Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Bill 4265 , including a floor amendment to designate a memorial highway honoring longtime House employee Harvey Weathers Jr., who passed away earlier this year. The amendment, brought by Reps. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, adds the Harvey Weathers Jr. Memorial Highway designation. The bill, as amended, passed the House unanimously. "Harvey represented the very best of public service," Dempsey said. "From his time in uniform to his years at the Capitol, he served with integrity and treated everyone with respect. This designation ensures his legacy will be remembered for years to come." Weathers served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard and spent 30 years as a firefighter in Oklahoma City. He later served 18 years as a sergeant at arms at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where he became a familiar and respected presence among lawmakers, staff and visitors. Dempsey said Weathers’ impact extended far beyond his official duties. "He had a way of connecting with everyone he met," Johns said. "He brought energy and humor wherever he went, and his kindness left a lasting impression on so many people at the Capitol." House Bill 4265 memorializes multiple highways, bridges and interchanges across the state while also updating location descriptions for certain existing designations. Among the new recognitions included in the measure are memorials honoring veterans, local leaders and community members in counties across Oklahoma. Lawmakers said the additions reflect a continued effort to recognize individuals who have made lasting contributions to their communities and the state. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has advanced House Bill 3742, aimed at strengthening constitutional protections and improving fairness in the state’s criminal justice system. HB3742 , named the "The Due Process Protection Act," authored by Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, updates Oklahoma’s Criminal Discovery Code to clarify disclosure requirements and adjust timelines for resolving discovery issues in criminal cases. Harris said the measure is designed to ensure that both prosecutors and defense attorneys have access to necessary evidence earlier in the legal process, helping prevent delays and ensuring defendants receive their constitutional right to fair and speedy trials. "When prosecutors and defense attorneys have clear rules and timely access to evidence, it helps prevent unnecessary delays and ensures cases move forward based on the facts," Harris said. "The Due Process Protection Act strengthens Oklahoma’s discovery process so both sides can properly prepare while protecting the constitutional rights of defendants." Harris said he collaborated on the bill with numerous stakeholders, including district attorneys, law enforcement partners and attorneys in private practice.  HB3742 passed the House unanimously and proceeds to the Senate for additional consideration. It is authored in the Senate by Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, has advanced legislation to strengthen maternal safety and improve health outcomes for mothers and infants across Oklahoma after House Bill 4285 passed the House with an 85-5 vote. House Bill 4285 would create the Perinatal Quality Improvement Revolving Fund within the Oklahoma State Department of Health to support initiatives in birthing hospitals statewide. "When you talk to families and health care providers, you hear the same thing, we can do better when it comes to caring for moms and babies," Miller said. "This bill would give the 41 birthing hospitals in Oklahoma the support they need to make real improvements and help more families have safe and healthy outcomes." The bill would allow the State Department of Health to partner with quality improvement initiatives and organizations across Oklahoma to address preventable maternal and infant health issues. HB4285 would focus on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as lowering rates of preventable complications and deaths among newborns and infants. The measure also would support collaboration among providers to strengthen standards of care and expand access to proven best practices. The revolving fund structure would allow the state to receive and utilize a variety of funding sources, including federal funds, grants and private contributions, helping support long-term improvements in care. HB4285 now moves to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, is the Senate author.