February 17 - February 21

Due to the inclement weather this week, the State Capitol was closed last Tuesday. Business resumed with amended committee schedules on Wednesday.

Also, the House moved their deadline for policy committees to Monday, February 24, as various meetings were rescheduled. 

Former House Speaker Charles McCall announced his campaign for governor Tuesday.

In a letter posted on X, formerly Twitter, McCall wrote, “As your Republican Speaker, we beat the radical left every step of the way. We delivered historic tax cuts, passed the toughest immigration laws in the nation, enacted constitutional carry, passed parental school options, and banned boys from girls bathrooms, and so much more. Under my leadership, we were ranked the second most conservative legislature in the country. Working hand-in-hand with Gov. Stitt and President Trump, we have built a stronger Oklahoma rooted in an America First agenda.”

McCall added, “…there is much left to do. From deporting every single illegal to building the biggest, boldest economy in the nation, our fight is far from over. I know without a doubt we can continue our work to turn Oklahoma into the conservative model the rest of the nation strives to be.

“That is why, after deep prayer and heartfelt conversations with Stephanie and our sons, and the urging of others, I have officially filed to run for Governor of Oklahoma.”

McCall, a Republican from Atoka, wrote he plans to make a formal announcement in the future. “…but right now, I am focused on meeting Oklahomans and listening to both their concerns and dreams for our great state.”

McCall was term limited after serving 12 years in the House and could not seek reelection in 2024. He served as House speaker from 2017 until his term ended.

McCall is the third candidate to announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination. He follows Leisa Mitchell Haynes, a former city manager and state employee, and Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Gov. Kevin Stitt is term limited and cannot seek reelection.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Bill 2728, a measure designed to enhance transparency and legislative oversight in the state’s administrative rulemaking process.

House Bill 2728, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, modeled after similar federal legislation. The bill ensures that state agency regulations receive greater legislative review before taking effect.

“This is a major step toward ensuring the people’s elected representatives—not unelected agencies—have the final say on costly regulations,” said Kendrix. “State agencies hold significant power in implementing laws, and this bill makes sure the Legislature plays a more active role in the process.”

If enacted, HB2728 would require all proposed agency rules to be submitted with an economic impact statement. Additionally, any rule projected to cost at least $1 million over five years would require separate legislative approval before it could take effect.

“The rise of decentralized movements like DOGE shows that people value transparency, accountability, and freedom from unchecked control,” said John Tidwell, state director with Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma. “The REINS Act embodies these same principles by ensuring that unelected bureaucrats can’t impose costly regulations without legislative approval. State and federal governments must remain accountable to the people they serve. By passing the REINS Act, Oklahoma is reinforcing the fundamental idea that power should rest with the representatives elected by the people—not with runaway regulatory agencies.”

The bill establishes the Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to provide independent reviews of agencies’ economic impact statements. This ensures accuracy and prevents unnecessary regulatory burdens. Similar models in other states have successfully cut excess red tape and saved taxpayers millions.

“This legislation strengthens accountability by making sure agency rules receive independent review before becoming law,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow.

“This is the second House priority bill we have passed in the first three weeks of the legislative session and I appreciate the speed at which the House has passed these important bills.”

House Bill 2728 passed 86-3 and now advances to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration. The House also passed House Bill 1276, banning cell phones in schools, and sent it to the Senate with the title on, meaning it is ready to become law if approved by the Senate.

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday appointed Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board of Director Chair Marc Nuttle to lead his Division of Government Efficiency (DOGE-OK).

Stitt announced the new division during his state of the state address February 3 and created it within the Office of Management and Enterprise Services later that day. 

"I've been DOGE-ing in Oklahoma since before it was cool," Stitt said in a press release. "We've stopped agencies from contracting with lobbyists and using outside PR firms, and we're on track to have fewer state employees at the end of my term than when I took office. Marc Nuttle is volunteering his time to lead this effort and root out additional waste. With his help, we'll leave state government leaner than we found it."

Stitt's executive order called for the DODGE-OK advisor to be "an independent, non-governmental, non-appropriated special volunteer dedicated to President Trump's vision for federal regulatory and budgetary reform in coordination and partnership with the State of Oklahoma." It also required the advisor "be a member of the Oklahoma business community, serve without compensation, and report directly to the Governor."

The bulk of Nuttle's professional experience, according to his own websites, involves government service and political or campaign work.

Nuttle has served on the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Board of Directors since 2012, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Mary Fallin. Fallin first appointed him to the Council on Bond Oversight, where he served for four months before being appointed to the OHCA board.

According to his website, Nuttle was a member of Gov. Brad Henry's Steering Committee for Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) and the chair of EDGE's International Markets Committee.

