Senate approves Marissa Murrow Act; bill named for UCO student killed by drunk driver

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given its approval to legislation to ensure greater accountability when alcohol is served at event venues. Sen. Paul Rosino is the principal author of Senate Bill 1057, creating the Marissa Murrow Act. Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, said the legislation is named for a University of Central Oklahoma student who was struck head-on by an intoxicated driver who’d been drinking at a wedding event venue in 2020. Marissa’s parents, Jeff and Kristy Murrow, are constituents and worked with Rosino on the legislation.

“Marissa was valedictorian of her Mustang High School class and planned to become a special education teacher – she had a bright future ahead of her, but her life was taken by a four-time drunk driver coming from an event venue,” Rosino said. “Our current laws address situations when someone has been overserved at a bar or restaurant, but it doesn’t specifically address event venues. SB 1057 will close that loophole.”

Rosino said there are currently some 3,000 event venues in the state, and under current statutes, they are not required to hold any kind of license in order for alcohol to be served at their locations. SB 1057 would stipulate that a caterer could not sell or distribute alcoholic beverages on the premises unless the venue holds an event venue license from the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission.

The Murrows watched from the Senate gallery as Rosino presented the legislation on the floor.

“We know that nothing’s going to bring our daughter back, but our number one goal is to provide more safety so that someone else doesn’t have to experience what we did,” said Kristy Murrow. “It’s an unthinkable thing, and if we can help someone else…that’s what our goal is.”

SB 1057 now moves to the House of Representatives. The House principal author is Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

-END-

For more information, contact:  Sen. Paul Rosino at 405-521-5618 or email Paul.Rosino@oksenate.gov.

CUTLINE #1:  Marissa Murrow

CUTLINE #2:  Jeff and Kristy Murrow look on from the Senate Gallery as members approve SB 1057, the Marissa Murrow Act, named for their daughter, who died after a head-on collision with a four-time drunk driver who had been drinking at an event venue.

CUTLINE #3:  Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, principal Senate author of SB 1057, creating the Marissa Murrow Act.