Representative Derrick Hildebrant

R

District 23

Hi, I'm Derrick Hildebrant and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 23rd District.

representative

News & Announcements

May 15, 2025
Recent Posts

Hildebrant's Municipal Carry Act Sent to Governor's Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday voted 70-15 to approve Senate amendments to House Bill 1095 , the Municipal Carry Act, sending the legislation to the governor for final consideration. The measure, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, brings parity between municipal and county governments by allowing city councils to authorize certain elected officials, judges and designated municipal employees to carry concealed firearms in municipal buildings within their jurisdiction. The bill aims to support smaller communities with limited law enforcement resources while continuing to prohibit firearms in sensitive areas such as courtrooms, jails and schools. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support of this bill that protects our Second Amendment rights, and I especially want to thank Senator Gillespie for her hard work and leadership in moving this bill forward on the Senate side," Hildebrant said. "Equipping local governments with a way to enhance safety where law enforcement coverage is limited not only allows municipalities to decide for themselves what type of protection they need but also offers another way to keep citizens safe." The bill originally passed the House with a 66-13 vote. The Senate adopted minor, non-substantive changes, including language clean-up for clarity and consistency. Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, was a key advocate for the Municipal Carry Act in the Senate, playing a major role in guiding the bill through the legislative process and working closely with colleagues to secure its passage with a strong 39-8 vote. "The passage of House Bill 1095 is deeply meaningful," Gillespie said. "Our municipal leaders — our mayors, city councilors, municipal judges, and employees — step up every day to serve their communities. They deserve to feel safe while doing so. This bill is about trust and respect. It gives municipalities the option to allow their own officials and employees to protect themselves in the buildings where they work and serve. It's a commonsense measure rooted in safety, responsibility, and local control. I’m grateful to my colleagues in both chambers who stood with us on this. Their support sends a strong message: we value the people doing the work of government at the local level, and we want them to be protected." The measure now awaits action by the governor.

May 8, 2025
Recent Posts

Hildebrant Secures Final Passage of Bill Modernizing Open Meeting Act

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation aimed at strengthening transparency and improving the stewardship of taxpayer dollars is now headed to the governor’s desk, following final passage of Senate Bill 491 carried in the House by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa. SB491 updates the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to allow public bodies to discuss the sale, lease or acquisition of real property during executive sessions. Under current law, such closed-door discussions are limited to purchases or appraisals only. “This is a straightforward and necessary update to the Open Meeting Act,” Hildebrant said. “It ensures public bodies can handle all real estate transactions with consistency, confidentiality and care, while maintaining the public’s trust.” Importantly, the bill does not alter existing legal requirements that all actions and votes must take place in open session. “Today, many of these negotiations happen informally between a mayor and vice mayor, excluding the full governing body,” Hildebrant said. “This change allows all elected members to participate in sensitive discussions, which leads to better decision-making and stronger local accountability.” Only members of the public body, their attorney, and immediate staff will be allowed to attend such executive sessions under SB491. Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, who authored the bill in the Senate, expressed pride in seeing it advance to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. “This update to the Open Meetings Act ensures public bodies can negotiate real estate transactions in the best interests of Oklahoma taxpayers,” Guthrie said. “By allowing local authorities to enter executive session to consider leases, sales, or acquisitions, they will have greater ability to protect sensitive information, avoid undermining negotiations, and ensure better outcomes for the public. I’m proud to see this bill advance, and look forward to it being signed into law, ultimately enabling local officials to be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The legislation received bipartisan support and now awaits the governor’s signature.

May 6, 2025
Recent Posts

Governor Signs ‘Food Truck Freedom Act’ into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law the Food Truck Freedom Act, a measure aimed at cutting red tape for Oklahoma’s growing mobile food vendor industry. House Bill 1076 , authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, and Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, creates a streamlined, statewide licensing system for food truck operators. Hildebrant, serving his first term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, said the new law eliminates unnecessary regulatory barriers while upholding safety standards. “Too many food truck operators were being forced to shut down simply because they couldn’t keep up with the maze of local permits and fees,” Hildebrant said. “This bill changes that. By establishing a single statewide license, we’re making it possible for more vendors to stay in business, grow their customer base and contribute to the local economy without getting buried in paperwork.” The Food Truck Freedom Act allows any mobile food vendor with a valid state food establishment license to operate anywhere in the state, provided they follow local health and zoning regulations. Previously, food trucks were required to obtain separate permits for each city or county in which they did business, resulting in duplicative fees and logistical hurdles. Sen. Gillespie, who carried the bill in the Senate, said the reform reflects Oklahoma’s commitment to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship. “The signing of the Food Truck Freedom Act is a big win for small business owners and entrepreneurs across Oklahoma,” Gillespie said. “Food trucks bring jobs, creativity and economic growth to our communities. This law cuts unnecessary red tape and makes it easier for these businesses to operate, thrive and serve Oklahomans wherever they go.” Under the new law, mobile vendors must still adhere to operational standards, including keeping their vehicles clean and in good repair, displaying their licenses and notifying the State Department of Health and local officials before serving at mass gatherings. They’re also responsible for providing trash receptacles and maintaining cleanliness within a 25-foot radius. Similar laws have been enacted in states like Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, where food truck industries have seen notable expansion. “We’ve seen other states adopt similar measures and watch their food truck industries thrive," Hildebrant said. "Now, that same opportunity is a reality for Oklahoma vendors. With a single statewide license, food truck owners finally have a clear path to turn their business dreams into reality.” House Bill 1076 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support on an 85-3 vote and received broad backing in the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.