News

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, and hundreds of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) customers were not allowed to participate in a hearing at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) Thursday morning. The customers had officially filed pro se interventions in PSO’s rate case before the OCC. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) heard arguments on their right to intervene in the case. “My interpretation of rule is that’s a threshold determination that has to be made, whether or not they are parties. I’m not going to elicit any responses from the intervenors online,” the ALJ said, ignoring the raised hands of Gann and other intervenors seeking to be recognized. The OCC’s electronic filing system shows more than 380 pro se interventions were filed by PSO customers in the case. PSO is seeking a $600 million rate increase, approximately $25 per month more for its average residential customer. Challenging the interventions , PSO Attorney Jack Fite argued Thursday that Gann and the other PSO customers could not participate in the case because they had missed the April 1 intervention deadline. A written response filed earlier by Gann and intervenor Christine Roam, an organizer for Stop the Inola Smelter , argued that PSO’s customers did not even receive notice about the case until after that April 1 deadline.  Fite did not address the untimeliness of PSO’s notice in his remarks. In response to a question from the ALJ, PSO’s attorney argued customers did not even have a right to notice about Thursday’s hearing on the status of their intervention, let alone the case itself. “I have filed ten appeals at the Oklahoma Supreme Court arguing the Corporation Commission has violated the due process rights of utility customers in these billion-dollar cases for years,” Gann said. “Today’s hearing was just another example. For Oklahomans wondering why their utility bills keep going up, this is a big part of the answer. The officials charged with protecting ratepayers aren’t doing their job, and when others try to step up, we are muzzled and not allowed to speak.”  “The Supreme Court has said utility customers have a constitutional right to appeal the OCC’s decisions, but we have to raise our issues at the Commission first,” added Roam, referencing an April Supreme Court decision (2026 OK 24). “How can we do that if the OCC creates arbitrary deadlines and does not even notify customers about the case until after the deadline?” Fite said PSO’s customers should not rely on the Supreme Court’s recent opinion, which is under reconsideration and still subject to modification or withdrawal. Fite argued utility customers do not have a right to participate in the OCC’s utility cases. Pointing to a table of four lawyers from the attorney general’s Office, he said the AG was representing all utility customers in the case. But after Fite finished, when the ALJ asked if any other party wanted to speak, the AG’s table was silent. “I barely found the right web link in time for this morning’s hearing,” Roam said afterwards. “No one has responded to my requests to see the evidence or participate in the settlement conference. Even though no one has ruled against us yet, the utility is treating us like they already have. To say PSO’s customers are being deliberately excluded from this case is an understatement.” In addition to the requested $600 million rate increase, PSO’s rate case will determine whether a new large-load rate class will be created for data centers and the proposed Emirates Global Aluminum smelter in Gann and Roam’s hometown of Inola. In a Statement of Position filed earlier in the case, Gann raised several issues related to the proposed smelter, including his opposition to existing PSO customers being forced to subsidize its electricity.  On Tuesday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a petition asking a Rogers County district judge for an injunction declaring the proposed aluminum smelter a public nuisance. Such an injunction would halt the project. At the end of the Thursday OCC hearing, the ALJ announced his intention to “take this matter under advisement” and issue a written recommendation and report by the end of the day Friday. Gann has already filed a motion citing laws in other states and asking the OCC Commissioners themselves to weigh in on the questions of timely notice and ratepayers’ due process rights.  “It is time the Corporation Commission explicitly recognized that Oklahoma’s utility customers are entitled to due process protections too, especially when the process is already explicitly required by Oklahoma law,” Gann wrote in his Motion for Determination of Utility Customers’ Due Process Rights.  Regardless of the ALJ’s decision Friday, a hearing before the Commissioners themselves on Gann’s motion is set for June 25 . Public comment from PSO customers will be allowed that day. See also , Gann Appeals $1.3B OCC Preapproval of New PSO Capacity to Power Inola Smelter, Data Centers; Hundreds Enter Appearances in PSO Rate Case (June 2, 2026).

