State Representative Tim Turner (R-Kinta)
By Rep. Tim Turner
This past week, I was able to pass my first bill of the session on the House floor.
House Bill 3143 would extend the moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses until Aug. 1, 2028. The moratorium currently is set to expire Aug. 1 of this year. This would just apply to those seeking a new license not those that have an existing license who are in good standing with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority.
Oklahoma is leading the nation in black market marijuana sales and has more marijuana than states like California and Colorado. We want to make sure we are keeping Oklahomans safe and keeping the marijuana industry medical and not recreational. This should help us reduce the black market as we are working simultaneously to increase our enforcement efforts of both those operating legally and illegally in the state.
The bill passed 82-8.
I authored this bill with Rep. Rusty Cornwell, a Republican from Vinita.
We also authored House Bill 3144, which also passed on the House floor. This would put a cap on the number of medical marijuana grower licenses to 2,500 starting Nov. 1. This is just in case at some point the moratorium gets lifted, we don’t want to go back to the Wild West days and end up with another 10,000 applicants or licenses. We want to keep the growers in compliance.
This bill passed on a vote of 82-15.
Both bills now move to the state Senate for consideration in that chamber.
Also this past week, I passed four bills in the House Judiciary Oversight Committee.
House Bill 3764 would enhance time and punishment for those on the Department of Justice terrorist list at the time of arrest.
House Bill 3765 would allow forfeiture of land for any owner found to be in the country illegally.
House Bill 3767 would update the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.
House Bill 3982 would modify the Mason Treat Act to allow a 60-day nonresident in-transit temporary license plate to be issued or a 90-day temporary tag if the vehicle is to be registered out of state.
Also this past week in the Rules Committee, I passed House Joint Resolution 1023. This is the worker’s compensation schedule fee, which law requires us to change every two years. The rates are set by the federal government, but Oklahoma has to vote to adopt them. We are still waiting for the rate fee schedule to be sent to us this year as there’s been a delay because the federal government is currently shut down.
These measures are now eligible to be considered on the House floor.
As always, serving you is a privilege, not a guarantee. I and my family are proud to have this opportunity. If I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse.gov.
Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.
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