Representative Scott Fetgatter

R

District 16

Hi, I'm Scott Fetgatter and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 16th District.


representative

Leadership

Tribal & External Affairs

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jan 2, 2025
Recent Posts

Fetgatter Embraces Role as Tribal/External Affairs Leader

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, is serving in the leadership role of Tribal & External Affairs for the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 60th Legislature. This is a new position for the House. "We have needed to fill this gap for a long time," Fetgatter said. "We need someone that can keep in constant contact not only with our sovereign tribal governments, but with our congressional delegation and our national and international commissions, as well as with our municipal and county governments. Building and strengthening these relationships will help us solve issues like renewing compacts between the state and the tribes, as well as help us better assist our citizens with infrastructure issues or numerous other concerns that exist at the city, county or national level." Fetgatter said the role also will have an economic development component as he will be working with businesses and corporations to bring more jobs and growth to boost the state's economy.   "Representative Fetgatter has years of experience building consensus between the House of Representatives and our state and national partners," said House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, who named Fetgatter to the new position. "Keeping our House members informed on tribal governance issues as well as projects throughout the state, and even at the national level, that affect our constituents is vital." In his new role, Fetgatter also is also serving as House chair of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations. In the committee's Dec. 30 meeting, members voted to ratify a 10-year vehicle registration compact with the Cherokee Nation that was set to expire by the end of the year. "This is an example of the Legislature working to foster a better working relationship with our sovereign tribal governments for the benefit of all of our citizens," said Fetgatter, who is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation. He also envisions utilizing his new position to better inform the House members on issues such as the needs of municipalities, counties, rural water districts and other local government entities throughout the state, whether those be county roads and bridges projects, water needs or broadband expansion. He hopes too that he will be in closer contact with Oklahoma's members of Congress, leading to quick response times should the Legislature need something from the federal level. Fetgatter was first elected to the House in 2016 and most recently chaired the House Appropriations & Budget Finance Subcommittee, as well as being a member of the full A&B Committee. He has led initiatives to promote business-friendly policies in Oklahoma and has been dedicated to promoting economic development and diversity in the state. He has played a crucial role in extending incentives and tax credits for some of Oklahoma's largest industries, creating more stability and growth for the state. 

Mar 11, 2024
Recent Posts

Fetgatter Advances Legislation to Strengthen Laws Against Sex Offenders

Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, today secured passed of a bill to establish stricter laws for convicted sex offenders following a tragedy in Henryetta last May. House Bill 3992 would require individuals convicted of rape in the first degree, child sexual abuse, lewd or indecent proposals to a child, child pornography or aggravated child pornography, child prostitution, or human trafficking of a minor for commercial sex to serve 100 % of any sentence imposed. Under the measure, a person convicted of human trafficking of a person under the age of 18 for commercial sex, child sexual abuse, procuring a minor for child pornography or possession of child pornography, child prostitution, or rape in the first be punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole. "House Bill 3992 ensures that those convicted of these despicable acts face the full weight of the law, leaving no room for compromise on public safety," Fetgatter said. "With this measure, we are sending a resounding message: there is no tolerance for the exploitation and harm of our children and citizens." HB3992 would create a rebuttable presumption that no condition of release would assure the communities' safety if the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the person, at the time of the offense, was a registered sex offender and was arrested for a sex crime. Earned credits would not be applied to inmates serving sentences for rape in the first degree, child sexual abuse, child pornography or aggravated child pornography, child prostitution, or human trafficking. After the discovery last May of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife, stepchildren, and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said it's time to pursue a stronger law. He named HB3992 "Knight's Law" after the Henryetta High School's mascot. "In the wake of the devastating tragedy in Henryetta, we need to establish stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of our communities," Fetgatter said. "These events have caused immense pain and sorrow, leaving our community in a state of shock and grief. No other Oklahoman should suffer a tragedy as brutal and devastating as this." Last May, convicted rapist and registered sex offender Jesse McFadden, 39, was found dead in Henryetta, which is located within Fetgatter's House district. McFadden was facing additional sex crime charges for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor by use of technology while he was still in prison. He was scheduled to be in court on these charges on May 1, 2023. When he failed to appear, authorities issued a bench warrant and went looking for him, instead finding him and six others dead. Among the deceased were Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, both of Henryetta. The four other victims were Holley McFadden, who was married to Jesse McFadden, and Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13. HB3992 passed the House 84 - 8 and is now available for consideration in the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville. 

May 3, 2023
Recent Posts

Fetgatter to Initiate Protection Law after Henryetta Tragedy

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, in 2019 secured passage of a law to protect sexual assault victims from their predators. He's now pursuing legislation to better protect potential victims.   House Bill 1881 was named Kaylee's Law after a constituent in Fetgatter's House District 16. It directs the courts to issue orders of no contact from people convicted of sexual abuse or exploitation crimes to their victims. It was named for a young woman who received a birthday card, pictures and newspaper clippings talking about how beautiful she'd grown up to be from the man accused of sexually assaulting her while he was serving time in prison.   After this week's news of the horrific finding of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife and stepchildren and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said it is time he pursues a stronger law. This one must not only protect victims but potential victims as well, he said.   "I've moved from the initial grief and overwhelming sorrow I felt on learning the news of this terrible crime," Fetgatter said. "Now I'm angry. I'm furious this man was ever let out of prison with his conviction of rape and new charges of sexually soliciting a minor while he was still in state custody."   Fetgatter said even though it is the end of the legislative session, he's planning to file last-minute legislation to better protect the public from convicted sexual perpetrators. Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, has pledged to help.   Fetgatter said he's frustrated.   "I've worked on this issue, and yet we're facing what happened in Henryetta," he said. "I want to pass a law that closes any loopholes to keep something like this from ever happening again."   Details of the case are still emerging. In a Wednesday press conference, Law enforcement identified the deceased saying they all died of gunshot wounds.   Found dead near a home in Henryetta in Okmulgee County in Fetgatter's House district was Jesse McFadden, 39, who had served 16 years in prison for conviction of first-degree rape. He was a registered sex offender who was facing additional sex-crime charges for allegedly soliciting sexual conduct/communication with a minor by use of technology while he was still in prison. He was scheduled to be in court on these charges Monday. When he didn't appear, authorities issued a bench warrant and went looking for him. That's when they discovered seven dead. Law enforcement said it looks as if McFadden shot himself in the head.   Also among the deceased were Ivy Webster, 14, and Brittany Brewer, 15, both of Henryetta. Four additional victims were found. These were Holly Guess, who was married to Jesse McFadden, and her children Rylee Elizabeth Allen, 17, Michael James Mayo, 15, and Tiffany Dore Guess, 13.