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Senator Harry Coates represents Senate District 28 which
covers all or portions of Lincoln, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole
Counties. He was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in November
2002 and re-elected without opposition in 2006.
During his time in the State Senate, he has authored numerous pieces
of major legislation looking out for Oklahoma’s children and
seniors and protecting the rights of families and business owners.
In 2006, he was the Senate author of HB 2840, also known as the
Kelsey Smith-Briggs Child Protection Reform Act,
designed to better protect children from child abuse. The law gives
DHS and judges the authority to request investigative resources
from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It also establishes
stronger review procedures allowing for greater input by those acting
as advocates for a child’s safety, health and welfare.
That same year, he also was the Senate author of the “Stand
Your Ground” law (HB 2615), which broadened the rights
of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. The “Stand Your
Ground” bill extended some of the protections provided under
the 1980's Oklahoma “Make My Day” law, which gave homeowners
the right to use deadly force, if necessary, to protect themselves
and their families against intruders. Coates’ bill extended
that protection to other locations, such as a vehicle in the case
of a carjacking and a parent using force to protect their child
in the backseat. Coates believes Oklahomans have the right to protect
themselves and their property.
This year, he got SB 1289 approved and signed into law to better
protect Oklahoma’s seniors. The bill closed a loophole in
state law aimed at restricting dangerous criminals from working
in nursing homes, assisted living centers or adult day care centers.
Previously, the law didn’t address those individuals who pled
guilty or no contest, or were given a deferred sentence. SB 1289
closed that loophole to keep dangerous criminals out of nursing
homes and assisted living centers and away from our loved ones.
This session, he also successfully carried Senate Pro Tempore Glenn
Coffee’s and the Republican leadership’s Worker’s
Comp bills (SB 1973, HB 1611, HB 2650 and HB 2652) in the Senate.
Together, Sen. Coates and Pro Tem Coffee crafted SB 1973. These
major reforms to the state’s Worker’s Comp system will
help make Oklahoma more attractive for business and workers. The
new laws will result in reduced costs for employers and an improved
and more effective worker’s compensation system for injured
workers in Oklahoma. It’s estimated that the new laws will
save Oklahoma businesses at least $60.5 million.
During his time in the Senate, he has been honored by several groups
with special achievement and “legislator of the year”
awards including the following, among others:
- 2006 Oklahoma Rifle Association Legislator of the Year
- 2008 Child Advocates Hall of Fame (recognized for outstanding
efforts in reforming policy for the children and
youth of Oklahoma)
- 2008 State Chamber of Oklahoma’s Defender of Free Enterprise,
Legislative Advocates for Business
- 2009 Seminole State College Alumni Hall of Fame inductee
- 2009 Distinguished Service Award, State Regents for Higher Education
Besides his role as a state Senator, Coates is also a construction
consultant whose firm operates throughout the United States and
the Caribbean. He has worked in the construction industry for more
than 40 years.
He is a member of several professional and civic organizations including
the National and Oklahoma Rifle Association and the Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association. He is also a member of each of the Chambers
of Commerce located in his district. He is also the past president
and a current board member of the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum
in Seminole.
Sen. Coates and Betty, his wife of 41 years, are members of the
First Baptist Church of Seminole. They have four children Jeremy,
Heather, Eddie and Brandon.
Committee Membership
Offices Information
Capitol
Address |
District
Address |
Senator Harry
E. Coates
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 512
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-5547
coates@oksenate.gov
Executive Assistant: Sherry Skeith |
US 377 N.
Seminole, OK 74868
(405) 382-7660 |
District Information: District 28
Counties Represented:
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