Nuttle's website touts that he is the only person who has:

·     Been involved in a federal campaign in all 50 states;

·     Managed a campaign for President of the United States;

·     Run the National Republican Congressional Committee;

·     Managed the nationwide political affairs of a national small business association;

·     Advised three US Presidents and a number of foreign governments around the world.

Nuttle served on the Industrial Policy Advisory Committee for Trade and Policy matters for the US government under President Ronald Reagan, advising the administration on international trade and the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) for six years. He also served as legal counsel to President Reagan's United States Synthetic Fuels Transition Team, according to his website.

The website indicates Nuttle has represented as legal counsel and political counsel to numerous US House of Representative campaigns, US Senate campaigns, gubernatorial campaigns, and state House and state Senate campaigns encompassing all states in the continental US. He served on Senator Dewey Bartlett's staff and on Gov. Henry Bellmon's senatorial campaign staff. He has served as counselor to US Sen. Don Nickles and as advisor to US Sen. Jim Inhofe. Mr. Nuttle served as field counsel for the 1984 Reagan-Bush Reelect Campaign. In the early 1988 presidential election cycle, he was national campaign manager for Pat Robertson's presidential campaign. He was a senior advisor to George Bush's presidential campaigns in 1988 and 1992. From 1989 to 1991, he was executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee in Washington, DC. He was a legal advisor in the Bush-Gore re-count effort in Florida in 2000. In 2001, Mr. Nuttle was the chief strategist for the Right to Work referendum in Oklahoma, the first successful referendum to pass Right to Work in the United States since 1958.

Nuttle, according to his website, has advised the countries of Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, and Guatemala as well as corporations owned and controlled by the People's Republic of China. He has represented the State of Oklahoma for international economic development.

When then-Cong. JC Watts chose not to seek reelection for the District 4 US Congress seat, Nuttle was one of six Republicans to run for the seat. The primary election was won by Tom Cole, who went on to capture the seat and who has held it since. Nuttle finished second with 32.70 percent of the vote to Cole's 59.64 percent.

Nuttle is the founder of the In Trust Network, which describes itself as "an alliance of business owners, church leaders, charities, and individuals engaged in our communities to prepare for whatever might come." According to its website, "An economic reset is coming. It is unavoidable, and it will be hard on our communities, businesses and our families."

The In Trust Network's Board of Advisors includes Kevin Corbett, the former Oklahoma Health Care Authority chief executive officer who resigned in July 2023 and has served on its board of directors with Nuttle since July after being appointed by Stitt.

As federal funding winds down for the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s high-dosage tutoring program, lawmakers are considering dedicating state dollars to continue the initiative.

The Senate Education Committee approved the measure on Wednesday with a 9-2 vote, sending it on to the chamber’s Appropriations Committee. The state Department of Education estimates it would cost $7.18 million to continue the program in the next fiscal year.

Senate Bill 245 would offer tutors, who are either school employees or contractors, $1,600 for each cohort of up to four students they meet with for at least three 30-minute tutoring sessions a week. The sessions would focus on reading or math.

The tutors could earn another $1,000 for each academic grade level increase that each student experiences in reading or math in one school year. Tutors whose students fail to improve by at least a one-half grade level over two years in their cohort would lose eligibility to continue as a tutor in the program.

The bill’s author, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, said the initiative would compensate teachers for the tutoring that many of them are already doing.

“I think this is a step in the right direction as we continue to strive towards having the most fairly compensated teachers in the country,” Deevers said during the committee meeting.

Frequent small-group tutoring has become more common nationwide as schools seek to accelerate student learning after losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state Department of Education implemented a high-dosage tutoring program focused on elementary reading in January 2024, offering teachers $50 per hour and growth incentives. The agency also funded a corps of math tutors from winter 2021 through summer 2024.

Both tutoring initiatives relied on federal funds for COVID-19 pandemic aid. Those funding packages expired in September.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters celebrated SB 245 as a way to maintain and expand a vital program.

“This legislation ensures that our students continue receiving the academic support they need to succeed,” Walters said in a statement Wednesday. “This bill not only guarantees support for students in areas they are struggling academically, but also rewards teachers for catching students back up.”

Oklahoma City Democrats Sen. Carri Hicks and Sen. Mark Mann cast the only votes against SB 245. Hicks said the bill had too many unanswered questions, especially how tutors would be protected from losing eligibility if students fail to make progress because of absences.

The bill also doesn’t specify whether the sessions would take place during or outside of school hours nor whether student participation must be optional or mandatory.

Deevers said the program’s details could be clarified in administrative rules.

House lawmakers on Monday advanced a bill that would encode $35,000 teacher signing bonuses into state law, taking inspiration from a similar program state Superintendent Ryan Walters implemented.

House Bill 1281, also called the Return to Teach Signing Bonus Act, would offer $35,000 upfront to educators with at least three years of teaching experience but who have not been working in an Oklahoma public school for the previous year.

