6/11/03-Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation to crack down on certain speed traps in small Oklahoma towns that use them as moneymakers.
An earlier investigation by The Oklahoman revealed eight cities and towns in the state get more than 50 percent of their money from police fines, and at least 18 communities get more than 26 percent of their money from police fines.
HB1456 could change all that. The bill could result in certain municipalities losing the authority to write all those speeding tickets.
Under the new law, the Public Safety Commissioner would be given the power to take local law enforcers off certain state highways and interstates and reassign those roads to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The bill, which takes effect Nov. 1, also gives the commissioner the authority to further investigate complaints of municipalities operating speed traps.

5/30/03-A bill to crack down on certain speed traps in small Oklahoma towns that use them as moneymakers is headed to the governor.
HB1456 zipped through the House May 27 by a 91-8 vote, then passed the Senate 38-5 on May 28.
Under current Oklahoma law, the sky is the limit for the amount of money a community can keep from police fines. For that reason, towns like Stringtown, Glenpool, Big Cabin, Caney, Valley Brook, Tushka, Asher and Watts are well known to truckers and motorists alike.
“ There are a number of areas across the state where we think traffic citations are being abused,” the bill’s sponsor, House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell, said in a statement.
According to an investigation by The Oklahoman, eight cities and towns in the state get more than 50 percent of their money from police fines, and at least 18 communities in the state get more than 26 percent of their money from police fines.
Adair’s proposal could change all that. The bill could result in certain municipalities losing the authority to write all those speeding tickets.
Under the bill, the commissioner would be given the power to take local law enforcers off certain state highways and interstates and reassign those roads to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
In addition, the bill would give the commissioner the authority to further investigate complaints of municipalities operating speed traps.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

4/21/03-A House bill to crack down on certain speed traps in small towns that use them as moneymakers is headed to a joint House-Senate conference committee.
House lawmakers on April 14 rejected a Senate amendment that would have given the Senate the final say on the bill. Instead, the House opted to set up a conference to discuss the bill.
Under HB1456, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks would be given the power to take local law enforcers off certain state highways and interstates and reassign them to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
In addition, the bill would give Ricks the authority to further investigate complaints of municipalities operating speed traps.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

4/11/03-A House bill to crack down on certain speed traps in small towns that use them as moneymakers has moved back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments.
HB1456 was written to allow the state’s public safety commissioner to crack down on speed trap misuse.
For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

3/18/03-An Oklahoma House bill to crack down on certain speed traps in small towns that use them as moneymakers has moved to the Senate.
HB1456 overwhelmingly passed the House Feb. 27 by a 96-2 vote. On March 17, it was forwarded to the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee.
The bill was written to allow the state's public safety commissioner to crack down on speed trap misuse.
It is vital you contact the committee members and let them know how important this bill is to you as an Oklahoma trucker. For contact information, visit www.lsb.state.ok.us/senate/welcome.html. Click on the "Committees" link, then on "Standing Committees," and finally "Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety." You can also call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up. For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.

3/7/03-An Oklahoma House bill to crack down on certain speed traps in small towns that use them as moneymakers has cleared a legislative hurdle.
HB1456 overwhelmingly passed the House Feb. 27 by a 96-2 vote. It is headed to the Senate for consideration.
The bill was written to allow the state's public safety commissioner to crack down on speed trap misuse.
The measure likely will be assigned to a Senate committee sometime in the next week.

2/25/03-Motorists and truckers alike are watching with great interest as a new bill continues to clear legislative hurdles in Oklahoma. HB1456 would allow the state's public safety commissioner to crack down on certain speed traps in small towns that use them as moneymakers.
An earlier investigation by The Oklahoman revealed eight cities and towns in the state get more than 50 percent of their money from police fines, and at least 18 communities get more than 26 percent of their money from police fines.
Under the new bill, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks would be given the power to take local law enforcers off certain state highways and interstates and reassign them to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
In addition, the measure would give Ricks the authority to further investigate complaints of municipalities operating speed traps.
The bill is scheduled for discussion on the House floor Thursday, March 27. It is vital you contact your elected House official and let them know how important this bill is to you as an Oklahoma trucker. For contact information, visit www.lsb.state.ok.us/house/findrep.htm. You can also call OOIDA's membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up for you. For bill status, call (405) 521-2733.