Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB623 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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	3	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 1 1
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29		-	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
30		-
31		-	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
32		-
33		-	1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
34	27
35	28		ENGROSSED SENATE
36	29		BILL NO. 623 By: Coleman of the Senate
37	30
38	31		and
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40	33		Pfeiffer of the House
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45	38		An Act relating to the Protection from Domestic Abuse
46	39		Act; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 60.4, as amended
47	40		by Section 7, Chapter 318, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp.
48	41		2024, Section 60.4), which relates to service of
49	42		protective orders; requiring service in certain
50	43		location; requiring initial attempt of service of
51	44		protective orders upon defendant within specified
52	45		time frame; and declaring an emergency .
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57	50		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
58	51		SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 22 O.S. 2021, Section 60.4, as
59	52		amended by Section 7, Chapter 318, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2024,
60	53		Section 60.4), is amended to read as follows:
61	54		Section 60.4. A. 1. A copy of a petition for a protective
62	55		order, any notice of hearing and a copy of any emergency temporary
63	56		order or emergency ex parte order issued by the court shall be
64	57		served upon the defendant in the same manner as a bench warrant. In
65	58		addition, if the servi ce is to be in another county, the court clerk
66	59		may issue service to the sheriff by facsimile or other electronic
	60	+	transmission for service by the sheriff and receive the return of
	61	+	service from the sheriff in the same manner. Any fee for service of
	62	+	a petition for protective order, notice of hearing, and emergency ex
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68		-	SB623 HFLR Page 2
69		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	64	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 2 1
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94		-	transmission for service by the sherif f and receive the return of
95		-	service from the sheriff in the same manner. Any fee for service of
96		-	a petition for protective order, notice of hearing, and emergency ex
97	89		parte order shall only be charged pursuant to subsection C of
98	90		Section 60.2 of this title and, if charged, shall be the same as the
99	91		sheriff’s service fee plus mileage expense s.
100	92		2. Emergency temporary orders, emergency ex parte orders and
101	93		notice of hearings shall be given priority for service and can be
102	94		served twenty-four (24) hours a day when the location of the
103	95		defendant is known, including service to the county jail if the
104	96		defendant is currently in custody. The initial attempt at service
105	97		shall be made within twenty -four (24) hours of the issuance of the
106	98		order. When service cannot be made upon the defendant by the
107	99		sheriff, the sheriff may contact another law enforcement off icer or
108	100		a private investigator or private process server to serve the
109	101		defendant.
110	102		3. An emergency temporary order, emergency ex parte order, a
111	103		petition for protective order, and a notice of hearing shall have
112	104		statewide validity and may be transferred to any law enforcement
113	105		jurisdiction to effect service upon the defendant. The sheriff may
114	106		transmit the document by electronic means.
115	107		4. The return of service shall be submitted to the sheriff ’s
116	108		office or court clerk in the court where the petition, notice of
117	109		hearing or order was i ssued.
	110	+	5. When the defendant is a minor child who is ordered removed
	111	+	from the residence of the victim, in addition to those documents
	112	+	served upon the defendant, a copy of the petition, notice of hearing
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119		-	SB623 HFLR Page 3
120		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	114	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 3 1
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145		-	5. When the defendant is a minor child who is ordered removed
146		-	from the residence of the victim, in addition to those documents
147		-	served upon the defendant, a copy of the petition, notice of hearing
148	139		and a copy of any temporary order or ex parte order issued by the
149	140		court shall be delivered with the child to the caretaker of the
150	141		place where such child is taken pursuant to Section 2 -2-101 of Title
151	142		10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.
152	143		B. 1. Within fourteen (14) days of the filing of the pe tition
153	144		for a protective order, the court shall schedule a full hearing on
154	145		the petition, if the court finds sufficient grounds within the scope
155	146		of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act stated in the petition to
156	147		hold such a hearing, regardless of whether an emergency temporary
157	148		order or ex parte order has been previously issued, requested or
158	149		denied. Provided, however, when the defendant is a minor child who
159	150		has been removed from the residence pursuant to Section 2 -2-101 of
160	151		Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, the court shall sched ule a full
161	152		hearing on the petition within seventy -two (72) hours, regardless of
162	153		whether an emergency temporary order or ex parte order has been
163	154		previously issued, requested or denied.
