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.

In 2010, 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.

That year, 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.

Coates 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 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 as well as a board member of The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM) in Oklahoma City.

He has five children - Jeremy, Heather, Eddie, Brandon, and Andrew.

Committee Membership

• Appropriations
• Appropriations Subcommittee on Select Agencies
• Business and Commerce
• Health and Human Services
• Tourism and Wildlife - Chair

Offices Information

District Information: District 28

• Map
• Population and Household

Zip codes Represented

Counties Represented:

• Lincoln
• Pottawatomie
• Seminole

Press Releases
Archives: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

• Bipartisan Group of Senators Comment on Senate Passage of Workers’ Compensation Reform Legislation
  04.30.13
  
• Sen. Coates asks Governor for audit of Insurance Commission
  02.07.13
  
• Coates to file bill to address unnecessary spending at Insurance Department
  01.11.13