Erin Morrison launches campaign for Senate District 24

With incumbent senator Darrell Weaver running for Lieutenant Governor, the State Senate District 24 seat will be open in the 2026 election. So far, two Republicans have announced their intent to run for the seat: Chris Apel, and Erin Morrison. Below is a press release sent to me by Morrison:

ERIN MORRISON LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR OKLAHOMA SENATE DISTRICT 24

Moore Board of Education President Brings Small Business Expertise and Conservative Values to State Senate Race

MOORE, OK (May 7th) — Today, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Oklahoma Senate in District 24. I’m running to bring commonsense, conservative leadership to the State Senate—leadership that values our families, our faith, and our future.

Legislature passes bill to improve law enforcement coordination ahead of 2028 Olympics

Bill Expanding Law Enforcement Authority for Counties Ahead of Olympics Heads to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 1st) — A bill carried by Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, aimed at improving law enforcement coordination ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously and now heads to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 523 authorizes sheriffs, deputy sheriffs and reserve deputy sheriffs to exercise the same powers and duties in counties outside their home jurisdiction when officially assigned. Under the measure, liability for any conduct remains with the county of original jurisdiction.

State Sen. Weaver: Oklahomans should demand answers over Trump Secret Service fiasco

Opinion: Oklahomans Should Demand Answers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, comments on the shooting that occurred at President Donald Trump’s rally over the weekend, injuring the President and bystanders, and taking the life of an innocent American:

I spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, the last nine years as the Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics prior to being elected to the State Senate. As the Director, I was the agency head and responsible for all personnel actions and missions.

In Butler, PA there was a tragic assassination attempt of President Trump. Also, a dedicated father and husband, Cory Comperatore, a former firefighter, lost his life by a coward’s bullet.

First, let me be very clear that the boots on the ground, Secret Service agents, who are assigned to the intercircle protection detail, performed like clockwork on the protection of President Trump. From the human shield to the evacuation to medical care, it was executed and successful.

However, we need immediate and clear explanations of relevant questions:

How can a 20-year-old with no known military or paramilitary training, equipped with a high-powered rifle, low crawling on a roof, come within 130 yards of the President without detection, or without penetrating any level of security?

How can a “would-be assassin” be allowed to be on high ground in such a strategic shooting position and that position not be eliminated and sterilized by the Secret Service forward detail? 

There were multiple buildings and structures surrounding the rally area. Why wasn’t a “rear security” perimeter set-up including elevated positions to see over the possible threats?

There are better temporary elevated security positions and posts at the local mall parking lots than what appeared at the rally in Butler.

Are adequate resources being made available through the US Secret Service to protect the former President and current presumptive Republican presidential nominee and the most visible public official in my lifetime?

Any law enforcement officer I know with a minimum of six months experience would realize how their apparent security plan was inadequate and almost inviting for an assassination attempt.

It does not add up, and pass the common sense, Oklahoma smell test. The American people should demand answers and accountability.

Even if it means layers of leadership at the U.S. Secret Service are removed immediately and replaced with competent law enforcement professionals.

House sends bill to Governor to subject OMES to transparency and accountability act

Bill Making OMES Subject to Central Purchasing Act Sent to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 25th) – A measure making Oklahoma's state employee management agency and the Chief Information Officer subject to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act has been sent to the governor's desk.  

House Bill 3057, authored by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, would require all purchases of equipment, products and services within the Information Services Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) and the Chief Information Officer to be subject to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974 without exception. 

Bill aiming to curb sex-trafficking draws pushback as Dem rep declares prostitution is alternative income stream

BILL AIMING TO CURB SEX-TRAFFICKING DRAWS PUSHBACK
by Ray Carter | April 10th, 2023

An effort to increase the penalties on individuals who pay prostitutes for sex, informally referred to as “johns,” has run into unexpected resistance.

One prominent Democrat has argued prostitution is one of the “streams of incomes” chosen by individuals who find entry-level job wages insufficient, while an advocacy organization has declared the bill is effectively anti-transgender.

