Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1316

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

Cities and towns; prohibiting certain ticketing policy. Effective date.

Impact

This bill seeks to amend state law concerning the regulation and operation of peace officers within municipalities and counties. By eliminating the ability for local agencies to implement ticket quotas, the legislation aims to promote fair law enforcement practices and to prevent any conflict of interest that may arise from performance metrics based solely on the number of citations issued. This change is considered a significant step towards enhancing community trust in law enforcement agencies by ensuring that officers are not incentivized to issue unnecessary tickets.

Summary

Senate Bill 1316 aims to prohibit political subdivisions and agencies of the state of Oklahoma from establishing or maintaining any practices that encourage or require peace officers to issue a predetermined number of traffic citations, commonly referred to as 'ticket quotas'. The bill is driven by concerns that such quotas may pressure law enforcement officers to prioritize citation issuance over public safety, potentially leading to unnecessary vehicle stops and fines. It is set to take effect on November 1, 2024.

Contention

While supporters of SB1316 argue that it will protect citizens from overly aggressive policing practices, some critics contend that this measure could hinder the ability of law enforcement agencies to effectively manage traffic enforcement. There are concerns that without quotas, there may be a reduction in proactive traffic stops that could contribute to heightened safety on the roads. Debate surrounding the bill includes discussions about maintaining public safety while also ensuring fair treatment by law enforcement.