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OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1436 , a measure aimed at improving communication and access to information for families experiencing pregnancy loss, passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now heads to the Governor’s desk. House author Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, says the bill would provide that when a fetal death occurs in a hospital, or when a woman presents to a hospital for treatment of a miscarriage, the hospital must, prior to discharge, provide the woman or a designee with a standardized form explaining how to request a fetal death certificate or a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth. "Families facing pregnancy loss are walking through one of the most difficult moments of their lives, and they deserve clear, compassionate communication from the moment they receive care," Roe said. "This bill helps ensure they are informed about their options and supported as they navigate an incredibly personal experience." The bill would also require hospital staff to verbally inform patients and families of their ability to request these documents. The legislation directs the Oklahoma State Department of Health to develop and publish the form on its website, including clear instructions and contact information for the Division of Vital Records. Roe said the measure creates consistency across hospitals and ensures no family leaves without knowing what resources are available to them. "This is about making sure every family is treated with dignity and given the information they need during a time of grief," Roe said. "By standardizing this process, we are helping provide clarity and support when it matters most." According to the March of Dimes 2025 Report Card , Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate is 7.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, and in 2023, 341 infants died before reaching their first birthday. SB1436 passed the House with an 89-0 vote and now heads to the Governor's desk for final approval.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation authored by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, authorizing the placement of a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Oklahoma State Capitol grounds has been signed into law.  House Bill 4486 allows the State Capitol Preservation Commission to work with private entities to design, construct and place the monument near the Capitol Arch at no cost to taxpayers. "Families who have lost a loved one in service deserve to be recognized in a meaningful way," Townley said. "I've had the chance to hear from families who live with that loss, and it stays with you. This gives them a place at our Capitol that reflects that sacrifice and honors it for years to come." The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument honors families who have lost a loved one in military service and is part of a national effort led by the Woody Williams Foundation. The monument will be privately funded and located on the Capitol grounds alongside other military tributes. The memorial will feature four pillars representing homeland, family, patriot and sacrifice, with imagery designed to reflect Oklahoma communities and military service. Townley said placing the monument at the Capitol ensures it will be accessible to all Oklahomans and visitors, creating an opportunity for reflection, education and recognition of those who have given their lives in service to the country. Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Edmond, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, is the Senate author of the bill.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, have filed two more appeal briefs and a motion to reconsider at the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The briefs seek to overturn orders by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission approving more than $4 billion and $5 billion of fuel charges collected by Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (ONG) and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) on their customers’ monthly bills since 2021.  The motion to reconsider says that in the court’s April 21, 2026, decision denying Gann’s first appeal of a Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) rate case order, the court “overlooked important facts, and based thereon, reached erroneous conclusions resulting in a Decision that radically departs from past court rulings without explaining its rationale for doing so.” It asks the court to reconsider that decision. The court's opinion has not been released for publication. Until released, it is subject to revision or withdrawal. To date, Gann, West and West have filed nine appeals of OCC utility rate and fuel orders for ONG, OG&E and PSO worth billions, arguing all were tainted by the OCC’s failure to perform lawful audits and by votes unlawfully cast by embattled OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett. Their briefs argue their belief that OCC audits are required to be performed by independent, licensed CPAs, according to the Oklahoma Accountancy Act. They also say Hiett should have recused himself from these cases because of his alleged criminal conduct – including sexual assault, drunk driving, and sexual harassment – about which the utilities’ attorneys are alleged to have direct knowledge. They say state ethics rules require public officials to disqualify themselves from matters in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Charges were never filed, and the Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Hiett in May 2025. But the latest briefs ask the State Supreme Court to review the Ethics Commission’s legal determinations. They argue when Hiett told the Ethics Commission that the common law Rule of Necessity allows him to continue to participate in OCC cases even if he is biased, that was itself an admission of bias. The lawmakers argue the Rule of Necessity only applies to biased or conflicted judges. The first appeal, challenging $250 million in rate increases and $700 million in 2021 Winter Storm ratepayer-backed bonds for PSO, was filed in February 2025. In its April 21 decision, the Supreme Court found that utility customers do have standing to bring such appeals under Article 9, Section 20 of the Oklahoma Constitution. So, the Supreme Court’s decision to deny the appeal on technical grounds was a “setback in our pursuit of justice on behalf of PSO ratepayers,” Gann said. “The court has used a procedural point (making a critical factual error in doing so) to avoid answering two very important questions: whether the law requires audits to be performed by licensed CPAs and whether corporation commissioners are required by state ethics rules to be impartial decision-makers. By not deciding those issues, the court has left the door open to future legal challenges, especially because it  did  affirm an individual ratepayer’s standing under the Oklahoma Constitution to bring such appeals,” Gann said. In its decision, the court said it was denying the appeal and not deciding most of the issues raised, because those issues “were not presented to and decided by the [Corporation] Commission” first. In his motion to reconsider, Gann points out that he was prevented from intervening in the PSO rate case at the OCC by a rule imposing a 90-day deadline to intervene. PSO’s customers were not even notified about the case until after that deadline had passed, he said.  “Clairvoyance would have been required for [Gann] to have anticipated the OCC’s errors of law in time to meet the OCC’s 90-day intervention deadline in the appealed case,” the motion says. It goes on: “Nor did [Gann] yet have reason to believe that the attorney general would fail in his statutory duty ‘to represent and protect the collective interests of all utility consumers’ and fail to” request Hiett’s recusal or object to false, inadmissible audit testimony at the OCC. Gann’s motion also argues that the issues he has raised – like a biased judge, the OCC’s lack of jurisdiction to issue orders without first performing lawful audits, and the voidness of prior orders – are constitutional issues that are not required to be raised at the OCC first. He said the court has made new law and contradicted more than a century of legal precedent by not considering the constitutionality of his issues in its ruling. “If this court intends to set a new precedent, … it should say so explicitly,” Gann’s motion argues. In response, the court could modify or clarify its decision, or leave it as is, or withdraw it altogether. There is no specific deadline by which it must decide, but it must rule on the motion. “Last week’s decision came in the first of nine appeals we have brought on behalf of PSO, OG&E and ONG customers.” Gann, West and West said. “Some of the circumstances surrounding the others – especially the $12 billion worth of appealed fuel cases – are different.” “We will see what the Court has to say about the Motion to Reconsider before we decide our next steps. The fact that we filed another brief (appealing OG&E’s 2024 fuel case) less than a week after the ruling shows we have not given up this fight. We will continue to stand up for the law and the Constitution where the OCC and attorney general have failed. It is just a question of where, how and when.” Gann’s Motion to Reconsider filed at the Supreme Court can be read online here: https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetDocument.aspx?ct=appellate&bc=1065410428&cn=CU-122861&fmt=pdf The new Brief in Chief for the CY2024 ONG fuel case appeal can be read online here: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetDocument.aspx?ct=appellate&bc=1064723240&cn=CU-123588&fmt=pdf The new Brief in Chief for the CY2024 OG&E fuel case appeal can be read online here: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetDocument.aspx?ct=appellate&bc=1064720156&cn=CU-123608&fmt=pdf ONG, OG&E, the OCC and the Attorney General’s Office have 40 days to respond to the briefs. The progress of all the appeals can be followed on the Oklahoma Supreme Court website. PSO rate case ($250m rate increases; $700m bonds; initial decision 4/21/2026):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122861 ONG, PSO & OG&E CY2023 fuel cases ($1.5 billion; all briefs filed):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122991 OG&E rate case ($127m rate increase; $760m bonds; all briefs filed):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123021 ONG rate case ($98m rate increases; $1.3 billion bonds; first briefs filed; last due late May):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123348 ONG 2024 fuel case ($390 million + $888m for 2021/2022; first brief filed):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123588 OG&E 2024 fuel case ($925 million + $1.9 billion for 2021/2022; first brief filed):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123608 PSO 2024 fuel case ($600 million + $2.8 billion for 