LEGISLATIVE COLUMN Honoring Luther High School’s State Championship Cheer Team

By Representative John George

With the final committee deadline for House bills now in the rearview mirror, we’re hearing multiple measures on the House floor each day during the legislative session. This lends itself to some long and occasionally contentious sessions for those watching the process.

Three of my bills passed on the floor this week.

House Bill 1594, would mirror the statutory language of domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon to the language of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

I want to make sure we’re providing the same protection of law to victims of domestic crimes as that afforded other victims. This measure does that. The bill also would change the statute to include weapons other than a firearm as there are many methods of committing battery against another.

House Bill 1595 would increase the maximum penalty for both assault and assault and battery. For assault, the maximum would go from 30 days to 90 days, and for assault and battery, the maximum would go from 90 days to six months.

I was asked in committee if this additional time would do anything to discourage such crimes. My answer is that it gets those who are willing to hurt or threaten others out of the public for a significant period of time.

House Bill 1597 would do away with some unnecessary conflicts and confrontations between law enforcement and citizens when an officer or another first responder is performing his or her duty. The measure specifies that if the first responder tells a citizen to stay back 25 feet to allow them to do their job, the citizen will face a misdemeanor if they approach closer than that distance after the request is made. This just keeps the first responder, including law enforcement, and our citizens safe.

All three bills now move to the Senate where they are authored by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. He is the chair of the Public Safety Committee in that chamber.

Also, this week on the House floor, I got to recognize the 2024 Luther High School Cheer Squad. This team won the first state cheer title in Luther School history, breaking a 51-year state title drought for the school.

This squad demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship, as well as hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I was proud to celebrate their achievements by presenting them with a citation before all the members of the House. The team is well-deserving of our congratulations.

As always, thank you for electing me to serve District 36. Please feel free to reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at john.george@okhouse.gov.

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