Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today approved the general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027, delivering the largest investment in education in state history while also strengthening funding for mental health services, health care and other core state priorities. The general appropriations bill serves as the foundation of the state budget, establishing the framework for funding state agencies. This also includes a $232 million increase for common education, supporting teacher pay raises and investing in initiatives that strengthen early literacy and ensure students build a solid foundation in math; the biggest investment in education in state history. The budget also increases funding for the Department of Mental Health to support efforts with the ongoing consent decree, the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority for increased Medicaid utilization and the Department of Human Services for Advantage waiver, changes to the SNAP program and child care teacher recruitment and retention. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, released the following statements after the measure passed the House floor by a vote of 76-18. "This budget reflects our commitment to investing in Oklahoma’s future while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Hilbert said. “By making historic investments in education while maintaining a disciplined approach to spending, this plan focuses on the core priorities that matter most to Oklahomans and ensures we are using public funds wisely." "We started working on this budget in July of 2025 and I have had open office hours that began in February so members could talk through their requests and hesitations," Caldwell said. "I have made it my mission to make this budget process the most transparent in state history. Every detail of this budget is about making Oklahoma better than it was the year before. There is never a perfect budget, but I am certain that this moves our state forward." More details on the FY27 budget can be found on the Oklahoma House website at  https://former.okhouse.gov/fiscal/FiscalPortal.aspx . “Oklahomans expect us to lead, and that means coming to the table with solutions,” Hilbert said. “Throughout this process, leadership has remained focused on delivering a responsible budget that protects services without unnecessary spending increases.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, today issued the following statement after receiving word that Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Trooper Vernon Brake, of Guthrie, was killed in an accident on Interstate 35. The driver of the other vehicle, and a four-year-old passenger were killed in the accident as well. "My heart goes out to the families of the deceased," Duel said. "Sadly, law enforcement and first responders know all too well the risks they are asked to face every day they wear a uniform and serve the public, but it never gets easier to deal with their loss. I'm thankful for the service of Trooper Brake, and I stand with many others in this community in telling his surviving wife and two children that we will be there for them when they need us. My condolences and prayers go out to the families of the other victims of this tragedy as well." OHP released that Trooper Brake was a graduate of the 56th OHP Academy in 2006, and proudly served the patrol for nearly 20 years, with a significant amount of time assigned to Troop S (commercial motor vehicle enforcement). After his graduation from the academy, he also served in Oklahoma and Logan Counties. Trooper Brake is survived by his wife and two children. OHP's Traffic Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the crash. Details are still emerging.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, issued the following statement after a federal judge declined to approve proposed settlement agreements in the long-running Illinois River Watershed poultry litigation:  "The Attorney General and his team worked to bring forward settlement agreements that would have provided a clearer path forward in this case. Those agreements reflected months of negotiation and an effort to bring stability to a situation that has remained unresolved for far too long.  With the court declining to move those agreements forward, the uncertainty surrounding this case continues, and it's being felt most by the families who rely on poultry production to make a living.  In eastern Oklahoma, poultry growers are family operations that have made significant investments and taken on real financial risk. Without long-term certainty, many of them are now facing difficult decisions about whether they can continue operating.   At this point, I believe it is appropriate to reevaluate the direction of this case. I am urging the Attorney General to consider withdrawing the lawsuit so we can prevent further economic strain on rural communities and avoid pushing more families to the brink."  The Illinois River Watershed litigation, originally filed in 2005, remains ongoing as the court considers next steps following its decision on the proposed agreements. -END- Rep. David Hardin, a Republican, represents House District 86 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Adair County and portions of Cherokee, Mayes and Delaware counties.