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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation addressing election procedures in the event of a tied vote. House Bill 1678 , authored by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, requires a second election be held when a tie occurs in primary, runoff or general elections. “This bill ensures elections are decided by voters, not by chance,” Townley said. “I was surprised to learn that races could be settled by a random drawing. With the technology we have, there’s no reason a tied election can’t go to a runoff. This bill takes that step to make our elections fair and transparent.” House Bill 1678 amends Title 26, Section 8-105 of Oklahoma Statutes, directing that if a tie vote occurs, a second vote will be scheduled for the next available election date. Additionally, if the tie persists after the second vote, the race would be decided by a public drawing conducted by the election board. The bill, inspired by the 2024 primary election in Carter County where a sheriff’s race was decided by a random drawing after a tie, aims to modernize election procedures to prevent outcomes based on luck. Townley’s office began working on the proposal immediately after learning that a race could be determined by a drawing instead of by the people. "Oklahomans deserve a process that is fair and reflects their votes, not one that relies on chance," Townley added. HB1678 passed the House 56-28 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, the bill will take effect on Nov. 1, 2025.

House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert, with  the  support  of  Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Governor Kevin Stitt, filed an amendment to legislation that would allow two members  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place items on  the  board agenda. House Bill 1491 allows any member  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place an item on  the  board agenda if requested in writing by at least two members  of   the  board.  The  item shall be placed on  the  agenda for  the  next meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by  the  requesting members, in accordance with  the  Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. "We have volunteer boards and commissions that play an important oversight function for state agencies for a reason, and  the  duly-appointed members  of   the  State Board  of  Education should have a say in  the  agenda before  the m. This has been a longstanding issue that needs to be fixed," said  Speaker  Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We have checks and balances on government intentionally built into our system and this legislation will help ensure  the  State Board  of  Education – no matter who is appointed or who is  the  chair – will be able to move  the  needle for Oklahoma kids." " The  State Board  of  Education plays a crucial role in shaping  the  future  of  our schools, and its members should have a clear and fair process for addressing key issues,” Pro Tem Paxton, R-Tuttle, said. “This legislation ensures that every board member has a voice in setting  the  agenda, reinforcing transparency and accountability in our education system. With  the  current structure,  the  board is neutralized and has no say in shaping policy. Allowing this will provide a fair and more effective structure.” “No one member should unilaterally control a board, especially one that directly impacts  the  outcomes  of  our students," said Gov. Kevin Stitt. "It’s time to give a voice on  the  Board  of  Education to parents and students all across Oklahoma. Thank you to  Speaker  Hilbert and Pro Tem Paxton for spearheading this important legislation.” House Bill 1491, originally authored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, will be heard in  the  House Education Oversight Committee today. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, on Wednesday sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking his help in stemming the overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The request came because of Humphrey's involvement in an Oklahoma case involving a 2023 ATF raid on a Pushmataha County resident and business owner that resulted in the forfeiture of the man's federal firearms license and what Humphrey said was the seizure of approximately 60 of the man's firearms. "The president and members of his cabinet have expressed considerable concerns about government overreach by the ATF," Humphrey said. "Therefore, I'm asking his assistance in looking into this local case, which I believe constitutes a gross misuse and abuse of the ATF's federal police powers." The raid involved Russell Fincher, a resident of Southeastern Oklahoma. Fincher, at the time of the raid, owned a firearms business and was a local preacher and schoolteacher. Humphrey said in 2023, Fincher allowed ATF agents to enter his home and conduct a consent search. "Despite his full cooperation, they conducted a full-scale raid," Humphrey alleges. "They handcuffed this man in front of his teenage son and despite finding no evidence of a crime, they illegally seized about half of the guns he owns after disabling his home surveillance equipment." It was reported by Fincher that the ATF agents told him to tell all his buddies they were coming for their guns as well, and they had plans to shut down gun shows. After the raid, Humphrey submitted a probable cause statement on the ATF and requested Oklahoma's attorney general file charges for extortion, terroristic threats and disabling security equipment during the course of a crime. Humphrey also reached out to the sheriff of Pushmataha County who worked with him to contact the governor and other judicial and law enforcement agencies asking for an investigation into the actions of the ATF. Humphrey, the vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee and a 30-year law enforcement officer, wrote in the letter that the state's attorney general lacked the courage to protect his citizens. Therefore, Humphrey is asking the president to consider filing charges against the ATF, granting a presidential pardon to Fincher and forcing the ATF to return Fincher's firearms. "This is one of the most unjust and illegal abuses of law enforcement," Humphrey said. "I stand ready to assist the president in anything he might need from Oklahoma." A copy of the full letter can be read here . 