Recipients of the signing bonus would have to commit to work as a public school teacher in Oklahoma for at least five years. Those who fail to complete the minimum five years would have to return the money on a prorated basis.

The bill would take effect for the 2025-26 school year if passed into law. It has no fiscal impact estimate. The signing bonuses would be “subject to the availability of funding,” according to the bill’s text.

A House subcommittee focused on education funding passed HB 1281 with an 8-2 vote. The two Democrats on the panel cast the only votes in opposition.

Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, said during the meeting she was “concerned about the effectiveness” of the concept, given how many candidates Walters attracted with even larger bonuses.

Walters’ program at the state Department of Education drew more than 500 teachers to Oklahoma public schools in the 2023-24 school year while offering signing bonuses up to $50,000. A second round of stipends up to $25,000 brought in 61 teachers to high-need positions in rural districts this school year.

The program, which relied on federal funds, was designed to entice teachers from out of state and to attract experienced educators in Oklahoma who had left the classroom.

Controversy erupted when the Education Department demanded repayments after discovering it had paid a few teachers who never actually met the program requirements. Walters blamed the mistaken payments on the teachers, accusing them of lying on their applications.

Two of the teachers sued Walters and the Education Department, contending they were honest on their applications and, if forced to repay their $50,000 bonuses, would suffer financially because of the state agency’s mistake. The lawsuit is still pending in Oklahoma County District Court.

With that clawback fiasco in mind, Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, questioned whether it would be better to pay HB 1281’s signing bonuses in yearly installments rather than all $35,000 at once.

“That wasn’t a fun time for most of us when that clawback was being questioned,” Lowe said during Monday’s subcommittee meeting.

The bill’s author, Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, disagreed that he should change the bill.

Caldwell, who leads the subcommittee, said $35,000 upfront “would get people’s attention” better than the promise of yearly payments. The full amount could equate to a new car or a downpayment on a house.

“Candidly, I think it would be more effective if we just pay it all in a lump sum,” he said.

It shouldn’t be controversial to take funds back from teachers who are later found to be ineligible, Caldwell said.

He said the outcry over the Education Department’s attempted clawbacks were the result of “people wanting to garner headlines than actual policy conversation.”

“It’s something that happens in this country every day,” Caldwell said during the meeting. “When you lie on an application to gain financial resources, there are penalties for that, and the same would be true for this, too.”

HB 1281 now advances to the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee for consideration.

It’s not the only bill that would impact teacher pay.

Last week, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation to boost the minimum salary for first-year teachers to $50,000 and raise wages for public-school educators across the board. Currently, the state’s minimum required salary for first-year teachers is $39,601.

The bill’s author, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said bordering states are “cannibalizing” Oklahoma’s teacher workforce by offering more competitive wages. New Mexico hiked its minimum teacher salary to $50,000 in 2022, and Arkansas did so a year later.

Oklahoma last raised teacher salaries in 2023 by increasing the state-mandated minimum pay by $3,000 to $6,000, depending on years of experience.

“I think, just kind of holistically, $50,000 seems to be the north star that is the right signal to our teaching community and to teacher candidates that we’re serious about getting high-quality men and women into the classroom,” Pugh said during a committee meeting last week.

Pugh is also a co-author of HB 1281 with Caldwell.

Pugh’s pay raise bill, SB 201, would cost the state $640 million, according to the Senate’s fiscal impact estimate. The legislation is now in the hands of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

That’s a high price tag in a year when the state Legislature is projected to have less to spend than the year before. Meanwhile, Gov. Kevin Stitt is pushing to dedicate a similar amount, $600 million, to tax cuts.

Caldwell said House lawmakers are more focused on improving student outcomes than raising teacher pay or school funding.

“It’s not enough just to make a commitment to pay teachers more or to give our schools more,” Caldwell told reporters during a Thursday news conference. “While that sounds good and it looks really good in the newspapers and on television, what’s most important is about improving our students’ outcomes. And that’s what they deserve is that promise of a better future, not simply just a promise of better funding.”

A measure that would pilot a new mental health program in public schools from Rep. Melissa Provenzano failed to pass out of the House Common Education Committee on Wednesday afternoon.

HB1523, by Provenzano, D-Tulsa, requires the State Department of Education to establish a school-based telehealth pilot program with a single telehealth provider to provide mental health care to students enrolled in participating school districts.

Some committee members questioned the access these providers would be given to students without parental approval, something Provenzano said would not happen. She also recognized that telehealth is not the best option for mental health services, but she believes it is better than not providing any mental health services.

Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, also questioned the term “culturally appropriate” and whether that is a euphemism for something else. Provenzano said to the best of her understanding the term set by federal and Oklahoma standards stating that the mental health professional must be aware of and trained in how to support the student in front of them in regard to their daily struggles and experiences.

