Coming Down the Home Stretch By Rep. John Talley

This week, the governor signed Senate Bill 1835, also known as the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act. This requires courts to consider if a person has been abused prior to their sentencing. This measure is important because it allows courts to offer leniency in certain cases, including ones where a victim has acted against a person who has abused them.

SB1835 can be applied retroactively if the offender follows certain guidelines when requesting resentencing. However, this bill will not apply to offenses that relate to sexual abuse of a child, require registration as a sex offender, or that could result in the death penalty.

Victims typically endure a long history of abuse, but they may retaliate to protect their children and then end up imprisoned. SB1835 is much-needed legislation.

I recently attended the U.S. Senate Farm Bill Agriculture Stakeholder Roundtable in Oklahoma City to learn about the federal farm bill coming out in 2025. The symposium was hosted by U.S. Senator James Lankford and U.S. Senator John Boozman from Arkansas, who is the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee. Our very own Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur moderated the roundtable discussion.

We heard from 20 different experts and leaders in their fields talking about everything from the multi-million dollar pecan industry in Oklahoma to the fact that we are the top sorghum producer in the world. The new U.S. farm bill, which they plan to run next year, will affect all of us—even if you don’t farm, you do eat! Getting this legislation right is important because it will be in effect for 5 years.

After the event, we visited Langston University to learn more about the important work they do to contribute to the agriculture industry in our state.

We toured Langston’s agricultural research facilities and discussed their work to help small farmers in Oklahoma and around the world through agricultural extension and research. We visited the Dairy Herd Information Lab for Goats and the Central Lab, as well as the E. Kika de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research’s Main Farm. I am so proud of the outstanding work Langston University does, and even more proud they are part of House District 33!

At the State Capitol, legislative leaders reached a budget agreement on Wednesday, and we will start hearing budget bills soon. As far as my own bills go, I have a couple more measures I am trying to get across the finish line before our May 31 deadline to adjourn session. Those have been tied up in the conference committee process during budget negotiations, but I’m hopeful they will move forward soon.

Before I wrap up this week, I want to remind everybody that 2024 is an election year. Check out oklahoma.gov/elections to learn more about locating your polling place, viewing your sample ballots and finding out important dates and deadlines. The primary elections, for races that require a primary, will occur on June 18. Any necessary run-offs will occur Aug. 27, and the general election is set for Nov. 5. Voting is our constitutional right and responsibility!

As always, please reach out to my office at 405-557-7304 or [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Rep. John Talley, a Republican, serves District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Logan and Payne Counties.