Pro Tem Treat Comments on House Naming Senate Bill 2035 “Mason Treat Act” to Honor His Son

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today released the following statement after the Senate accepted a House amendment to his car tag legislation to name it in honor of his son, Mason, after his near-deadly car accident. 

The House author of Senate Bill 2035, Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, amended the bill to rename it the Mason Treat Act of 2024. It passed off the Senate floor 43-0.

Mason was driving legally on the morning of January 5 but did not have a car tag because current state law requires a private seller of a vehicle to retain possession of the physical car tag. While he was pulled over, the driver of a commercial pickup truck hauling a trailer full of steel fell asleep and veered off the road and slammed into the back of his car, severely injuring him and the deputy sheriff who had pulled him over.

“Representative Kyle Hilbert has been a terrific House author,” Pro Tem Treat said. “He’s been honest, forthcoming, creative, helpful and kind. I want to publicly thank him for his professionalism and friendship. My family is forever grateful for him and many other people’s work on this and for his thoughtful gesture to honor Mason by naming the bill after him. January 5, 2024, is a day that my wife Maressa and I will never forget, and Mason will likely never remember. Mason has been a picture of amazing strength, perseverance and God’s grace. He is a source of motivation for the rest of our family. I ask for everyone’s continued prayers for complete recovery for Mason and for Deputy Jose Tayahua-Mendoza.” 

Pro Tem Treat’s son Mason spent 20 days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He continues his recovery at home and in various physical therapy sessions.  

Provisions of Senate Bill 2035 include:

• Provide a method for dealers to electronically enter required purchaser information for each vehicle purchase and submit information to Service Oklahoma within 48 hours.
• Dealers and private sellers, alike, must also complete the pre-registration of the vehicle by submitting documentation online or in-person to Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator identifying the vehicle within two-days of the purchase.
• Individuals purchasing a motor vehicle in a private sell can also print a temporary tag to place on their vehicle after proper documentation is submitted to Service Oklahoma.
• Unifies deadlines that were previously disjointed providing clarity for citizens and law enforcement. Regardless of the type of transaction – all temporary tags will be good for only 10 days (provided by the dealership or printed at home is a private sell).
• All individuals will get a metal plate within 10 days (or earlier if they choose).
• After proper information is submitted to Service Oklahoma, data will be shared with law enforcement and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
• All deadlines to get registration completed and taxes paid will be two months from date of purchase.
• Tribal tags will not be impacted by the law change.