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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill in committee that would criminalize a straw purchase of property on behalf of a foreign national. House Bill 3495 would make it unlawful to knowingly and willfully purchase or attempt to obtain any property on behalf of a foreign national. Punishment would be a felony not to exceed two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. The measure defines "straw person or party" as a third party who is put up in name only to take part in a transaction. "This law will help stop organized crime and cartel activity that has allowed a free-flow of human, drug and sex trafficking in and through Oklahoma," Duel said. "We must secure ourselves from hostile foreign interests that do not have our best interests, or even our survival, at heart." Duel pointed to the number of drug busts conducted on illegal marijuana grows in the state - and the consequent number of people arrested that were in the country illegally – as evidence of the problem of straw purchase. He also notes that Interstates 35 and 40, which crisscross the state and the nation, have long served as major corridors for human and drug smuggling. Shutting down the straw purchase loophole, will help stop the amount of illegal activity along these highways and throughout the state. "In talking with law enforcement from across Oklahoma, it's evident this has become a growing problem," Duel said. "We must have the ability to prosecute and punish those who would seek to hide behind gaps in the law." The bill passed the Criminal Judiciary Committee on a vote of 5-0. It now is eligible for consideration in the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Tourism Committee this week passed House Bill 3263 to establish the morel mushroom as Oklahoma’s state mushroom. Considered a delicacy because of cultivation difficulties, several thousand Oklahomans partake in morel hunting every spring.   "I'm one of the thousands of Oklahomans who hunt the tasty morel mushroom each spring," said the bill’s author, Rep. John George, R-Newalla. "I wanted to run this fun piece of legislation to support these dedicated foragers and maybe attract new interest in Oklahoma’s landscape and promote more awareness of Oklahoma’s variety of mushrooms. By implementing a state mushroom, we could even expand opportunities for communities across the state to attract tourists and teach about fungi safety.”  George’s district in eastern Oklahoma County has had many reports of morel sightings.  "I myself am fortunate enough to pick between 200 and 300 or more in good years at a location in my district," George said. The morel, native to Oklahoma, tends to grow in mid-March through early May. Morel mushrooms can be found all across the state, and they grow only under specific temperature and precipitation requirements. However, morels can be toxic if consumed raw or undercooked.  Eight other states have also established state mushrooms.  HB3263 passed out of the House Tourism Committee unanimously and is now available for review by the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Tuesday won committee passage of a bill he says will make the state pro-business and more competitive. House Bill 3498 is a modernization of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and state LLC statutes. "This is a pro-business bill that would invite new investment in Oklahoma and ensure the businesses that are here remain," Duel said. "It would update numerous outdated provisions to better reflect how corporations actually act in today's economy." Duel acknowledged announcements in the past week of two major Oklahoma employers moving operations to Houston. While this bill might not have changed the outcome, he said, it would have improved the chances of keeping those businesses in Oklahoma. "A number of our corporation and business laws have not been updated in years," he said. "This would help us modernize our corporate structure so Oklahoma can compete with other states." Duel said a number of companies incorporate in Delaware, for instance, because that state has laws similar to what is included in his bill. "This would give financial certainty that our laws will encourage investment," he said. The bill passed the House Business Committee on a vote of 7-1. It now is eligible for consideration in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development Oversight.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, passed a bill in committee this week that would require public schools to provide annual firearm safety instruction to students.  House Bill 3312 would require schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction from the earliest grade determined appropriate through 12th grade. The Oklahoma State Department of Education, in consultation with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, would develop or approve the curriculum. Instruction must cover safe storage, school safety and what students should do if they find a firearm. The curriculum must remain viewpoint neutral and may not include live firearms or ammunition.  “If a child comes across a firearm, they need to know exactly what to do,” Eaves said. “This bill focuses on awareness, responsibility and making sure students receive consistent, age-appropriate safety instruction.”  The bill received a 9-2 vote and would require schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction from the earliest grade determined appropriate through 12th grade. Schools would determine how best to incorporate the instruction into the academic year.  HB3312 now advances to the Education Oversight Committee for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, secured unanimous approval today in the House Civil Judiciary Committee for House Bill 4260 , a measure aimed at strengthening workers’ compensation protections for Oklahoma’s first responders. HB4260 would create a legal presumption in workers’ compensation cases for firefighters, peace officers and emergency medical technicians who suffer a heart attack or stroke after intense, on-duty activity. "When our first responders run toward danger, they put more than their safety on the line," Hays said. "The physical strain of fighting a fire, pursuing a suspect or responding to a medical emergency can take a serious toll on the heart. This bill simply recognizes that reality and ensures they are not left fighting for benefits after giving everything on the job." Under the bill, if a qualifying first responder experiences an acute myocardial infarction or stroke that results in disability or death within eight hours of engaging in stressful or strenuous emergency response activity or training, the condition would be presumed to have occurred in the course and scope of employment. Hays said the legislation reflects the physical toll that emergency response work can take on those who serve on the front lines. "If a firefighter, police officer or EMT suffers a heart attack or stroke after a grueling shift, their family should not have to carry the additional weight of proving it was job-related," Hays said. "This bill offers peace of mind and certainty for the men and women who serve and for the loved ones who depend on them." Under current law, injured workers often must prove that a medical event is directly related to their employment. HB4260 would shift that burden in narrowly defined circumstances, providing clarity for families and helping reduce lengthy legal disputes when a serious cardiovascular event closely follows intense duty. The bill now advances to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee for further consideration. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, HB4260 would take effect Nov. 1.

