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OHOMAHOMA CITY — Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has been chosen as the Republican Freshman Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) for her work advocating for children and families. This recognition reflects Gise’s commitment to policies that support Oklahoma’s children through thoughtful, effective leadership grounded in conservative principles. "I believe children are our future, and they deserve leaders who put their well-being first," Gise said. "This award is not just about me; it’s about the shared responsibility we have to strengthen families and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed." Among her legislative achievements, Gise authored House Bill 1600 , the Patients’ Bill of Rights. The bill establishes a clear standard of care and outlines fundamental patient rights, promoting transparency across the healthcare system, including in pediatric care, while reinforcing the role of parents in informed, family-centered medical decision-making. This bill will go into effect Nov. 1. She also sponsored House Bill 1601 , known as Archer’s Act, which allows teachers to use accrued sick leave to extend maternity leave to 12 weeks. Gise created this bill to support early childhood development, strong family bonds, and maternal health without creating new taxpayer-funded programs. This bill was approved by the governor and will go into effect Nov. 1. Beyond legislation, Gise has worked closely with the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to improve outcomes for at-risk youth across Oklahoma. "This recognition highlights the importance of practical, accountable policies that prioritize children’s long-term well-being," Gise said. "We must continue working together to build stronger families and communities in Oklahoma because investing in our children today will only push our state toward lasting strength and success." Gise also serves as vice chair of the Human Services Appropriations and Budget Committee for Oklahoma's 60th Legislature, where she plays an important role in overseeing state resources that impact health and human services programs, especially those that impact children and families across the state.

Reps. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, and Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, applauded the recent executive order from Gov. Kevin Stitt launching the "Make Oklahoma Healthy Again" (MOHA) initiative. The push aligns with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s national “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which emphasizes cutting artificial additives in food, addressing environmental toxins and reducing chronic disease through cleaner living.  The order includes a comprehensive review regarding the use of artificial food coloring, including Red Dye 40, and the creation of the MOHA Initiative and the MOHA Advisory Council within the Oklahoma State Department of Health, among other initiatives.   In addition to the order, the governor announced he had directed the Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the federal government to exclude candy and soft drinks from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Hill filed legislation to provide the same directive to DHS earlier this year.   "This is the kind of big-picture thinking Oklahoma needs," Hill said. "We are finally taking the blinders off and looking at what contributes to poor public health outcomes across the board. Health starts with what we put in our bodies, not just how we treat them after we get sick. We've tackled the symptoms for years, but now is the time to address the root causes. By excluding candy and soft drinks from SNAP benefits, we can properly allocate taxpayer funds to healthy foods that improve the health of Oklahomans. With Governor Stitt's willingness to lead on this issue and support from Secretary Kennedy, we now have the momentum to become the national leader in clean living and modern health policy."  West has coauthored legislation that would address the overabundance of certain chemicals, dyes and substances in food products. She also requested an interim study this year to examine how synthetic food additives affect public health and impact the state's workforce productivity.  "The health and well-being of Oklahomans are the foundation of our state’s strength and prosperity," West said. "Unfortunately, the long-term effects of chemicals, dyes and additives in our food and water supplies are too often ignored in public health discussions. Safe food and clean water shouldn't be political; they should be a priority. I thank Governor Stitt and Secretary Kennedy for opening the door to review these outdated practices and get upstream of our poor health outcomes before it's too late. I look forward to supporting policies that reflect our shared commitment to Oklahoma's well-being."   The initiative will not require any additional taxpayer funds and will instead utilize existing state resources, philanthropic partnerships, federal grants and support from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neils Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and environmental toxins. He also reaffirmed his commitment to House Bill 1264 , legislation he authored to address those same food dye concerns. “These artificial dyes don’t add value to food and have been tied to behavioral and health concerns in children,” Hays said. “I introduced House Bill 1264 because parents deserve to know their kids' food is safe. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and now our state in taking this issue seriously.” During the 2025 legislative session, Hays authored HB1264, which would prohibit the use of several synthetic food dyes, including Red Dye 40, Yellow 5 and Blue 1, commonly found in products marketed to children and linked to potential neurobehavioral effects. “The MOHA initiative lays the groundwork for lasting change,” Hays said. “I look forward to continuing this work next session to ensure Oklahoma families have access to healthier, safer food options.” The governor's executive order, part of a national campaign backed by President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., directs the Oklahoma State Department of Health to review the safety of artificial food coloring, including Red Dye 40. It also establishes the MOHA Initiative and MOHA Advisory Council. Although HB1264 did not receive a vote this session, it remains eligible for consideration next year in the Second Session of the Oklahoma 60th Legislature. Hays encourages anyone concerned about food dyes to contact their legislators and ask them to sign on as co-authors in support of the bill.

Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, today pushed back against the “escalating language” from the governor regarding an agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation, despite the agreement not yet being released. Fetgatter is the House Leader of Tribal and External Affairs and a member of the Choctaw Nation. The two parties reportedly reached an agreement in a federal lawsuit, Muscogee Creek Nation v. City of Tulsa, which was filed after a traffic ticket was issued by the city to a Muscogee citizen. The details of the agreement have not been announced or filed in court. “The governor claims to represent all four million Oklahomans, but his actions tell a different story. Using escalating language by calling our second largest city a ‘sanctuary city’ is a slap in the face to the citizens of our state whose ancestors were forcibly relocated by government officials and who helped us build our state. In doing so, he implicitly equates all tribal citizens, who are not only our fellow Oklahomans but also American citizens, with illegal immigrants. This type of language is deeply inappropriate and uncalled for, especially when directed against your own citizens. What’s more, unless these documents have been leaked, the governor has not even seen the agreement in question. Instead, he dismisses the sovereignty of our tribal nations on nothing more than principle alone. He characterizes a mutual agreement between two entities, neither of which he has authority over, as the creation of a ‘sanctuary city,’ all without seeing the actual language of the agreement. This is nothing more than a cheap trick to score political points. It’s worth remembering that at least 15% of Oklahomans are Native citizens. Our First American tribal nations contribute to the state’s economy every year. They deserve respect, not reckless mischaracterization. I invite the governor to follow his own advice and learn how to  disagree better .”

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, and Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, are praising the announcement that Dawn Aerospace will bring a new spaceplane, capable of flying loads to the edge of space, to western Oklahoma. The Aurora Mark 2 suborbital spaceplane, which will fly from the Oklahoma Air & Space Port in Burns Flat, can carry payloads to the edge of space and return on a runway. Flights may begin operation as soon as 2027. "The arrival of Dawn Aerospace and its cutting-edge Aurora spaceplane shows that Oklahoma is at the forefront of the future of aerospace," Archer said. "Bringing the Aurora spaceplane to Burns Flat opens the door to high-tech jobs and a future-driven economy, including new opportunities for microgravity research that will help bolster Oklahoma's growing biotech and pharmaceutical industries. I’m incredibly excited to see our region become a launchpad for American innovation." "We've been working toward making the Spaceport into a first-class facility for space flights for quite some time," Moore said. "To see this partnership come to fruition is gratifying. It truly positions Oklahoma as a leader of the aerospace and defense industries and will benefit not only Western Oklahoma but our entire state." The $17 million partnership between Dawn Aerospace and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) encompasses both the vehicle and an operations team, with up to 100 flight days and 200 flights planned in total after initial testing. The Aurora Mark 2 is a reusable spaceplane capable of carrying small payloads to 100 kilometers, or just over 62 miles. Unlike traditional rockets, it takes off and lands horizontally from a runway. Dawn Aerospace will train an Oklahoma-based team in New Zealand before flights begin at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port. With a nearly 3-mile-long runway and a designated space flight corridor, Space Port Oklahoma is one of 14 FAA-licensed space ports in the United States.

