Senate passes Hamilton bill to allow death penalty option for child rapists

Senator Hamilton Secures Passage of Legislation to Ensure Death Penalty Option for Child Rapists

Sen. Hamilton: Child sex offenders are monsters among us

OKLAHOMA CITY(March 27th)  - Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, today successfully passed legislation off the Senate Floor (SB 599) to ensure the death penalty is a prosecutorial option for criminals convicted of child sex abuse after a first offense. 

“There should be no second chances for an individual so depraved to rape a child,” Senator Hamilton said. “The state of Oklahoma has collectively made the decision through ballot initiatives or legislation to make it easier for individuals to get second chances, and I agree in part that some people deserve a second chance for making a mistake. But we should all draw a hard line when it comes to raping a child. For individuals who commit these types of horrific acts - there is no form of effective rehabilitation, and there is no amount of therapy or programming to make them better or make up for this crime. That is why the death penalty and life without parole are the only punishments allowed by law that are appropriate for these predators. 

“When we tuck our children into bed at night, we try to convince them monsters don’t exist. We try our best to shield them from the evils, and horrors of the world. But unfortunately, monsters do exist. Child rapists are those monsters, and they should be dealt with accordingly. 

Sen. Hamilton on Abolition Day: We must work to end loopholes that allow the continued loss of innocent children’s lives

If the Oklahoma Legislature wants to save lives this year, they need to pass Senate Bill 456 and save the over 3,200 babies who are murdered every year because of loopholes in Oklahoma's "pro-life" laws. Ask your senator and representative to support this incredibly important measure.

Senator Hamilton Speaks at Abolition Day

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 5th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, spoke at the 2025 Abolition Day rally held at the State Capitol Tuesday.

Sen. Hamilton highlights key policy initiatives for upcoming legislative session

Sen. Warren Hamilton Highlights Key Policy Initiatives for Upcoming Legislative Session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 28th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, recently announced five bills that are key to his legislative agenda for the 2025 session. Hamilton is the author of Senate Bills 19, 448, 504, 599, and 869, each designed to protect Oklahomans and their way of life.

“Among these pieces of legislation are efforts to safeguard Oklahoma’s children from any individuals or institutions that may try to harm them,” Hamilton said. “This includes ensuring that our school libraries are free from inappropriate or harmful materials, protecting minors from entering into premature or potentially dangerous marriages, and implementing stronger penalties for those convicted of child sexual abuse. Each of these measures is a critical step in upholding the well-being and safety of our youth.”

Sens. Deevers, Hamilton: loopholes lead to estimated 3,200 annual abortions in Oklahoma

Past pro-life legislation is keeping the practice of abortion alive and well through loopholes and a refusal to establish equal justice under the law. This is the sad reality of the post-Dobbs scene. Oklahoma needs to pass a bill to abolish abortion.

Photo: An abortion billboard along I-35 this past summer.

Hamilton and Deevers Respond to Claims of ‘Zero’ Abortions, Highlight the Estimated 3,274 Annual Abortions in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 3rd) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, responded on Friday to comments made by Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert regarding abortion legislation in the upcoming session. Hilbert is quoted by Oklahoma Voice as saying, “When there’s not any reported abortions, I don’t know how you further reduce from zero.”

“As a pastor and local activist, I have been engaged in the fight to protect preborn children for years prior to becoming a Senator. I have much respect for Speaker Hilbert as Christian man, but as much as I desperately wish there were zero abortions in Oklahoma, zero ‘reported’ abortions is not the same thing as zero abortions,” Deevers said. “Data shows that roughly 3,274 self-managed abortions are legally performed annually in Oklahoma in addition to 4,000 abortions committed by Oklahomans driving to other states.”

State Sen. Hamilton visits southern border; calls attention to need for enforceable solutions to crisis

Senator Hamilton Visits Southern Border; Emphasizes Need for Enforceable Solutions to Border Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, visited the U.S.-Mexico Border to complete a three-day training provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The course gave lawmakers and law enforcement officers a first-hand look at the crisis at the southern border and offered insight into the actions and infrastructure needed to secure entry points into the United States and apprehend those attempting to illegally cross the border.

Sen. Warren Hamilton earns top score on 2024 Oklahoma Conservative Index

A little late on posting this, but the Oklahoma Constitution's Conservative Index was released a month ago. 

Three state senators and ten state representatives scored a perfect 100% conservative rating this year; Senators Nathan Dahm, Warren Hamilton (press release below), and Shane Jett, and Representatives Chris Banning, Chad Caldwell, Dean Davis, Tom Gann, Jim Grego, John Kane, Jim Olsen, Marilyn Stark, Kevin West, and Rick West.

Sen. Hamilton receives top score on Oklahoma Conservative Index

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 31st) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, received a perfect score on the 2024 Oklahoma Conservative Index. The annual rating by The Oklahoma Constitution evaluates lawmakers' votes on key conservative measures. This year’s rankings were based on support of measures to protect the rights of biological women, combat illegal immigration, avoid wasteful government spending, and more.

Sen. Boren applauds bipartisan effort to raise precinct official pay; encourages Oklahomans to apply for jobs

Sen. Boren applauds bipartisan effort to raise precinct official pay; encourages Oklahomans to apply for jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 17th) – Sen. Mary Boren said legislation that took effect July 1 doubling precinct official pay will not only help address poll worker shortages seen in recent years, but also points to the positive impact of bipartisan efforts to address pressing issues facing the state. Boren was a co-author to her colleague Sen. Warren Hamilton’s Senate Bill 290, which was approved during the 2023 legislative session.