164	155		2. The court may schedule a full hearing on the petition for a
165	156		protective order within seventy -two (72) hours when the court issues
166	157		an emergency temporary order or ex parte order suspending child
167	158		visitation rights due to physical violence or threat of abuse.
	159	+	3. If service has not been made on the defend ant at the time of
	160	+	the hearing, the court shall, at the request of the petitioner,
	161	+	issue a new emergency order reflecting a new hearing date and direct
	162	+	service to issue.
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169		-	SB623 HFLR Page 4
170		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	164	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 4 1
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195		-	3. If service has not been made on the defendant at the time of
196		-	the hearing, the court shall, at the request of the petitioner,
197		-	issue a new emergency order reflecting a new hearing date and direct
198		-	service to issue.
199	189		4. A petition for a protective order shall, upon the request of
200	190		the petitioner, renew every fourteen (14) d ays with a new hearing
201	191		date assigned until the defendant is served. A petition for a
202	192		protective order shall not expire unless the petitioner fails to
203	193		appear at the hearing or fails to request a new order. A petitioner
204	194		may move to dismiss the petition and emergency or final order at any
205	195		time; however, a protective order must be dismissed by court order.
206	196		5. Failure to serve the defendant shall not be grounds for
207	197		dismissal of a petition or an ex parte order unless the victim
208	198		requests dismissal or fails to a ppear for the hearing thereon.
209	199		6. A final protective order shall be granted or denied within
210	200		six (6) months of service on the defendant unless all parties agree
211	201		that a temporary protective order remain in effect; provided, a
212	202		victim shall have the right to request a final protective order
213	203		hearing at any time after the passage of six (6) months.
214	204		C. 1. At the hearing, the court may impose any terms and
215	205		conditions in the protective order that the court reasonably
216	206		believes are necessary to bring about the ces sation of domestic
217	207		abuse against the victim or stalking or harassment of the victim or
218	208		the immediate family of the victim but shall not impose any term and
	209	+	condition that may compromise the safety of the victim including,
	210	+	but not limited to, mediation, cou ples counseling, family
	211	+	counseling, parenting classes or joint victim -offender counseling
	212	+	sessions. The court may order the defendant to obtain domestic
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220		-	SB623 HFLR Page 5
221		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	214	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 5 1
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246		-	condition that may compromise the safety of the victim including,
247		-	but not limited to, mediation, cou ples counseling, family
248		-	counseling, parenting classes or joint victim -offender counseling
249		-	sessions. The court may order the defendant to obtain domest ic
250	239		abuse counseling or treatment in a program certified by the Attorney
251	240		General at the expense of the def endant pursuant to Section 644 of
252	241		Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
253	242		2. If the court grants a protective order and the defendant is
254	243		a minor child, the court shall order a preliminary inquiry in a
255	244		juvenile proceeding to determine whet her further court acti on
256	245		pursuant to the Oklahoma Juvenile Code should be taken against a
257	246		juvenile defendant.
258	247		D. Final protective orders authorized by this section shall be
259	248		on a standard form developed by the Administrative Office of the
260	249		Courts.
261	250		E. 1. After notice and hearin g, protective orders authorized
262	251		by this section may require the defendant to undergo treatment or
263	252		participate in the court -approved counseling services necessary to
264	253		bring about cessation of domestic abuse against the victim pursuant
265	254		to Section 644 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes but shall not
266	255		order any treatment or counseling that may compromise the safety of
267	256		the victim including, but not limited to, mediation, couples
268	257		counseling, family counseling, parenting classes or joint victim -
269	258		offender counseling sessions.
	259	+	2. The defendant may be required to pay all or any part of the
	260	+	cost of such treatment or counseling services. The court shall not
	261	+	be responsible for such cost.
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271		-	SB623 HFLR Page 6
272		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	263	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 6 1
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297		-	2. The defendant may be required to pay all or any part of the
298		-	cost of such treatment or counseling services. The court shall not
299		-	be responsible for such cost.
