Representative Mark Chapman

R

District 12

Hi, I’m Mark Chapman and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 12th District.

representative

News & Announcements

Mar 7, 2025
Recent Posts

Surplus OHP Vehicle Donation Bill Clears Oversight Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would allow the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) to donate surplus vehicles to rural law enforcement agencies passed the House Government Oversight Committee today with unanimous support. House Bill 2724 , Co-authored by Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, and by Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, amends the Oklahoma Surplus Property Act to permit the donation of OHP vehicles that have surpassed 90,000 miles to law enforcement agencies in counties with populations under 100,000. This measure would provide rural law enforcement with reliable, cost-effective vehicles, helping to equip officers with the tools they need to carry out their duties.  Under current law, surplus OHP vehicles are often sold or decommissioned once they reach high mileage, but HB2724 ensures that these vehicles are put to use in communities where resources may be limited. The bill emphasizes the continued use of these vehicles for valid law enforcement purposes, contributing to the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in smaller, rural communities across the state.  “This bill helps rural law enforcement agencies that often struggle to secure adequate resources,” Chapman said. “By allowing surplus OHP vehicles to be donated instead of sold or decommissioned, we are providing officers in smaller communities with better equipment to serve and protect Oklahomans.”  HB2724 now moves to the House floor for further consideration. If signed into law, the measure would take effect Nov. 1, 2025.

Feb 20, 2025
Recent Posts

House Committee Passes Wind Setback Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Utilities Committee today passed legislation that will put in place a setback from wind turbines in counties that meet certain wind speed and population density requirements. House Bill 2751, by Rep. Trey Caldwell, is the culmination of work being done by multiple House members who filed wind setback bills this session. "I appreciate the work of our Republican House members who came together to find a compromise that, while it doesn't make everyone happy, addresses this issue in a way that works for all of Oklahoma," said Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Our two-tiered committee process is intended to ensure work like this is done at the committee level, and this is a great example of the process working." A setback of 2.5x the fall down height of a wind turbine from the property line or a quarter mile from an occupied dwelling, whichever is greater, in the counties that meet the criteria  average wind speed below 9.5 mph according to Oklahoma Climatological Survey and; population density greater than 8.5 per square mile according to the 2020 US Census "This bill is about property rights at its core. We are trying to use common sense to mitigate disputes between property owners, some of which may want wind and some who don't," said Caldwell, R-Faxon. "This balances private property rights with the desire to encourage economic development in Oklahoma." The bill includes a local opt-in/opt-out option, allowing counties to, by popular vote, change their status of being subject to this wind setback. The bill also requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a list of counties and their wind setback status. "This legislation ensures that wind turbines can be where the wind blows consistently and at certain speeds in our state so they can generate efficient energy," said Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta. "This does not restrict wind projects but makes sure the projects are placed in areas where if subsidies were taken – per President Trump's America First agenda – they are financially viable on their own." "This well thought piece of legislation allows the state to set uniform policy while giving counties local control," said Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow. "This solution to the setback issue provides some clarity and a framework that all affected parties can work within." ?The bill applies to future projects and those that are not currently under construction. How "under construction" is defined will continue to be worked on prior to the bill being heard in oversight committee. "This legislation ensures projects will not happen in eastern Oklahoma where the population density and wind speeds do not make these wind projects viable or make any sense," said Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah. "This legislation is a win for eastern Oklahoma." The House Utilities Committee passed the bill 8-3 and it will now move to the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee for further consideration.