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Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, today joined Governor Kevin Stitt for a ceremonial bill signing of a bill that eliminates the use of Chevron deference, a legal test that limited the ability of courts to interpret ambiguous administrative rules. Kendrix, who serves as House Administrative Rules Chair, authored House Bill 2729 , which entrusts courts with the responsibility of interpreting legislative intent related to administrative rules under legal scrutiny. "Ending the use of Chevron deference ensures that the rule of law, not the rule of regulators, governs in Oklahoma," Kendrix said. "When the agencies that write the rules are the default interpreters of rules, rather than the courts, we strip the judicial branch of the authority it needs to rein in bureaucratic overreach. I appreciate the support of the governor and my legislative colleagues who understand the valuable, but complex, role of administrative rules in our state government." The Chevron deference, established through a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, required courts to defer to an agency's interpretation of administrative rules. After the legal test was overturned in June 2024, courts could again independently determine the legislative intent of ambiguous rules. Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to implement laws passed by the Legislature. While statutes set broad policy, rules provide the practical instructions needed to enforce those laws. Administrative rules proposed by state agencies must move through a legislative process and, once approved, have the force of law. "Administrative rules are a slippery slope," Kendrix said. "Without proper legislative oversight and full authority of our courts, it is very easy for an agency, intentionally or not, to overstep legislative intent and bypass the will of the people expressed through their elected representatives. It is a tricky area of our government, but one that I believe is vitally important to protecting the liberties of our citizens and preserving the boundaries of government power." Kendrix also carried three other administrative rule reform measures , all of which became law: House Bill 2728 creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, which establishes new statutory requirements for state agencies adopting major administrative rules. The nonpartisan Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is tasked with conducting impact analyses for proposed rules with a significant fiscal impact. Senate Bill 995 clarifies that any rule not explicitly approved by the Legislature is considered disapproved. Senate Bill 1024 prohibits the adoption of a proposed rule by an agency unless the agency receives approval from the Governor or the appropriate cabinet secretary. HB2729 takes effect Nov. 1. The other three administrative rules reform measures took effect immediately upon being signed into law.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement of condolences after the passing of Potts Family Foundation co-founder Pat Potts.  “My heart is with the Potts family at this time as well as everyone who knew and loved Pat Potts,” said Leader Munson. “Her decades of public service and work toward a brighter future for Oklahomans will have long lasting impacts. Pat made it her life’s work to invest in our youth and give them the best opportunities to succeed. Her values and commitment to children and families never wavered during her run for the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate. She was incredibly supportive of my own run for office, encouraging me to make my voice heard as a young woman in politics. I am proud to not only have her as a constituent, but also as a friend and fellow Oklahoman. She was a selfless woman who loved Oklahoma enough to make incredible change through her work and the Potts Family Foundation and she will be greatly missed.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, today participated in a ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 796 , which eliminates public funding for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs across Oklahoma’s higher education institutions. Crosswhite Hader is the House author of the legislation. The bill was signed into law in May but was ceremonially signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt today. Also attending the ceremony was U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the bill's Senate author, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. Ceremonial bill signings allow lawmakers and others who are influential in legislation to attend. "Taken on their own, the words diversity, equity and inclusion sound wonderful, but as a philosophy these programs are embedded with an artificial preference system that detracts from the core mission of our higher education institutions," Crosswhite Hader said. "Our students should be focused on academics and workforce training and not delayed by an additional requirement for graduation. "We are not saying these concepts can't be taught, just that the use of taxpayer dollars is inappropriate. I'm grateful to Senator Pugh for his work on this issue and to the governor for signing it into law. I'm also glad that Secretary McMahon was able to join us today for this ceremony." Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, the chair of the House Postsecondary Education Committee, added, "Oklahoma's universities should be centers of academic excellence that prepare students for careers and civic life, not places where taxpayer dollars fund ideological programs. Higher education must remain focused on merit, scholarship and workforce development. Senate Bill 796 protects academic freedom while keeping our institutions aligned with their core mission." SB796 codifies into law the governor’s prior executive order, prohibiting institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from using state funds, property or resources to support DEI positions, programs, hiring practices or activities. It also bars colleges and universities from mandating participation in training or education that grants preference based on race, color, sex, ethnicity or national origin. Additionally, SB796 prohibits requirements for loyalty oaths, ideological statements, DEI declarations in hiring or the disclosure of personal pronouns.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, attended the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) board meeting Wednesday and said what he saw confirmed his belief the association’s structure prioritizes bureaucracy over the needs of students and families. Burns, a former public school teacher and coach, previously studied OSSAA policies through an interim study in 2022. The study examined the association’s finances and governance, student eligibility rules for transfers and included testimony from parents and attorneys who raised concerns about hardship waivers and transparency. At Wednesday’s meeting, Burns said the board voted unanimously to deny an appeal on the eligibility of Glencoe High School basketball players and to reject a hardship request from another student. He said these are just two examples of why the current system should be dismantled. “The OSSAA is structured in a way that is unfair to student athletes and families,” Burns said. “They make families jump through hoops and waste time and money just to keep overwhelming power and control in the hands of their board. When the board votes unanimously to protect the status quo, it proves they are protecting the establishment, not the kids.” Burns said the 12-member board, composed mostly of school superintendents, operates with little accountability while controlling decisions that affect students statewide. “It’s time to dismantle the OSSAA and build a new system that stands independently, not controlled by the hierarchy of superintendents,” Burns said. In 2022, Burns authored House Bill 3968 , which would have allowed students transferring during the summer to a school district outside their residence to remain eligible for sports, with exceptions for dependents of active military personnel. The OSSAA oversees athletics, fine arts and other extracurricular activities for more than 430 school districts statewide. Current policy requires certain student-athletes transferring outside their home district to wait one year before regaining eligibility. “We are 50th in the nation in education,” Burns said. “We should be empowering kids rather than sacrificing them. The only way forward is to abolish this broken system and replace it with one that puts students and families first.