As we begin a new year, the start of the 2026 legislative session is right around the corner. My legislative colleagues and I have until Jan. 15 to file bills for the upcoming session. To get ahead of that deadline, I’ve already introduced several measures that can be considered once the new session begins Feb. 2. These bills update medical marijuana laws, take a tougher stance on crime and increase penalties for domestic violence offenders.
One of the measures is a major consumer protection reform aimed at curbing online ticket price gouging for concerts, sporting events, theater performances and other live entertainment. I filed Senate Bill 1241 to establish the Oklahoma Fraud and Ticketing Accountability Act. This bill would prohibit individuals and entities from using bots or other deceptive tactics to bypass electronic ticketing queues and security measures in order to buy large quantities of tickets and resell them at inflated prices.
Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common for event tickets to sell out almost instantly online, only to reappear on third-party platforms for double or even triple their original cost. The bill’s language is based on similar bills that have passed in other states, as this has become a serious problem nationwide. I’m optimistic this legislation will ensure Oklahomans don’t get scammed when they buy tickets for a Broadway show, a Thunder game or a college football matchup.
I also filed Senate Bill 1238 to strengthen penalties for domestic violence offenders who continue the cycle of abuse by committing these horrible acts in front of children. Under this legislation, first offenses of domestic abuse committed in the presence of a child would be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. The bill would also increase the minimum prison sentence to 1.5 years, up from the current range of six months to one year, along with higher fines for those who are convicted.
On another note, I’d like to thank Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and other members of the Osage Nation for inviting me to tour the tribe’s farming operation in Pawhuska. During the pandemic, food scarcity and supply chain disruptions prompted the tribe to take significant steps to shore up its local food supply. Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, Sen. Todd Gollihare and I learned a lot touring the tribe’s expansive hydroponic garden, which is used to grow fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. Our visit coincided with a farmer’s market that was open to tribal and non-tribal citizens. Just a few years ago, the tribe also opened a 19,000-square-foot meat processing facility in Hominy — a long-term investment in food security for the community.
Your comments and concerns are of the utmost importance to me and my office. As always, please email me at [email protected] or call (405) 521-5581.
