The Speaker of the House recently ann ou n c e d c ommit tee assignments for the upc oming legislative session.

I will serve as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee as well as a member of the following additional committees: County and Municipal Government, the full Public Safety Committee, and Utilities.

I am incredibly thankful for the leadership demonstrated throughout the vetting process for naming chairs and vice chairs of the 60th Legislative Session.

As the Vice Chair of Appropriations and Budget for Public Safety, I am eager to learn from and collaborate with the chair, Rep. Ross Ford, a veteran police officer. Public safety plays a vital role in Oklahoma, and it is essential that we ensure our state law enforcement agencies are adequately funded to keep pace with modern advancements. At the same time, we must guarantee that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and efficiently. Additionally, we must prioritize proper staffing for these agencies, as they provide critical support to our local and county law enforcement partners.

On the policy side, serving on the Public Safety Committee under the leadership of chair Rep. David Hardin is a true honor. As former sheriffs, both Chairman Hardin and I, along with other members who bring extensive experience as former state and local officers, are uniquely positioned to address Oklahoma’s criminal statutes and ensure public safety policies effectively protect our residents and visitors.

In the areas of utilities and county government, we are committed to diligently reviewing proposed legislation that affects Oklahomans throughout the state. Our focus will remain on ensuring that these bills uphold the Constitution and align with our moral values.

In the meantime, if I can help you in my capacity as your representative, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Capitol. My office phone is (405) 557-7375, and my email is tim.turner@okhouse.gov.

Rep. Tim Turner, a Republican, represents House District 15 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Haskell County and portions of McIntosh, Muskogee, Le Flore and Pittsburg counties.