State Representative Tim Turner (R-Kinta)
By Rep. Tim Turner
Senate Bill 2, as amended in the House, is the current wind energy setback bill I am supporting.
This measure is now identical to House Bill 2751, which failed in the Senate Energy Committee in April.
It would create setback requirements of 1.5x the windmill tower height from the point on the property line of the windmill parcel nearest to the point on a property line of any parcel of real property affected; or 1/2 nautical mile away from the nearest point of a “dwelling,” which is defined as a structure that is occupied by at least one person for at least half of the year in counties with a population density greater than 8.5 people per square mile, and those with an average wind speed of less than 9.5 miles per hour.
This legislation has gone through a lot of hoops and now rests in the Senate with the title off, meaning it will most likely be forced into the conference committee process. I’m hoping it will not be weakened in conference, but that’s a big ask. We need a strong bill that protects residents in Eastern Oklahoma and that will keep our electric grid reliable, not just something the wind industry supports. I’ll keep everyone posted as this measure progresses.
Thursday, May 8, was the deadline for all bills to be advanced from the opposite legislative chamber. If bills were amended, they move back to their original chamber for final consideration. Bills passed without amendments have been sent to the governor for his consideration of signing them into law.
This week, my first bill was signed into law. House Bill 1995 clarifies that school resource officers and contracted security guards now will be considered the same as school employees under Oklahoma’s rape statute when the victim is a student and the perpetrator is an employee of the school. This closes a loophole that has existed in state law for these contracted employees.
While we always hope people in these positions of authority would never take advantage of the trust granted them, we have to make sure our students are protected by the shield of law. Should someone in this position have inappropriate sexual contact with a student, this ensures they will face the same charges and punishment as a school employee.
Now that third-reading deadline has passed, the Legislature will turn much of its attention to the state budget. House and Senate fiscal staff are working with lawmakers to ensure the needs of Oklahomans will be met while saving taxpayer dollars where possible.
On a final note, I want to wish congratulations to all graduating seniors in our House district. This is a monumental accomplishment. I wish you the very best as you step from high school into whatever the future holds.
Remember, 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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