300	288		3. Should the plaintiff choose to undergo treatment or
301	289		participate in court-approved counseling services for victims of
302	290		domestic abuse, the court may order the defendant to pay all or any
303	291		part of the cost of such treatment or counseling services if the
304	292		court determines that payment by the defendant is appropriate.
305	293		F. When necessary to protect the victim and when authorized by
306	294		the court, protective orders granted pursuant to the provisions of
307	295		this section may be served upon the defendant by a peace officer,
308	296		sheriff, constable, or policeman or other officer whose dut y it is
309	297		to preserve the peace, as defined by Section 99 of Title 21 of the
310	298		Oklahoma Statutes.
311	299		G. 1. Any protective order issued on or after November 1,
312	300		2012, pursuant to subsection C of this section shall be:
313	301		a. for a fixed period not to exceed a period of five (5)
314	302		years unless extended, modified, vacated or rescinded
315	303		upon motion by either party or if the court approves
316	304		any consent agreement entered into by the plaintiff
317	305		and defendant; provided, if the defendant is
318	306		incarcerated, the protective order shall remain in
319	307		full force and effect during the period of
320	308		incarceration. The period of incarceration, in any
	309	+	jurisdiction, shall not be included in the calculation
	310	+	of the five-year time limitation, or
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322		-	SB623 HFLR Page 7
323		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	312	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 7 1
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348		-	jurisdiction, shall not be included in the calculation
349		-	of the five-year time limitation, or
350	337		b. continuous upon a specific finding by the court of one
351	338		of the following:
352	339		(1) the person has a history of violating the orders
353	340		of any court or governmental entity,
354	341		(2) the person has previously been convicted of a
355	342		violent felony offense,
356	343		(3) the person has a previous felony conviction for
357	344		stalking as provided i n Section 1173 of Titl e 21
358	345		of the Oklahoma Statutes,
359	346		(4) a court order for a final Victim Protection Order
360	347		has previously been issued against the person in
361	348		this state or another state, or
362	349		(5) the victim provides proof that a continuous
363	350		protective order is necessary for his or h er
364	351		protection.
365	352		Further, the court may take into consideration whether the person
366	353		has a history of domestic violence or a history of other violent
367	354		acts. The protective order shall remain in effect until modified,
368	355		vacated or rescinded upon motion by either party or if the court
369	356		approves any consent agreement entered into by the plaintiff and
370	357		defendant. If the defendant is incarcerated, the protective order
	358	+	shall remain in full force and effect during the period of
	359	+	incarceration.
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372		-	SB623 HFLR Page 8
373		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	361	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 8 1
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398		-	shall remain in full force and effect during the period of
399		-	incarceration.
400	386		2. The court shall notify t he parties at the time of the
401	387		issuance of the protective order of the duration of the protective
402	388		order.
403	389		3. Upon the filing of a motion by either party to modify,
404	390		extend, or vacate a protective order, a hearing shall be scheduled
405	391		and notice given to the pa rties. At the hearing, the issuing court
406	392		may take such action as is necessary under the circumstances.
407	393		4. If a child has been removed from the residence of a parent
408	394		or custodial adult because of domestic abuse committed by the child,
409	395		the parent or custod ial adult may refuse the return of such child to
410	396		the residence unless, upon further consideration by the court in a
411	397		juvenile proceeding, it is determined that the child is no longer a
412	398		threat and should be allowed to return to the resi dence.
413	399		H. 1. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and
414	400		willfully seek a protective order against a spouse or ex -spouse
415	401		pursuant to the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act for purposes of
416	402		harassment, undue advantage, intimidation, or limitation of child
417	403		visitation rights in any divorce proceeding or separation action
418	404		without justifiable cause.
419	405		2. The violator shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a
420	406		misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a
	407	+	period not exceeding one (1 ) year or by a fine no t to exceed Five
	408	+	Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
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422		-	SB623 HFLR Page 9
423		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	410	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 9 1
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448		-	period not exceeding one (1) year or by a fine no t to exceed Five
449		-	Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.