2021/2022; briefs this summer):    https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123905 -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore, secured passage of Senate Bill 1475, a measure to designate the interchange of Interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road in Cleveland County as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange. The bill is authored in the House by Blair and in the Senate by Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. Senate Bill 1475 honors the life and legacy of Toby Keith, recognizing his patriotism and lasting contributions to Oklahoma and the nation. "As travelers move along one of our busiest corridors connecting Oklahoma to other states, this designation serves as a meaningful way to honor Toby Keith," Blair said. "He was not only a great Oklahoman, but he also left behind a legacy that reflects the Oklahoma Standard. This bridge will stand as a reminder of that character for years to come." A concurrent resolution earlier this session, also authored by Blair and Standridge, honored Keith by naming a turnpike corridor the Toby Keith Expressway. The resolution was heard and adopted on the House floor Feb. 25. Keith died Feb. 5, 2024, following a battle with cancer. SB1475 now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

The House today sent legislation to the Governor's desk authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, that removes restrictions on teachers from teaching in public schools after retirement. House Bill 2288 changes an existing 36-month waiting period to six months for teachers who retire before they can return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools, while also drawing on their earned retirement benefits. Currently, teachers are allowed to go into a job in the private sector or in a private school, but must wait 36 months before returning to a public school classroom. "Our state has a teacher shortage and we must do all we can to keep quality teachers in our public school classrooms as long as they are willing to continue teaching," said Hilbert. "We need to allow these teachers – many of whom are still in their prime working years - to draw down the retirement benefits they have earned while remaining in the classroom if they choose to do so." The bill passed both chambers unanimously.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, secured House passage of Senate Bill 1369, a measure to ensure the continuation and long-term stability of Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline. Senate Bill 1369 would create the 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund, which will support staffing, operations and the long-term sustainability of the 988 system. The state would be required to implement funding strategies to ensure the system is adequately supported, including maximizing federal funding opportunities and verifying reimbursements to behavioral health providers. The House passed the measure with a vote of 85-7. "Without legislative action, current funding for Oklahoma’s 988 system is set to expire soon, " Norwood said. "Since the launch of this critical three-digit number, thousands of Oklahomans have relied on this service, and we have a responsibility to ensure it remains available to those who need it most." The measure also designates the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the primary oversight entity for suicide prevention and crisis service activities, including coordination with designated 988 Lifeline crisis centers. Norwood said the legislation builds on earlier work to ensure continuity of care and access to crisis services across the state. "This measure creates a dedicated, sustainable funding structure and establishes clear oversight so we can provide a stable, coordinated response for individuals in crisis, both now and in the future," Norwood said. To support the implementation of the measure, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1164 , which provides $5.9 million in funding for the 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund. That measure was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on April 21. The bill, authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, now advances to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Today the Oklahoma House sent a bill to the Governor's desk that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day. “Bell to Bell, No Cell” was originally introduced as pilot legislation in 2025, requiring Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state statute. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, emphasized that the policy, paired with strong literacy reforms passed this year, represents an important step forward for Oklahoma schools. “This legislation is one of the most meaningful bills written during my time in the House,” said Hilbert. “I’ve heard from both parents and teachers who are grateful for this reform. Hallways are loud again, students are playing Uno at lunch, and they’re actually interacting with one another. This legislation permanently allows kids to be kids, and our teachers to teach in our classrooms.” The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also allows local school districts flexibility in how they implement the policy. “As a father of three, I knew how important this legislation would be in our schools and for our kids. I have worked for the last 12 years in the House on a lot of important legislation that has had a meaningful impact on schools, but making this ban permanent I think will tremendously improve the academic focus in our classrooms for years to come,” said House Education Appropriations Chairman Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, and author of the bill.  “Bell to Bell, No Cell has worked wonders in classrooms across Oklahoma,” said Senator Ally Seifried, R- Claremore, and senate author of the bill. “With fewer distractions from cellphones and social media, students are engaged and focused on their schoolwork again. Making this permanent is the right move for Oklahoma kids, and I look forward to seeing academic outcomes continue to improve the longer this policy is on the books.” 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, on Monday recognized the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Team for its work to help resolve and bring closure to 98 cases since its creation in November 2018. Recognition took place in the Oklahoma House of Representatives' Chambers during daily session.  Members of the Cold Case Team recognized included Agents Tammy Ferrari, Dale Fine, Josh Patzkowski, Jim Skelton and Francia Thompson, and Criminalists Wendy Duke and Lesley Perry. "This team consists of a small number of talented, dedicated and tenacious professionals that are resolute and persistent about solving these cases," Newton said. "This work not only brings resolution for the Oklahoma families impacted by unsolved murders or when a loved one goes missing. It improves public safety of all Oklahomans."  Newton shared that the team's purpose is to review, collaborate and investigate some of Oklahoma’s most complex unsolved cases.  Currently, there are approximately 446 cold case homicides on this team’s radar and 56 cases involving missing and unidentified individuals. Newton said that through the Legislature's appropriations to OSBI, scientific and technological advancements at the bureau's Forensic Science Center have been made possible.  "This has assisted in the crucial role the OSBI’s criminalistics team, who have also been steadfast collaborators in finding answers for Oklahoma families," Newton said. Recent Highlights (2025–Present) include:   February 2025: A DNA match using genetic genealogy led to progress in the investigation of the 1982 murder of Donna Newberry, demonstrating the continued effectiveness of modern forensic techniques in historic cases. March 4, 2025: Two individuals were arrested in connection with the 1997 murder of Gerthie Carolina, marking a significant step toward accountability in a decades-old investigation. March 2025: Remains of Richard Vaughn Pewo, who had been reported missing in 1996, were successfully identified. Earlier efforts to collect family DNA samples played a key role in confirming his identity. Nov. 15, 2025: A statewide outreach event for families of missing persons was hosted in Tulsa. Families met with law enforcement, provided DNA reference samples, and received assistance updating missing-person case information. February 2026: Unidentified human remains discovered in Coal County in 1983 were identified as Olen Rowe, who had been missing since 1979. This identification brought long-awaited closure to his family.  The motto of the Cold Case Team is “Never Forgotten,” and they pledge to never forget. "These cases matter, and this team will remain unwavering in finding answers for the citizens of Oklahoma," team members said. "No matter how long it has been or how long it takes, the victims of unsolved cases will not be forgotten."  

OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers who represent the Enid area this morning issued the following statement after a powerful tornado struck Enid and Vance Air Force Base. Reports show at least 10 injured and homes destroyed in a neighborhood on the south side of Enid. Reps. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, and John Pfeiffer, R-Orlanda, all represent a portion of Enid or the surrounding area.  "We are praying for those affected and thankful there are no casualties, according to early reports," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "We know, however, that the loss of a home or damage to a business can be life-altering. We also know that Oklahomans will rise to help their neighbors and there will be support in the days, weeks and months ahead as recovery takes place. We're thankful to all of our courageous first responders and to city, county and state personnel who worked tirelessly overnight to account for everyone. We're grateful, as well, to our amazing meteorologists who issued early warnings and alerts and who stay on the air through these storms to keep Oklahomans safe and informed. Their actions likely saved countless lives."  The lawmakers said there are reports of damage to Vance Air Force Base, including to perimeter structures and downed electrical lines, which is causing a loss of water supply. OG&E crews worked after the storm to restore service. The Grey Ridge Estate, directly east of the base and across U.S. Highway 81 was largely destroyed. Local emergency medical personnel searched and recovered all residents, and injuries were not serious, according to reports. The hope is for residents to be allowed back into the area today to begin to recover personal property. The representatives also report that linemen were out as soon as possible after the tornado to begin to restore service and minimize additional loss. It is reported the governor will tour the damaged area this afternoon along with city and county officials.