By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – A Republican senator has filed legislation to bar lawmakers from drinking alcohol on the job after he accused some of them of being drunk while taking critical votes.
Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, said he filed Senate Bill 1640, which prohibits legislators from consuming and possessing alcohol while on duty, after noticing some were intoxicated on the Senate floor during the last day of the 2025 session when they were discussing a bill to fire Allie Friesen, the state’s former mental health commissioner.
While Jett did not specifically name any senator, he said that during debate about the bill that ultimately removed Friesen, “you can see that there were members who used some very aggressive language and in their speech pattern and their appearance indicated inebriation.” He said that he got “harangued” in speeches “that we know were fueled by Tito’s and vodka.”
Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said Wednesday that Jett’s accusations were “baseless and lack credibility.”
Jett has attacked colleagues, used childish rhetoric and is making serious accusations without evidence, Paxton said.
As a result, Paxton said he has removed Jett as vice chairman of the Rules committee at the request of the panel’s chairman and barred Jett from serving as a presiding officer, a rotating position in which an individual runs the floor.
Jett, who leads the conservative Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, said when he reported his concerns to Paxton on the final night of session, the Republican leader did nothing.
“He approached me with these claims in the waning hours of the last day of session, at a point when no action could be taken,” Paxton said.
Jett has exhibited a pattern of conduct that reflects his need for attention rather than responsible governance, Paxton said.
Senate rules prohibit senators from being drunk or drinking while on the Senate floor, Jett said.
Jett’s bill would require any lawmaker suspected of being intoxicated to take a breathalyzer test administered by a member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, according to the measure.
On the first offense, a violator would be subject to immediate expulsion from the legislative chamber for the remainder of the day, a fine of not less than $500 but not exceeding $1,000, and referral to the chamber’s ethics committee.
A second violation within a year carries a fine of $1,000 to $2,500, mandatory alcohol education or treatment at the member’s expense, expulsion from the chamber for not less than three consecutive legislative days and a referral to the chamber’s ethics committee.
A third violation within 24 months carries a penalty expulsion for the remainder of the session, a fine of not less than $2,500 but not more than $5,000 and automatic initiation of removal proceedings.
The Senate President and House Speaker would be responsible for enforcement. Failure to enforce sobriety within their respective chambers would subject the presiding officer to the same penalties as the violating member, according to the measure.
Jett said he does not drink alcohol at work, but may have wine with his wife.
“I am very scrupulous not to drink with people outside of my family context, especially, especially in a political context,” Jett said.
He said taxpayers have the right to expect more from those who are making the laws governing alcohol.
Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said she has never seen a member drink alcohol on the floor, but said some do have alcohol in their offices.
Intoxicating beverages and low-point beer are among a list of items prohibited inside the Capitol, according to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.
Boren said she fears Jett’s bill could create a “witch hunt” used to protect or target certain individuals.
“People do need to be sober when they are voting,” Boren said.
Jett said the bill needed to be filed because the incident was embarrassing and leadership was doing nothing.
“I want to make it abundantly clear I am not to be trifled with and I will hold them accountable when they break the rules,” Jett said.
