Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation authored by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, authorizing the placement of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Oklahoma State Capitol grounds has been signed into law.  House Bill 4486 allows the State Capitol Preservation Commission to work with private entities to design, construct and place the monument near the Capitol Arch at no cost to taxpayers. "Families who have lost a loved one in service deserve to be recognized in a meaningful way," Townley said. "I've had the chance to hear from families who live with that loss, and it stays with you. This gives them a place at our Capitol that reflects that sacrifice and honors it for years to come." The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument honors families who have lost a loved one in military service and is part of a national effort led by the Woody Williams Foundation. The monument will be privately funded and located on the Capitol grounds alongside other military tributes. The memorial will feature four pillars representing homeland, family, patriot and sacrifice, with imagery designed to reflect Oklahoma communities and military service. Townley said placing the monument at the Capitol ensures it will be accessible to all Oklahomans and visitors, creating an opportunity for reflection, education and recognition of those who have given their lives in service to the country. Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Edmond, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, is the Senate author of the bill.

Today the Oklahoma House sent a bill to the Governor's desk that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day. “Bell to Bell, No Cell” was originally introduced as pilot legislation in 2025, requiring Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state statute. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, emphasized that the policy, paired with strong literacy reforms passed this year, represents an important step forward for Oklahoma schools. “This legislation is one of the most meaningful bills written during my time in the House,” said Hilbert. “I’ve heard from both parents and teachers who are grateful for this reform. Hallways are loud again, students are playing Uno at lunch, and they’re actually interacting with one another. This legislation permanently allows kids to be kids, and our teachers to teach in our classrooms.” The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also allows local school districts flexibility in how they implement the policy. “As a father of three, I knew how important this legislation would be in our schools and for our kids. I have worked for the last 12 years in the House on a lot of important legislation that has had a meaningful impact on schools, but making this ban permanent I think will tremendously improve the academic focus in our classrooms for years to come,” said House Education Appropriations Chairman Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, and author of the bill.  “Bell to Bell, No Cell has worked wonders in classrooms across Oklahoma,” said Senator Ally Seifried, R- Claremore, and senate author of the bill. “With fewer distractions from cellphones and social media, students are engaged and focused on their schoolwork again. Making this permanent is the right move for Oklahoma kids, and I look forward to seeing academic outcomes continue to improve the longer this policy is on the books.” 

The House today sent legislation to the Governor's desk authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, that removes restrictions on teachers from teaching in public schools after retirement. House Bill 2288 changes an existing 36-month waiting period to six months for teachers who retire before they can return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools, while also drawing on their earned retirement benefits. Currently, teachers are allowed to go into a job in the private sector or in a private school, but must wait 36 months before returning to a public school classroom. "Our state has a teacher shortage and we must do all we can to keep quality teachers in our public school classrooms as long as they are willing to continue teaching," said Hilbert. "We need to allow these teachers – many of whom are still in their prime working years - to draw down the retirement benefits they have earned while remaining in the classroom if they choose to do so." The bill passed both chambers unanimously.