Chair Dick Lowe, R-Amber, asked if Provenzano knew where the sudden push-back against her bill came from. Provenzano said she’s been at the Oklahoma State Capitol long enough that she could guess, but she could not say with total certainty.

It failed 5-6.

Two other bills authored or co-authored by Democrats also failed to pass out of committee: HB1538 and HB1946.

HB1538, by Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, creates the Student Retention Protocol Act of 2025. The bill defines applicable terms. It requires students who are at risk of being retained receive a hearing and visual screening and a family assessment conducted by qualified school personnel. It requires each school employ or contract with qualified school personnel to conduct such screenings and assessments. It also requires students who are at risk of being retained receive a psychiatric evaluation selected and completed by a qualified professional as determined by the State Department of Education. It requires students at risk of being retained receive an occupation-al therapy or physical therapy evaluation if the other screening and evaluations do not result in a diagnosis or recommendation for treatment. It requires an occupational therapy or physical therapy evaluation be conducted by qualified medical professionals employed by or contracted with the school district. It makes the requirements subject the availability of funding.

HB1946, by Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, prohibits a board of education from entering into or cause to be renewed a written contract with a certified teacher for a peri-od of time that is less than one year.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education was not particularly contentious Monday, but that does not mean members agreed on most measures they considered.

Of the nine bills the committee heard, only two made it through unanimously. Some more controversial measures were related to teacher compensation packages.

HB1281, by committee chair Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, creates the Return to Teach Signing Bonus Act. It requires the State Department of Education to establish and ad-minister a signing bonus program for teachers who return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and subject to the availability of funding. Caldwell said the bill aims to put a successful program in statute instead of leaving it up to the prerogative of whoever leads the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, questioned the clawback measure, stating that he and other representatives did not have a “fun time” when it was enacted by the State Department of Education in 2024. He questioned whether it would be better to pay those bonuses out over multiple years instead of at one time. Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Oklahoma City, expressed similar concerns, especially related to the taxes on that bonus.

McCane also questioned whether the program truly was successful if only 522 people had participated.

Caldwell said he wants the entire signing bonus to be upfront to get people’s attention.

“It is a car. It is a nice downpayment on a house. It is something that will really get people’s attention,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell said teachers would also have to actively attest to things in the application in order to avoid mistakes, but that clawback happened every day in relation to different government benefits. Caldwell also disagreed that the program was ineffective, especially since the program focused on high-needs areas, not the entire teacher population.

The committee also looked at new-parent leave for teachers. HB1601, by Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, requires certain employees to have the right to utilize accrued sick leave to extend the duration of their maternity leave beyond the six weeks. It passed 8 -2, with Caldwell and Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, both voted against the measure.

Caldwell questioned whether this would remove local control from districts. He also questioned how this could impact student outcomes if their teachers are out of the classroom for an extended period of time. The bill also lessened the overall amount these teachers would receive. McCane questioned whether the program would still be effective, though Caldwell believed Oklahoma schools would still see increases in applicants to these high-need areas.

It passed 8 – 2 with McCane and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, voting against.

Gise said passing this bill would help mitigate those concerns because it would lead to better communication between teachers and long-term substitutes. Lowe, and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, both discussed how to appropriately implement the measure in relation to teacher retirement and to make sure there is a cap on how many additional weeks can be added to maternity leave.

Tax credits supporting private-school students opened again to high demand in the program’s latest round of awarding funds.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission announced it received more than 31,000 applications for the tax credits on Tuesday, the first day of the application period for the 2025-26 school year.

Created in 2023, the program distributes tax credits of $5,000 to $7,500, depending on household income, for each student attending an accredited K-12 private school to assist with the cost of tuition and other fees.

Households earning up to $150,000 per year receive priority status and have until April 19 to apply. Families with a net income above $150,000 are awarded on a first-come-first-served basis with whatever funds are still available after the priority applicants, which has incentivized a rush of applications on the first day.

The program’s first application window opened in December 2023 to more than 30,000 entries in the first 90 minutes. The Tax Commission spent much of 2024 reviewing applications and distributing funds for the new initiative.

It’s unclear what household income levels are represented among Tuesday’s applications. Even if all 31,000 qualify for the lowest possible tax credit amount, they still would account for more than half of the program’s $250 million budget for the 2025-26 school year.

This year, the Tax Commission sought to simplify the application process and prepare schools and taxpayers, the agency’s executive director Doug Linehan said in a news release Wednesday.

“By all accounts, the agency’s hard work resulted in a very positive taxpayer application experience,” Linehan said. “We remain committed to processing applications in a timely and transparent manner. I am very fortunate to work with such a talented and dedicated team.”

