Rules

OKLAHOMA CITY – Feeling sleep-deprived after Sunday's bi-annual time change pushed clocks forward an hour? Don't blame Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore. West authored House Bill 2217, which would send to a vote of the people a question on whether to adopt permanent standard time in Oklahoma. The measure was filed last year and assigned to the House Rules Committee but has not been heard. It is similar to legislation he's filed in the past. "I've heard from numerous constituents, parents and business owners over the course of my legislative service that there is a strong desire to stop this twice yearly time change," West said. "The only way to accomplish that is to switch to permanent standard time. I have a measure in place that would put this to a vote of the people, but we have to have the legislative will to ask the question." West held an interim study last fall to raise awareness among legislators about the history of daylight saving time and to detail the benefits of moving the state to permanent standard time. He invited experts to discuss the science of time change and the detriments of changing the clock twice yearly. West said he's been asked why the state doesn't just adopt permanent daylight saving time year-round instead of standard time. Federal regulations, however, specify states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time but not standard time. Some states have sought a waiver to be allowed to adopt daylight saving time year-round but without success. West also pointed to the Sunshine Protection Act in Congress, which would make daylight saving time permanent, but the act has not passed the last two years, and exemptions for some states would still remain. States that choose not to opt out of daylight saving time are required to set their clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. the second Sunday of March each year and back an hour at 2 a.m. the first Sunday of November. The U.S. Congress first implemented daylight saving time through the Standard Time Act in 1918 during World War I as a way to "add" more daylight hours to conserve energy. The act also established five time zones across the U.S. The Uniform Time Act in 1966 mandated the country use daylight saving time but allowed states to opt out and to stay on standard time year-round. The thought behind daylight saving time is that by setting the clocks back an hour in November, more daylight time is gained in the early mornings. When an hour is added in March, more daylight is gained in the evenings. Permanent daylight saving time was enacted in 1974, but Oklahoma and other states petitioned the federal government to repeal it because of problems caused by it being dark until after 8 a.m. in the winter. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the work day before the sun rose. The permanent act was repealed in 1975. West said there are additional concerns such as health-related risks, increased auto accidents and work-related injuries that rise when daylight comes after people start their day. West said he's received an enormous amount of positive feedback from Oklahomans who support not having to change the clock twice yearly, specifically noting the time it takes to adjust to the change. West said he'll keep pushing for legislation to put the question before state voters. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Wednesday secured passage of a resolution in the House that would expand Second Amendment protections for Oklahoma citizens if approved by voters. House Joint Resolution 1034 would send to a statewide vote a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. The amendment would specify that Oklahoma citizens' rights to possess handguns, rifles, shotguns, knives, nonlethal defensive weapons, and other arms in common use, as well as ammunition and the components of arms and ammunition, shall not be infringed upon. It does not differentiate between items used for self-defense, lawful hunting or recreation. The resolution, which is authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, was presented in the House by Rep. Kevin West. “The Second Amendment is the pillar upon which all the other amendments rest,” McCall said. “It is built into the bedrock of our nation and state, and House Joint Resolution 1034 further strengthens the already firm commitment that Oklahoma has to protecting and defending our God-given Second Amendment rights.” West said the purpose of the resolution "is to direct the courts to interpret the Second Amendment based on the original language included in the Bill of Rights attached to the U.S. Constitution. We've had several court rulings that restrict or uphold restrictions of carrying a firearm even for citizens on their own property. This would correct that." The proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution would allow the Legislature to enforce or adopt narrowly tailored time, place, and manner regulations, or authorize political subdivisions to adopt and enforce such regulations, to serve a compelling state interest. These could include restrictions of carrying firearms in government buildings or other sensitive areas, West said. There are already state and federal laws prohibiting certain convicted felons from possessing firearms. The amendment would prohibit any law from imposing registration or special taxation upon the keeping of arms including the acquisition, ownership, possession, or transfer of arms, ammunition, or the components of arms or ammunition. The resolution passed the House on a partisan vote of 81-19. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, today commented on the House passage of House Bill 3305 that would establish the Oklahoma Ireland Trade Commission. The commission would consist of nine members with the purpose of advancing business and other mutually beneficial activities between Oklahoma and Ireland. The Commission would be required report any findings or recommendations to the governor and legislative leadership within one year of its first meeting and by Feb. 1 each year thereafter. "Ireland has long been a great trade partner and an important ally to the United States and to the state of Oklahoma," McBride said. "We have many residents in our state of Irish descent, and we have a rich history of sharing resources. This will help increase our partnerships in business, culture and goodwill." McBride is the House author of the measure, but he said it was important that it move forward as a bipartisan effort. It was carried in committee and on the House floor by Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City.  "I'm thrilled to see progress on this project," Bennett said. "Oklahoma's ties to Ireland go back many, many years, and this commission will ensure that our relationship continues and strengthens into the future. Working with Rep. McBride on this legislation has been great and reinforces the desire to forge further bipartisanship through this commission." Bennett said the legislation was in collaboration with Mark Daly, chair of the Senate of Ireland. He said there are efforts in other states to create similar trade commissions. He also shared some statistics. Ireland is home to 950 U.S. companies that use the island-nation as a jumping off point for the European trade market, which has 450 million consumers, and the United Kingdom market, which is 67 million consumers. Ireland is the ninth-largest investor in the United States' economy. Bennet also made reference to an existing relationship between the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma and the Irish that has existed since members of the Choctaw Nation sent aid to the Irish during that country's devastating potato famine in the 1840s. In 2017, a sculpture commemorating the gift was dedicated in Midleton in County Cork, Ireland. HB3305 passed the House on a vote of 88-2. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada.