OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. John George, R-Newalla, passed two bills in committee today that would improve public safety for Oklahomans. 

House Bill 1591 would move three crimes into the 85% sentencing category. Anyone convicted of domestic abuse by strangulation, domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault and battery upon a law officer would be required to serve not less than 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. They would not be allowed to earn credits to reduce their sentence below 85%.

"These criminals are among our most violent offenders," George said. "Our citizens deserve to know that if someone commits this aggravated type of assault or abuse they will be held to a higher level of punishment."

House Bill 1592 would create the crime of organized retail theft and authorizes a task force at the state attorney general's office to investigate these crimes across multiple jurisdictions throughout the state. It also lowers the threshold for felony theft of this nature from $1,000 to $500.

"Organized theft rings have been a huge problem around this state and throughout the country. They create an enormous amount of loss for our retail businesses and force prices up for consumers," George said. "These rings pose a serious threat to the public safety of our citizens and have run rampant for far too long. Participants in this type of crime should face stiffer penalties."

The bills now will be eligible to be heard in the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight.