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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Tuesday highlighted strong early demand for the Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC) program following the opening of the application window for the 2026–27 school year. “The Oklahoma Tax Commission reports nearly 27,000 applications for the upcoming school year were submitted on the first day alone,” Caldwell said. “That represents almost 70 percent of the total applications received for the current school year. This level of demand underscores how strongly Oklahoma families value this program and reinforces the need to expand its funding so more parents can access educational options that best meet their children’s needs.” Caldwell is the author of House Bill 3705 , which would increase the annual cap on tax credits for private school students to $300 million. The measure also includes a growth mechanism: if total credits claimed in a given year reach at least 90 percent of the cap, the cap would automatically increase by $50 million in the following year. House Bill 3705 is eligible for consideration on the House Floor. It already passed both the House Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee, which Caldwell chairs, and the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee. The Parental Choice Tax Credit program was established through House Bill 1934 in 2023. The program provides families with greater flexibility to choose educational settings that best suit their children. Under the program’s tiered structure, eligible families may receive refundable tax credits ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 per student for private school tuition, depending on household income. Additionally, families who homeschool may qualify for a $1,000 per-student tax credit for approved educational expenses. Currently, tax credits for private school expenses are capped at $250 million annually, while homeschooling credits are capped at $5 million per year. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which opened applications for the 2026–27 school year on March 16. The application period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 15. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation before the deadline to ensure consideration. More information, including application guidance and eligibility details, is available on the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s website: https://oklahoma.gov/tax/individuals/parental-choice-tax-credit.html

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, authorizing construction of a new bridge across the Arkansas River near Bixby passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. "I appreciate my colleagues in the House for supporting this legislation," Tedford said. "As our communities continue to grow, it's important we take a thoughtful approach to infrastructure planning. This bill allows us to move forward with a project that better reflects the needs of the region today." House Bill 2123 updates state law related to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by removing authorization for a previously proposed bridge and instead allowing for the construction of a new bridge in a more suitable location. The measure specifically authorizes a new bridge crossing the Arkansas River in the vicinity of Bixby to help improve connectivity and accommodate continued growth in the area. Tedford said the measure is part of broader efforts to ensure Oklahoma's transportation infrastructure keeps pace with population growth and economic development. HB2123 now moves to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, on Tuesday passed a bill in the House that would allow legal guardians and grandparents to be exempt from paying vehicle excise tax on the transfer of vehicle ownership to a child or grandchild. House Bill 2967 would expand the list of vehicle transfers that would qualify for the exemption. Currently, husbands and wives and parents to children are allowed to transfer vehicle titles without paying excise tax. "I'm calling this my grandpa bill," West explained. "Grandparents should be allowed to gift or sell their vehicles to their grandchildren without having to pay additional tax to the government." The bill was requested by a constituent of West. Current state law requires excise tax to be levied upon the transfer of legal ownership of any vehicle registered in Oklahoma, upon the use of any vehicle registered in this state and upon the use of any vehicle registered for the first time in the state. There are some exemptions for vehicles used for agriculture and for 100% disabled veterans, among others. HB2967 passed the House on a vote of 69-10. It now moves to the State Senate where it is authored by Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Three measures by Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives this week and now move to the Senate for further consideration. "I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House for supporting these measures," Chapman said. "Each of these bills addresses a different area of state policy, but they all focus on strengthening our systems and making sure state law is clear, consistent and working the way it should for Oklahomans." One of the measures, House Bill 3787 , clarifies that candidates for municipal office as well as individuals serving on school district and technology center school district boards of education must be qualified electors as defined by the Oklahoma Constitution. The measure helps ensure consistency in state law by making clear that these requirements apply across multiple levels of public office. The bill also reinforces existing language requiring candidates for state and county offices to meet qualified elector standards. Another measure, House Bill 4191 , modifies provisions of the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Act administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill updates investment requirements and other program provisions to help ensure the program continues supporting job creation and economic development across the state. Chapman also advanced House Bill 1739 , which addresses provisions related to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. The bill adjusts employer and employee contribution rates and clarifies eligibility for certain retirement benefit calculations. All three measures now move to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. John George, R-Newalla, on Monday secured House passage of House Bill 3263 , which would recognize the morel as the Oklahoma state mushroom.  George said each spring, tens of thousands of Oklahomans take part in the tradition of hunting morel mushrooms, a delicacy known for its unique flavor and difficulty to locate. While many like to post about their finds, they are protective of their hiding places. “Most years, I am out there with the many Oklahomans who enjoy searching for the morel,” George said. "Some people consider this almost as important as deer hunting in the fall, with families planning their time around this activity in the spring. Naming the morel as the state mushroom is a fun way to recognize this pursuit, but it also could help communities by promoting tourism and educating people about safe mushroom hunting and consumption.”  House Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, said he and his stepfather would often hunt these elusive mushrooms together. Lawson amended HB3263 to be titled the “David Beyer Act of 2026” after his stepfather, who passed away two years ago.   “My stepfather got me started hunting morel mushrooms, and it was something we really enjoyed doing together,” Lawson said. “It’s incredibly special to me and my family that Rep. George allowed me to name this bill in memory of my stepdad. I’m glad some of my family could be here today as we remembered him, and I’m glad the state is recognizing the importance of the morel mushroom to Oklahoma’s culture.”  George said he hopes this bill will not only serve as a great representation of the morel hunting community but also encourage more people to explore Oklahoma’s diverse landscape.  