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Protect Our Kids Act, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, passed the Education Oversight Committee and is now eligible to be heard on the House floor. This legislation would strengthen protections for students by enhancing transparency and accountability in cases of teacher and administrator misconduct. “As elected officials, our first priority must be the safety and well-being of our students,” said Rep. Hildebrant. “The Protect Our Kids Act ensures that any recommendations for dismissal or non-reemployment of teachers and administrators, particularly in cases involving potential criminal misconduct, are properly reported and addressed. This legislation eliminates loopholes that have previously allowed individuals to resign quietly and continue working in other districts without proper scrutiny, while also ensuring that due process is followed and not circumvented.” House Bill 1075 , the Protect Our Kids Act, would amend current law to require that all recommendations for teacher and administrator dismissal be forwarded to the State Board of Education, regardless of whether the individual resigns before or after a termination recommendation is made. Additionally, school boards would be mandated to notify the State Board of Education of any resignation that occurs under investigation for serious misconduct. "By ensuring that teacher and administrator resignation or termination cases are thoroughly reviewed, we can better protect students and staff from potential harm, while ensuring fairness in cases where no criminal charges are filed," said Hildebrant. "This bill takes significant steps to safeguard our schools and guarantee that only the most qualified educators are entrusted with our students' futures." Procedures for expungement would be established for cases without criminal charges or certificate revocation, ensuring fairness. Educators could submit supplementary information in response to recommendations, providing context. Additionally, records of misconduct would remain confidential but accessible to school districts for informed hiring decisions, balancing privacy with student safety. With a bipartisan 9-0 vote in the Education Oversight Committee, the Protect Our Kids Act now advances to the House floor for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would take effect on July 1, ensuring immediate implementation before the next school year.

House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, released  the  following joint statement in conjunction with Gov. Kevin Stitt calling on  the  state Auditor today to audit  the  Oklahoma Department  of  Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: "House and Senate leadership have taken immediate action to activate  the  services at  the  Legislative  Office   of  Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to determine why this unacceptable shortfall exists, what its breadth is, and how we prevent it from ever occurring again. Constitutionally we are obligated to pass a state budget no less than 12 weeks from now.  In addition to  the  engagement  of  LOFT through a joint legislative service request to dig into  the  agency's finances, we also urge  the  state Auditor to conduct a forensic audit. LOFT can provide us  the  quick answers we need to do our constitutional duties before sine die adjournment while  the  breadth  of  a forensic audit from  the  State Auditor is needed to ensure  the re is no waste, fraud or abuse associated with this shortfall. This two-pronged approach, which is supported by  the  Department, is needed to give us both short-term and long-term answers to rectify  the  situation and ensure it does not happen again." -END-

The  House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that would remove chronic absenteeism from  the  state school accountability system and add an incentive for schools that are going above  the  state minimum in instructional time with students. House Bill 1412, by Rep. Ronny Johns, removes chronic absenteeism from being a measure on state school report cards. In its place, it puts a measure  of  instructional time for schools. Currently, schools are required by law to go at least 165 days and 1080 hours per year.  The  new instructional time measure would give schools additional points on  the ir report card if  the y go beyond that, up to 180 days and 1200 hours. "We can all agree that chronic absenteeism has not been a good measure for accountability  of  schools," said Johns, R-Ada. "We have worked to find a new measurement that is something within  the  district's control and can provide an incentive for schools to get students in front  of  our state's amazing teachers even more." The  bill requires  The  State Board  of  Education to amend  the  state plan in accordance with  the  requirements  of   the  Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to replace  the  measure  of  chronic absenteeism with a measure  of  instructional time.  The  State Board  of  Education must submit  the  proposed amendment to  the  United States Department  of  Education no later than August 1, 2025. If  the  amended state plan is approved by  the  USDE, beginning with  the  2025-2026 school year,  the  grade for an elementary, middle, and high school site would include a measure  of  instructional time in lieu  of  chronic absenteeism. This measure will account for a total  of  10 possible points out  of  90 points available on a school's report card. "All  the  data shows that academic achievement improves when students have more time with high quality teachers," said House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert. "This legislation would reward  the  many districts who are already going above  the  state minimum on instructional time and incentivize additional schools to stay in school longer, which is a win for students." The  bill also adds scoring Silver Level or above on American College Testing (ACT) WorkKeys and military readiness as evidenced by being accepted for enlistment into any branch  of   the  military within  the  first year after high school graduation or earning a military readiness score on  the  Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to  the  postsecondary measure on state school report cards. The  bill also clarifies that students who transfer in and out  of   the  school, emigrate to another country, and deceased students will not be included in  the  adjusted cohort graduation rate for school accountability. The  bill passed  the  House Education Oversight Committee with a vote  of  9-0 and will next be considered by  the  full House on  the  floor. