West busy preparing for new legislative session

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma District 3 Rep. Rick West (R-Heavener) has hit the ground running in preparation for the 59th Oklahoma State Legislature when it begins next month.

West has filed legislation that would require federal agencies to inform county sheriffs before any raid or warrantless arrests are executed within their jurisdiction.

House Bill 1024 would require that prior to any raid or warrantless arrest of a citizen of the State of Oklahoma by a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the special agent shall be required to make contact with the sheriff of the county in which the raid or warrantless arrest shall be executed and inform the county sheriff of the approximate date, time and circumstances of said raid or warrantless arrest.

“Our county sheriffs are the highest ranking law enforcement officers in our counties elected by the people they serve,” West said. “This is an important matter of states’ rights, guarding our populace against federal overreach or encroachment.”

West said he’s received support for the bill from his local county sheriff and others.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the Senate author of HB1024.

Bills for the upcoming legislative session must be filed by next Thursday. The legislative session starts Feb. 6. After this date, legislation will need to be first and second read, then assigned to and pass committee before it advances to a vote on the House floor.

West also has refiled legislation that would send to the vote of the people a question regarding future legislative pay changes.

House Joint Resolution 1001 would require a statewide vote to determine whether or not legislative pay increases or decreases should face a vote of the people each time they are recommended, or if the matter should continue to be decided by the Board on Legislative Compensation. If approved, the measure would amend the state Constitution.

“As representatives, we work for the people,” West said. “It’s my belief they should be the ones to determine if we’ve earned our pay and if it should be increased or decreased. This legislation keeps in place the Board on Legislative Compensation to make recommendations and give their rationale, but the ultimate decision on legislative pay should be made by the people themselves not by an appointed board.”

West said the resolution is a pledge he made to constituents when he was re-elected to his House seat in 2020. A 35-percent increase in legislative pay was approved by the Board on Legislative Compensation for those serving starting in 2019. At the time, West was not in office, but he said he pledged to voters that upon taking his seat in 2020 he would not take the pay increase but would instead donate it to charities in his House district.

He said he opposed the way the increase was handled by a board that has appointees by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and House and Senate leadership. The chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission and the director of State Finance serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board.

Each of the past three years, West has proposed similar legislation, but it has not advanced. West said he’ll continue proposing the legislation to keep his promise to his constituents.