HB 3263 passed on the House Floor and is now eligible to for consideration in the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, secured House passage of legislation aimed at strengthening Oklahoma’s long-term transportation funding and improving transparency for major infrastructure projects. House Bill 4280 would increase the funding ceiling for the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) Fund by $10 million beginning in fiscal year 2027, raising the annual cap to $670 million. The ROADS Fund provides dedicated state funding for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year Construction Work Plan, which schedules highway and bridge projects across the state. "Oklahoma has made meaningful investments in transportation over the past several years, but inflation and rising construction costs mean we have to adjust if we want to stay on track," Miller said. "This measure helps ensure the ROADS Fund remains reliable and sustainable so ODOT can continue planning and delivering the highway and bridge projects our communities depend on." Oklahoma’s state highway system is valued at approximately $126 billion, with an estimated $33 billion in identified deficiencies. While the Legislature has made several one-time investments in transportation in recent years, the ROADS Fund remains the state’s primary long-term funding mechanism supporting the eight-year Construction Work Plan. HB4280 also includes a transparency provision requiring the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to notify state leaders and local legislators if a project in the eight-year Construction Work Plan is significantly delayed or removed. The notice must outline the project affected, the reason for the delay or removal, the amount of funding needed to keep the original timeline and the impact on ODOT’s Asset Preservation Plan. The bill passed the House with the title off, a standard procedural step for legislation with a fiscal impact, and will return to the House for final consideration if approved by the Senate before being sent to the governor.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives this week passed legislation increasing the minimum number of instructional days for schools operating under a school-hours calendar and ties the change to an additional $175 million in state funding to the State Department of Education over FY27 and FY28. House Bill 3151 by Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, would require schools using the hours-based model to provide at least 173 days of instruction beginning in the 2027-28 school year while maintaining the current minimum of 1,086 instructional hours. Hall said increasing the number of instructional days will help ensure students spend more meaningful time engaged in the classroom.  "Time spent with students in the classroom is the highest and best use of the resources we invest in our schools," Hall said. "Increasing the minimum number of instructional days is a much-needed step toward improving educational outcomes in our state. Spreading instructional time over more days will help keep students engaged throughout the school day and make the time our educators spend with them more effective."  HB3151 also requires school districts that hold parent-teacher conferences during the school day to provide an in-person option for parents and legal guardians. "There are few actions we can take that lead to better outcomes than ensuring our kids have more time in front of high quality classroom teachers," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "I appreciate Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA), Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA), Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE), Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools (OROS), United Suburban Schools Association (USSA), ExcelinEd, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), Oklahoma Parents for Student Achievement (OPSA) and the Oklahoma STATE Chamber for their support of this measure."  "Over the past decade, Oklahoma has experienced a decline in the number of in-person instructional days offered to students," said Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin. "In recent years, the state has made considerable progress in restoring instructional time to levels that align more closely with national norms. This bill builds on that progress and places Oklahoma on a path toward having a nationally competitive education system."  The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, today announced he will not seek reelection to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, bringing his legislative service to a close at the end of his current term. "Serving the people of Oklahoma has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Worthen said. "Together we worked to support safer communities, stronger schools and policies that reflect the values of our state. I’m proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the trust placed in me by the voters I’ve had the privilege to represent." Worthen, a former prosecutor, has focused much of his legislative work on public safety, conservative fiscal policy and education reform. As chair of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee, he worked on legislation aimed at strengthening Oklahoma’s criminal justice system and supporting law enforcement across the state. "Though some may try to claim they forced me out of running again, I have been considering it for some time now. I have been a supporter of every pro-life bill before the legislation during my time in office. But when their bill came before my committee which required charging girls as young as 13-17 years of age with murder, I knew I would not hear a bill that would require that result even when they were victims of rape or incest," said Worthen. Worthen said the decision to step away from public office comes after significant reflection. "It has not been an easy decision, but after much prayer and consideration over the past year, I believe this is the right time,” Worthen said. “Public service has always been about people — my family, my neighbors and the future of our state. I’m thankful to my wife and children for their support and for the opportunity I’ve had to represent the people of my district." Worthen expressed confidence in Oklahoma’s future and encouraged citizens to remain involved in public service. "Strong communities depend on people who are willing to step up and serve," he said. "I look forward to supporting the next generation of leaders who will continue moving Oklahoma forward." -END- Rep. Rande Worthen, a Republican, represents House District 64 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of Lawton and Comanche county. 

Legislation designed to better align higher education programs with workforce demand and improve transparency for students has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 2398 , authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, establishes a statewide framework allowing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to designate certain degrees, certificates, licenses and industry-recognized credentials as “credentials of value.” Under the measure, programs seeking the designation must demonstrate strong outcomes for students, including a positive return on investment and alignment with state and regional workforce needs. The bill requires annual reporting on completion rates, employment outcomes, earnings and program costs to help students make informed decisions about their education and career paths. "As our economy continues to evolve, Oklahoma must be intentional about connecting education with real workforce opportunities," Hill said. "House Bill 2398 helps ensure students have clear, reliable information about which programs are most likely to lead to good-paying jobs and long-term success. It will give students better guidance, strengthen our workforce pipeline and help ensure taxpayer-supported education programs deliver real value." The legislation also includes safeguards Hill said would support high-need workforce areas such as education and public safety, helping Oklahoma continue to prepare workers for critical roles that serve communities across the state. "We thank Rep. Brian Hill for his thoughtful leadership in advancing legislation focused on Credentials of Value," said Chancellor Sean Burrage. "Defining and measuring programs that lead Oklahomans to expanded career opportunities benefits individuals and families, serves our business community, and provides data to help institutions successfully align academic offerings with emerging workforce needs." HB2398 passed the House 70-20 and now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it's authored by Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks.