What a busy week at the State Capitol. We had until March 6 to get all House bills passed in oversight committees for them to move forward this year. We held multiple meetings that were jam packed. We also continued to hear and pass bills on the House floor.
I was able to pass my first bill in the House.
House Bill 1995 would add school resource officers and contract security guards to the list of school employees who would be criminally charged for any sexual contact with students. These are positions that are contracted and sometimes paid for with federal grant money, and therefore were not considered employees of the district, allowing them to fall outside of the statute for criminal liability.
Sometimes SROs or security guards are in their early 20s and interacting with teens who are close to their age. But it is still inappropriate for people in these contracted positions to have a sexual relationship with those under their supervision. This bill will better protect our kids.
I faced several questions on this bill, but I gained unanimous passage. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. One of the really nice things that happens for freshmen lawmakers is all the other members give us a standing ovation when we pass our first bill. This was heartwarming.
Two of my bills passed unanimously in the House Judicial and Public Safety Oversight Committee this week.
House Bill 1991 is a request by bail bondsmen and supported by the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association. When a defendant is arrested in one county but has an outstanding warrant in another jurisdiction, this measure would allow a bail bondsman to pay bond in the county where the warrant was issued. A request could then be sent to release the offender from the county of their current arrest. This would save sheriff’s money for transportation and would allow defendants to be released who have made bond.
House Bill 1993 is a cleanup for the emergency pursuit statute. Right now, other state vehicles, such as EMS, fire and wreckers are allowed to display red, blue and white lights in an emergency. Law enforcement across the state is asking to be able to differentiate by running just blue and white. Under current law, if a law enforcement vehicle doesn’t have at least one red light emitting from the front of the vehicle, it is not in compliance with the pursuit statute.
In total, I’ve had five bills pass in oversight committees and one off the House floor. A wind bill I’ve coauthored has been approved for the floor, but a date for it to be heard has not been set. I’ll continue working to make sure my remaining bills get a vote by the full membership.
In the meantime, if I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 5577375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse. gov.
Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.