450	435		3. A second or subsequent conviction under this subsection
451	436		shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the
452	437		Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed two (2) years,
453	438		or by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or by
454	439		both such fine and imprisonment.
455	440		I. 1. A protective order issued under the Protection from
456	441		Domestic Abuse Act shall not in any manner affec t title to real
457	442		property, purport to grant to the parties a divorce or otherwise
458	443		purport to determine the issues between the parties as to child
459	444		custody, visitation or visitation schedules, child support or
460	445		division of property or any other like relief obtainable pursuant to
461	446		Title 43 of the Oklahoma Statutes, except child visitation orders
462	447		may be temporarily suspended or modified to protect from threats of
463	448		abuse or physical violence by the defendant or a threat to violate a
464	449		custody order. Orders not affect ing title may be enter ed for good
465	450		cause found to protect an animal owned by either of the parties or
466	451		any child living in the household.
467	452		2. When granting any protective order for the protection of a
468	453		minor child from violence or threats of abuse, the court shall allow
469	454		visitation only under conditions that provide adequate supervision
470	455		and protection to the child while maintaining the integrity of a
471	456		divorce decree or temporary order.
	457	+	J. 1. In order to ensure that a petitioner can maintain an
	458	+	existing wireless telephone number or household utility account, the
472	459
473		-	SB623 HFLR Page 10
474		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	460	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 10 1
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499		-	J. 1. In order to ensure that a petitioner can maintain an
500		-	existing wireless telephone number or household utility account, the
501	485		court, after providing notice and a hearing, may issue an order
502	486		directing a wireless service provider or public utility provider to
503	487		transfer the billing responsibility for and rights to the wireless
504	488		telephone number or number s of any minor children in the care of the
505	489		petitioning party or household utility account to the petitioner if
506	490		the petitioner is not the wireless service or public utility account
507	491		holder.
508	492		2. The order transferring billing responsibil ity for and rights
509	493		to the wireless telephone number or numbers or household utility
510	494		account to the petitioner shall list the name and billing telephone
511	495		number of the account holder, the name and contact information of
512	496		the person to whom the telephone number or numbers or househ old
513	497		utility account will be transferred and each telephone number or
514	498		household utility to be transferred to that person. The court shall
515	499		ensure that the contact information of the petitioner is not
516	500		provided to the account holder in p roceedings held under this
517	501		subsection.
518	502		3. Upon issuance, a copy of the final order of protection shall
519	503		be transmitted, either electronically or by certified mail, to the
520	504		registered agent of the wireless service provider or public utility
521	505		provider listed with the Secretary of S tate or Corporation
522	506		Commission of Oklahoma or electronically to the email address
	507	+	provided by the wireless service provider or public utility
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524		-	SB623 HFLR Page 11
525		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	509	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 11 1
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550		-	provided by the wireless service provider or public utility
551	534		provider. Such transmittal shall constitute adequate notice for the
552	535		wireless service provid er or public utility p rovider.
553	536		4. If the wireless service provider or public utility provider
554	537		cannot operationally or technically effectuate the order due to
555	538		certain circumstances, the wireless service provider or public
556	539		utility provider shall notify the petitioner. Such circ umstances
557	540		shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
558	541		a. the account holder has already terminated the account,
559	542		b. the differences in network technology prevent the
560	543		functionality of a mobile device on the network, or
561	544		c. there are geographic or oth er limitations on network
562	545		or service availability.
563	546		5. Upon transfer of billing responsibility for and rights to a
564	547		wireless telephone number or numbers or household utility account to
565	548		the petitioner under the provisions of this subsection by a wireless
566	549		service provider or public utility provider, the petitioner shall
567	550		assume all financial responsibility for the transferred wireless
568	551		telephone number or numbers or household utility account, monthly
569	552		service and utility billing costs and co sts for any mobile dev ice
570	553		associated with the wireless telephone number or numbers. The
571	554		wireless service provider or public utility provider shall have the
572	555		right to pursue the original account holder for purposes of
	556	+	collecting any past due amounts owed to the wireless service
	557	+	provider or public utility provider.
