Since an accident involving his son, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat has championed reforming the vehicle license tag process. His son, Mason, was driving a car without a license tag because he purchased the vehicle from a private owner, which is current law. During a traffic stop because of the lack of a license tag, Mason and the sheriff’s deputy were struck by another vehicle.
“Mason was in compliance with the current law. But he didn’t have a tag on his car because of the law. I am determined to get this legislation passed. I don’t want to see any other Oklahoman’s life and safety compromised as a result of the inadequacy of the current law. This bill will save lives and help law enforcement focus on vehicles that are truly out of compliance,” said Treat.
Treat is working with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the Department of Public Safety, Service Oklahoma, licensed operators, auto dealers and others to come up with a better solution in the vehicle tag process.
Senate Bill 2035 was unanimously approved by the Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee this week.
“I appreciate the bipartisan support from my Senate colleagues on this important piece of legislation,” Treat said. “My son Mason’s life was almost taken from our family, as well as the life of a sheriff’s deputy, because of a law that required him to drive without a license plate. Luckily, and by the grace of God, both Mason and the deputy are recovering.”
