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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 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."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, has filed legislation with the intent to protect Oklahomans from having to pay increased utility rates by ensuring data centers pay their share of infrastructure costs as they expand across the state. House Bill 2992 , titled the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require data centers to pay their share of infrastructure costs associated with their significant electricity demands. While the bill's language is still being finalized, it is being drafted to prevent those costs from being passed on to residential, industrial and small-business ratepayers through higher utility rates. "With more than a dozen potential new data centers planning to locate in Oklahoma that we are aware of at this point, we have to make sure everyday Oklahomans are not stuck paying the price of the electricity use due to these new data centers being built," Boles said. "This bill is about protecting ratepayers and making sure massive energy users cover the infrastructure needed to support their operations instead of shifting that burden onto families and small businesses." Data centers are specialized facilities that store, process and manage digital information. Often referred to as the home of the internet, they house servers, networking equipment and electrical systems that allow everything from cloud storage to video streaming and online banking to navigation apps and email to function in real time. These facilities are connected by fiber-optic cables across the globe and require enormous amounts of electricity to operate. According to the Pew Research Center , a typical AI-focused hyperscale data center can consume as much electricity each year as 100,000 households. Even larger facilities currently under construction are expected to use multiple times that amount. "As these facilities grow, we, as the legislature, must put guardrails in place so Oklahomans are not the ones footing the bill for new substations, transmission lines and other infrastructure upgrades," Boles said. "This legislation ensures fairness and keeps utility rates from climbing for our Oklahoma ratepayers because of the unprecedented increased demand of new electrical generation needed due to the AI data centers. I look forward to working to ensure we have proper safeguards and protections in place for our Oklahoma ratepayers." The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 will be eligible for consideration when the Legislature convenes for the Second Regular Session on Feb. 2. Rep. Boles serves as the Oklahoma House of Representatives Chair of the Energy & Natural Resources Oversight Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, released the following statement regarding a tornado that struck Purcell early this morning. "Right now, it is all hands on deck as our community responds to the tornado that struck our district. You never expect to be facing this kind of destruction in January, but that is the reality before us today. I have personally been in contact with the McClain County Emergency Management, and I am currently out in the area reaching out to constituents to see what help is needed. While we are still assessing the damage, what stands out most is the strength of our people. Time and again, Oklahomans come together to help their neighbors in moments of crisis, and I have no doubt we will do so again now. Together, we can lean on one another and come through this stronger. I am praying for every family affected by this storm and for the first responders and crews working on the ground." Roe encourages anyone who is able to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts to do so.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, filed legislation this week prohibiting obscene materials in Oklahoma public school libraries. House Bill 2978 would update state law governing school library media programs by prohibiting the acquisition of materials that meet Oklahoma’s legal definition of obscenity. The measure removes references to subjective community standards and instead relies on established statute, creating a consistent statewide framework for school library decisions. “This legislation provides a straightforward statewide rule that helps ensure school libraries stay within the definition of education. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, education is defined as providing proper moral, intellectual and physical instruction," Banning said. Under HB2978 , school districts would follow the existing legal definition of obscenity outlined in Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes when acquiring library materials. Banning says this approach reduces confusion, limits conflict and gives administrators clear direction while preserving the innocence of our youth. 

A new law modernizing Oklahoma’s election calendar will affect elections beginning Jan. 1, 2026, bringing greater clarity, consistency and efficiency to when elections are held across the state. Senate Bill 652 consolidates Oklahoma’s election dates into five standard election days each year, held in February, April, June, August and November. Previously, Oklahoma law allowed for up to 12 possible election dates in odd-numbered years and up to seven in even-numbered years. Frequent, low-profile elections often draw a small fraction of registered voters while requiring significant time and resources from county election boards and poll workers. The legislation was authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and was carried in the House by Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond. "Senate Bill 652 brings much needed clarity and consistency to Oklahoma’s election calendar," Paxton said. "By streamlining our elections to five set dates each year, we create a more predictable system for voters, election officials and local governments. Fewer, clearly defined election days will reduce confusion, improve administration and help boost voter turnout by making it easier for Oklahomans to know when elections are happening and plan to participate." Osburn said these updates will reduce the number of obscure election days, helping voters more easily keep track of elections and making elections easier to staff. "The existing patchwork system of election dates has often created confusion for voters, which contributes to low voter turnout," Osburn said. "This reform provides relief by creating a predictable schedule that saves time, reduces administrative strain and help counties better steward taxpayer dollars. By modernizing our election calendar to be clear and consistent, Oklahomans can more easily participate in elections and make their voices heard." While SB652 reorganizes the timing of certain special elections, propositions and candidate races, it leaves all existing voting processes intact. Absentee voting, early voting and voter access options remain unchanged. The bill also preserves key exceptions, including the governor’s authority to call special elections outside the standard calendar when necessary. The bill took effect on Nov. 1, 2025, but only affects elections occurring after Jan. 1, 2026. Election information for currently scheduled special elections remain unchanged.