Representative Ross Ford

R

District 76

Hi, I’m Ross Ford and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 76th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 25, 2024
Recent Posts

Ford Urges Election Safety

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, today issued a statement asking all law enforcement to increase public safety efforts at all polling places throughout the state during the upcoming general election. The call comes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation's recent arrest of an Afghan national who the bureau said was planning an Election Day terrorist attack. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, a 27-year-old man who had been living in Oklahoma City, told the FBI he and his brother-in-law planned to target “large gatherings of people” Nov. 5, according to an affidavit filed by federal agents in court. "I know our state election officials are working overtime to ensure poll workers and everyone planning to vote are safe in our upcoming elections," Ford said. "But as a former police officer, I just want to urge other law enforcement officers to be extra diligent during this time. "I'm grateful to the men and women in the FBI, whose hard work and alertness stopped this plot. I'm confident they and other law enforcement will be just as thorough in the coming weeks to monitor suspicious activity and thwart any further threat. I deeply appreciate those who work so hard daily to protect us and keep our state safe. "We must ensure people feel safe and secure as they exercise this important right." Ford served as a police officer for over 25 years with the Tulsa Police Department.

May 13, 2024
Recent Posts

House Recognizes National Police Week, Peace Officers Memorial Day

The Oklahoma House of Representatives recognized May 12 through May 18, 2024, as National Police Week and May 15, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Oklahoma. House Resolution 1050, authored by Rep. John George, R-Newalla, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, was adopted Monday, May 13. "Our police do so much for our citizens, from keeping them safe from criminals to helping direct them to needed assistance to providing community services to youth, the elderly, and so many other populations," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "We at the Oklahoma Legislature are proud to stand up publicly and say we back the blue and will always support them, and we appreciate all they do to protect us all from harm." During the past year, 136 officers nationwide have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, including Captain John Robert Randolph III of the Ringling Police Department in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House honors these brave individuals and extends its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of these fallen officers. The resolution recognizes the House's strong support for law enforcement officers in Oklahoma and across the United States in their efforts to build safer and more secure communities.

Apr 17, 2024
Recent Posts

House Passes Bill to Remove Unlawful Occupants

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week passed legislation in the House that would create a procedure for the removal of unlawful occupants of property. Senate Bill 1994 would allow a property owner to request the sheriff of a county in which the property is located to immediately remove a person or persons unlawfully occupying real property if certain conditions are met. Ford, along with co-authors Reps. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, and Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, issued a joint statement about the importance of the bill. "Property owners throughout our state are being inundated with illegal occupancy," the lawmakers said. "This is exacerbated by the number of people coming across our Southern border illegally, property thefts through methods such as unlawful title changes, or just people moving a trailer onto someone else's land or moving into someone's home while they're on vacation and refusing to leave. Oklahoma is a property rights state, and we are working with our sheriffs and others to identify and stop this type of crime and to advocate for the rights of our property owners. Private property ownership is one of the very foundations of our constitutional system of government and protects an individual's ability to prosper and participate in the free market and in our representative form of government. This legislation is important to ensuring this fundamental right is protected."  Ford explained that currently such matters are treated through civil process, and law enforcement are reluctant to get involved. This forces private property owners to hire an attorney, and the process often drags out for lengthy periods. Worthen pointed out the measure does not allow anyone in a landlord-tenant relationship to circumvent the Landlord-Tenant Act. It only applies to someone who is occupying private property and refusing to leave when asked. SB1994 would create a form for the property owner to submit to their county sheriff. Once verified, the sheriff must serve a notice to immediately vacate on all unlawful occupants. If appropriate, the sheriff may arrest any person found on the property for trespass, outstanding warrants or any other legal cause. The sheriff is entitled to the fee for service of the notice. The measure also would create a crime for someone unlawfully detaining or occupying or trespassing upon a property and who intentionally damages the dwelling in an amount of greater than $1,000. Those found guilty would receive a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Any person who presents a false document purporting to be a valid lease agreement, deed, or other instrument conveying real property rights would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. The measure states that these provisions are not to be used to circumvent any rights or laws governing the landlord tenant relationship. Any person wrongfully removed may bring a civil cause of action. SB1994 passed the House with a vote of 77-16. The amended bill now returns to the Senate for final consideration.