But the bill’s authors have both said the point of the legislation is simple.

“This bill aims to curb sex trafficking by reducing the demand for prostitution services,” said state Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City. “Many of those engaging in prostitution are victims of human trafficking.”

Senate passes bill to make first conviction of domestic violence against pregnant women a felony

Senate supports bill making first conviction of domestic violence against pregnant women a felony

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 2nd) – The full Senate has approved a bill to make domestic violence against a pregnant woman a felony upon the first conviction.  Senate Bill 1046, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, was approved unanimously on Thursday after previously winning support in two separate Senate committees.

Rural and urban law enforcement figures: Pro-SQ820 campaign is misleading the public

I was just remarking to my wife earlier today how absolutely misleading the pro-820 mailer was that came in the mail today...

Sheriffs, DAs, Chiefs of Police & Narcotics Agents Agree: YES 820 Campaign is Misleading the Public

(Feb. 23rd)  A large group of Oklahomans in the law enforcement community came together today to criticize the recent mailings and television advertising of Yes on 820.

Bill increasing penalties for firearm thefts passes first committee in State Senate

Sen. Weaver’s bill increasing fines/prison time for stealing firearms clears first hurdle

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 9th) – The Senate Public Safety Committee has given its approval to a measure to increase the penalties for firearm thefts in Oklahoma.  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the author of Senate Bill 859, which was approved by the panel on Thursday.

Sen. Weaver files bill to extend workers’ comp benefits to first responders with PTSD

Sen. Weaver files bill to extend workers’ comp benefits to first responders with PTSD

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Darrell Weaver has filed legislation to ensure workers’ compensation will cover post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Still signs bill protecting students from inappropriate material into law

Bill Protecting Students from Inappropriate Material Signed into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 20th) – A bill protecting K-12 school-aged children from access to pornographic or obscene material in schools or libraries or through online digital libraries was signed into law by the governor this week.

Stitt signs bill ensuring firefighters can provide limited emergency medical transport

Legislation signed ensuring firefighters can provide emergency medical transport in limited situations

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 17th) – Legislation giving firefighters statutory authority to transport patients to the hospital in emergency situations has been signed into law.  Senate Bill 1515, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, and Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday.

Weaver filed the legislation in response to a situation where an Oklahoma City firefighter was disciplined for his decision to drive a 3-year-old burn victim to the hospital in his fire truck after waiting 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

Governor signs catalytic converter theft bill into law

Governor Signs Ford's Catalytic Converter Theft Bill Into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 11th) – The governor today signed into law a bill that increases the punishment for theft of catalytic converters, tires and wheels from a vehicle.

House Bill 4373 by Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, modifies the elements of third-degree burglary to include the theft of these vehicle parts and provides that the fine for such crime will be up to $5,000.

Such a priority: Oklahoma now has rescue animals as the state pet

Call me a killjoy, but I would much rather our State legislators spend their time on actual legislative work rather than frivolous things like this.

Rather than naming a state pet, or some bridge, or filing joke bills to ban paper straws and get your name in the news again like some drug junkie out for another hit... how about the state legislature do some of the following:

• Abolish abortion, since we have a Governor who is touting his pledge to sign any pro-life measure sent to his desk
• Reduce the size of government
• Figure out the McGirt situation
• Quit sending money to Hollywood
• Consolidate some of the dozens (or hundreds) of agencies, boards, and commission that litter Oklahoma's governmental landscape.

But by all means, go ahead and waste time and effort on pointless measures like the following...

Gov. Signs Bill Naming Rescue Animals as State Pet

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Mark McBride’s dog Cali is ready for her moment as the spokesdog for the state after the governor signed a bill designating rescue animals the state pet.

Cali, an 80-pound Catahoula mix McBride adopted from the Moore Animal Shelter, served as the inspiration for Cali’s Law, House Bill 1816.

