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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D–Del City, announced today the filing of House Joint Resolution 1048, a bill that creates a State Question asking voters to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to protect the people’s authority over the initiative petition process. The bill must first be approved by the Legislature before it can appear on the ballot. Fugate said the measure is necessary to protect the constitutional balance of power after repeated legislative attempts to restrict Oklahomans’ access to direct democracy. “Oklahoma’s Bill of Rights begins with a simple truth: all political power is inherent in the people,” Rep. Fugate said. “Not the Legislature, not special interests–the people. My bill gives voters the chance to protect their rights by requiring that any future changes to the initiative petition process be approved by the people themselves.” Article II, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution states that government exists for the “protection, security, and benefit” of the people, who retain the right to “alter or reform” their government whenever the public good requires it. Fugate noted that this right is weakened when lawmakers pass measures that make it harder for citizens to place issues on the ballot. In recent years, the Legislature has advanced bills that restrict signature gathering, raise procedural hurdles, or otherwise interferes with the initiative and referendum process. Among them was SB 1027, passed last session. “Direct democracy is not a loophole. It is a constitutional right,” Fugate said. “If legislators want to change the rules for how citizens can petition their government, then those changes should go before the people. My bill simply gives voters the chance to decide whether they want to protect their own power.” The proposed constitutional amendment would: Require voter approval for any legislative changes to the initiative or referendum process. Prevent unilateral legislative restrictions on signature gathering, ballot access, or petition procedures. Reaffirm the constitutional principle that political power originates with the people. “This bill cannot move forward unless legislators choose to respect the people’s authority,” Fugate said. “I’m calling on Oklahomans to contact their representatives and senators and tell them to protect the power of their constituents. If we believe political power belongs to the people, then we must act like it.” The bill now awaits committee assignment. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has filed legislation to expand physical education requirements for students in full-day pre-K through 12th grade across Oklahoma. House Bill 3288 would increase required physical activity to 30 or 45 minutes per school day, depending on grade level, reflecting research linking regular exercise to stronger academic performance, improved mental health and better long-term health outcomes. "Students benefit when physical activity is built into their school day," Roe said. "This bill is about helping them learn better, feel better, and grow into healthier adults. Strong bodies support strong minds. Regular movement not only supports their health, but it also helps them focus, retain information, and perform better academically." The bill would expand current physical education requirements to include full-day pre-K and raise weekly activity time for elementary students from a weekly average of 60 minutes to a minimum of 150 minutes, or about 30 minutes per school day. Recess would not count toward the required minutes. For students in grades six through 12, the legislation would change current law by replacing language that "strongly encourages" districts to offer physical education with a requirement that districts provide at least 225 minutes per week, or about 45 minutes per school day. "Physical activity not only improves mood and quality of life, but it also helps in ways many people may not realize," Roe said. "By simply increasing the amount of time children are active each day, we can begin to address many of the issues affecting kids across our state. Research has shown that daily physical activity can lower cortisol levels and reduce inflammation, both of which are critical for healthy youth development. Roe also noted that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) could particularly benefit from increased opportunities for physical exertion. "I truly believe we would see benefits across the board when it comes to chronic disorders in students," Roe said. "When cortisol levels stay high, and inflammation becomes chronic, it can take a real toll on children’s developing bodies and brains. In the case of students with ADHD and ADD, they need to get that energy out of their bodies so that they can settle down and focus when they are in the classroom. It's an all-around win for our kids." HB3288 would encourage schools to schedule recess or light-to-moderate physical activity before tests and end-of-term assessments, recognizing research showing that movement can improve focus and academic performance. "We know that when adolescents spend more time exercising, it does more than improve their physical health," Roe said. "It can also positively impact brain development and function, helping with memory retention and leading to better performance on tests." The bill will also ensure that physical education cannot be withheld as punishment for students in pre-K through fifth grade, except in cases where safety is at risk, and requires accommodations so all students can participate in some form of activity. The curriculum would need to be developmentally appropriate, sequential and designed to help students build lifelong motor and self-management skills. At least 80% of class time would be spent in moderate to vigorous activity whenever possible, according to the measure, and programs would need to meet the needs of all students, including those with disabilities or other special needs. Oklahoma faces childhood and teen obesity rates of 17% , and 77% of high school students nationally could not pass a basic military fitness test, statistics Roe said highlight the need to prioritize physical readiness and overall health. "We have a real opportunity to change these numbers," Roe said. "By schools providing expanded opportunities for physical activity each day, we set them up for success both in school and in life." HB3288 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes on Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, introduced  HB 3018 , a targeted fix to an oversight