FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 6, 2016
Governor Mary Fallin Applauds Senate Committee for Passing Criminal Justice Bills
OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Mary Fallin
today commended the Senate Appropriations Committee for its bipartisan support
of four bills related to reforms she highlighted in her State of the State
address at the start of this year’s legislative session.
“Our state prisons are filled to
well over capacity so it is crucial that we make some changes to our criminal
justice system,” said Fallin. “These measures do not jeopardize public safety
while addressing Oklahoma’s prison population, which is among the highest in
the nation. I appreciate the support of the Senate Appropriations Committee in
approving these vital measures.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee
passed:
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House Bill (HB) 2472 would
give prosecutors discretion to file charges for non-85 percent crimes as
misdemeanors instead of felonies.
-
HB 2479 would
reduce the mandatory punishment for subsequent drug offenses.
-
HB 2751 would
raise the threshold for property crimes to be charged as a felony to
$1,000.
-
HB 2753 would
establish means for broader use of drug courts.
The measures, all by Rep. Pam
Peterson, now go to the full Senate. Sen. Greg Treat is the Senate sponsor of HB
2472, HB 2479 and HB 2751. Sen. Wayne Shaw is Senate sponsor of HB 2753.
The bills were proposed by the
governor’s Oklahoma Justice Reform Committee.
They won the endorsement of several
groups and business leaders, such as the Oklahoma Policy Institute; the Greater
Oklahoma City Chamber; the Tulsa Regional Chamber; the Oklahoma District
Attorneys Association; Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) President
Jonathan Small; OCPA Impact; Clay Bennett; David Rainbolt; and Adam Luck, state
director of Right on Crime.
The Oklahoma Justice Reform
Committee includes the governor, House speaker, Senate president pro tempore
and heads of corrections and mental health departments, with subcommittees made
up of prosecutors, judges and law officers.
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Web: www.governor.ok.gov Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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