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Oklahoma House Speaker-Designate Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today commented on the selection of Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, by the Senate Majority Caucus to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate for the 60th Legislature. “I want to congratulate my friend Sen. Lonnie Paxton on the selection by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate. I appreciate his willingness to step up and look forward to working with him and Governor Stitt to continue Oklahoma’s conservative momentum.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued the following statement after the failed attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a political rally in Pennsylvania yesterday: "Both I, and my family, are praying for President Donald Trump, his family and those who were in attendance after the failed assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally yesterday. Political differences are never a justification for violence. My heart goes out to the family of the individual who lost his life at the rally and those others who were injured. We must continue to pray for our Nation, and find a path forward together. May God continue to bless America." -END- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Daniel Seitz, House Leadership Communications Liaison Phone: (405) 962-7649 Email: daniel.seitz@okhouse.gov 

 Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday ceremonially signed a bill to ensure Oklahoma's schools are well-prepared for cardiac emergencies.  Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, is the House author of Senate Bill 1921, which requires all public schools statewide to formulate a sudden cardiac emergency response plan. "Safety for students and staff is a top concern in Oklahoma schools, and Senate Bill 1921 reinforces this commitment," Culver said. "Through statewide cardiac emergency plans, schools have the tools and training needed to save lives. As a result, every school can respond quickly and effectively during cardiac emergencies, giving everyone peace of mind." Under the legislation, the State Department of Health requires school nurses, athletic trainers, and athletic coaches to complete annual training focused on emergency cardiovascular care. SB 1921 has support from various national sports organizations, the American Heart Association, and many families and individuals who have experienced cardiac emergencies. According to the American Heart Association, about 23,000 children under 18 experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. About 40% of these events are sports-related. CPR, if performed immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival. In schools with automated external defibrillators, about 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – seven times the overall survival rate for children. Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, is the Senate author of the bill. "Today's ceremonial bill signing serves as yet another reminder of the critical nature of cardiac emergencies and the need for school staff to receive training so they can recognize the signs of cardiac arrest and respond with immediate and proper care," Rosino said. "I'm incredibly appreciative of everyone who has supported this critical legislation throughout the process and the individuals and organizations who promoted the implementation of cardiac emergency response plans in Oklahoma schools." The legislation took effect July 1. SB 1921 was formally signed into law in June. The governor frequently holds ceremonial bill signings to allow people outside the Legislature involved in the bill's drafting to participate in the process.

Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, has been appointed by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, to the Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development.  The Council facilitates statewide efforts to improve Oklahomans' exposure to high-demand career opportunities, as well as works with industry leaders to ensure education and training opportunities deliver the skills needed by employers. "Right now, Oklahoma is in a prime position to push for expanded workforce opportunities in rural, suburban and urban areas of our state," Hill said. "I've been very proud to work on workforce and economic development policy in my time with the House, and I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders from across Oklahoma and the United States to consider how we can provide better opportunities for all. I appreciate the trust Speaker McCall has placed in me by appointing me to this position." Hill's term began July 9. 

Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, and Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready will participate in a ceremonial signing of House Bill 3089 – The Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act. Time: 11 a.m. Date: Tuesday, July 9 Location: Governor's Blue Room, second floor of the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. "This measure assists homeowners in proactively protecting their homes from the destructive forces of nature in an effort to lower their insurance costs," Tedford said. "I'm pleased to bring together the various stakeholders who helped work on this legislation and those who will benefit from it to celebrate its signing." HB3089 establishes a grant program to assist residential property owners to construct or retrofit homes against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms or hail. Grants will be administered by the Oklahoma Insurance Department for individuals with insurable property who reside in an approved county, meet certain home conditions, and own an owner-occupied, single-family residence. The legislation is co-authored by Reps. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, and Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, is the principal Senate author. HB 3089 was signed into law by the governor May 13. Ceremonial bill signings are held as a way to allow lawmakers and others involved in the drafting of legislation to engage in this part of the process. Under the measure, grant funds may be used by qualifying homeowners to reinforce their roofs with impact-resistant materials that meet the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) fortified standards. This will enable consumers to construct or retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-income applicants and applicants who live in areas more prone to catastrophic weather. The property owner must hire an approved evaluator to prequalify the property, obtain bids from at least three approved contractors, and follow specific retrofitting standards. The measure becomes effective Nov. 1., with the first grants going out in 2025.

Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued a statement regarding the sudden passing of former U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe this morning: "Sen. Jim Inhofe was someone who truly lived up to his middle name of Mountain. A giant in Oklahoma and American politics, his steadfast leadership helped shape the course of our state and nation for decades. His contributions to our nation's military and aviation infrastructure will benefit our country for generations to come, and his commitment to his conservative values was unwavering. There are few who have served in the U.S. Senate who were as well-respected and revered as Sen. Inhofe, and we truly will not see his like again. My condolences go out to his family during this extremely difficult time."

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, on Tuesday commented on the death of longtime former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. “Few have done more than James Mountain Inhofe for the people of Oklahoma. From supporting countless miles of infrastructure development, standing up for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, his commitment to our men and women in uniform, or his unwavering commitment to conservative values, and so much more, Oklahoma lost an irreplaceable legend.” 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt is scheduled to ceremonially sign legislation requiring school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with an individual student to include the student's parents or guardians. House Bill 3958 is scheduled to be signed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, in the Blue Room at the State Capitol. The legislation is authored by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. "This bill can save our students and our educators from the devastating consequences of inappropriate communication," Conley said. "There have been absolutely too many reports in our schools of school employees sharing inappropriate messages with students, many times leading to actual physical abuse. This legislation will help curb that, and it will protect those educators who are falsely accused. It also can help in keeping parents fully informed of information pertaining to their child's education. This is just the beginning of putting policies, procedures and laws in place to help ensure Oklahoma students are safe from those who do not have the best interests of our students in mind." Sen. Pugh added, “Through House Bill 3958, Oklahoma schools can further protect students by implementing procedures to avoid private communications between kids and adults. The measure provides that schools can utilize approved methods of communication that will allow teachers, students, and parents to continue discussing academics, school activities, and other pertinent information provided by school districts. I’m incredibly appreciative of everyone who has supported this bill throughout the legislative process so we can better serve students, parents, and educators across our state as we work to not only protect students and faculty but also enhance their learning environment and promote parental involvement in education.” Attending the signing will be several who say they are victims and survivors of sexual abuse by school employees. Ashley Rolen accused a coach at the Little Axe School District of sexually abusing her, reporting the incidences starting in 2002. She's filed complaints against the coach and the district with the State Department of Education, first under former State Supt. Joy Hofmeister. Conley reported that the coach's teaching certificate was surrendered July 8.   Former Noble High School student Casey Yochum said he was groomed by his high school soccer coach. He first reported the matter in 2019. Charges have not been filed against the coach, who is reportedly no longer with the district, nor has any agency confirmed an investigation. HB3958 was formally signed into law in May, but the governor hosts ceremonial signings of some bills to allow authors and others involved in the legislation the opportunity to participate in this part of the process. The act took effect July 1. Under the new statute, exceptions may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian. The measure stipulates that school personnel shall make reasonable efforts to use school-approved platforms, systems or applications that allow automatic inclusion of parents or guardians in communications with students. HB3958 specifies that schools shall provide training, developed by the State Department of Education, for school personnel on the student communication requirements within the act. Any school personnel reported to be in violation of the new act shall be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the local and state boards of education. If the investigation finds no misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated with the incident noted in the employee's file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel's employment shall be terminated, and the incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to state statute. In addition to the new statute, Conley said she has requested an interim study to examine additional ways to keep students safe at school. House interim studies will be approved later this month. 

Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, today announced her intention to file a bill next session updating election procedures in the event of a tied election. Townley represents House District 48, which includes Carter County. She said the bill was inspired by the outcome of the June 18 primary election for Carter County Sheriff. A recount on June 28 confirmed both candidates received 2,569 votes. Current statute does not allow for runoff elections when only two candidates run for a position. Title 26, Section 8-105 states any race that remains tied after provisional ballot analysis and a recount must be decided by a lot held by the county election board. Ultimately, the winner of that race was chosen via a random drawing of a name from a bucket. "I had no idea that we still had archaic practices like this on the books," Townley said. "I had assumed, as I suspect many others did as well, that this race would proceed to a runoff. I was shocked to learn that a race could be decided by a game of chance rather than by voters." Townley said after learning the election result could be determined by a random drawing, she immediately began considering other alternatives to propose in the bill. "I've heard from many of my constituents in Carter County who are frustrated with the way this race has to be decided because of an outdated statute," Townley said. "I started working to draft the bill the same day I learned there could be a drawing." Townley said the bill, which has not yet been filed, would provide several options in the event of a tied race and would be at the discretion of the county election board secretary to decide how to proceed. While Townley is still developing the bill, she said that the opportunity for a runoff election would be included in the list. "It's 2024. We have the technology and resources available to organize a runoff election in the event of a tied race," Townley said. "We must make every effort to ensure elections are decided by voters, not by luck." The bill will be filed for consideration in the next legislative session, which begins Feb. 3, 2025.