The Tax Commission had $100 million to distribute in spring 2025 and awarded $91.7 million of it, according to a Jan. 14 report. The agency has $200 million to spend on the program for the entire 2025 tax year, which is split between two different school years.

The budget will increase to $250 million in the 2026 tax year, the highest amount allowed in state law. Gov. Kevin Stitt has advocated for removing the spending cap.

About 54% of the spring 2025 awardees came from priority households earning $150,000 a year or less, according to Tax Commission data. More than a quarter of awarded students are from households earning over $250,000 a year, the program’s highest income bracket.

The state has approved 190 accredited private schools across the state for the tax credit program.

The Tax Commission awards each tax credit in the form of checks sent directly to the students’ school. Families must appear at the school in person to sign the check over to the school or collect it if their tuition costs already have been paid.

Students who receive funds but don’t stay enrolled at the private school for the entire tax credit period would have to return the money. The Tax Commission is trying to claw back $5 million of last year’s credits from 1,855 taxpayers for this reason.

The Tax Commission expects to send the first checks of the 2025-26 school year in August in the order that it approved applications, according to the agency’s webpage explaining the program. The second payments are expected in January 2026.

A bill from the state Senate’s top lawmaker, President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, would require the tax credits to be paid in one installment instead of two. Paxton’s bill also would move the application window to May through July. The legislation has not yet passed a committee vote.

The Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee approved Senate Bill 939 Monday. The measure, by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, aims to expand opportunities for producers to sell homemade goods and farm products.

Senate Bill 939 ensures that the provisions of the Homemade Food Freedom Act will not prohibit the sale of homemade food for home consumption from a retail space at the ranch, farm, or home where it is produced. The measure also aims to enhance producers’ ability to deliver their products or sell their goods at farmers markets.

“This measure will ensure Oklahoma producers are able to market, sell, and deliver their products in areas outside of the farm or home where they are produced or made,” Frix said. “By providing producers with greater freedoms and more flexibility, more Oklahomans will have access to local products. I look forward to continuing to work on this measure that will create new opportunities for producers, allowing them to grow their small businesses and reach more consumers with high-quality, locally made goods.”

Under the provisions of SB 939, retailers selling homemade or farm products must display signage indicating to informed end consumers that the products are homemade and have not been inspected.

Senate Bill 939 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, has secured committee approval for Senate Bills 448, 603, and 869.

Senate Bill 448 was unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee. The measure aims to ensure resident hunters have priority access to Oklahoma’s Wildlife Management Areas by requiring non-resident hunters to obtain a permit from the Department of Wildlife Conservation before hunting in Oklahoma’s Wildlife Management Areas or federal wildlife refuges. The measure also provides that the cost of the permit is not to exceed $100.

“Outdoorsmanship is an integral part of Oklahoma’s culture, history, and way of life,” Hamilton said. “This legislation will ensure that residents of our state are able to fully utilize and enjoy our Wildlife Management Areas without the challenges of overcrowding or depleted resources and game. I look forward to continuing work on this legislation to ensure Oklahomans have primary access to our WMAs, while still allowing outdoor enthusiasts from neighboring states to enter the established lottery system and enjoy Oklahoma’s abundant hunting lands.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 603, which requires any action brought as a result of disputes relating to repairs or improvements made on real property or fixtures attached to real property to be brought in the county where the real property is located.

“This legislation will ensure that both contractors and clients can seek justice without the inconvenience of traveling to another county for legal proceedings, making it easier for all parties involved to resolve disputes efficiently and fairly,” Hamilton said.

Senate Bill 869 was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee. The measure raises the crime of prostitution from a misdemeanor to a felony and provides that those found guilty may face up to two years of imprisonment and up to $3000 in fines.

“This measure will be a tool we will use to squash the sex trade industry and improve public safety across our state. This is a critical step toward protecting vulnerable individuals, and sending a strong message that our state will not tolerate exploitation, human trafficking or other associated crimes.” Hamilton added.

Senate Bill 448 is being carried in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton. Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, is serving as the House author of Senate Bills 603 and 869.

“I’m excited to collaborate with these great lawmakers as we work together to advance these key pieces of legislation,” Hamilton said.

The three measures are now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

Sen. Dave Rader’s bill appeared to become the vehicle Thursday that could be used to implement an agreement between parties negotiating a possible plan to legalize sports betting in the state.

SB0125, by Rader, R-Tulsa, received a do pass recommendation from the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill modifies the State-Tribal Gaming Act to permit in-person wagering and wagering conducted on a mobile device on the outcome of sports contests. It provides for tribes to enter a supplement to their gaming compact with the state that establishes fees and other requirements.

Rader’s bill was one of three sports betting bills that received do pass recommendations February 13 from the Senate Business and Insurance Committee. Each author said their bills, if they were utilized, would change before being put to a final vote. Rader reiterated that point again Thursday.

Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, asked whether mobile sports wagering would be permitted statewide or geo-fenced to tribal casinos.

“The answer is yes,” Rader said. He explained that some preferred to allow it statewide, but others preferred that it be limited to casino lands. “Exactly how it will be done, that has to be worked out,” said Rader.

Several members questions asked if the negotiations might open up the state-tribal gaming compacts to new discussions. Rader said that was not the intent. Sports betting, he said, would be permitted as a supplement to the existing gaming agreements under the terms of his bill.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, asked what issues were being discussed in the negotiations. Rader said they include how gaming would be permitted to occur and how the revenue would be divided up, including how much the state and tribes would receive.

The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 14-9 vote with its title stricken. It is now eligible to be heard on the Senate floor.

A Senate panel on Wednesday killed a bill that sought to return a Ten Commandments monument to the Capitol amid concerns that resurrecting it would violate the will of voters.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-5 against advancing Senate Bill 380, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. It is very unusual for bills heard in committee not to advance.

Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, said lawmakers pray before each legislative day.

“Show some courage” and allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed at the Capitol, she said.

Senators in opposition to the measure expressed concerns that it was unconstitutional, would lead to other religious monuments and went against the will of the people.

The measure would have called for a privately funded Ten Commandments monument inside and outside the Capitol.

Any person who knowingly damaged or destroyed the monument would be guilty of a felony.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2015 ruled that a privately funded Ten Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds was religious and had to be removed. State officials spent about $4,700 to remove it to private property nearby.

In 2016, voters resoundingly rejected State Question 790, put on the ballot by lawmakers, that would have allowed the Ten Commandments monument to be displayed at the Capitol.

In 2018, then Gov. Mary Fallin signed a bill that would allow for the Ten Commandments along with other historical documents to be displayed on public property.

A Senate panel on Wednesday advanced a bill that would bar mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state agencies despite concerns it could have unintended consequences.

Senate Bill 1006 would give the Oklahoma Attorney General the power to investigate alleged infractions.

State funded agencies found to be in violation shall have state appropriations reduced by 1%. Unappropriated agencies would be required to increase deposits to the state’s General Revenue Fund by 1%.

Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said the measure could bar programs that seek to attract women to aviation, help a person with a disability get a job or allow a popular campus Christian music festival.

She said she could see student groups being eliminated just to avoid a 1% fine.                                                                                                                         

“DEI actually takes us away from that concept of merit based and this is returning us back to that sanity of merit based,” said Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, the measure’s author.

DEI dictates that hiring and scholarships be given out based on disability, race or sex instead of merit, Bullard said.

All people are equal under the law, he said.

He said the measure is aimed at not forcing people to participate in DEI programs that are taxpayer funded.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, asked if the measure would preclude special treatment for someone who has athletic ability or talents.

“I think what we’re looking at here is something we’ve seen again and again, which is that each year, the majority party picks a new buzzword or concept to blame and causes chaos around rather than solving real problems for the state and for the nation,” Kirt said. “DEI is just the latest fabricated distraction to pit us against each other and take away from real issues.”

The bill comes after Gov. Kevin Stitt and President Donald Trump both issued executive orders banning it, Bullard said.

The bill passed by a vote of 6-2 and heads to the full Senate.

House lawmakers pushed forward Monday an effort to increase reimbursement payments to foster families by at least $140 a month.

House Bill 2030 would increase “maintenance payments” to foster care parents by $5 per day. These payments are intended to help families cover the cost of caring for a foster child, including necessities like food, clothing, school supplies, personal incidentals and reasonable travel.

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, said he authored the bill because of a constituent request and these payment amounts have not changed since 2018.

“We have some constituents in western Oklahoma who have taken in foster children and they chose not to break that family unit apart,” he said. “They’re just asking for a little more assistance because they have the heart, they have the will, but financially, it is tough.”

The current reimbursement rates are $17.72 for children ages 0 to 5, $20.42 for 6 to 12-year-olds, and $22.62 for children 13 and older. These payments are dispersed on a monthly basis.

The increase equates to average monthly payments ranging from $681.60 to $828.60 based on the child’s age.

Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services estimates increasing the rates will cost over $48 million in total, but the state will only be responsible for paying $25.7 million, or 53% of the cost. Federal dollars would cover the remaining $22.5 million.

Archer said legislators can’t “put a price tag on how these dollars would benefit kids who are in their most troubling time.”

The Department of Human Services has said over 5,800 children are in the state’s foster care system. The agency wants to add 400 new foster homes in 2025.

Archer said inflation is one of the reasons the rate increase is necessary. Finances have become a barrier for foster families and that this bill has the potential to “save money on the backend.”