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a measure by Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, that would give the children of longtime public school teachers access to the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship. House Bill 1727 would waive the scholarship's financial eligibility requirements for children of a full-time certified teacher who has taught for at least 10 years in Oklahoma public schools. The years do not have to be consecutive or at the same school. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), better known as Oklahoma's Promise, allows students with certain income, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or technology tuition scholarship. The program, administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, was created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college. "Our talented educators dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our state, and House Bill 1727 is one way we can show them that we value their work," Moore said. "By removing financial barriers to higher education for the families of longtime teachers, we are giving their children every opportunity to succeed and investing in the next generation of leaders for our state." Moore hopes that the measure will help address the teacher shortage. He said that children of educators are more likely to follow in their parents' footsteps, and he hopes that making them eligible for Oklahoma's Promise will inspire them to stay in Oklahoma for college and launch their teaching careers in their home state. "We've worked hard over the past decade to improve working conditions for Oklahoma teachers, increasing pay and health benefits, including paid maternity leave, while working to improve classroom conditions," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Removing income restrictions so their children can qualify for the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship is just one more incentive to keep certified teachers in our classrooms long-term where their expertise and dedication is needed and appreciated." Having passed the House 71-20, HB1727 now moves to the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.

A bill extending the operations of state harm-reduction programs has passed committee. House Bill 2012 , authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, extends harm-reduction services, including needle exchange programs and rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections, through July 1, 2031. Without legislative action, the law authorizing these programs would expire in 2026. "These programs save lives," Pae said. "By extending harm reduction programs, we are preventing the spread of disease and connecting people to critical resources. The data speaks for itself: Harm reduction works, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they continue." In 2021, Pae coauthored the original law allowing harm reduction programs registered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to distribute clean needles, test kits, and naloxone, as long as no state funding is used. These organizations also provide referrals for substance abuse treatment and other health services. Last October, Pae led an interim study on the impact of these programs. Between 2022 and 2024, Oklahoma’s four registered harm reduction organizations: Served 8,896 clients Distributed 578,330 syringes Provided 25,125 naloxone kits Reported 1,212 overdose reversals Referred 1,528 people for substance use education or STI/HIV testing HB2012 passed the House Administrative Rules Committee by a vote of 10-5 and now moves to the full House for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Bill 1166 , authored by Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Yukon, passed the Government Oversight Committee with a 17-0 vote and is now eligible for consideration on the House floor. The bill reforms Oklahoma’s annexation process, ensuring greater transparency and stronger protections for property owners. “Landowners deserve a voice when their property is being considered for annexation,” Kelley said. “HB1166 ensures that cities and towns cannot expand their boundaries without proper consent and accountability. This bill is about fairness, transparency and protecting the rights of Oklahomans.” Under HB1166, cities and towns must obtain written approval from a majority of affected property owners before annexing land. For municipalities with a population of 12,000 or less, annexations are limited to 8 square miles at a time and require consent from at least 65% of landowners and 25% of residents in the area. The bill also enhances public notification requirements by mandating newspaper announcements, mailed notices to property owners and a public hearing within 14-30 days of publication. If a city proceeds with annexation without majority consent, it must present a detailed service plan outlining essential services such as water, sewer, fire protection and police coverage. These services must be implemented within 10 years or the annexed land will be automatically removed from the city’s jurisdiction.  Additionally, HB1166 prohibits cities from annexing land owned by state public trusts without full consent and ensures that property owners who successfully challenge annexation in court are entitled to recover legal fees.  “This legislation prioritizes property rights and prevents cities from annexing land without accountability,” Kelley said. “It sets clear expectations for municipalities while ensuring that Oklahomans receive the services they’re promised.”  With yesterday's committee approval, HB1166 is eligible to be heard on the House floor.