“I’d never let a dog in my house before I got Cali,” McBride said. “Now, my wife and I have a second rescue dog, and we just love them both. We’re hoping others will join us in adopting other rescue animals, which in turn will help our municipalities reduce the cost of running their shelters or building bigger ones for lost or abandoned pets. We’re counting on this legislation helping us spread the word.”

Important work: State House passes bill... designating rescue animals the State Pet

 Looks like the State House has been busy with some really important matters...

McBride Bill to Name Rescue Animals the State Pet Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Mark McBride’s dog Cali gets another shot at fame this year after her owner once again successfully won passage of a bill designating rescue animals the state pet.

House Bill 1816 – known as Cali’s Law – is a revision of a bill that passed the House last year but was sidelined because of COVID-19.

State Sen. Weaver, State Rep. Roe: SQ805 would endanger Oklahoma healthcare workers

The following press release is from Oklahomans United Against 805:

Safety of Oklahoma Healthcare Workers Threatened by SQ 805 

Oklahoma hospitals report between 5 to 10 assaults on workers every day

 
Oklahoma City — SQ 805, the effort to reduce incarceration by lessening penalties on habitual offenders, has come under fire from those who have worked to protect Oklahoma’s front-line health care workers. 

“It is unconscionable, especially during this time of Covid, that any group would seek to lessen punishment for those who attack our healthcare workers,” stated Darrell Weaver, the state senator who authored SB 1290 to increase the range of punishment for those assaulting medical professionals in the line of duty.  

SQ 805 would restrict the ability of judges and juries to extend harsher penalties on habitual criminals, such as those who attack health care workers.  SQ 805 uses Title 57, Section 571 as it existed on January 1, 2020, to define the difference between violent and non-violent felonies.  Assault on a medical professional is not on that list.  

“We have worked for years to extend the protections to our nurses,” Weaver continued.  “SQ 805 is a substantial step backwards.  It will prohibit the use of prior felony convictions to extend the punishment of those attacking the very folks we depend on.  SQ 805 will forever enshrine in our constitution that such attacks are quote, non-violent, un-quote,” Weaver added.  

House passes bill to require back-seat seat belts for all minors under 18

Ford’s “All Kids Buckled Up” Legislation Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would strengthen seat belt laws for youth ages 8 to 17 today passed the House with a vote of 78-18.

House Bill 2791, by State Rep. Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow), would require every person under the age of 18 to wear a seat belt when riding in the back seat of a passenger vehicle in Oklahoma.

“As a former police officer, there was absolutely nothing worse than working an accident scene where a child died because they were not wearing a seat belt,” Ford said. “This law will help us avoid such needless tragedies in the future.”

Currently, state law requires only youth ages 8 or younger to wear a seatbelt while riding in the backseat of a moving vehicle. Other than that, only the driver and front-seat passenger are required to be belted.

Ford worked with AAA Oklahoma, Safe Kids Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) to draft the legislation, which is supported by the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, chiefs of police organizations throughout the state and many others. In total, 36 state organizations joined together to express support for this change in statute.

“The Department of Public Safety recognizes the importance of occupant protection, and we fully support measures to increase the safety of passengers, especially our vulnerable children,” said DPS Commissioner John Scully.

Leslie Gamble, AAA Oklahoma Public and Government Affairs Manager said, “Representative Ford has seen first-hand the tragedies that occur when children aren’t buckled up in cars and crashes occur. He sees the need for protection for all minors in the back seat and the absurdity of having a law that only requires children up to the age of eight to be buckled up. We’re so grateful to have his passion and practical experience to eliminate Oklahoma as one of the ten worst states for child passenger safety.”

According to information from AAA, Oklahoma is the only state in the nation without a law requiring children 8 to 17 to wear a seat belt when riding in the back seat of passenger vehicles, and the state currently ranks 50th nationwide in protecting children in car crashes – the leading cause of death and injury to those 8 and older in our state. The organization says that over half of deaths and serious injuries in car crashes can be prevented with proper use of seat belts.