He said this bill changes the payments to “traditional foster families,” which Archer said are foster parents who take in children with no relation or kinship to themselves.

While the bill only mentions traditional foster families, a financial analysis said it would also increase the daily payments for associated DHS foster care programs in order for the agency to stay in compliance with a court settlement.

The bill, which passed unanimously, can now be heard by the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

More than one out of every four Oklahomans voted early or by mail during the November presidential election. One lawmaker wants to know why.

Logan County’s newest state representative, Republican Molly Jenkins, filed House Bill 1515 this session, which would require anyone who votes early or requests an absentee ballot to vote by mail, to explain why they’re doing so by selecting one of nine choices.

Jenkins says her goal is “enhancing security, transparency and integrity of voting system.”

Some lawmakers have raised concerns, however, that the information required is intrusive, unnecessary or could discourage absentee voting in Oklahoma.

Bill would require valid reasons to vote early or by mail

Jenkins’s bill gives nine allowable reasons why someone won’t be voting in-person on Election Day:

·     Absence from jurisdiction (out of town)

·     Illness or disability

·     Employment-related

·     Education-related

·     Military service

·     Religion

·     Serving as an election official

·     Seventy-five (75) years of age or older

·     Serving on jury duty

Voters would have to give a reason or else their application would be denied. Speaking at the committee hearing, Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax noted that absentee ballot applications are kept for 24 months and are a matter of public record subject to the Open Records Act.

Jenkins’ bill narrowly advanced from the House Elections and Ethics Committee on Monday. The vote was briefly tied among the assigned committee members, but the Oklahoma House’s second-in-command Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, was called into the room so he could cast the tie-breaking vote.

Her bill needs to pass through one more committee before it reaches the Oklahoma House of Representatives. It would then need to be approved by the Senate.

Representatives question intent, effect of HB 1515

The lawmakers voting against Jenkins’ bill were Reps. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; and Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont.

During the committee meeting this week, Dollens said that asking about a person’s disability or religion is intrusive, questioning why the government needs to know this information just to vote early or by mail.

“The idea behind this bill is to strengthen the integrity of our voting system, and when a person is required to list a reason, it gives them pause to think about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it,” replied Jenkins, a Republican from Coyle. “This is simply another measure to strengthen the integrity of our absentee ballot voting, instead of just having no-excuse absentee ballots.”

Jenkins also cited President Donald Trump’s apparent desire to allow only a single day for American citizens to cast a ballot.

In a reply to Staires’ question about whether the bill is meant to discourage absentee voting, Jenkins said voting is a serious situation that people need to take seriously.

“Voting is not necessarily something that should just be a convenience,” Jenkins said.

In an interview on Wednesday, Jenkins elaborated on her stance. She pointed to the 2020 election and specifically, an article published in The Oklahoman reporting that county election officials found 59 possible cases of voter fraud out of more than 1.5 million votes cast. That article noted that only one case reached the level of criminal prosecution.

“The (purpose) of the bill is to instill in people the importance of elections,” Jenkins told The Oklahoman. “It’s not keeping anyone from having the opportunity to vote, and I don’t think it limits voter participation because when people trust the system, they’re going to go out and vote.”

Senator Darrell Weaver’s Senate Bill 79, the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The bill gives courts the tools to order abduction prevention measures in child custody cases, if the court finds evidence shows a credible risk of abduction of the child.

“This bill empowers our courts to take proactive steps to protect children when there is credible evidence of a potential abduction risk,” Weaver said. “By creating the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, we are setting clear and uniform guidelines for courts to follow, focusing on critical risk factors and ensuring swift action when necessary to protect vulnerable children from harm. I look forward to continuing to work on this critical bill as it advances through the legislative process.”

Weaver says the bill’s language was suggested by the Uniform Law Commission.

The full Senate can now take up SB 79.

Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, has won committee approval for her bill expanding access to driver education for drivers of adaptive vehicles.

Senate Bill 487 ensures that those drivers needing to drive an adaptive vehicle due to injury, disability, or any other adverse circumstance can hire an appropriate driver educator for their unique need.

“SB 487 is a constituent request from someone who has successfully navigated the arduous process of acquiring an adaptive vehicle, learning how to drive it, and becoming fully licensed,” Dossett said. “Her journey shows us that those in her position need more flexibility to hire the highly specialized driver educators they require. If it becomes law, those highly specialized driver educators will be recognized just the same as other driver educators, and we’ll relieve drivers of adaptive vehicles of such an arduous process.”

The measure is now eligible for a floor hearing and must be heard by the full Senate by March 27.

“SB 487 has no fiscal impact to the state and only requires an adjustment to agency rules about driver education that leads to eventual driver licensure; however, if passed, it will have a great impact on an individual’s access to mobility, employment, and quality of life. It’s a win-win for the state, and for our citizens,” Dossett commented.

