Speaker Kyle Hilbert

R

District 29

Hi, I’m Kyle Hilbert and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 29th District.


representative

Leadership

Speaker Pro Tempore

59th Legislature

Speaker Pro Tempore

58th Legislature

Speaker of the House

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Apr 21, 2026
Recent Posts

House, Senate Leaders Applaud Signing of Law to Strengthen the Strong Readers Act

Today, Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 into law, strengthening Oklahoma’s Strong Readers Act and making historic investments to help ensure every student can read by the end of third grade. The legislation strengthens early literacy efforts through statewide reading screenings, targeted interventions grounded in the science of reading, additional support and training for teachers, stronger accountability measures and improved communication with parents about their child’s reading progress. Under the new law, schools will identify reading deficiencies earlier and provide evidence-based interventions to help students improve before they fall behind. The legislation also expands teacher training opportunities, increases classroom support for educators and establishes new expectations for colleges of education preparing Oklahoma’s future teachers. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, the House author for this legislation, said the new law implements strategic programs that have shown to prove real, data-driven results and takes a critical step in strengthening Oklahoma's student outcomes and future workforce.   “This was my top priority this session,” said Hilbert. “We have to follow the data and pursue policies that produce better outcomes for our students. The status quo has not been good enough, and this legislation is about ensuring every Oklahoma child has the strong foundation they need to succeed.” Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, the Senate author of the measure, affirms that parent involvement is key to the success of this legislation. “By identifying reading challenges early and providing meaningful, targeted support before students fall behind, we are ensuring children will be equipped to read to learn," said Pugh. "A major key to this legislation is involving parents in the process.  This legislation has been designed so Oklahoma will have the strongest literacy program in the country. We should not accept anything less than every single child being able to read at grade level. This measure ensures we are giving every child that opportunity.” The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Oklahoma Legislature. Based on Spring 2025 testing, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level. Senate President Pro Temp Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said the legislation establishes stronger expectations and support systems to help students achieve reading proficiency by third grade.  “Senate Bill 1778 is a major step forward in ensuring every Oklahoma child has the foundational reading skills they need to succeed," said Paxton. By setting clear expectations, strengthening early intervention and giving parents more involvement, we’re making it clear that reading proficiency by third grade is not optional, it’s essential. This legislation reflects a strong commitment to accountability and results, and I appreciate the overwhelming support from both chambers as the governor signs this today.” To support these reforms, the state budget includes significant investments in literacy initiatives, including more than $43 million for reading instruction and interventions in schools, $5 million in supplemental funding for teacher training academies this summer, and $5 million in ongoing annual funding for teacher training programs. Additional funding will support reading-at-home initiatives and statewide math and reading screeners to help educators identify student learning needs earlier.   “Reading paves the way for bright futures. That’s why I’m proud to sign a bill that helps ensure our kids learn this foundational skill by the end of third grade,”  said Governor Kevin Stitt. “This is about early support, strong instruction, and giving parents the information they need to keep their kids on track. Because with a strong foundation, the next generation of Oklahomans can chase their American Dream. I thank Speaker Hilbert and Senator Pugh for leading on this important issue.” The Strong Readers Act is designed to ensure students develop critical literacy skills early in their education, setting them up for long-term academic success and expanding opportunities for Oklahoma’s future workforce.

Apr 15, 2026
Recent Posts

House Speaker Applauds Passage of Proposed State Question to Slow Property Tax Growth

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed legislation that would submit a measure for a statewide ballot to give Oklahomans the lowest fixed cap on property tax increases in the entire country for homestead properties. The measure, Senate Joint Resolution 39, proposes amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution that would lower the caps on annual increases in the fair cash value of property and create a tiered system to better protect seniors from rising property taxes. The proposal will be submitted to voters at a statewide election on August 25, 2026. Under the proposal, the current caps on annual increases in fair cash value would be reduced beginning in tax year 2027. The cap for homestead property and agricultural land would decrease from 3 percent to 1.75 percent, while the cap for all other real property would decrease from 5 percent to 4 percent. “This ballot question would give Oklahomans the lowest fixed rate cap on personal property in the nation," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, who is the House author. "Oklahomans deserve real protection against the rapid rise in the value of their homes for tax purposes. At a time when families are already struggling to keep up with the cost of inflation, property taxes shouldn’t rise at the same pace as everything else.” The resolution also updates Oklahoma’s existing “senior freeze” by establishing a tiered cap structure for homestead property owned by seniors age 65 and older, based on household income relative to the median income in their county. Hilbert said the proposal is designed to provide broad property tax stability while directing the strongest protections to seniors with lower incomes. "Seniors often live on a fixed income, so tax relief for them ensures they are not priced out of their homes," said Hilbert. "This senior freeze is tiered so it does not disincentivize work, but also gives older Oklahomans much-needed tax relief."

Apr 13, 2026
Recent Posts

Oklahoma House Passes Comprehensive Reading Legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today the Oklahoma House of Representatives showed its overwhelming, bipartisan support for legislation strengthening the state’s Strong Readers Act, giving teachers additional training and support and ensuring students can read by the third grade. Senate Bill 1778 includes early identification of reading deficiencies through consistent, statewide screening; targeted intervention grounded in the science of reading; clear communication with parents about their child’s reading progress and available at-home supports; accountability measures to ensure students demonstrate reading ability before advancing to the next grade; giving 2nd graders the option of taking the state test; expanded teacher training and classroom support to improve instruction outcomes; new requirements and accountability for colleges of education preparing our state’s future teachers; a new funding formula that supports all students, while also giving additional funds to students who need more help and rewarding schools seeing growth; and creates a revolving fund to encourage public-private partnerships. “Before third grade, students learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn. When that transition does not happen, the consequences compound quickly and follow students for life,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow and author of the bill. “ We want to talk about career pathways and dream jobs for our students, but our children will be perpetually underemployed if they cannot read. I am proud of the House members who supported this important legislation today and I believe we will look back to this moment years from now and know this is when we made the decision to do better for all Oklahoma students." To support this reform, the Legislature is making targeted investments to strengthen teacher preparation and student literacy. The budget includes over $43 million for reading instruction and interventions in schools, $5 million in supplemental investment for teacher training academies this summer, and $5 million in ongoing annual funding for teacher training programs. In addition, the state will invest over $5 million in reading at home initiatives and dedicated funding for math and reading screeners to help educators identify and address student learning needs earlier. The legislation has received bipartisan support, largely because the statistics around Oklahoma’s reading levels are alarming. In 2015, Oklahoma students performed near the national average in reading. Today, we trail peer states by more than a full grade level. Based on Spring 2025 testing, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level. The bill passed the House floor with a bipartisan vote of 87-5. The Senate will now consider the proposed amendments before the legislation moves to the governor's desk for final consideration.