According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, 67 children ages 8 to 17 were injured and 16 were killed in 2017 in Oklahoma who weren’t wearing seat belts.

The bill now moves to the state Senate where Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) is the Senate author.

Ross Ford represents District 76 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes part of Tulsa County.

State Senate approves legislation to address workplace violence in hospitals/health care facilities

Full Senate approves legislation to address workplace violence in hospitals/health care facilities

 (March 5th, Oklahoma City) The full Senate voted in favor of legislation strengthening laws dealing with violence against people who work in hospitals and health care facilities.  Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, was approved on Thursday and now moves to the House of Representatives.

Weaver, R-Moore, said nearly 75 percent of all workplace assaults occur in health care with one in four nurses reporting they’d experienced some kind of workplace violence—that’s more than three times higher than all other occupations. He said the goal of SB 1290 is to better protect Oklahoma health care workers.

“In Oklahoma City hospitals alone, there are between five and 10 assaults reported every single day.  Attacks on health care workers can result in significant injuries, missed work, PTSD and lower productivity,” Weaver said.  “It can also be deadly.  Nationwide, at least 58 hospital workers died in 2014 as a result of reported violence in the workplace.  It’s clear we need to strengthen our laws to better protect health care workers, raise awareness and increase accountability.”

Provisions included in SB 1290 would:

• Raise awareness through uniformed signage in medical settings, which will read:  WARNING:  ASSAULTING A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHO IS ENGAGED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER OFFICIAL DUTIES IS A SERIOUS CRIME.
• Require the annual reporting of all assaults on health care workers to the State Health Department. The data would be nonidentifiable.
• Create an inclusive listing of specific health care workers that the bill covers.
• Increase the penalty for aggravated assault and battery on a medical care provider from the current range of up to one year to a minimum of two years and a maximum of five.

“SB 1290 will make sure all health care workers are covered by protections related to assaults, whether they’re an ER doctor or nurse, a physical therapist, or even a chaplain. The bill also corrects a disparity in current law to ensure appropriate penalties for these attacks,” Weaver said.  “I appreciate the Senate’s support on this measure and look forward to working with my House author, Representative Cynthia Roe, to get this bill all the way to the governor’s desk.”

State Senate advances criminal justice reform measures

Senate advances criminal justice reform bills

Bills return to House for action

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday advanced a series of criminal justice reform measures that provide uniformity of certain drug offenses, improve parole supervision, and cap excessive sentences for nonviolent offenses, among other reforms.

“Oklahoma cannot continue to warehouse prisoners who need substance abuse and medical treatment for their addiction and mental health issues. This mentality has given us the highest incarceration rate in the world, cost our state a tremendous amount of money, and has torn families apart. The measures passed today strike the balance between upholding public safety and moving forward with comprehensive criminal justice reforms that will keep families together, and get nonviolent offenders the treatment they need to remain productive members of society,” said Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher.

“The Legislature has made great strides in addressing Oklahoma’s high incarceration rates and skyrocketing prison costs. We have to keep the momentum moving forward to reform the system and these measures are a huge part of the overall reform effort that are moving us in the right direction,” said Senator Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City.

The bills advanced on Thursday by the Senate now return to the House for consideration and include:

• HB 1100, authored in the Senate by Senator Bice, provides clarity that certain evidentiary requirements be met for charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and lowers currently high maximum sentences.
• HB 2009, authored in the Senate by Senator Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, caps maximum sentences for second and subsequent nonviolent convictions.
• HB 2273, authored in the Senate by Senator Jech, makes several changes to the pardon and parole process including requiring the Pardon and Parole Board to state the reason for denial of an application for parole and suggest a course of remediation for the inmate.
• HB 2369, authored in the Senate by Jech, creates the Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission to evaluate and make recommendations on the creation of diversion programs. A report of the commission to the Legislature is due February 1 and each year thereafter.
• HB 1373, authored in the Senate by Senator Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, would direct occupational licensing boards to list with specificity any disqualifying criminal convictions directly related to such occupations.
• HB 2218, authored in the Senate by Jech, directs the court to waive outstanding fines, court costs and fees if the offender has secured admission to and is enrolled in an institution that is a technology center, workforce training program or member of state college or university. The bill also limits district attorney supervision to no more than two years.
• HB 1927, authored in the Senate by Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, reduces the term of imprisonment for a person who commits assault upon a medical care provider from two years to one year.
• HB 2310, authored in the Senate by Bice, would allow a person convicted of a crime to select either the jury or the judge to assess punishment.

