Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved Senate Bill 1290 , creating the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund. The measure is authored in the House by Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, and passed with a vote of 82-5. SB1290 would establish a revolving fund within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide stable, ongoing funding for the state’s 211 system. Under the measure, the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund includes a $3 million appropriation. "The 211 hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, connecting people in every corner of our state with the help they need," Norwood said. "This ensures we keep that support strong and reliable so Oklahomans can find stability in times of need. When someone calls, Oklahoma should be there to answer." The fund would serve as a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and would support efforts to maintain and strengthen access to critical services for Oklahomans across all 77 counties. "I am grateful to my colleagues in the House who recognized the importance of this measure and stood behind it," Norwood said. "They understand that access to these services can be the difference between hardship and hope for many families." The measure's House committee substitute includes clear provisions prohibiting the use of funds for abortion-related services. The amendment directs the system to prioritize referrals to crisis pregnancy centers, adoption agencies and other life-affirming resources. "It is important that we continue to recognize the sanctity of life in our policies," Norwood said. "This legislation makes clear that these resources will support mothers, families and children while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used in a way that reflects those values." The measure now heads back to the Senate for a final vote. If signed into law, SB1290 will take effect July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today the Oklahoma House of Representatives showed its overwhelming, bipartisan support for legislation strengthening the state’s Strong Readers Act, giving teachers additional training and support and ensuring students can read by the third grade. Senate Bill 1778 includes early identification of reading deficiencies through consistent, statewide screening; targeted intervention grounded in the science of reading; clear communication with parents about their child’s reading progress and available at-home supports; accountability measures to ensure students demonstrate reading ability before advancing to the next grade; giving 2nd graders the option of taking the state test; expanded teacher training and classroom support to improve instruction outcomes; new requirements and accountability for colleges of education preparing our state’s future teachers; a new funding formula that supports all students, while also giving additional funds to students who need more help and rewarding schools seeing growth; and creates a revolving fund to encourage public-private partnerships. “Before third grade, students learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn. When that transition does not happen, the consequences compound quickly and follow students for life,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow and author of the bill. “ We want to talk about career pathways and dream jobs for our students, but our children will be perpetually underemployed if they cannot read. I am proud of the House members who supported this important legislation today and I believe we will look back to this moment years from now and know this is when we made the decision to do better for all Oklahoma students." To support this reform, the Legislature is making targeted investments to strengthen teacher preparation and student literacy. The budget includes over $43 million for reading instruction and interventions in schools, $5 million in supplemental investment for teacher training academies this summer, and $5 million in ongoing annual funding for teacher training programs. In addition, the state will invest over $5 million in reading at home initiatives and dedicated funding for math and reading screeners to help educators identify and address student learning needs earlier. The legislation has received bipartisan support, largely because the statistics around Oklahoma’s reading levels are alarming. In 2015, Oklahoma students performed near the national average in reading. Today, we trail peer states by more than a full grade level. Based on Spring 2025 testing, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level. The bill passed the House floor with a bipartisan vote of 87-5. The Senate will now consider the proposed amendments before the legislation moves to the governor's desk for final consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday passed a bill in committee that would improve public access to athletic training through reciprocity among member states. Senate Bill 1813 would adopt the Athletic Trainer Compact, aligning Oklahoma's licensure standards with those set by the Athletic Trainer Compact Commission. This would include guidelines for examination and education requirements, criminal background checks, conducting investigations, continuing competence and participation in the commission’s shared data system. "This legislation would allow the governor to enter into compacts to certain jurisdictions for the purpose of expanding the mobility of the athletic trainer practice to improve public access to service by providing qualified, licensed athletic trainers," Ford said. "This would give these members the ability to practice in other states. The compact also would preserve the regulatory authority of the state to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensing." SB1813 passed the House Business Committee and now awaits consideration in the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee. If it passes on third reading on the House floor, it will be sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law.