A message from Representative Kenton Patzkowsky

We are now in the second half of our legislative session. All House bills that passed have now been moved to the Senate, and we have received more than 450 Senate bills to consider. We’ve assigned many of those to House committees. Once bills pass in committee they are eligible to be heard on the floor. The same process is happening with our bills in the opposite chamber.

In the House we passed several bills that will limit the number of abortions performed in our state. House Bill 1102 would revoke for at least a year the licenses of any physician who performs an abortion except in the case of saving the life of the mother. House Bill 2441 would stop abortions from being performed once an unborn child is determined to have a detectable heartbeat unless, of course, the life of the mother is in peril. The measure also would require any

facility where abortions are performed to post a sign in a conspicuous place stating it is against the law for anyone to force another person to have an abortion and that abortions induced by medication using a two-step process may be reversible if the second dosage has not been taken within the first 24 hours.

Until Roe v. Wade is overturned in our nation, we will continue to pass every measure possible in our state to protect the life of the unborn.

Last week, many lawmakers took part in the Oklahoma Youth Expo show. This show has been going on for nearly a century, bringing youth from all parts of the state to Oklahoma City to compete with livestock they’ve raised. Today, OYE is recognized as the largest youth even in Oklahoma and is touted as the world’s largest junior livestock show. The show brings over 7,000 exhibitors along with their educators and families from each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.

This year, Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members awarded $1.25 million at Sale of Champions and $300,000 in academic scholarships to seniors for their excellence in the classroom and the show ring.

I was blessed to participate in the 18th Annual Legislative and Celebrity Showmanship event alongside John Campbell, showing a goat, from Arnett 4-H. John is a great young man who obviously takes great pride in his work. It was an honor to work with him.

Last year’s OYE show was cut short because of COVID, so it was great to be back at it this year.

Well that’s all for now. I hope to provide you another progress update from the state House before I head back to the farm house.