Lawmakers pause to debate SB 1522 over free speech concerns amid deadline push
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — It was a race to the finish line on "Deadline Day" at the Oklahoma Capitol on Thursday as lawmakers voted on dozens of bills.
In a marathon session to get through reams of legislation, SB 1522 made lawmakers pause and engage in some lively debate.
After a series of amendments and substitutions, SB 1522 bill went from one that concerned retired law enforcement officersto another version that would have lowered the penalties for cockfighting — and turned into something else entirely again. According to Republican State Rep. Justin Humphrey (District 19), SB 1522's current version is now meant to address violent riots and other forms of unlawful protests. However, detractors are concerned over its impact on First Amendment rights.
State Rep. Emily Virgin (D-District 44) argued, "Since you are applying this to any publicly owned property and those are place where people exercise their first amendment right to protest, do you have any concern that by making this such a broad definition and not defining 'security risk,' that you're place an unconstitutional restraint on free speech?" She and other lawmakers expressed concern that the measure included language that was vague, and that anyone "loitering" at a public place could turn into a reason to call the police on that person.
"Absolutely not. I'm a protest waiting to happen. I'm ready to protest anything," counter Humphrey, one of SB 1522's sponsors.
He defended the bill's language, explaining the intention is to help prevent destructive, violent actions done in the name of protest. He pointed to the "CHAZ" area in Seattle during the summer of 2020 as evidence in his bill's favor.
"You have a protest, turns into a camp, turns into fires, turns into all kinds of things," asserted the Republican.
State Rep. Jon Echols (R-District 90) filed an amendment concerning the locations at which the bill applies, removing language outlining public places that provide for "the health and wellness of the community" from the measure's text.
The proposal passed the Oklahoma House with that amendment.
Humphrey shared that his bill will head over to the Senate for lawmakers there to vote on the amended version. Should it clear the other chamber, it will make its way to the governor's desk.
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