Oklahoma House Veterans Caucus Renamed Veterans and Public Safety Caucus; New Leadership Announced OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House Veterans Caucus has officially been renamed the Veterans and Public Safety Caucus, reflecting an expanded mission to support not only military veterans but also the broader public safety community across the state. Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, a retired Air Force veteran with 25 years of service in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, has been named chairman of the caucus.  “It is an honor to serve as chairman of the Veterans and Public Safety Caucus,” Hildebrant said. “Our veterans and public safety professionals embody service and sacrifice. This caucus will work to ensure they have the resources, support and recognition they deserve for the roles they play in keeping Oklahoma strong and safe.” Rep. John George, R-Newalla, who served in the Oklahoma National Guard for five years and the Oklahoma City Police Department for over 30 years, has been named vice chairman. “Veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters and other first responders all answer the call to serve,” George said. “As vice chairman, I look forward to advancing policies that strengthen support systems for these men and women and their families across our state.” The name change highlights the caucus’ commitment to advocate for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders and public safety professionals who serve and protect Oklahoma communities.

OKLAHOMA CITY - A proposal to study three-year bachelor’s degree programs by Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, advanced Tuesday with a unanimous vote from the House Postsecondary Education Committee. House Bill 3315 would direct the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to conduct a feasibility study on bachelor’s degree programs that could be completed in three years, or 90 credit hours.  Eaves said the proposal is designed to give lawmakers solid information before considering any future changes to higher education policy.  "This bill gives us a way to take a careful, targeted look at three-year bachelor’s degree programs,” Eaves said. “It’s important that feasibility and accreditation are fully examined before moving forward."  The study would review a range of academic fields and consider whether adjustments to course requirements, elective hours or overall credit totals are feasible. It also would evaluate potential impacts on accreditation standards as well as how three-year degrees would be viewed by employers and graduate programs.  Under the bill, the State Regents would be required to submit a report outlining their findings to state leaders by July 1, 2027.  HB3315 now advances to the Education Oversight Committee for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Government Modernization and Technology Committee on Monday unanimously passed two bills intended to safeguard Oklahomans when artificial intelligence (AI) is used. Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, is the chairman of the committee and the author of  House Bill 3545 and House Bill 3546 . The measures seek to ensure state agencies use AI responsibly with human oversight and clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not persons and cannot hold legal rights. "These common-sense protections seek to set responsible standards for the use of artificial intelligence and ensure that rights remain with people and not inanimate, non-human systems," Maynard said. "We welcome the use of emerging technologies, but only within a prudent framework. While some of this may seem like science fiction, the concerns are all too real in our current environment, and the best time to set guidelines is now." Maynard said House Bill 3545 would establish responsible standards for state agency use of AI that would require human oversight for any high-risk decisions. The measure also would require transparency whenever AI content is used, including annual reporting so that everyone knows what AI is being used for in the state. House Bill 3546 would make it clear that AI systems and other non-human inanimate objects will not be granted personhood in Oklahoma. "This ensures that rights remain with people and prevents artificial intelligence from being used to claim legal standing or avoid accountability under our laws," Maynard said. He 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. Both bills received unanimous do pass recommendations and now are eligible to be considered by the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development Oversight. House bills must pass in policy and oversight committees before being eligible for a vote by the full membership of the House. Maynard has an additional bill dealing with AI that has been referred to the Civil Judiciary Committee. 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, encourage self-harm.

Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, congratulates Representative-Elect Dillon Travis, R-Maramec: "Congratulations to Dillon Travis on his resounding victory in House District 35. Tonight’s bellwether result makes it clear that Oklahoma voters have continued strong confidence in conservative leadership as we enter a statewide election season. We look forward to welcoming Representative-Elect Travis to the House chamber next Wednesday for his swearing-in ceremony."