Anna Pope (OSU)
Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (O.I.L.) is potentially one step closer to solving the most controversial topic of our time: putting down the toilet seat after using the restroom.
OPSU-001 or the ‘Stuck in the Toilet’ Act of 2021, written by Sen. Stacy Jimenez (OPSU), is meant to break the habit of leaving the toilet seat up. This bill authorizes homeowners or renters injured by an upright toilet seat to report and file complaints to local law enforcement.
On the first reported offense, the culprit will get a verbal warning from authorities. The second offense, the violator must provide services to the person injured for two to seven days. On the third offense, the violator will have a final warning and must clean all the bathrooms in the home for two months.
Jimenez asked the honorable body a simple question when introducing her bill:
“Body, especially ladies, are you just sick and tired of men leaving the toilet seat up when you have to go?” Jimenez said. “Well, this legislation is meant to break that habit.”
Jimenez argued keeping the toilet seat down is not only common decency, it is a matter of health for both young and elderly women.
To be a violator of this act, a person must be over the age of 18. Jimenez said she decided on this age because young boys are still learning about leaving a toilet seat down and this would hopefully teach adult men to be mindful when leaving the toilet seat up.
While some senators said leaving the seat up is a pressing issue, some had concerns about how the bill could be interpreted. Sen. Nathan von Atzigen (ORU), asked if this bill would hint at women not being able to put down the seat therefore eliminating ‘girl-boss’ energy.
This question drew laughs from the honorable senate body, but Jimenez calmly answered that while this argument may be valid, the issue of putting down the seat is simple.
“Put down the seat,” Jimenez said. “It’s not that hard.”
In addition to questions, senators had much to say in the virtual chat. In the chat Sen. Layne Turner (OSU) commented it might be easier to just put urinals in every home.
Then the gavel echoed through the screens, interrupting the toilet talk. The time for questions was up. The senate passed this bill 9-8 and it will go on to be heard in the House of Representatives.