Gov. Stitt signs bill to protect privacy of homemade food producers

Gov. Stitt Signs Bill to Protect Privacy of Homemade Food Producers

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 18th) – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed into law legislation that amends the Homemade Food Freedom Act to protect the private information of producers.

House Bill 2975, authored by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, will allow producers of homemade food products to obtain a registration number to affix to their product labels instead of the current requirement that they list their name, phone number and the physical address where the food is produced on all products sold. The $15 registration fee is voluntary.

State Senate votes to raise age of consent from 16 to 18

Senate votes to raise age of consent

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 12th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, received overwhelming approval for his legislation to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18. Senate Bill 615 aims to protect minors from predation by giving them two additional years of legal protection.

State Senate Committee approves Hamilton’s child care licensing exemption

Senate Committee approves Hamilton’s child care licensing exemption

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 9th) – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved Senate Bill 1239 Thursday. The measure, authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, seeks to reduce regulations on home childcare providers in an effort to alleviate child care deserts across the state.

“Nearly half of Oklahoma’s counties are classified as child care deserts, meaning there are not enough providers or facilities available, especially in rural areas of the state. This often results in parents having to drive long distances to find care for their children,” Hamilton said. “Many families have trusted relatives or friends whose care they’d be comfortable leaving their children in, but excessive regulations keep many qualified Oklahomans from providing child care.”

State Sen. Hamilton files bill to require schools report library inventory to OSDE annually

Hamilton files bill to require schools to list all available library materials

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 16th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, filed legislation to ensure public and charter school libraries are free from inappropriate materials. Senate Bill 1208 would require each public school district and charter school to submit an inventory of their library materials to the State Department of Education each year.

Conservative senators lament Senate's abrupt killing of Stitt's tax-cut special session

Despite being the most conservative governor Oklahoma has likely ever seen, the Republican leadership in the State Senate has pretty much decided to oppose most of Gov. Kevin Stitt's policy proposals. Given that much of what Stitt has pushed for are ideas that candidates like Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat have campaigned on in the past, it seems to primarily be a battle of egos and political futures.

With state coffers flush with taxpayer money, Governor Stitt had the audacity to suggest that the Legislature do something to give taxpayers a break and stop seizing so much of their money. On Tuesday, without so much as taking the slightest move towards considering anything in Gov. Stitt's special-session call, Pro Tem Treat moved to adjourn the Senate 'sine die', thus effectively ending the special session a handful of hours after it began.

So far, at least four conservative GOP senators have spoken out in disappointment at the move, and the Senate's failure to provide tax relief for Oklahomans. Read on for comments from State Sens. Warren Hamilton, Cody Rogers, Blake Stephens, and Rob Standridge (in order from first received to most recent):

Stitt, UKB and Kialegee tribal leaders agree on tribal gaming compacts, ask committee for approval

GOVERNOR STITT, CHIEF BUNCH AND MEKKO YAHOLA SEND LETTERS TO JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATE-TRIBAL RELATIONS, REQUEST APPROVAL OF TRIBAL GAMING COMPACTS

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 14, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt, in separate letters with United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) Chief Joe Bunch and Kialegee Tribal Town (KTT) Mekko Stephanie Yahola, called on the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, and House Speaker Charles McCall to convene to approve their agreed upon gaming compact.  

State Sen. Hamilton appointed to Strategic Military Planning Commission

Hamilton appointed to Strategic Military Planning Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, appointed Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to the Strategic Military Planning Commission. Hamilton, an Army veteran and West Point graduate, will serve on the nine-member commission as an ex-officio member.

Legislators, OCPA praise signing of ban on "gender transition" procedures for children

Sen. Daniels, Rep. Hasenbeck issue statements after Gov. Stitt signs SB 613, prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 2nd) – Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, issued the following statements after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 613 into law, banning gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies for children under the age of 18.

Hamilton's bill to raise pay for election day poll workers passes Senate

Senate approves pay increase for election day poll workers

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14th) – The full Senate approved Sen. Warren Hamilton’s bill to increase compensation for poll workers in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 290 would increase pay for election inspectors from $110 to $225 and pay for judges and clerks would double from $100 to $200.

Bill requiring libraries to organize books into age-appropriate categories passes State Senate

Senate approves bill to organize books into age-appropriate categories

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 7th) – The full Senate has approved a bill to require school and public libraries to place books into sections labeled elementary, junior high, Under 16 or juniors and seniors.  Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, is the author of Senate Bill 397, which was approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

“There is a time and place for conversations about certain subjects, but some of those topics are not suitable for students to be reading about in school,” Hamilton said. “This bill will further efforts to protect children in Oklahoma by only allowing them to access books from libraries that are appropriate for their age.”

Senate Education Committee approves bill to organize library books into age-appropriate categories

Hamilton’s bill to organize books into age-appropriate categories clears Senate Education Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 397 was approved by the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The bill, authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, would require school and public libraries to label books and other materials as elementary, junior high, under 16, or juniors and seniors. After receiving these designations, the materials would be placed in their respective sections, so students are only able to access books that are appropriate for their age.

State Senate passes bill banning "gender transition" procedures for minors

Good news:

Senate approves bill prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 15th) – The full Senate has approved a measure prohibiting gender transition procedures for children under the age of 18.  Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the author of Senate Bill 613, which bans the use of any medications or surgical procedures for the purpose of gender transition.  Behavioral and mental health counseling and medications for depression and anxiety are not included.

Hamilton's bill to raise pay for election day poll workers passes committee

Hamilton’s bill to increase poll worker pay passes Senate Judiciary Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 8th) – The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday and unanimously passed Senate Bill 290, which would increase pay for election day poll workers.