YSen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has secured initial approval for legislation to appropriate $500 million for local water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Last week, the Senate Energy Committee unanimously approved Bullard’s Senate Bill 92. This bill would make a one-time appropriation to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board so the agency can offer low-interest loans so communities can upgrade and replace their aging water and wastewater infrastructure.

Under the bill, 50% of the funds would be reserved for counties with fewer than 30,000 people. The remaining funds would be evenly divided between mid-sized counties and those with more than 400,000 residents.

“During the ARPA process, we learned that many Oklahoma communities, especially those in rural areas, have billions of dollars in critical water and wastewater projects that they simply can’t afford to tackle on their own,” Bullard said. “This one-time appropriation creates a recurring investment to help municipalities revitalize their water systems to conserve this precious resource and ensure everyone has access to clean drinking water.”

Bullard passed similar legislation through the Senate and the House last year, but the bill stalled amid state budget negotiations at the end of the legislative session.

“Water and wastewater infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating in cities and towns across the state, pushing Oklahoma to the brink of a crisis,” Bullard said. “If we don’t take action soon, Oklahoma could end up like Flint, Michigan, where outdated water systems and decades of neglect led to a public health disaster.”

The House Utilities Committee this week passed legislation that will put in place a setback from wind turbines in counties that meet certain wind speed and population density requirements.

House Bill 2751, by Rep. Trey Caldwell, is the culmination of work being done by multiple House members who filed wind setback bills this session.

"I appreciate the work of our Republican House members who came together to find a compromise that, while it doesn't make everyone happy, addresses this issue in a way that works for all of Oklahoma," said Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Our two-tiered committee process is intended to ensure work like this is done at the committee level, and this is a great example of the process working."

The legislation puts in place:

·     A setback of 2.5x the fall down height of a wind turbine from the property line or a quarter mile from an occupied dwelling, whichever is greater, in the counties that meet the criteria 

·     average wind speed below 9.5 mph according to Oklahoma Climatological Survey and;

·     population density greater than 8.5 per square mile according to the 2020 US Census

"This bill is about property rights at its core. We are trying to use common sense to mitigate disputes between property owners, some of which may want wind and some who don't," said Caldwell, R-Faxon. "This balances private property rights with the desire to encourage economic development in Oklahoma."

The bill includes a local opt-in/opt-out option, allowing counties to, by popular vote, change their status of being subject to this wind setback. The bill also requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a list of counties and their wind setback status.

"This legislation ensures that wind turbines can be where the wind blows consistently and at certain speeds in our state so they can generate efficient energy," said Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta. "This does not restrict wind projects but makes sure the projects are placed in areas where if subsidies were taken – per President Trump's America First agenda – they are financially viable on their own."

"This well thought piece of legislation allows the state to set uniform policy while giving counties local control," said Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow. "This solution to the setback issue provides some clarity and a framework that all affected parties can work within."

The bill applies to future projects and those that are not currently under construction. How "under construction" is defined will continue to be worked on prior to the bill being heard in oversight committee.

"This legislation ensures projects will not happen in eastern Oklahoma where the population density and wind speeds do not make these wind projects viable or make any sense," said Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah. "This legislation is a win for eastern Oklahoma."

The House Utilities Committee passed the bill 8-3 and it will now move to the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee for further consideration.

February 2025

• Monday, Feb. 24: Deadline for House Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from House Policy Committees and Appropriations Subcommittees * Deadline extended

March 2025

• Thursday, March 6: Deadline for Senate Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Committee
• Thursday, March 6: Deadline for House Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Oversight, Admin Rules, Appropriations and Rules Committees
• Thursday, March 27: Deadline for Third Reading and Final Passage of Bills and Joint Resolutions by the Chamber of Origin (House and Senate) 

April 2025

• Thursday, April 10: Deadline for House Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Policy Committees and Appropriation Subcommittees
• Thursday, April 24: Deadline for House Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Oversight, Admin Rules, Appropriations and Rules Committees
• Thursday, April 24: Deadline for House Bills and Joint Resolutions to be Reported from Committee (Senate)

May 2025

•   Thursday, May 8: Deadline for Third Reading and Final Passage of Bills and Joint Resolutions by the Opposite Chamber (House and Senate) 
•  Friday, May 30 (no later than 5:00 p.m.): Sine Die Adjournment of the First Session of the 69^th Legislature

OkACTE tracks and monitors legislative bills. These bills can vary from CareerTech education policy, common education policy, education funding, teacher pay raise, tax credits, licensing, Ad Valorem, retirement, state employee pay raise, guns, economic development and much more.

Of these bills, we've compiled a listing of CTE Priority Measures linked below.

Visit oklegislature.gov to view entire text of the measures.

CTE Priority Measures