned in July 2022. HB2210 was signed on May 11 and takes effect Nov. 1.



Mar 14, 2023
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House Approves Bill Eliminating Sales Tax for Nonprofits

Nonprofits with 501(c)3 status could soon be exempt from sales tax under a bill approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week. House Bill 1568, authored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, would exempt Oklahoma-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations who receive $3 million or less in annual gross revenue from paying sales tax on purchases. "Nonprofit employees and volunteers are passionate about what they do and most of them provide these services far better than the state could," Stark said. "Exempting Oklahoma's smaller nonprofits from sales tax is just one way we can empower them to continue to serve their communities." The measure states that alcohol and tobacco purchases are not considered exempt purchases. HB1568 passed the House 70-17 on Monday. It now moves to the Senate.



Mar 2, 2023
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House A&B Approves Legislation Exempting Nonprofits from Sales Tax

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Appropriations & Budget Committee has approved legislation to exempt 501(c)3 nonprofits from sales tax. Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, said making Oklahoma's 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organizations sales tax exempt has been one of her top priorities for years and House Bill 1568 is the culmination of several sessions spent learning, tweaking and working with agencies and committees. Under the bill, 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations established in the state who receive $3 million or less in annual gross revenue would be exempt from sales tax. "Historically, a dollar in the hands of a nonprofit yields about $5 in assistance to their clients," said Stark, who held an interim study on sales tax exemptions for nonprofits in October 2022. "Nonprofit entities are passionate about what they do and most of them do it very well. The government shouldn't be limiting people who are passionate about caring for others; instead, we should be empowering those who help lessen the reliance on government, and exempting our nonprofits is a fantastic step in the right direction." The measure stipulates that alcohol and tobacco purchases are not considered exempt purchases. HB1568 passed the House A&B Committee 33-0 on Wednesday and now moves to the House floor.