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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, issued the following statement after the state of Oklahoma finalized settlements totaling $25.5 million with Tyson Foods and Cargill in the long-running Illinois River Watershed litigation.  "For more than 20 years, this case has hung over the heads of poultry growers in eastern Oklahoma. I’ve heard from families who were unsure whether they would be able to continue operating from one year to the next. That kind of uncertainty takes a real toll on our rural communities.  These settlements bring long-needed clarity. They provide a framework to address water quality concerns in the Illinois River Watershed while also giving producers and integrators the stability they need to keep doing business in our state.  I appreciate the work that has gone into reaching this point, including the efforts of the Attorney General’s office, Gov. Kevin Stitt, Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Sen. Tom Woods. There has been strong support from state leaders and Oklahoma’s agriculture community to find a resolution that protects family farmers while also addressing water quality concerns.  Our poultry farmers are good stewards of the land. They’ve invested time and resources into modern practices, and they deserve a path forward that recognizes both environmental responsibility and the economic reality of raising food for our country.  I am hopeful the court will approve these agreements so they can take effect and provide lasting certainty for our producers. I also encourage continued efforts to reach resolution with the remaining integrators. If that does not occur, I believe we should carefully consider alternative approaches that address water quality through a strong regulatory framework without jeopardizing the livelihoods of hundreds of family farmers in eastern Oklahoma.  The priority must remain clear. We can protect our natural resources and ensure eastern Oklahoma poultry producers are able to operate and expand with confidence, without the constant fear of losing contracts or facing financial ruin."  The settlements require payments for remediation and conservation efforts within the watershed and outline additional measures related to litter removal and monitoring. Other defendants remain involved in ongoing proceedings.  -END- Rep. David Hardin, a Republican, represents House District 86 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Adair County and portions of Cherokee, Mayes and Delaware counties.

Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, today commented on the recent announcements that Devon Energy and Expand Energy will both relocate their corporate headquarters to Texas.  Hill, who serves as chair of the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee, emphasized the importance of continuing to diversify Oklahoma’s economy.  "The focus of the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee is on ensuring Oklahoma is prepared for the future," Hill said. "That means continuing to pursue innovative growth in our energy industry while also investing in the infrastructure, education and workforce development that allow other industries to grow and thrive."  Hill noted that Oklahoma’s economic development strategy must include expanding opportunities in varied industries and other high-growth sectors that provide stability and opportunity for Oklahoma families, such as aerospace, biosciences, advanced manufacturing and others.  "Our state's long-term economic strategy cannot rely on any single company or industry," Hill said. "A diversified economy is how we attract investment, retain talent and ensure state policy keeps pace with opportunity." 

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.