Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today secured House passage of two bills ensuring taxpayer-funded assistance programs are reserved for those who are lawfully present in the United States. The measures advance the state’s commitment to Safeguarding Eligibility, Compliance and Use of Resources Efficiently (SECURE) when administering state and federal assistance. “Oklahoma taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize benefits for individuals who are in our country illegally," said Hilbert. These services are intended for legal, tax-paying citizens, and the House has made clear that we are going to ensure those benefits are protected for eligible Oklahomans.” House Bills 4422 and 4423 reinforce eligibility standards for public assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid and Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The legislation clarifies that individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States are ineligible for taxpayer-funded benefits and strengthens verification requirements to ensure state agencies are complying with federal law and directing benefits only to qualified recipients. Both House Bill 4422 and House Bill 4423 passed unanimously by House Republicans. “We continue to address the consequences of reckless federal border policies created under the Biden Administration that have made every state a border state,” Hilbert said. “Oklahoma must send a clear message: we stand with legal immigrants, American workers and the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who enforce our laws. These bills promote cooperation with federal authorities and reinforce that Oklahoma will not serve as a magnet for illegal immigration or the misuse of public resources.” With House passage secured, the bills now move to the Senate for consideration. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation aimed at protecting Oklahoma students from the dangers of fentanyl has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. House Bill 1484 , known as Rain’s Law, requires schools to provide age-appropriate instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness for students in grades six through 12. The measure was authored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and carried in the Senate by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. "This is a win for students everywhere," Johns said. "Too many young lives have been lost to something they never saw coming. I am proud of my colleagues and Governor Stitt for recognizing the reality of fentanyl and taking action to protect our students. By ensuring students understand just how dangerous fentanyl is, we are giving them the knowledge they need to protect themselves. This law will help save lives." The law is named in honor of Cameron University student Rain Reece, who died at 19 after unknowingly taking a pill laced with fentanyl. It establishes required educational components, authorizes qualified organizations to provide instruction and directs the Oklahoma State Department of Education to adopt curriculum standards and resources. The measure also calls for the governor to designate Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week in schools in coordination with National Red Ribbon Week. Weaver, who previously served as director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, said education is one of the most effective tools to prevent future tragedies. "Even after many years leading the Bureau of Narcotics, fentanyl remains unlike any drug I’ve ever seen, as it can be deadly in the tiniest amounts," Weaver said. "Rain’s Law ensures Oklahoma students learn how dangerous even a single pill can be, while equipping them with knowledge to protect themselves and their peers. I’m proud to see this life-saving legislation become law." The new law comes as fentanyl continues to devastate families across Oklahoma. For Johns, the issue is deeply personal. Eight of his former students have died from fentanyl. Rain’s Law now ensures students receive clear, factual information about the risks of synthetic opioids, including how fentanyl is often hidden in counterfeit pills and how even one pill can be deadly. Johns also recognized the advocacy of Rain’s mother, Karla Carlock, who has worked to turn her loss into a mission to protect others. Her efforts have reached beyond Oklahoma. Last summer, Carlock traveled to Washington, D.C., where she was present when President Donald Trump signed legislation strengthening fentanyl-related laws nationwide, underscoring the growing urgency to address the crisis. Rain’s Law was introduced during the First Session of the 60th Legislature, where it passed House committees and the House floor unanimously and was approved in a Senate committee. However, it was not heard on the Senate floor until the Second Session. "Rain’s life mattered, and her story is now helping protect students across our state," Johns said. "If this law spares even one family from that kind of heartbreak, then it is worth it. We owe it to our children to do everything we can to keep them safe."

Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, today applauded the work the House Common Education Committee completed prior to the Feb. 19 deadline to pass bills out of policy committee. Lowe, a former ag teacher who chairs the Common Education Committee, said the members advanced measures focused on strengthening Oklahoma’s education system and supporting students, teachers and families across the state. "Education is one of the most important responsibilities we have as lawmakers," Lowe said. "The House Common Education Committee work to ensure every proposal is measured against a single standard: whether it improves outcomes for Oklahoma students." Measures passed by the House Common Education Committee prior to the Feb. 19 deadline include: House Bill 4358: Screen Time Limit for Young Students HB4358 , authored by Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, would limit the amount of screen time public school elementary students can receive during school . Under the bill, students in prekindergarten through fifth grades could only receive up to one hour of screen time each day. "Research is clear that limiting screen time is better for children," Moore said. "Their brain function, problem solving, creativity and focus is improved. Children thrive on face-to-face interaction with peers and instruction from live teachers. This legislation will set some healthy boundaries for children when they are in our public schools." House Bill 4359: Statewide Assessments in May This bill , also proposed by Moore, would require Oklahoma’s statewide student assessments to be administered annually during the month of May. These assessments, which are used to measure student proficiency and readiness aligned with academic standards, would take place in May beginning in the 2026-27 school year. "If state tests are held too early, students miss important preparation and instruction time," Moore said. "It's hoped this change will lead to improved academic outcomes." House Bill 3467: Maternity and Adoption Leave for Education Employees Under HB3467 , maternity leave benefits for full-time education employees would be expanded to allow leave following the adoption of a child under four years old. The measure is carried by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow. "I am grateful to see House Bill 3467 pass the House Common Education Committee," Boles said. "This bill is about recognizing that every child deserves a strong, supported start, no matter how they join a family. Adoption is a life-changing moment for both the child and the parents, and our educators should not have to choose between their career and being present for those first, critical days. This ensures they have the time to bond, to build that foundation and to truly be there when it matters most." House Bill 3711: School District Expenditure Transparency HB3711 , authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, would require school districts to post on their websites the percentage of total expenditures dedicated to instructional costs. It also requires this information to be included with any bond proposals or bond guarantee applications to increase transparency about how taxpayer funds are used. "Oklahoma schools devote a smaller portion of their budgets to instruction, including teacher salaries, than schools in most other states," Caldwell said. "More than 25 percent of districts spend less than half of their funding on instructional expenses. While total education funding has increased, the share our schools spend on classroom instruction has dropped, highlighting the importance of transparency and public access to clear information about how education dollars are allocated, especially when schools are asking taxpayers to voluntarily raise their taxes." House Bill 3032: Free/Reduced-Price Meals Application Requirement This bill , carried by Lowe, would require that a parent or guardian complete the application for free or reduced-price school meals as a condition of student enrollment, with an opt-out option available. "Access to school meals is essential, but too often, families miss out on programs that help children learn and thrive," Lowe said. "This bill encourages families to engage in these programs early so their schools and communities can better support student well-being." Lowe also praised members for their diligence and commitment to students. "I'm proud of the thoughtful work our members have put in to carefully evaluate each bill before us," he said. "Their preparation, engagement and respect for the process reflect the seriousness with which we must approach education policy." Each of the 16 total bills passed by the House Common Education Committee now advance to the House Education Oversight Committee. The deadline to pass bills through oversight committees is March 5.