Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation aimed to exempt baby diapers from the state sales tax, a move she said would provide targeted relief to families facing rising costs. "This bill is about doing our job as legislators. With inflation driving up prices on everyday necessities, many Oklahoma parents are struggling to stretch their budgets," Gise said. "Families are telling us they're being squeezed by rising costs, and diapers are one expense parents cannot avoid. Removing the sales tax on diapers is a pragmatic, pro-life solution that helps parents keep more of their own money while ensuring babies have what they need to thrive." According to the National Diaper Bank Network , one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers, and the average monthly diaper cost for families ranges from $80 to more than $100. "Currently, the only program that can be used for diaper aid is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, but TANF funds must also cover other basic expenses, including utilities, rent, clothing, transportation and other essential needs, leaving little, if anything, available for diapers," Gise said. House Bill 2935 aims to exempt baby diapers from the sales tax altogether, which Gise says ultimately helps families better manage household expenses. Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, who originally introduced the diaper tax exemption, says lawmakers should act where they are able. "Hardworking families across Oklahoma are doing the best we can to raise our children, and that is more expensive now than it has ever been before," Menz said. "If the Legislature can do something to make essentials like diapers more affordable, we should do it. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this important legislation." Gise reaffirmed her commitment to reducing the cost of essential goods and supporting policies that put Oklahoma families first. "Baby diapers are a basic health necessity for infants and toddlers and should not be treated as discretionary purchases," she said. "This bill is common sense, both from a fiscally responsible standpoint and for families, as it applies only to baby diapers." HB2935 will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, is again pursuing legislation that would send to a vote of the people a question regarding future legislative pay changes. West is drafting a resolution to require a statewide vote to determine whether legislative pay increases or decreases should face a vote of the people each time they are recommended. House bills and resolutions must be filed by Jan. 15. The next legislative session convenes Feb. 2. "I made a promise to the people in my district that I would attempt to let them vote on whether or not legislators deserved a pay raise," West said. West said this would not do away with the Oklahoma Legislative Compensation Board or the Statewide Official Compensation Commission, both of which have the same members appointed by the governor, the speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the state Senate as well as non-voting members from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Tax Commission. These entities could still meet to make the recommendation for legislative pay and explain their rationale, West said, but the ultimate decision would be in the hands of voting Oklahomans. West has filed identical resolutions since being re-elected to serve his House district in 2020. None have ever advanced from committee. "I'm hopeful this will be the year this advances," West said. West declined to take a 35% increase in legislative pay that was approved by the Compensation Board for state lawmakers starting in 2019. At the time, West was not in office. But, he said he pledged to voters that upon taking his seat in 2020, he would instead donate the amount to charities in his House district. The board in 2023 voted to increase by 5% stipends paid to legislative leaders. This year, both the board and the commission voted to increase base legislative pay by $7,400 – from $47,500 to $54,900. Also approved were bonus stipends of $27,450 for leaders of both legislative chambers, as well as $18,117 for others in legislative leadership positions. West said these amounts exceed the median household income of $50,027 in LeFlore County, where his House District 3 is located.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, vice chair of the Oklahoma House Energy Committee, recently joined fellow legislators in Gulfport, Mississippi, for a multi-state conference focused on the future of energy policy across the United States and Canada.  The sessions covered grid resiliency, the rising energy demands of data centers, legal challenges facing the energy sector, reforms to streamline permitting for major projects and ongoing LNG export initiatives. “This conference provided valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Luttrell said. “We’re all looking toward a future where reliable, affordable energy is essential for families, businesses and national security. These conversations help us make informed decisions for Oklahoma.”  Presenters included industry and policy experts who outlined how these issues are shaping state-level energy strategies. Discussions highlighted what other states and Canadian provinces are implementing and how legislators can support sound, long-term energy policy at home. Luttrell said he looks forward to applying what he learned as lawmakers continue working on policies that strengthen Oklahoma’s energy landscape.