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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, received a Legislative Hero Award recently from the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA). He was recognized during an awards luncheon held Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Embassy Suites Conference and Convention Center in Norman. ONA said the Legislative Hero Award was given to Fetgatter in appreciation of his support and guidance on legislation supporting nurses, the nursing profession and the health of all Oklahomans. "Nurses perform such tireless work to assure Oklahomans are taken care off both in and out of our health care facilities," Fetgatter said. "It's an honor to be recognized for my work in trying to improve the lives and working conditions of those who give back to each one of us, while also ensuring Oklahomans have access to quality and affordable healthcare." Fetgatter was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016 to represent House District 16, which includes parts of Muskogee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties. He currently serves as Tribal and External Affairs Leader in the House. He's also a business owner. 

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, has been appointed by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to serve on the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), a national organization that works to promote consistency and clarity in state laws across the United States. Commissioners to the ULC, established in 1892, must be members of the bar and are appointed from every state. The ULC drafts and promotes enactment of uniform state law to ensure legal consistency in certain policy areas, such as business transactions, occupational licensing and emerging technologies. "I’m honored to represent Oklahoma on the Uniform Law Commission," Harris said. "This organization plays a critical role in maintaining stability and fairness in our legal system, especially as new challenges arise in areas like technology, privacy and commerce. I look forward to working with fellow commissioners to help shape policies that strengthen our state laws while preserving our constitutional principles." Harris, an attorney with experience in both private legal practice and public service, brings extensive legal and policy experience to the role. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and all Oklahoma state and federal district courts, as well as the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Hilbert thanked Harris for his willingness to serve, noting his legal expertise and commitment to sound governance. "Representative Harris has demonstrated exceptional judgment and a strong understanding of complex legal issues," Hilbert said. "He will represent Oklahoma well on the Uniform Law Commission and ensure our state’s perspective is part of these important national policy discussions." The ULC meets annually and operates through committees that draft and review proposed uniform acts. These acts are later submitted to state legislatures for adoption, allowing states to modernize and harmonize their legal frameworks without federal intervention.

Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, has been reappointed by Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW), the state's official advisory body on issues affecting women. "I’m honored to continue representing the House on the Commission on the Status of Women," West said. "The commission plays an important role in advancing opportunities for women and families, and I look forward to contributing to that work once again." The 30-member commission was established by the Legislature in 1994 to strengthen and empower women across Oklahoma through education, collaboration and celebration. Members serve staggered terms and are appointed in equal thirds by the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House. The commission reports annually to state leaders and hosts community conversations and the biennial Oklahoma Women’s Summit. OCSW also recognizes female leaders through the Guardian Award, Kate Barnard Award and induction into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. West received the Guardian Award from OCSW in 2024. "Representative West’s leadership and experience make her an excellent addition to the commission," Hilbert said. "Her perspective will be invaluable as the commission continues its mission to improve the status of women across our state." West's term ends June 30, 2026.

The Oklahoma House Energy Committee this week heard a study, led by Chair Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, examining the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s (OCC) regulation of the state’s oil and gas industry, including workforce challenges, orphan well plugging and seismic activity. Archer said the study was designed to give legislators and stakeholders a clear look at the OCC’s current operations, regulatory responsibilities and funding concerns. "The Legislature must work with OCC to find solutions to the issues and gaps facing the agency, especially in the protest docket," Archer said. "If we remove barriers and work with Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry, we can help the Commission fulfill their mission and regulate the industry effectively while protecting jobs, revenue and public safety. But first, they need the resources, tools and authority to do their job well rather than the current slow, inefficient process." Jeremy Hodges, director of the OCC's Oil and Gas Conservation Division, emphasized the gap between industry revenues and OCC funding. "We regulate this industry with less than one percent of the revenue that we bring in," he said . One of the study's central topics was delays to the protest docket, which is OCC's process for hearing contested oil and gas cases. OCC's Director of Administration Brandy Wreath said frequent continuances, attorney scheduling conflicts and a shortage of court reporters and judges have slowed the docket significantly. Since these cases can involve major projects and millions in production, delays on the protest docket can have a significant economic impact. Wreath added that both court reporters and judges who work on the protest docket are "grossly underpaid" and plans to ask for a legislative carveout to pay competitive salaries. Archer asked how to prevent abuse of the protest docket system. He pointed to a large producer who is facing protests from entities that, rather than having an actual issue with the case, were instead trying to gain a better understanding of it. Wreath said the Commission has done what they can to address abuse of the system, but they're still limited by the lack of attorneys and judges. Another major focus of the study was Oklahoma’s backlog of orphan wells. Hodges said, at the current pace, it would take over 200 years to plug every orphan well in the state. Deputy Director Mike McGinnis added that even after plugging around 4,500 wells with the latest federal grant money, more than three-quarters of Oklahoma's orphans wells will remain. The committee also reviewed induced seismicity and regulatory strategies. Wreath said that OCC, industry leaders and legislators need to work together to determine policies moving forward. "I think it's one area where we failed is one side of the equation comes up with an idea that we're not all in agreement [with] when we leave the table," he said . "Even if we don't get what we want, we need to figure something out that every size of producer can agree to, that the Legislature can agree is right, the commissioners can agree, because they're gonna be issuing the orders, and then we all leave with the same marching orders and say this is what we're gonna do as a state." Other topics discussed during the study included public safety and emergency response, staffing challenges, modernization efforts and statutory clean-up, as well as a detailed breakdown of OCC's funding. "Let's hone in on those funding needs and opportunities so that we can look to help move the ball forward for, as noted multiple times, our state's largest highest employing industry," Archer said at the end of the meeting. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, announced he filed House Joint Resolution 1036 applying to Congress for an Article V convention to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution requiring the federal government to pass a balanced budget on time each year. The joint resolution would withhold salaries for the president, members of Congress and U.S. Supreme Court justices during a government shutdown. It also would make members of Congress and the president ineligible for re-election if they fail to pass a balanced budget by the last Thursday of March each year. "Every day, families and small businesses in Oklahoma make tough choices to balance their budgets," Steagall said. "It’s time for Washington to do the same. Congress cannot keep piling more debt onto the American people. This resolution says enough is enough." Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of state legislatures may direct Congress to call for a convention for proposing amendments, which are enacted only after three-fourths of the states ratify the proposal. Steagall’s resolution seeks to join Oklahoma with other states pushing for fiscal responsibility at the federal level. "Americans deserve a government that plans responsibly and meets its obligations," Steagall said. "I hope this resolution encourages other states to consider similar action so we can collectively hold Washington accountable and protect the nation’s finances."

