Legislation is needed to provide oversight and accountability to the Turnpike Enabling Act
To permanently temper the unchecked power of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, authentic modifications need to occur in Statute 69 Section 1701-1705—The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Enabling Act. Without changes to this statute the OTA will keep building wherever and whenever they want.
“Litigation and legal cases win battles. Legislative change is truly what creates a lasting peace and better world.” -attorney Robert Norman, 2023
We need Oklahomans throughout the state to reach out to their legislators in support of responsible transportation legislation!
2024 Bills to support
Passed the House and Now In the Senate
HB3159 Eminent domain; Landowner’s Bill of Rights; right of first refusal or first offer; effective date
- Roberts (Eric) – Title 27, Section 18 – Amendatory. Provides first right of refusal to landowner and first generation of heirs at the lower of either the current market value or the price received by the landowner under eminent domain sale.
HB2730 Open records; inspection and copying of records; written notice; effective date.
- Menz – Title 51, Section 24A.5 – Amendatory. Requiring public bodies to respond to open record requests within a 10-day timeline. (Mirror to SB89)
- Menz – Title 51, Section 24A.5 – Amendatory. Requiring public bodies to respond to open record requests within a 10-day timeline. (Mirror to SB89)
Resources for Legislators
Statutorily Approved Future Turnpikes and Today’s Legislative Districts
- Oklahoma Turnpike Enabling Statutes and Future Impacted Districts
- Map of House Districts and Potential Future Turnpikes
- Map of Senate Districts and Potential Future Turnpikes
Supporting Materials
Resources for Citizens
Oklahoma Legislators: House and Senate
- Oklahoma legislators contact list (downloadable spreadsheet)
- OAEC 2023 Legislative Guide – District Maps and Legislator Photos (downloadable file)
- Oklahoma House Of Representatives Website Link
- Oklahoma Senate Website Link
Legislative newsletters
- Sign up for the House and Senate newsletters to keep up with bills
House of Representatives: https://okhouse.gov/
Senate: https://oksenate.gov/
Bill Tracking
- Oklahoma State Legislature Bill Search (search a bill by number)
- Sign up to track a specific bill through the process
http://www.oklegislature.gov/EBillTrack/Logon2.aspx.
Create an account and then enter in the specific bill number to get immediate notification as it moves through stages of the legislative process.
Oklahoma Legislative Guide
- Download the Oklahoma Legislative Guide. This is a great asset to have at your disposal. In it, you can find out where your Senator and Representative are located in the Capitol, you can keep notes on meetings you might have, and you can take a roll call on votes from the floor. Check it out on the App Store or Google Play:
Who, What, Where, Why, and How does the legislative process work?
The legislative process can be convoluted and confusing. The video below demystifies the process and walks through this slide deck explaining each step: How a Bill Becomes a Law.pptx