Legislation aimed at strengthening public safety and modernizing courts' tools to identify potentially dangerous offenders before trial has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1618 creates the Public Protection Act, establishing a more transparent and accountable framework for pretrial release decisions. The measure requires the use of validated risk assessments and public safety reporting to help courts evaluate the likelihood that a defendant will commit additional crimes, fail to appear in court or otherwise threaten public safety. Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, who carried the bill in the House, said the measure prioritizes the safety of Oklahoma families and communities while providing reliable information to judges making release decisions. "Pretrial release decisions can have significant consequences for victims, communities and defendants alike, and it's critical that courts have access to reliable information when determining if and how an individual should be released. "When someone is arrested for a crime, one of the first questions should be whether releasing that individual poses a risk to the public," Harris said. "For too long, courts have lacked consistent tools and data to identify high-risk offenders before they're released, which can have significant consequences for victims and communities. The Public Protection Act will protect communities by giving judges better information to make informed decisions and preventing dangerous criminals from slipping through the cracks." The legislation requires courts to consider evidence-based risk assessments when determining conditions of release and establishes reporting requirements that will provide lawmakers, courts and the public with more information regarding pretrial outcomes and reoffending rates. "This law prioritizes public safety for Oklahomans and establishes much-needed safeguards before the release of a defendant from custody," said Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, who authored the bill in the Senate. "By using pretrial risk assessments to determine release conditions, we are keeping communities safe while upholding consistent standards that treat defendants fairly under the law. Looking at a defendant's criminal history and the seriousness of their offenses will protect the public and save lives. I appreciate all of Representative Harris' help in getting this bill across the finish line." SB 1618 takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Less than two weeks after Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, said the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) quietly preapproved some $1.3 billion in new electricity generation and storage capacity for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), he has appealed the OCC’s order to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Gann now has ten OCC utility appeals pending before the court, some of those filed with Reps. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, This latest appeal, filed May 22, brings the total amount of PSO, OG&E and ONG customer payments the representatives have challenged to $475 million in rate increases, $3.2 billion in 2021 Winter Storm bonds, $11 billion in fuel charges, and $1.3 billion in new capacity preapprovals. Although not identified by name in the OCC’s order, Gann said PSO’s capacity expansion is intended to power several new “large-load” industrial customers, including multiple proposed data centers in eastern Oklahoma and the new $4 billion Emirates Global Aluminum smelter proposed for Gann’s hometown of Inola.  On May 29, AARP and the Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers joined Gann’s appeal of the OCC’s $1.3 billion capacity preapproval order for PSO, arguing one of the financing methods the OCC approved was based on an unconstitutional law. Approved in May 2025, Senate Bill 998 mandated approval of Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) financing for certain utility projects. In addition to the new appeal , Gann and more than 300 other PSO customers have filed Entries of Appearance in PSO’s latest rate case at the OCC in which the utility is seeking an additional $600 million rate increase. The Entries are being challenged by PSO. The customers say they are being filed to comply with a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision (2026 OK 24) that recognized individual utility customers’ constitutional right to appeal OCC utility orders, but said ratepayers need to intervene and raise their objections at the OCC first. The court’s decision is currently under reconsideration . A Statement of Position Gann filed in the PSO rate case raises several issues related to the proposed aluminum smelter, including Gann’s opposition to existing customers being forced to subsidize its electricity. “The Oklahoma Constitution prohibits the OCC from approving rates for PSO’s residential customers that are not ‘reasonable and just,’” Gann writes. “Rates that are not cost-of-service based and result in residential customers subsidizing the cost of extending service to the new load, the cost of infrastructure improvements necessary to serve the new load, or the cost of increased generating or purchased power capacity necessary to meet the demands of that new load, are unlawful and unconstitutional.” Gann argues the OCC should create a new customer class for the smelter and data centers that takes into account the consumer protections afforded under recently enacted House Bill 2992 .  “I voted in favor of the Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, and there is no reason why the OCC cannot protect PSO’s existing residential customers from bearing the burden of similar costs and expenses caused by the smelter or other large industrial loads just because they are not data centers,” Gann tells the OCC. Gann said on Monday, June 1, more than twenty PSO customers, including ten who drove two hours from Inola to the Capitol, gave in-person public comment imploring OCC Commissioners to deny the proposed rate increase and protect residential customers from unnecessarily higher bills. Some spoke specifically against socializing infrastructure costs to benefit private company shareholders, including both PSO and the new large-load customers it is courting. In both the new Supreme Court appeal and in his filings at the OCC, Gann argues that PSO’s customers have not been adequately notified about these cases. He also argues OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett is required to recused himself from these PSO cases because of his alleged criminal conduct – including sexual assault, drunk driving, and sexual harassment – about which PSO’s attorneys are alleged to have direct knowledge. Gann argues that state ethics rules require public officials to disqualify themselves from matters in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Charges were never filed, and the Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Hiett in May 2025. But the appeal asks the Supreme Court to review the Ethics Commission’s legal determinations. Gann argues that when Hiett told the Ethics Commission that the common law Rule of Necessity allows him to continue to participate in OCC cases even if he is biased, that was itself an admission of bias. Gann said the Rule of Necessity only applies to biased or conflicted judges. On Tuesday, June 2, Gann filed motions in the PSO rate case citing laws in other states and asking the OCC Commissioners themselves to weigh in on both issues.  “It is time the Corporation Commission explicitly recognizes that Oklahoma’s utility customers are entitled to due process protections too, especially when the process is already explicitly required by Oklahoma law,” Gann wrote in his Motion for Determination of Utility Customers’ Due Process Rights. He filed a separate motion seeking to disqualify Commissioner Hiett. In his Statement of Position, Gann told the OCC, “In my opinion, pursuing a case already infected with so many fundamental errors of law is a waste of taxpayer dollars. The OCC should dismiss this case and start over – beginning with adequate notice to PSO’s customers.” The utility case appeals can be followed at the Oklahoma Supreme Court: PSO rate case ($250m rate increases; $700m bonds; initial decision 4/21/2026; reconsideration pending): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122861 ONG, PSO & OG&E CY2023 fuel cases ($1.5 billion; all briefs filed): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122991 OG&E rate case ($127m rate increase; $760m bonds; all briefs filed): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123021 ONG rate case ($98m rate increases; $1.3 billion bonds; all briefs filed): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123348 ONG CY2024 fuel case ($390 million + $888m for 2021/2022; first brief filed): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123588 OG&E CY2024 fuel case ($925 million + $1.9 billion for 2021/2022; first brief filed): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123608 PSO CY2024 fuel case ($600 million + $2.8 billion for 2021/2022; briefs this fall): https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123905 PSO Preapproval case ($1.255 billion; briefs this winter) https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=124090

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, commented today on the governor's pocket veto of legislation that would have prohibited solar generation facilities and battery energy storage systems (BESS) from qualifying for the Five-Year Ad Valorem Exemption for Manufacturers, beginning in January 2028. Dobrinski is chairman of the House Utilities Committee and House author of Senate Bill 237 . The governor had until midnight May 29 to take action on the bill. Because he did not sign it into law, and because the 2026 legislative session is adjourned sine die, the bill became pocket vetoed.  "I'm extremely disappointed the governor chose not to enact this legislation that had widespread support from constituents and legislators alike," Dobrinski said. "He overruled the decision of more than 100 representatives and senators to protect taxpayer money from going to out-of-state developers taking advantage of a forty-year-old tax incentive originally designed to add quality jobs investment to our state. I represent thousands of constituents involved with the energy industry, both petroleum and renewables. Landowners choose whether they participate in various energy projects based on their own operations and unique family situation. What most agree on, however, is they support President Trump's decision to put an end to federal subsidization of the renewable industry, and Oklahoma should do the same!"   Dobrinski explained the five-year exemption was eliminated for wind in 2015 with Senate Bill 498 . In 2021, the Legislature recognized data centers were costing the state $46 million annually through the exemption, so that eligibility was removed with Senate Bill 609 .  "Eliminating this tax exemption for wind and data centers has obviously not deterred those types of new development projects in Oklahoma," Dobrinski emphasized. "We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years that could go toward much-needed projects and services for hard-working Oklahomans. I look forward to working soon with our next governor to end this corporate welfare as quickly as possible."