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House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, filed two bills today that will ensure taxpayer-funded assistance programs are only reserved for those who are lawfully present in the United States. The bills will make sure the state is Safeguarding Eligibility, Compliance and Use of Resources Efficiently (SECURE) when it comes to state and federal assistance. “These bills are about accountability, fairness and the rule of law,” Speaker Hilbert said. “Oklahoma taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize benefits for individuals who are in our country illegally. These services are intended for legal tax-paying citizens, and we are going to make sure that is who is receiving these benefits in Oklahoma.” The bills, HB 4422 and HB 4423, both reinforce eligibility standards for public assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid and Women Infant Children (WIC), by clarifying that individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States are ineligible for taxpayer-funded benefits. The legislation strengthens verification requirements to ensure state agencies are complying with federal law and that benefits are directed to eligible recipients only. Speaker Hilbert said the legislation is pro-worker, pro-taxpayer and pro-law enforcement. “We continue to undo the effects of reckless federal border policies created by the Biden Administration that have made every state a border state. Oklahoma must send a clear message: we stand with legal immigrants, American workers and the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who enforce our laws,” Hilbert said. "This promotes cooperation with federal authorities and reinforces that Oklahoma will not serve as a magnet for illegal immigration or the misuse of public resources." Together, these measures reaffirm House leadership’s dedication to an America First agenda focused on Safeguarding Eligibility, Compliance and Use of Resources Efficiently (SECURE).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, on Thursday announced a comprehensive transparency package aimed at bringing the Oklahoma Legislature under the state’s open meetings and open records standards, calling the move "necessary to restore public trust and end a culture of secrecy in state government." House Bill 3842 , which Gann is calling the Open Legislature Initiative, is formally titled the Legislative Transparency, Accountability, and Open Meetings Act of 2026 . In addition to requiring continued public notice and recording of legislative meetings for the Oklahoma House of the state Senate, the measure would mandate disclosure of lobbyist influence tied to legislation and prohibit nondisclosure agreements that interfere with lawmakers’ official duties. “The Legislature cannot demand transparency from every other public body while exempting itself,” Gann said. “If we expect open government, we must lead by example.” Gann said recent events have highlighted the need for reform. He pointed to criticism surrounding the Legislative Compensation Board, which met in executive session before approving pay raises, as well as growing efforts by other government bodies to secure exemptions from open-meeting requirements. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has received an exemption for some discussions, and county commissioners in multiple counties have sought similar treatment, he said. “When the Legislature operates outside transparency laws, it incentivizes others to do the same,” Gann said. “That is how secrecy spreads through government.” Under Gann's proposal, the Legislature and all committees, conference committees, task forces and working groups would be required to: ·      provide advance public notice and agendas; ·      allow public observation and recording of meetings; ·      post meeting records online within seven days; and ·      refrain from taking votes outside Open Meeting Act compliance. Under the bill, any legislative action taken in violation of the act would be invalid. The measure also would require lawmakers to file a Lobbyist Impact Statement if they have received campaign contributions, gifts or other benefits from lobbyists connected to legislation they sponsor. Failure to file the Lobbyist Impact Statement would constitute an ethics violation and carry criminal penalties. Lawmakers are currently required to submit campaign finance and financial disclosures to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Additionally, the bill would mandate that legislators disclose any nondisclosure agreements they sign, and any agreement restricting communication with constituents or legislative deliberation would be void. “Open meetings and open records are the ethical foundation of representative government,” Gann said. “Secrecy erodes trust, and trust is essential to a functioning republic.” Gann noted that a separate resolution, HR 1001 , is still eligible for consideration. That proposal would further guarantee additional recorded votes on legislation and prevent bills from being blocked without public accountability. “Oklahomans deserve to know who voted, who blocked a vote and why,” Gann said. If enacted, the Legislative Transparency, Accountability, and Open Meetings Act of 2026 would take effect July 1, 2026. It will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, has filed a three-bill legislative package establishing commonsense safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in Oklahoma. The measures seek to clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not persons and cannot hold legal rights, ensure state agencies use AI responsibly with human oversight, and protect minors from harmful AI chatbots and social AI companions. “This is not anti-technology, it’s pro people,” Maynard said. “We can embrace innovation while defending constitutional principles, parental rights and basic human dignity. AI should assist humans, not replace human responsibility.” House Bill 3546 would affirm that AI systems and algorithms may not be granted legal personhood under the Constitution or laws of Oklahoma. Maynard said the measure reinforces a foundational principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence: that our rights do not come from government but are endowed by our Creator and recognized by our Constitution. "Machines are created by man, and they must never be elevated to the status of the people they were designed to serve," Maynard said. House Bill 3545 would create guardrails for AI use in state government. It would restrict high-risk uses such as manipulation, unlawful discrimination through automated classification systems, real-time remote biometric surveillance in public spaces, and deceptive or malicious deepfakes. It also would require human review of certain AI-driven recommendations and would strengthen transparency by requiring agency reporting and an annual statewide AI report published by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. House Bill 3544 would protect minors from AI systems designed to simulate human-like relationships. It would prohibit the deployment of social AI companions and human-like AI chatbots to minors and would require reasonable age certification measures, with a narrow exception for certain therapeutic tools under strict professional oversight. Maynard said the bill reflects growing national concern, including widely reported lawsuits alleging that some AI-companion platforms foster emotional dependency in minors and, in tragic cases, encouraged self-harm. All measures will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, has filed legislation aimed at improving safety for students traveling to and from school on high-speed state highways. The bill is named in honor of 9-year-old Talyn Bain, who tragically passed in a traffic accident in Glenpool while on his way to school.  House Bill 2979 , known as the Talyn Bain Act, would require the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to establish reduced-speed school zones on certain state highways upon request by a local jurisdiction. The measure applies to high-speed roadways that run directly alongside public or private school property and lack adequate access roads or grade-separated entrances. “Talyn was a young boy with a full life ahead of him, and his loss is something no family should ever have to endure,” Banning said. “This bill seeks to honor Talyn in a meaningful way by taking responsible steps to better protect children on their way to and from school.”  Under the proposal, ODOT would be required to establish a 45 miles per hour school zone on qualifying state highways adjacent to schools. The reduced speed would be enforceable during designated drop-off and pick-up times when flashing beacons are active, including during school-designated hours approved by the department. Local jurisdictions would be responsible for maintaining and operating all school zone signage and equipment once installed.  “This is a practical step that helps communities slow things down where children are crossing, learning and growing,” Banning said. “When local schools and cities see a safety concern, this bill gives them a way to step in and help prevent another family from facing this kind of loss.” HB2979 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature and, if passed, would take effect Nov. 1, 2026.

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. 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. 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 Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.

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. 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."