Representative Andy Fugate

D

District 94

Hi, I’m Andy Fugate and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 94th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Floor Leader

58th Legislature

Minority Floor Leader

59th Legislature

Minority Floor Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 21, 2025

Fugate, Timmons, Hasenbeck conduct study on how providing civil judgement expungement can help those trapped in abuse

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, and Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City, conducted an interim study exploring how providing a civil judgement expungement can help Oklahomans trapped in abuse, specifically financial abuse. Currently, Oklahoma has little to no recourse for those ensnared in financial abuse. The study showed that Oklahoma does not have a civil judgement expungement system, and that the closest thing to it would be to seal the record. However, sealing a record takes time and you must be able to provide proof that sealing the public record is in the interest of justice. “For many survivors of abuse, civil judgments are not the result of poor choices but of manipulation, coercion or control," Hasenbeck said. "Abusers often use financial tools, like credit cards and loans, to trap their victims in cycles of debt and dependence. When those survivors finally find the courage to leave, they’re left carrying the financial scars of someone else’s actions, further burdening them as they attempt to heal. Civil judgment expungement gives them a chance to break free from that burden and truly start over.” Financial abuse is a form of coercive control defined as forcing a partner to miss, leave, or be late to work; harassing them at their workplace; controlling how money is spent; withholding money or basic living resources; imposing a strict allowance; stealing money, credit, property, or identity from a partner; and coercing them into filing fraudulent legal documents. Oftentimes, the aftermath of financial abuse makes it difficult for a survivor to get a job and housing. “When victims of domestic violence have to move out of their housing to escape, civil expungement of evictions advances protections to some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable,” said Timmons. Financial abuse is the most common form of abuse, with up to 99% of all pattern violence survivors reporting financial abuse.  “Anyone who works closely with domestic violence survivors knows escaping abuse is only the beginning,” said Fugate. “Survivors are left with lasting emotional scars and financial devastation. Coerced debt, ruined credit, and civil judgments trap survivors in a fiscal prison long after they’ve escaped the physical one. Civil judgment relief in the form of a Survivors Act 2.0 will give survivors essential relief and help them rebuild their lives.” The entire study can be viewed on the  Oklahoma House of Representatives Website. -END-

Oct 15, 2025

Oklahoma House Democratic Floor Leader Andy Fugate, Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt Announce Completion of Second Phase of Joint Legislative Study on Homeowner Insurance Affordability

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Democratic Floor Leader Andy Fugate, D-Del City, announced the completion on Tuesday, October 7, of the second half of a joint legislative study with Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, examining the sharp rise in homeowner insurance rates across Oklahoma. The second session focused on two critical areas: gaps in Oklahoma’s insurance oversight system and the real world impact on Oklahoma families, with particular attention to seniors and Oklahomans on fixed incomes. “Oklahoma’s law makes it nearly impossible to challenge or even review proposed rates,” said Fugate. “The problem is exacerbated by the reality that just four insurers control over 60 percent of the homeowner insurance market. Without oversight, insurers are free to charge all the customer can bear.” Leader Kirt echoed these concerns. “It's clear from this study that we don't have the laws and capacity in place to adequately review rates and ensure they're fair for Oklahomans,” said Leader Kirt. “That has to change.” Fugate emphasized concerns with the state’s reliance on the Herfindahl Hirschman Index (HHI) as the sole measure of market competitiveness. He pointed to the Four Firm Concentration Ratio (FFCR) as an additional, widely used metric that shows a different picture: when the top four firms hold more than 60 percent of market share, the market is dominated by a small number of large companies rather than a truly competitive environment.  “For all but one year in the last two decades, Oklahoma has had an insurance oligopoly and not a truly competitive market,” Fugate said. Key findings from the second session include: Structural barriers in current law that limit meaningful review and public challenge of proposed rate increases. High market concentration among a handful of insurers that reduces competitive pressure to lower premiums. Disproportionate impacts on fixed income households and senior citizens who face difficult choices between paying rising premiums and maintaining other basic needs. “Thank you to Leader Kirt for continuing this research using Senate resources,” Fugate said. “We have an insurance affordability crisis that must be solved.” -END-

Oct 2, 2025

Oklahoma Lawmakers Conduct Bipartisan Interim Study on Soaring Homeowner Insurance Rates

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, and Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, conducted the first part of a two-part interim study on Tuesday examining Oklahoma’s skyrocketing homeowner insurance rates. “Oklahomans are finding it harder and harder to afford homeowner insurance as reports show Oklahoma has some of the highest rates in the country,” said Fugate. “This study reviewed contributing factors, including climate change and statutory prohibitions that prevent the Insurance Commissioner from reviewing proposed rates. While some believe these rates may be justified, without review it’s impossible to know.” The study also discussed the challenges of choosing insurance based on anything beyond price and advertising. Rep. Fugate noted that consumers lack access to key data—such as how often claims are denied, fulfilled, or end up in court due to bad faith. The study included a presentation from Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready to help guide the search for actionable reforms. “Commissioner Mulready gave a presentation about Oklahoma homeowner insurance, what services our insurance department provides, what programs exist to lower premiums, and what customer assistance and advocacy they provide,” said Stinson. “By examining the underlying factors that drive homeowner insurance cost increases, we can take steps toward making any beneficial changes.” The study also included presentations from national experts. Fugate noted, “It is safe to say the insurance industry believes in climate change.” It also included testimony from the real estate industry and the independent insurance sales industry. Both highlighted concerns about the challenges presented by skyrocketing insurance rates. The full study can be streamed on the  Oklahoma House of Representatives Website. The second half of the study is scheduled to be heard in the Oklahoma Senate at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7. -END-