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, said during the next legislative session he will focus on establishing a Victims of Sexual Assault Bill of Rights for the state of Oklahoma. This would be similar to legislation that created the Oklahoma Victim's Rights Act, which clearly established the services law enforcement agencies shall provide to victims. Ford, a 25-year veteran police officer, said the intent of the legislation is to ensure victims of sexual assault are not revictimized by the very systems and state-funded advocacy organizations established to assist them. "The rights of victims must be protected through a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, justice and healing," he said. First and foremost, the legislation would ensure every victim shall retain complete autonomy over their care, treatment advocacy services and participation in the investigative process, Ford said. "All services provided to victims shall be trauma-informed and victim-centered," he said. The State of Oklahoma must establish greater oversight and accountability regarding the handling of sexual assault cases involving both children and adults, Ford insists. Ford's House District 76 includes part of Tulsa County. He said the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office has reported receiving approximately 50 child sexual assault cases per week. "These alarming numbers demand a comprehensive review of how Oklahoma responds to and investigates sexual assault crimes," he said. "For too long, the state has relied heavily upon nonprofit organizations to provide essential victim services with limited oversight or accountability. It is time for the Legislature to ensure that victims of sexual assault are protected and provided the services necessary to pursue justice and begin healing." Ford said under his legislation, any private advocacy organization receiving state tax dollars shall provide services to any organization or provider conducting sexual assault examinations, regardless of institutional affiliation, provided the examiner is certified through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and has completed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training. Also included will be a requirement for all law enforcement agencies to provide equal cooperation and services to any certified sexual assault nurse examiner, regardless of affiliation. The law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall be required to complete the original offense report for the sexual assault investigation, take custody of the sexual assault evidence kit and preserve all related evidence in accordance with state law and evidentiary standards. The legislation also would specify that everything collected from the sexual assault nurse examiner will be confidential and not be part of the Open Records Act. "To ensure victims can recover from one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives, the State of Oklahoma shall guarantee that law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, medical providers and sexual assault advocacy organizations work collaboratively as one coordinated team," Ford said. "The goal must always be to ensure victims receive trauma-informed, victim-centered care from a qualified provider of their choosing. "The days of treating victims as secondary to institutional control or bureaucratic process must come to an end. Victims deserve respect, autonomy, transparency and justice." Legislators will be able to file bills for the next legislative session beginning Nov. 15. The First Session of the 61st Legislature will convene Feb. 1, 2027.

Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, has received the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association’s Vic Bird Airvangelist Award, recognizing her advocacy and leadership in support of Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry. The Vic Bird Airvangelist Award honors individuals who promote public understanding of aviation and work to strengthen the aerospace industry across Oklahoma. The award is named in honor of longtime Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission director Vic Bird, who was widely known for his dedication to aviation growth and education throughout the state. Miller serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma Legislature’s Aerospace Caucus and represents House District 82, which includes northwest Oklahoma City, west Edmond and Deer Creek. She is also in her fifth year serving as chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee, where she directly works on transportation funding priorities and significant strategic investments in Oklahoma’s transportation system, including airports and aviation infrastructure across the state. Throughout her time in the Legislature, she has championed efforts to strengthen Oklahoma’s aviation industry through infrastructure investment, workforce development and policies aimed at positioning Oklahoma as a national leader in aerospace innovation. "I’m incredibly honored to receive the Vic Bird Airvangelist Award," Miller said. "Oklahoma has a long and proud history in aviation and aerospace, and I believe we have an incredible opportunity to keep building on that legacy. Supporting our airports and aviation infrastructure is about economic growth, innovation, public safety and creating opportunities for future generations. I’m grateful to work alongside so many dedicated industry leaders, airport operators and local partners who care deeply about the future of aviation in our state."  