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today congratulated Lindel Fields on his appointment as Oklahoma’s new State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Gov. Kevin Stitt named Fields, a retired CareerTech administrator and executive leadership consultant from Tulsa, to serve out the remainder of Ryan Walters’ unexpired term. Fields brings more than 30 years of experience in education, including his tenure as superintendent and CEO of Tri County Tech in Bartlesville, where he helped lead the center to a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Banning said Fields’ track record as a steady, results-driven leader will serve Oklahoma schools well. “Lindel Fields is the kind of leader Oklahoma students, parents and teachers need right now,” Banning said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with him through leadership training seminars for my own executives, and I’ve seen firsthand the integrity and wisdom he brings to every room. He’s calm under pressure, clear in his vision and committed to bringing out the best in others.” Fields retired from CareerTech in 2021 and has since worked with schools, businesses and local governments across Oklahoma through his firm, Your Culture Coach. His leadership coaching has been credited with helping organizations improve performance and better serve their communities.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today issued the following statement in response to changes announced regarding the State Department of Education: "Superintendent Fields will bring a wealth of administrative and education experience to the Department of Education and I look forward to working with him, Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin and their team as we seek to use data-driven research and measurable results to guide decision-making and strengthen education across our state for all students. We have much work to do, but I am confident with the momentum we have had in recent years with record investment in education, a focus on teacher retention and recruitment, ending virtual days and banning call phones, we will continue to make our education system better. Additionally, I continue to support as I always have the Governor’s push to make the State Superintendent of Public Instruction being an appointed position. Education is one of the most important issues we tackle at the state Capitol, and having a single point of accountability to the public is critical to making real change in any system. Representative Mike Osburn and I intend to file a resolution next legislative session asking the people of Oklahoma to consider this change. Students, teachers and families deserve accountability and a system that prioritizes results. Our kids deserve it.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives released today an update to its online budget transparency portal, detailing state agency budgets that have been submitted to the Legislature for the FY27 budget. The portal, known as  Budget HQ , was created in 2024 in an effort to bring transparency to the state budgeting process both for the full House membership and the public. "Our budget transparency portal has brought light to what used to be a mostly behind the scenes process in crafting our state budget. We will be posting updated budget requests ahead of budget hearings our committees will hold in December and January so our members and the public know the requests being made," said House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon. "We are already working on the FY27 budget and will continue to keep the public informed as the process progresses." Agencies are required to submit proposed budgets for the next fiscal year by Oct. 1, but because of various board schedules, agencies submit budgets throughout the month of October. The House will be frequently updating the portal as new agency budgets are received. "Our one constitutional obligation as a Legislature is to pass a balanced budget, and receiving agency budget requests is the very first step in that process," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "The budget is our most important job as a Legislature and being transparent from Day 1 is important to us."

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus continued their statewide Capitol to Community series this week with a two-day stop in Woodward. The event highlighted the region’s strengths in education, youth services, energy and natural resources while giving lawmakers the chance to engage directly with local leaders and residents. The tour began Sunday evening with a community reception at the Woodward County Event Center. On Monday, members spent a full day immersed in the area. Highlights included a visit to the Woodward TAP (Technical Applications Program) at Woodward Middle School, a stop at Western Plains Youth & Family Services to learn more about local efforts to support children and families and a tour of the High Plains Technology Center. The afternoon included a guided bus tour through Alabaster Caverns State Park, Boiling Springs State Park, and the Terry Peach Watershed Restoration Expansion Project, which gave legislators a firsthand look at the region’s natural resources and conservation efforts. “From career training in our schools to the stewardship of our natural resources, this community shows how local initiative and state partnership can come together to create real opportunities," said Speaker Hilbert. "Our Capitol to Community tour is about learning from local voices, and Woodward reminded us just how much Oklahoma’s strength begins at the community level." Representatives Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, and Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, who both represent the Woodward area, praised the event as an important opportunity to showcase northwest Oklahoma’s contributions to the state: “Northwest Oklahoma is proud of its people, its land, and its industries. This tour gave us the chance to highlight that on a larger stage. From education to energy to natural resources, Woodward plays a vital role in Oklahoma’s success. Having Speaker Hilbert and our colleagues here to see it firsthand is invaluable, and we are grateful for their commitment to listening and engaging directly with our communities.” The Capitol to Community series will continue with additional stops across Oklahoma throughout the interim including Ardmore, Lawton and Guthrie.