Ten Commandments Bill Headed to House Floor

Legislation allowing the placement of a privately funded Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma Capitol received committee approval today.

House Bill 1330, by state Rep. Mike Ritze, would create the “Ten Commandments Monument Display Act.” The bill would allow for a Ten Commandments monument to be displayed on the Capitol grounds in accordance with existing U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

“The Ten Commandments laid the foundation for modern law and their importance in the development of our legal system should be recognized,” said Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. “The monument is in no way an endorsement of any religion, but simply acknowledges the roots of our system of justice in this state and country.”

Under the bill, the monument would be privately funded and no taxpayer expenditures would be required.

House Bill 1330 notes that the Ten Commandments are “an important component of the moral foundation of the laws and legal system of the United States of America and of the State of Oklahoma” but also states that the monument “shall not be construed to mean that the State of Oklahoma favors any particular religion or denomination …”

“Some critics have argued the budget shortfall makes all other legislation a ‘distraction’ this year,” Ritze said. “I am confident lawmakers are capable of passing a simple Ten Commandments bill and also writing a state budget.

Furthermore, it is ridiculous to suggest that Oklahomans cannot honor our state’s history in years when tax revenues decline, especially if there is no new expenditure of tax dollars required.”

House Bill 1330 passed out of the House General Government Committee and now proceeds to the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.