Newly-elected Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, took his oath of office in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Wed., June 18. He won a special general election earlier this month to represent House District 74 in Rogers and Tulsa counties. "Today has been an incredible day, and I’m deeply honored to represent the people of House District 74," Norwood said. "Serving my local community is a responsibility I take seriously. I truly love Oklahoma, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to make our state an even better place to live. I look forward to showing up every day and working hard to help our community thrive." Originally from Muskogee, Norwood has lived in Owasso since 1994, where he works as a youth minister. He holds a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry from Southwestern Christian University and a master's degree in applied theology from Oral Roberts University. He earned his doctorate in leadership and global perspectives from Portland Seminary at George Fox University. Norwood and his wife, Ann, have two children. "Rep. Norwood has spent decades serving his community in ministry and today he takes on an additional role giving back to the people of his community. He is a great addition to the House of Representatives and I look forward to serving with him," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "It is great to have our full 101 House members seated, ready to do the people’s business throughout the interim and into the 2026 legislative session." He was sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Dustin Rowe along with Rep. Amanda Clinton, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City. Following Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony, the Oklahoma House is now comprised of 81 Republicans and 20 Democrats.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, joined state leaders from across the region last week for a high-level summit on rising antisemitism and the growing threats faced by Jewish students and Christian supporters of Israel on college campuses. "In light of recent events, this message is more urgent than ever," Gise said. "I stand with President Trump and proudly support Israel in its fight against extremist Islamic terrorism." The event , The Boulder Summit: Confronting Antisemitism in Our Region , was hosted by Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett and the Combat Antisemitism Movement following a recent antisemitic attack in which a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a peaceful gathering of elderly Jewish Americans. The summit convened just over a week after the attack to address what organizers described as a national emergency. "Oklahoma has zero tolerance for hate,” Gise said. "We’re not here to make statements, we’re here to pass laws that protect students and ensure every campus is a place of safety and respect. By taking clear and deliberate action, Oklahoma is setting an example for how states can respond to rising antisemitism with real solutions. When leaders act with courage, clarity and conviction, we can protect our communities and uphold the values that define us." During her remarks, Gise highlighted two bills passed during the 2025 legislative session as examples of Oklahoma’s commitment to taking meaningful action. Senate Bill 942 , co-authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, and Gise, requires schools to implement clear, enforceable policies addressing antisemitic harassment. The law ensures compliance with Title VI civil rights protections and prioritizes the safety of Jewish students and faculty. Senate Bill 991 , also authored by Sen. Thompson and supported by Gise, formally adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into Oklahoma’s public education system. The law mandates accountability for antisemitic incidents and sets a standard for identifying hate-based conduct. "In Oklahoma, we took proactive steps to address the growing threat of antisemitism with Senate Bills 942 and 991, strengthening our state’s response to antisemitic violence and ensuring our laws reflect zero tolerance for hate," Thompson said. "We will continue to lead boldly and unapologetically." In recent months, incidents of antisemitism tied to misinformation and extremist rhetoric related to the Israel–Hamas conflict have increased, including violent attacks, online harassment and the targeting of Jewish students and Christian Zionist groups. "This is not just a matter of foreign policy, it’s a matter of principle," Gise said. "Defending Israel and standing with our Jewish brothers and sisters, both abroad and here at home, is a core value I hold deeply." The summit brought together lawmakers, university officials, Jewish community leaders and national advocates to coordinate a state-level response to the rise in antisemitic violence, threats and harassment across the United States. Participants emphasized the need for stronger policies in higher education institutions and more vocal support from public officials. "I’m grateful to the City of Boulder and Mayor Brockett for the opportunity to join this important conversation," Gise said. "It was an honor to share how Oklahoma is addressing antisemitism through real policy. These discussions matter, and I’m hopeful they will inspire continued action to protect Jewish students and all those facing religious discrimination on our campuses."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Reps are applauding the national appointment of Adria Berry, executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), who has been named president of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA) Executive Board for the 2025-2026 term. Reps. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa; Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee; and Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, released the following joint statement: "Adria Berry’s appointment as president of CANNRA is a well-deserved honor that reflects the significant progress Oklahoma has made in regulating medical marijuana. Under her leadership, Oklahoma has become a model for other states navigating cannabis regulation. She has brought transparency, efficiency and a strong sense of purpose to an area of policy that has often been difficult to manage. This national recognition speaks not only to her individual leadership, but also to the work being done in Oklahoma to set clear standards, enforce the law and serve patients and businesses fairly. We are confident she will continue this important work and bring the same focus on consistent, transparent and equitable regulation that has strengthened Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program to her efforts guiding cannabis policy at the national level. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of her leadership in this new role." Berry was elected during CANNRA’s June 9 business meeting in Denver, held ahead of its stakeholder event that drew regulators and officials from over 30 jurisdictions and 175 national and international participants. CANNRA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group of government agencies that regulate cannabis, cannabinoids and hemp across more than 45 U.S. states and territories, as well as several countries.

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, has been named to Leadership Oklahoma Class 38, a statewide program that identifies and cultivates leaders dedicated to shaping a better future for Oklahoma. Leadership Oklahoma announced the 47 individuals chosen for its newest class on Monday, June 16. "I am truly honored to be selected for Leadership Oklahoma Class 38," Harris said. "This program fosters a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our state and brings together collaborators who are committed to meaningful progress. I look forward to learning from this exceptional group and contributing to thoughtful conversations that help move Oklahoma forward." Over the next ten months, Class 38 will travel to communities across the state to explore key issues impacting Oklahoma’s future and engage in discussions on economic development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, the justice system and more.