By Journalist Amaya Brooks(OBU)
As the Senate prepares to begin the first full day of hearing legislation, one bill stands out early in the docket. Senator Pelfrey, a zero star member of the OSU Delegation, prepares to present his bill that creates bat houses in Northeastern Oklahoma, specifically for Gray Bats.
Senator Pelfrey’s concern for Gray Bats came from the fact that they are an endangered species in the state of Oklahoma. “They are rapidly decreasing and that is because of the abundance of wind turbines in Oklahoma. I sought to increase their population, habituate them, and get them off the endangered species list.”
One of the most nerve-wrecking parts for zero stars coming into session and presenting legislation is the time for questions. Objections to bills have the potential to be aggressive or unnerving. When asked how he feels coming into the presentation of his bill, Senator Pelfrey said, “I don’t think it’s going to be a matter of the essence of the bill, I think it’s going to be a matter of the technical stuff. Whenever I practiced with my delegation, most of the questions I got were surrounding that.” The detailed nature of his bill gives Senator Pelfrey a great likelihood of little controversy.
Senator Pelfrey’s bill is the third bill on the Senate docket. When asked how he feels about this, Senator Pelfrey stated, “It’s a bit intimidating, I am a bit nervous, I am excited, and I know that if it passes or if it fails, I am going to be content because I put work into this, and I’m just excited to be here. I think it’s more about the experience and the opportunity.” Senator Pelfrey expressed his gratitude for the support of Senator Fleschute (OSU) in writing this bill. Senator Fleschute says, “I could tell from the first time I met him, I knew that he was going to do great things in this organization.”
As Senator Pelfrey begins his great journey into the fast pace, complexity, and excitement of what it means to be a Senator in the great Senate chambers of Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, his intriguing and exciting bill gets him off to a great start on this chilly Thursday morning.