Pro Tem Treat announces bipartisan working group for Senate confirmation process

Pro Tem Greg Treat announces bipartisan working group for Senate confirmation process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Wednesday announced the members of a bipartisan working group to study the Senate’s confirmation process for executive nominations.

Pro Tem Treat made the announcement a week after new laws went into effect giving the governor the ability to hire and fire the heads of five of the largest state agencies. To ensure the proper vetting of executive nominations moving forward, Pro Tem Treat said he has tasked the working group with developing recommendations on how to make the Senate confirmation process more thorough and complete.

“I made the commitment to members of the Senate while advocating for this new appointment power for the governor that I would appoint a bipartisan working group to ensure the Senate confirmation process would be thorough and complete,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “Senate confirmation of executive nominations has always been an important function of the institution. With the new gubernatorial appointments of agency directors, it’s even more important that we get it right and thoroughly vet executive nominations to ensure the men and women nominated are qualified and capable leaders who will serve the state of Oklahoma well. I look forward to reviewing the recommendations of the working group.”

Pro Tem Treat has set a deadline of April 4th for the working group to submit its recommendations to his office. The members of the working group are:

• Senator Kim David, R-Porter
• Senator Roger Thompson, R-Okemah
• Senator Frank Simpson, R-Springer
• Senator Rob Standridge, R-Norman
• Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore
• Senator Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City
• Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City

Darrell Weaver to run for Senate District 24

Darrell Weaver announces Senate candidacy

Darrell Weaver, former Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, announced today that he will be a Republican candidate for State Senate, District 24.

The Moore-based seat is currently held by Sen. Anthony Sykes, who will term out of office in 2018.

“It’s not enough for Republicans to win elections. We must also show true leadership and advance conservative policies that improve life in Oklahoma, particularly when our state faces the kind of challenges we see today,” Weaver said. “I’ve spent my career tackling some of our toughest societal challenges. Now is the right time in my life to take that skill set to the legislature and represent the people of District 24. I will spend the time necessary to knock on every door in the district and ask voters to send me to the State Capitol to work for their interests.”

Weaver is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and was commissioned as an agent with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics in 1987. He rose through the ranks to become Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control in 2006, and retired after serving the Bureau for 28 years. In 2014, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame.

Weaver was a long time elected trustee of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System (OLERS) and a member of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) governing council.

Weaver has been active in the community in numerous ways, including his current work as the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. A man of faith, Weaver is a Christian author who has been a speaker at men’s groups, youth camps, and church gatherings across the state of Oklahoma. He is a long-time volunteer youth football and basketball coach.

Weaver’s wife, Kim, is a physician. They are small business owners active in the Moore and South Oklahoma City Chambers of Commerce. Weaver serves as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Moore Chamber.

The Weavers have five children and attend Harvest Church in Moore.

Weaver graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelors of Accounting, and later earned an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University where he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Pharmacy. He is an alumnus of Leadership Oklahoma Class XXVIII, Leadership Oklahoma City Class XXIX and the 2013 Leadership Moore Class.

“My faith and my family are the center of my life. The things I want for my family are things I know other families want as well – a more prosperous future for our children and a society that places greater value on higher things than mere material things,” Weaver said. “If you share that vision, I would be honored to have your support.”

For more information about Darrell Weaver, go to DarrellWeaverforSenate.com.