Public Safety, Intelligence Bill Stalled in House After Heated Debate

A bill dealing with public safety and intelligence information is stalled in the House after a heated debate Tuesday afternoon. The House author of the bill describes it as a way to prevent acts of terrorism, but says representatives got confused over a Senate amendment.

The bill allows the Department of Public Safety to collect information and share it with other law enforcement agencies.

“What we’re attempting to do is put people who gather that information together and make sure they share information and pass information,” said Representative Justin Humphrey (R-Lane).

The author of the bill, Rep. Humphrey, is talking about information gathered through the courts or a subpoena, or information already out on a public platform, like social media.

"In all of these school shootings when we look at- people got out on social media. This is an attempt to say- ‘Let's gather that information, let's share that information,’” said Rep. Humphrey.

“Today we’re talking about an intelligence bill, so put your intelligence cap on,” said Rep. Humphrey.

Democrats called the bill government overreach.

“This is the worst bill I've ever read,” said Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC).

“This bill takes government surveillance way too far to a point of abuse of power,” said Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-OKC).

The heated debate was over a Senate amendment, which is where the author says his colleagues were confused.

“What was being argued was that it was overreach, the amendment removed the overreach, so our amendment removed exactly what they were arguing about,” said Rep. Humphrey.

Representative Jason Lowe said he’s concerned about what he called vague language; specifically, where the bill outlines the Department of Public Safety can collect information concerning “other threats of violent crime.”

“That's anything Mr. Speaker- you can be investigated for anything,” said Rep. Lowe.

Representative Humphrey said the intent is for the Department of Public Safety or other agencies to have access to that public information in hopes of preventing violent crime.

“This bill is about action- this bill is about preventing a school shooting, this bill is about preventing another tragedy, it's about stopping terrorism,” said Rep. Humphrey.

The bill failed with a vote of 63-30 on the House floor yesterday but will be brought up for another vote before the end of session.