573	558
574		-	SB623 HFLR Page 12
575		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	559	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 12 1
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599	583
600		-	collecting any past due amounts owed to the wireless service
601		-	provider or public utility provider.
602	584		6. The provisions of this subsection shall not preclude a
603	585		wireless service provider or public utility provider from applying
604	586		any routine and customary requirements for account establishment to
605	587		the petitioner as part of this transfer of billing responsibility
606	588		for a household utility account or for a wireless telephone number
607	589		or numbers and any mobile devices attached to that number including,
608	590		but not limited to, identification, financial information and
609	591		customer preferences.
610	592		7. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the
611	593		ability of the court to apportion the assets and debts of the
612	594		parties as provided for in law or the ability to determine the
613	595		temporary use, possession and control of pers onal property.
614	596		8. No cause of action shall lie against any wireless service
615	597		provider or public utility provider, its officers, employees or
616	598		agents for actions taken in accordance with the terms of a court
617	599		order issued under the provisions of this subsection.
618	600		9. As used in this subsection:
619	601		a. “wireless service provider ” means a provider of
620	602		commercial mobile service under Section 332(d) of the
621	603		federal Telecommunications Act of 1996,
622	604		b. “public utility provider ” means every corporation
623	605		organized or doing bus iness in this state th at owns,
	606	+	operates or manages any plant or equipment for the
	607	+	manufacture, production, transmission, transportation,
624	608
625		-	SB623 HFLR Page 13
626		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	609	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 13 1
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650	633
651		-	operates or manages any plant or equipment for the
652		-	manufacture, production, transmission, transportation,
653	634		delivery or furnishing of water, heat or light with
654	635		gas or electric current for heat, light or power, for
655	636		public use in this state, and
656	637		c. “household utility account ” shall include utility
657	638		services for water, heat, light, power or gas that are
658	639		provided by a public utility provider.
659	640		K. 1. A court shall not issue any mutual protective orders.
660	641		2. If both parties allege dom estic abuse by the oth er party,
661	642		the parties shall do so by separate petitions. The court shall
662	643		review each petition separately in an individual or a consolidated
663	644		hearing and grant or deny each petition on its individual merits.
664	645		If the court finds cause to grant both motions, the court shall do
665	646		so by separate orders and with specific findings justifying the
666	647		issuance of each order.
667	648		3. The court may only consolidate a hearing if:
668	649		a. the court makes specific findings that:
669	650		(1) sufficient evidence exists of d omestic abuse,
670	651		stalking, harassment or rape against each party,
671	652		and
672	653		(2) each party acted primarily as aggressors,
673	654		b. the defendant filed a petition with the court for a
674	655		protective order no less than three (3) days, not
	656	+	including weekends or holidays, prior to the first
675	657
676		-	SB623 HFLR Page 14
677		-	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	658	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 14 1
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701	682
702		-	including weekends or holidays, prior to the first
703	683		scheduled full hearing on the petition filed by the
704	684		plaintiff, and
705	685		c. the defendant had no less than forty -eight (48) hours
706	686		of notice prior to the full hearing on the petition
707	687		filed by the plaintiff.
708	688		L. The court may allow a plaintiff or vic tim to be accompanied
709	689		by a victim support person at court proceedings. A victim support
710	690		person shall not make legal arguments; however, a victim support
711	691		person who is not a licensed attorney may offer the plaintiff or
712	692		victim comfort or support and may remain in close proximity to the
713	693		plaintiff or victim.
714	694		SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
715	695		of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
716	696		declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
717	697		be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
718	698
719		-	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC
720		-	SAFETY, dated - 04/17/2025 – DO PASS.
	699	+	ENGR. S. B. NO. 623 Page 15 1
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	724	+	Passed the Senate the 25th day of March, 2025.
	725	+
	726	+
	727	+
	728	+	Presiding Officer of the Senate
	729	+
	730	+
	731	+	Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________,
	732	+	2025.
	733	+
	734	+
	735	+
	736	+	Presiding Officer of the House
	737	+	of Representatives
	738	+