The Oklahoma Airport Operators Association said Miller has continued advocating for aviation growth in Oklahoma while supporting policies that help ensure the safety and long-term success of airports and aerospace infrastructure across the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bipartisan package of eight bills authored by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, that will increase transparency in public contracts and prevent misuse of taxpayer dollars has been signed into law. The legislative package of bills was developed following concerns about gaps in government spending oversight and after an audit by State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd identified $93.4 million in misspent expenditures. Strom, who serves as the Chairman of the House General Government Appropriations and Budget Committee, worked alongside lawmakers from both parties during the 2025 interim to identify ways to prevent similar issues from happening again. Other lawmakers included Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus; Rep. Denise Crosswhite-Hader, R-Piedmont; Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene; Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond; and Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City. "I brought in lawmakers and from all over the State and political spectrum to work on this project. We all agreed that the people we serve deserve to be confident in the idea that their investment in this State is being handled responsibly," Strom said. "This was a heavy lift, but I appreciate the long hours and hard work that each member put in. I also appreciate the time and effort that the Auditor and her staff lent to us. We went back over years of documented waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars and asked, ‘What would have prevented this? What can we put in place to make sure this never happens again?" Governor Kevin Stitt signed all eight bills into law and said transparency is important to Oklahomans. "As governor, I have fought for transparency and accountability for Oklahoma taxpayers. The transparency laws passed this session further that goal," Stitt said. "Government works for the people, not the other way around, and these reforms help preserve the trust Oklahomans have in their state and local institutions." The legislation focuses on increasing transparency in state contracting, adding more safeguards to the procurement process, improving documentation requirements and helping prevent conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds. "Too often, lawmakers and taxpayers are left finding out after the fact that millions of dollars were mishandled or poorly tracked," Strom said. "These new laws put stronger safeguards in place on the front end so contract details are easier to access, and the public can better see where their money is going." The package also includes reforms related to government bidding practices. Lawmakers said the measures are intended to create a more transparent and competitive process while discouraging favoritism and poor-quality contracting. "This legislation helps eliminate the good-old-boy system by creating fairness in contracting," Strom said. "The honest contractors doing things the right way should not have to compete against bad actors benefiting from weak oversight." The new laws included in the package are: House Bill 3413 by Strom and Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville, expands transparency in state agency contracting by requiring agencies to publicly list contractors, contract values and project status while disclosing consultant reports and staffing-related contracts. House Bill 3414 by Strom and Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, directs the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to improve accounting systems related to service contracts, staff augmentation and documentation for digital and intangible assets. House Bill 3415 by Strom and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, requires vendors to disclose subcontractors, tightens documentation standards, mandates post-project reviews and creates a public database of state contracts. House Bill 3418 also by Strom and Daniels updates the Public Competitive Bidding Act to refine procedures for public construction projects and ensure more consistent bidding practices, and criminalizes violations of the Central Purchasing Act. This law will take effect Nov. 1, 2027. House Bill 3416 by Strom and Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson, allows counties to seek quotes for certain smaller purchases while maintaining documentation and oversight safeguards. House Bill 3417 also by Strom and Alvord authorizes certain political subdivisions and public trusts to use real-time reverse auction bidding procedures for goods and services purchases. House Bill 3419 by Strom and Sen. Jack Stewart, R-Yukon, tightens ethics laws by making it a felony for officials, employees or contractors to use confidential government information for personal financial gain. House Bill 3420 by Strom and Sen. Carrie Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, tightens oversight requirements for negotiated contracts and requires additional public reporting of procurement activity. All measures take effect Nov. 1, except for HB3418, which takes effect Nov. 1, 2027.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill making it a felony crime to traffic abortion pills has been signed into law by the governor. Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, is the author of House Bill 1168 . The measure creates a felony offense for anyone to knowingly possess or deliver abortion-inducing drugs — including mifepristone, misoprostol and methotrexate — to someone who intends to use them for an unlawful abortion. "Abortion is already illegal in Oklahoma other than to protect the life of a mother in an emergency," Crosswhite Hader said. "What has happened, however, since that has become law in our state, is that people are trafficking abortion-inducing drugs to women who are already in a vulnerable state. That's unscrupulous, and it needs to stop.  "This bill is about protecting women from the horrible side effects of these pills. It's also to protect women from being taken advantage of by someone looking to personally profit from the distribution of these pills." Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the Senate author of the bill. He had this to say about its signing. "We hear a lot about the trafficking of humans and children and rightfully so. We have worked hard to eliminate this enslavement of people. The trafficking of the abortion pill is no different than human trafficking and possibly worse. It is the largest killer of babies and the greatest threat to motherhood. It is the death sentence to an innocent baby who has been convicted of no crime and a false hope to a mother, soon to kill the child she carries. In fact, the injustice of the abortion pill being trafficked in Oklahoma is a generational loss of Holocaust proportions, and the victims are always twofold. Today, we took a big step in stopping both of those wrongs. Oklahoma will continue to stand for the rights of a person to have life, liberty and property."    Crosswhite Hader said she's heard reports of women being given these drugs by non-medical professionals who do not understand what the medications can do to a woman if administered incorrectly. The drugs are often taken in isolation. This leaves the woman to go through cramping and bleeding and the shedding of her pregnancy with no medical expert on hand to help her through not only the physical pain and after-effects of the drugs, but also the mental anguish that can result from seeing her pre-term pregnancy in a non-viable state. "I'm concerned that a woman given these drugs could die by herself, and they could keep her from being able to carry to term a pregnancy at a later date should that be desired," she said.  There's also a concern that only the second drug in a two-drug sequence are being given in some instances. The first drug is intended to stop the growth of the pregnancy. The second is to evacuate. To give the second drug without the first presents a greater danger to the woman, she said.  Under HB 1168, anyone convicted of trafficking or attempting to traffic abortion-inducing drugs could face a fine of up to $100,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both. This is the same as current law for those performing an illegal abortion. The legislation only addresses those who intend to distribute these drugs illegally to others, not those who are accessing these drugs for themselves, Crosswhite Hader said.  This measure does not limit or prohibit the sale of contraceptives, and it would not impact couples undergoing IVF treatment. Under the definition of "Abortion-inducing drug, " included in the bill, it specifies that this definition does not apply to drugs that may be known to cause an abortion, but which are prescribed for other medical indications, such as chemotherapeutic agents or diagnostic drugs, or for treatment of an ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous miscarriage.  Additionally, HB 1168 does not apply to pharmacists, drug manufacturers or distributors who legally possess, sell or distribute pharmaceuticals intended for lawful medical purposes.  Crosswhite Hader said another factor to consider is the release of the abortifacient "forever" chemicals into wastewater that cannot be treated by facilities or septic systems. These then enter water supplies to be drunk by the rest of the population. The bill passed the House last year and the Senate this year. It was signed into law by the governor May 5. He held a ceremonial signing of the bill today, allowing authors of the bill and pro-life supporters to be present to celebrate the measure becoming law.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation expanding alternative pathways for individuals seeking to become certified teachers in Oklahoma has been signed into law. House Bill 3076 , authored by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, and Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, allows teachers to receive certification through alternative teacher preparation programs, including programs offered by public schools, regional service agencies and private or nonprofit entities. "We know Oklahoma needs strong teachers in every classroom, and this bill helps open more doors for qualified individuals who want to answer that call," Lepak said. "By creating additional pathways into the profession while maintaining oversight and accreditation requirements, we are helping schools recruit talented educators and giving future teachers more opportunities to succeed. Programs like this in other states get candidates certified quicker and at less cost, plus their 5-year retention rates are comparable to those of teachers graduating from our colleges of education, without seeing any decline in student performance. Furthermore, some actually work with school districts to fill their specific needs. Thousands of teaching positions have been filled through this process in other states, and I'm hopeful Oklahoma will see the number of emergency certifications decline when this pathway is fully developed." Under the new law, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability will oversee the approval process for alternative teacher preparation programs and must approve or deny applicants within 60 days. Applicants denied approval must be given the opportunity to address deficiencies identified by the commission. Seifried said the measure will help strengthen Oklahoma’s teacher pipeline while maintaining accountability and quality standards. "Great teachers can come from all different backgrounds and career paths," Seifried said. "This new law creates more opportunities for qualified individuals to become passionate educators while setting them up for success in the classroom. Expanding these pathways will help address Oklahoma’s teacher shortage while ensuring all students receive a quality education." Private or nonprofit programs approved under the measure will be required to obtain accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation within three years or risk losing approval. The legislation also requires the commission to promote alternative teacher preparation programs to potential educators, while the State Board of Education must maintain and publish a list of approved providers on its website. HB3076 takes effect July 1.