Feb 28, 2017 - Oklahoma Bill Seeks to Impose Heavy Fines and Long Jail Sentences for those Protesting “Critical Infrastructure”

Oklahoma City – On February 22nd, a bill seeking to levy heavy fines and long prison sentences against individuals and groups protesting “critical infrastructure” passed through the Oklahoma House of Representatives committee.

HB 1123, sponsored by Rep. Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha, seeks to impose up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison for people involved in actions against “critical infrastructure.”

Critical infrastructure covered by the law include, “refineries, electric generation and transmission facilities, natural gas processing and transportation facilities, telecommunications facilities, crude oil storage, rail lines and transportation facilities, and certain manufacturing plants.”

The bill specifies three levels of criminal “trespass” on critical infrastructure.

Level one, would be a misdemeanor that would be punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and six months in county jail.

Level two, would be a would be a felony punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison for, “intent … to willfully damage, destroy, vandalize, deface, tamper with equipment, or impede or inhibit operations of the facility”

Level three, would be a felony and punishable by $100,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison for, willful destruction [of critical infrastructure].

Additionally, the bill also targets organizations who would be fined up to $1 million if found to, “be a conspirator in occupations that damage or intend to damage such facilities or inhibit their operations.”

Rep Biggs told the House Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections that, “the bill was prompted by oil and gas industry concerns arising from the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in North Dakota.”

To express your concern over HB 1123 contact Contact Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha 405-557-7405 Scott.Biggs@okhouse.gov

by Wakíƞyaƞ Waánataƞ (Matt Remle- Lakota)