created in last year’s DUI statute amendment,  SB 54 , which established a new “aggravated DUI” classification. While SB 54 aimed to strengthen impaired?driving enforcement, it also removed the long?standing two?hour window for blood testing involving Schedule I substances. This change unintentionally created a legal conundrum for licensed medical marijuana patients, because THC can remain detectable in the bloodstream for up to 30 days. With no legally defined blood?content threshold for marijuana impairment in Oklahoma, the absence of a time limit meant that lawful medical marijuana users could face DUI charges without any evidence of actual impairment. HB 3018 addresses this gap by: Removing marijuana, marijuana derivatives, and cannabinoids from the blood?testing provisions of the aggravated DUI statute Preserving all field sobriety testing tools used by law enforcement to identify real?time impairment Ensuring that Oklahoma’s DUI laws remain fair, enforceable, and focused on safety, rather than penalizing lawful medical marijuana use Fugate emphasized that the bill is a practical correction to ensure the law functions as intended. “This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent, and I’m grateful for their help in identifying the problem,” he said. “HB 3018 ensures that our DUI laws target impaired drivers and not patients who are following Oklahoma’s medical marijuana laws.” -END-

Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, has filed a slate of education-related legislation aimed at strengthening student outcomes, improving consistency across districts and ensuring schools have the tools and resources they need. Lowe, a former ag teacher, is the chair of the House Common Education Committee. The bills address graduation requirements, early literacy, teacher qualifications, school funding data, accommodations for military families and improved alignment for students who transfer districts. "Education policy must be clear, consistent and, most importantly, focused on helping students succeed no matter where they live," Lowe said. "These measures are about providing strong academic foundations, supporting families and teachers, and making sure our schools have access to every necessary resource." The first of Lowe's bills is House Bill 3021 , which would clean up graduation requirements statutes and clarifies the multiple pathways to earning a college-ready or career-ready diploma. The bill would also standardize content and rigor statewide while still allowing local innovation. Additionally, HB3021 would require the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to develop a catalog of jobs that high school graduates are qualified to enter immediately upon graduation, either with no additional training or with on-the-job training. House Bill 3022 would ensure that core subjects, such as math, reading and language arts, science and social studies, in pre-K through sixth grade are taught by fully certified teachers. It would also require the State Department of Education (SDE) to develop salary guidelines for adjunct teachers. House Bill 3023 would strengthen literacy interventions by making improvements to the state’s existing Student Literacy Intervention Plan (SLIP) and Individualized Program of Reading Instruction (IRPI) to help students access support quicker. It would also establishes guardrails of when intervention can take place so students don't miss other core subjects. It also moves the state to two testing vendors to create more cohesive, long-term literacy data for students who may move between districts. Also included in the bill are retention guidelines for first through third grades, which would require a student's Reading Proficiency Team to determine whether a student has met the benchmarks for their grade, with summer programs and additional testing available to avoid retention. The students' five-member team would need to recommend retention for the student prior to a student being held back. "Literacy remains a major concern for Oklahoma parents, educators and policymakers," Lowe said. "House Bill 3023 might not be exactly the right solution, but now is the time to bring ideas to the table and have thoughtful discussions about how we can all help improve literacy for all students." Another of Lowe's bills, House Bill 3025 , corrects statute related to school funding calculations by restoring language that excluded private donations from general fund carryover calculations but limits the exclusion for one year after the donations are received. House Bill 3031 would direct SDE, in consultation with higher education and career and technology education, to develop and implement a statewide course number system to be used by public schools at the secondary level. This would help align coursework across districts and allow students to transition more smoothly when transferring. Lowe also filed legislation related to free and reduced lunches for students. House Bill 3032 would require families to either complete the free and reduced-price lunch form or formally opt out as part of enrollment. "House Bill 3032 is about making sure our schools aren’t leaving resources on the table simply because a form wasn’t completed," Lowe said. "This bill respects families’ right to opt out, but it requires an active choice so schools have accurate information to qualify for federal funding, grants or additional state dollars tied to student need. This is a small way we can provide schools with every dollar they are eligible for to support students and local classrooms." House Bill 3033 would address funding challenges for schools that are off the state funding formula following the 2023 teacher pay raise. While these schools remain obligated to maintain increased teacher salaries, they no longer receive the associated state funding. The bill seeks to address that gap and support continued fair compensation for teachers. "House Bill 3033 addresses a funding gap that followed the 2022 teacher pay raise," Lowe said. "Schools that are off the state funding formula rightly increased teacher salaries, but they only received short-term assistance to cover those increases. This bill is about making sure those schools can continue paying these increases without being penalized for their funding status." Lowe said he will continue work on several education measures from the previous legislative session, adding that Oklahoma's education system should strive to be ever-improving. The measures focus on providing support and resources to students throughout their education, providing clarity to existing law on district transfers and collecting quality data for informed decision-making. "These bills reflect years' worth of conversations with educators, parents and community leaders," Lowe said. "My goal is to build thoughtful, practical policy that strengthens Oklahoma's education system and better prepare students for life after graduation while providing consistent, reliable support for our teachers."