Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

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. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today appealed directly to members of Oklahoma's media, asking them to review his documentation detailing what he alleges is money laundering by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council (DAC). "I believe you in the media are missing one of the largest stories of your career," Humphrey said. "I am asking you to review the investigation packet I have attached." Humphrey goes on to detail that in the case Stice v. Mashburn, an appellate court determined the $40 fee the DAC collects for probation fees must be used for the actual act of supervision. "I checked with a well-known attorney, who advised this means the $40 fee must be used solely for supervision, and DAs must provide the actual act of supervision," Humphrey said. Humphrey said after the ruling, a bill was filed to create a $40 prosecution fee to give district attorneys a legal method to collect money from offenders, but he said that is not being done. "I have provided thousands of entries by district attorneys to verify that DAs continue to collect $55 million in supervision fees, and yet I've found no documentation showing the money was spent on actual supervision as ordered by the appellate court," Humphrey said, adding that it seems logical to conclude DAs are not actually providing supervision. "Consequently, it seems evident that DAs are engaged in massive fraud in the state of Oklahoma and are deceitfully profiting," he said. "I submit that $55 million have been collected by DAs under the deception and breach of confidence perpetrated for profit or dishonest gain." Humphrey has sent several letters to the attorney general asking for a review of his investigative packet. Humphrey said his investigation found that the $55 million was moved through several government accounts. "This money traveled through the accounts of the district attorney, the District Attorneys Council, to the Oklahoma State Treasurer and then returned to the District Attorneys Council," Humphrey said. "Therefore, it truly appears DAs have intentionally moved $55 million of funds received by what appears to be fraud through several accounts to conceal the use of funds. It certainly appears to be money laundering to avoid the court order." "The question remains: what legal action could be taken on what appears to be one of largest frauds and possible money laundering schemes perpetrated on the state of Oklahoma"? Humphrey asked.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today received passage of House Bill 4156 by a vote of 77-20. The legislation, aimed at addressing the illegal immigration crisis, creates the crime of impermissible occupation. Details include: A person commits an impermissible occupation if the person willfully and without permission enters and remains in the State of Oklahoma without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States. Penalties for violating the new law will be:  First offense – Misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than $500, or both, required to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody and prohibited from reentering the state at any time thereafter. Second or subsequent offense – Felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Dept. of Corrections for a term of not more than two years, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both, required to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody and prohibited from reentering the state at any time thereafter. Additionally, the legislation includes a preemption clause prohibiting municipalities from becoming 'sanctuary cities.' "I am thankful that my Republican colleagues saw fit to address this issue and pass meaningful legislation to protect the citizens of Oklahoma from the illegal immigration crisis plaguing our country right now," said McCall. "The failure of the federal government to address this issue, and the lack of leadership by the Biden Administration, has turned every state into a border state. Those who want to work through the process of coming to our country legally are more than welcome to come to Oklahoma; we would love to have them here. Those who jump the line, and skip the process, cheapen the value of the work put in by those who went through the full legal process to become a citizen of our great country. We will not reward that behavior in Oklahoma, and we will protect our state borders." Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, who presented the bill on the House floor, said that this is common sense legislation that allows the state to properly protect its borders and citizens. "Anyone saying that there is not an illegal immigration crisis in our state and nation is simply ignoring reality," Echols said. "This is a common sense piece of legislation that allows Oklahoma to protect our citizens and our state borders, while also preemptively signaling to those in our country illegally that they should choose another state to migrate to. The Legislature has an obligation to ensure that the rights, privileges and safety of our citizens, authorized residents and lawfully present visitors is protected at all costs. Other states can take whatever action they see fit, but Oklahoma is now going to be less attractive for those who enter our country unlawfully." The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration. -END- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Daniel Seitz, House Leadership Communications Liaison Phone: (405) 962-7649