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, and Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, are welcoming Oklahoma teachers back to the classroom and thanking them for their dedication to students. Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, commended teachers who play a vital part in shaping students' future. “Oklahoma teachers work tirelessly to inspire and prepare the next generation,” Banning said. “Your influence extends far beyond academics. You teach resilience, encourage kindness towards others and build the foundation for lifelong success. I deeply appreciate the heart and energy you bring into the classroom each day.” Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, expressed gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice teachers bring to their work. “As the school year kicks off we want to say how much we appreciate the work you do every single day,” Tedford said. “We know teaching takes more than lesson plans and grading papers. It takes patience, creativity and a deep commitment to your students. The impact you have reaches far beyond the classroom and lasts a lifetime.” Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, emphasized the role of Oklahoma educators in preparing students for higher education and the workforce. "Oklahoma’s dedicated teachers are shaping our future by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher education, the workforce and in life,” Guthrie said. “I’m incredibly grateful for their commitment and wish everyone a safe and successful school year." Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, recognized the lasting influence teachers have on their students and communities. "Oklahoma's teachers are the backbone of our communities. They invest daily in the growth, confidence and potential of our children. Teachers: your dedication inside and outside the classroom shapes not only individual lives but the future of our state. We are thankful for the important work you do and hope this school year is both rewarding and successful."

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, issued condolences after the passing of former Oklahoma HD 88 Representative Debbie Blackburn. “Rep. Blackburn was a strong leader whose passion for Oklahoma helped inspire my decision to run for office,” said Leader Munson. “Her work inside and outside of the legislature was always focused on helping people achieve the life they deserved, whether it be through affordable housing or access to higher education. She remained dedicated to Oklahoma her entire life and her legacy here will forever live on. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Dr. Bob Blackburn and her children Beau and Tori, as well as her siblings and grandchildren as they cope with this incredible loss.” Pogemiller currently serves as the representative for HD 88.  “I first met Rep. Debbie Blackburn when I was knocking doors in my district, but her impact on House District 88 has always been felt,” Pogemiller said. “Her passion for her district and for Oklahomans was unparalleled and I am forever grateful for her service and legacy in HD 88. My heart goes out to her friends and family during this time. House District 88 will always acknowledge and feel the impact of her service.” Blancett lauded Blackburn's years of dedicated public service. “Rep. Debbie Blackburn was a deeply committed Oklahoman who worked to better our state particularly in increasing quality, affordable home ownership, which is a key component to ending generational poverty,” Blancett said. “Not only was she kind and encouraging to others, but she was an absolute firecracker with a fierce drive to make life better. She was the epitome of the term Servant Leader.” Menz reflected on the time she first met Rep. Debbie Blackburn. “I first met Rep. Blackburn when I was just a freshman in high school,” Menz said. “I remember above all how kind and encouraging she was to me when we spoke. She took time out of her day to visit with me for several minutes and even told me I should think about running for State House one day. It was rare for a person in power to speak to me like I was their equal, and it forever stuck with me. I am deeply grateful to have met her. I send my condolences to her husband, family, and friends, and everyone who got the honor of knowing her and feeling the impact of her kindness.” The obituary for Rep. Debbie Blackburn states in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bob Blackburn Collections Endowment Fund for the Oklahoma Historical Society at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, has been appointed by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to the Oklahoma Ireland Trade Commission. The commission is tasked with advancing business ties and other mutually beneficial activities between Oklahoma and Ireland. “It’s an honor to help strengthen the bridge between Oklahoma and Ireland,” Chapman said. “When we open doors for our businesses abroad, we create new opportunities here at home. I appreciate Speaker Hilbert’s trust in me and look forward to contributing to this important work.” Chapman’s appointment is effective immediately.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, were selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that supports state leaders working to improve health outcomes across the country. The representatives are among just 24 policymakers nationwide chosen for the yearlong fellowship. Both lawmakers serve on House health committees, with Roe as the chair of the Public Health Committee and Cantrell as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. Roe brings more than 40 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner, while Cantrell is a former county commissioner with a strong interest in rural health issues. "I'm honored to share that I have been selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that brings together leaders from across the country to focus on improving health policy and outcomes," Roe said. "The knowledge and connections I will gain through this fellowship will help inform our efforts to address health disparities, improve access to care and support healthier outcomes for all Oklahomans." "I’m honored to represent Oklahoma and our values as we work through this program to strengthen health and human services across our state," Cantrell said. The Milbank Fellows Program is designed for state leaders in both legislative and executive branches. Fellows receive intensive leadership training, access to national experts and participate in in-depth discussions on population health, evidence-based policy and integrated service systems. The program includes three in-person meetings and ongoing virtual sessions throughout the year.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Education Oversight Chairman Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, released the following statement after recent mandate by State Superintendent Ryan Walters to end all end-of-year state testing:  " End-of-year state assessments are mandated by both state and federal law. The Legislature has consistently worked to make student testing more efficient and meaningful for students, parents, and teachers. We look forward to continued collaboration with Superintendent Walters and school districts so that any proposed changes to student testing align with state law and provides clear, actionable information on student college and career readiness."