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, has filed two bills addressing transparency and Second Amendment Rights. “Oklahomans deserve a government that operates in the open, where public officials stop hiding behind nondisclosure agreements and keeping citizens in the dark while pushing their own agendas,” Shaw said. “We also have a commitment to protecting our God-given constitutional rights while maintaining appropriate safeguards and accountability in public service. This marks the beginning of additional legislation I will be filing to serve Oklahomans.”  House Bill 3030 would prohibit elected and appointed public officials from being required or allowed to sign nondisclosure agreements related to the performance of their official duties.  House Bill 3036 would amend state law governing where firearms may be carried. The bill would modify existing restrictions related to carrying firearms on public property and establishes limitations for certain secured facilities. The measure outlines locations where firearms are prohibited, including courthouses, detention facilities and secured government buildings or events, and identifies public areas where firearm carry is permitted under state law. Both bills are eligible for the second session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, was appointed to serve as the House Democratic Whip for the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature. “I am so honored and eager to begin working in this new role,” said Stewart. “I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to work alongside my colleagues to produce great outcomes for working Oklahoma families this legislative session.” House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, appointed Stewart after the resignation of Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City. “I want to congratulate Rep. Ron Stewart on his new, well-deserved position as House Democratic Whip,” said Leader Munson. “I know he will serve well in this role and I look forward to seeing his leadership skills in action as he helps the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus work alongside members across the aisle on real solutions that we know will benefit the lives of everyday Oklahomans.” The 2026 Legislative Session will convene on Feb. 2, 2026, at noon.  -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, the vice chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Public Safety Subcommittee and a former sheriff, today recognized National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Jan. 9.   "Men and women who serve in law enforcement willingly and selflessly put their lives on the line every day in order to keep the public safe from harm," Turner said. "They do this at risk to themselves and at great sacrifice to their families and loved ones. On this day, may we remember the individuals behind the badge. They are human, and they face the same challenges we all face, but their service keeps people and our communities safe from those who would break the law. They enhance our lives in innumerable ways. I'm personally thankful for such dedication, and I know many Oklahomans join me in such appreciation of jobs well done."

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, has filed House Joint Resolution 1040 , legislation that is intended to address concerns about the influence of Sharia Law and reaffirm the authority of the U.S. Constitution in Oklahoma. HJR1040 would place a constitutional amendment before voters that would prohibit the use of Sharia Law or any similar foreign legal code in Oklahoma courts. "To the argument of religious liberty, the truth is Sharia Law is a political ideology painted as a religion," Woolley said. "This is a Trojan horse. One group does not have permission to trample on the rights of others. We cannot jeopardize our constitutional rights by allowing a political ideology to infiltrate our nation and our state." Woolley said the resolution is rooted in protecting individual liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. "Our Constitution protects women’s rights, free speech, freedom of expression and many other fundamental freedoms," Woolley said. "Sharia Law does not protect or respect those rights. This foreign religious law and political structure directly contradicts our Constitution." In 2010, Oklahoma voters approved the Save Our State Amendment , which sought to ban Sharia Law, with nearly 70% support. The amendment was later struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and never took effect. Woolley said he believes now is the right time for the amendment to make a meaningful difference and ensure Oklahoma does not follow the path of other states. "With a new administration and 16 years having passed, I believe it is time to attempt this ban once again to protect our American way of life in Oklahoma," Woolley said. "We have seen what is happening in Dearborn, Michigan, New York, Texas and Europe. Oklahoma does not want to become to the next Dearborn, Michigan." If approved by both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, the resolution would be placed on a statewide ballot for a vote of the people. HJR1040 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature which convenes on Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, released the following statement regarding a tornado that struck Purcell early this morning. "Right now, it is all hands on deck as our community responds to the tornado that struck our district. You never expect to be facing this kind of destruction in January, but that is the reality before us today. I have personally been in contact with the McClain County Emergency Management, and I am currently out in the area reaching out to constituents to see what help is needed. While we are still assessing the damage, what stands out most is the strength of our people. Time and again, Oklahomans come together to help their neighbors in moments of crisis, and I have no doubt we will do so again now. Together, we can lean on one another and come through this stronger. I am praying for every family affected by this storm and for the first responders and crews working on the ground." Roe encourages anyone who is able to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts to do so.