Representative Brian Hill

R

District 47

Hi, I'm Brian Hill and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 47th District.


representative

Leadership

Oversight Committee Chair

60th Legislature

Assistant Majority Floor Leader

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 17, 2025
Recent Posts

Hill Hosts Eighth Annual Interim Study on Innovation Economy, Workforce

Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, convened state leaders, industry experts and innovators at the State Capitol last week to present findings from an interim study on Oklahoma’s innovation economy and the challenges facing businesses within the state. This is Hill's eighth annual study on this topic. He told attendees that he has pursued this study every year because the business landscape in the state is continually evolving. "I believe we'll be able to identify certain factors that have changed since we began this work," Hill said . "And I hope by that, we can actually find solutions to current problems for our largest employers across this great state." The study, which included presentations from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), the Oklahoma Defense Industry Association (ODIA), and the Oklahoma City Innovation District, highlighted measurable progress toward a coordinated innovation framework statewide. Dr. Krista Ratliff, president and CEO of Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) Innovation Park in Lawton, told attendees about how FISTA converted underused real estate into a thriving defense innovation hub and is now home to 28 partners. Ratliff said she continually receives questions about how to replicate FISTA's model in other states. "No one can do it like FISTA," she added . Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) Executive Director Dr. Jennifer McGrail shared about how the agency is helping startups access capital and connections. "Our commitment is clear: innovation in Oklahoma is statewide," McGrail stated . "A founder in Woodward or McAllister or Guymon deserves the same access to the resources as does a founder in downtown Oklahoma City or Tulsa." She said OCAST has already begun to address access to capital by removing some funding barriers and are now identifying pathways that help startups move from concept to customer. She said Oklahoma needs to concentrate on moving from singular successes to a "coordinated statewide innovation economy." "The real question before us is what should come next for Oklahoma?" McGrail said . "We've proven that startups can thrive here. We've proven that investment, talent and bold ideas exist in every region. Now our challenge is to connect them, scale them and position them to compete nationally." She said that, in addition to closing capital gaps and focusing on the future, Oklahoma must begin by rewarding innovation and risk-taking rather than simply incentivizing "what's familiar and safe." Wheeler Bio CEO Pat Lucy said of the 42 new employees hired in the last year, 80% of them have been Oklahomans. He also pointed out how one of the biggest challenges their company faces is out-of-state travel, which has been a headache as they work with clients from across the country. He suggested working with airlines to increase frequency of flights to biotech hubs, like Boston or San Francisco, to help the field grow in the state. Other speakers included Petroleum Alliance President Brook Simmons; Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Amarie Bartel; Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey; Oklahoma Defense Industry Association Executive Director Allyson Carson; Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director Grayson Ardies; Dr. Sharon Harrison representing Harrison Consulting Group; Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance Chair Cassidy Lunnen; Chase Beasley with Tulsa Innovation Lab; OKC Innovation District President and CEO Jeff Seymour; and Chuck Gray, chair of the Governor's Council on Workforce and Economic Development. Hill said that an innovation economy and a thriving workforce is crucial for Oklahoma. "Regardless of partisanship and all of the rural versus urban divide, at the end of the day, we all want better for our children and our grandchildren than what we had," he said . "And by investing in ourselves and infrastructure across this great state, not just two urban hubs, but literally moving our state towards the idea of 10 economic hubs [where] every kid is within one hour of an economic opportunity, that, to me, is success for our long-term play."

Aug 28, 2025
Recent Posts

Ceremonial Signing Held for Bill Expanding Sarah Stitt Act

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 2364 , which expands the Sarah Stitt Act to improve workforce readiness and reduce barriers for Oklahomans reentering society after incarceration. Hill authored HB2364 to ensure eligible inmates are better prepared for life after release by requiring the Department of Corrections to assist individuals in obtaining a REAL ID noncompliant driver license or identification card. This measure removes a critical hurdle to employment and strengthens Oklahoma’s ongoing Restorative Workforce Initiatives. “Oklahoma has gone from leading the nation in incarceration rates to achieving one of the lowest recidivism rates,” Hill said. “HB2364 builds on that success by helping Oklahomans leaving incarceration take meaningful steps toward rejoining the workforce and contributing to their communities. In addition to supplying people the tools to succeed, every individual reenters the workforce saves taxpayers more than $20,000 each year. This legislation creates pathways for Oklahomans to rebuild their lives and support their families.” The Sarah Stitt Act, first passed in 2021, requires the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with essential documents prior to release, including vocational training records, work history, Social Security cards and resumes. HB2364 expands those requirements by prioritizing identification documents and ensuring inmates leave with the paperwork they need to obtain employment. “Ensuring that individuals leave incarceration with proper identification is a simple step that makes a big difference,” Hill said. “By reducing barriers to work, we are investing in the lives of our great state, building stronger communities, and moving Oklahoma forward.” The legislation also reflects Gov. Stitt’s policy pillars focused on Criminal Justice Reform and Classroom to Careers, supporting Restorative Workforce Initiatives that strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and communities. HB2364 takes effect Nov. 1, 2025. 

Jun 26, 2025
Recent Posts

Reps. Hill, Tammy West Applaud MOHA Executive Order

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.