Representative Marilyn Stark

R

District 100

Hi, I’m Marilyn Stark and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 100th District.


representative

News & Announcements

Oct 31, 2023
Recent Posts

Sentencing Relief for Survivors of Child Trafficking, Abuse to Take Effect

Starting November 1, Oklahoma courts may adjust the punishment of an offender who was trafficked, sexually abused or assaulted by the victim.  Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, authored House Bill 2210 after hearing stories about people like Sara Kruzan, who was 17 when she was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing the man who forced her into sex trafficking when she was 13. Kruzan was tried as an adult and no evidence of the abuse or trauma committed against her was admitted into evidence. Her sentence was commuted in 2013 and she was pardoned in July 2022.  HB2210 states that the abuse by the victim must have occurred within 90 days of the offense and the offender must have been a minor who was convicted as an adult. Under the bill, 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.  "If we sentence a child who has been the victim of a terrible situation to prison for a crime against their abuser, we retraumatize them rather than helping them heal," Stark said. "I hope that, by allowing courts to consider evidence of abuse against the perpetrator, this legislation will ultimately help these Oklahomans find peace and begin to rebuild their lives."  The bill was authored in the Senate by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore.  "Human trafficking victims have already faced physical, mental and emotional trauma, and shouldn’t be punished further after their escape from these horrific situations,” Weaver said. “This law being in place offers another layer of protection for minors who have experienced this form of violence and extortion, and I hope it will benefit them as they seek justice.”

Oct 23, 2023
Recent Posts

Stark Hosts Study on Sales Tax Exemptions for Nonprofits

Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, organized an interim study Monday morning examining the fiscal impact of providing sales tax exemptions for certain nonprofits.  "Our state's nonprofits do more with a dollar than any other group I know," Stark said. "If they can keep more of their donations to better serve their clients, all of Oklahoma benefits. Let's stop standing in their way and empower them to do what they do best."  Last session, Stark introduced House Bill 1568, which would provide a sales tax exemption to nonprofit organizations with $3 million or less in annual gross revenue. Under the bill, alcohol and tobacco purchases are not considered exempt purchases.  Lauren M. Corbut, vice president of external affairs at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, spoke to members on the economics of nonprofit organizations. She said that about 6,500 Oklahoma-based nonprofits filed income with the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) last year, but those dollars aren't stretching as far in the current economy.  "Although the total dollars fundraised are up, they're not meeting with the rate of inflation," Corbut told the House Appropriations and Budget Finance - Revenue and Taxation Subcommittee. "This means that multi-year grants don't have the buying power that they used to."  Corbut highlighted a recent internal survey of Oklahoma nonprofits, during which some organizations reported over half of their revenue going toward sales tax. Additionally, among Oklahoma's nonprofits, data shows that of $6.9 billion given in grants, about $5.2 billion is directly returned to the state's economy.  United Way of Southwest Oklahoma President and CEO Lauren Ellis spoke on the impact of sales tax exemptions.  She told the subcommittee if United Way of Southwest Oklahoma could save on their sales tax, it would total less than $10,000, which would provide 40,000 meals through the Lawton Food Bank.  HB1568 passed the House 70-17 in March and is viable to be considered in the Senate next session. 

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.