Representative Mark Tedford

R

District 69

Hi, I’m Mark Tedford and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 69th District.

representative

News & Announcements

May 8, 2025
Recent Posts

House Passes Unemployment Tax Reform Bills

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two bills aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s unemployment tax system—one reducing costs for employers and the other cracking down on fraud—have passed the House floor and now head to the governor’s desk. Carried in the House by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, Senate Bill 911 reduces the top unemployment tax rate from 9.2% to 6.5%—a significant cut that offers direct relief to Oklahoma employers. The change especially benefits small businesses, which can hit the top rate after only a few claims. By lowering the rate and updating outdated formulas, the bill brings greater fairness and predictability to the unemployment system. SB911 also establishes a new conditional factor rate table and raises the threshold for triggering an unemployment insurance surcharge from $25 million to $50 million.  Senate Bill 924 , also carried by Tedford, targets fraud within the unemployment system. The bill allows the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) to require in-person interviews when fraud is suspected and authorizes denial of claims when the employer is not correctly named—two tools critical to protecting the system’s integrity. It also updates statutory language and clarifies judicial review procedures to improve efficiency and consistency in appeals.  “For small business owners, just one or two claims can send their unemployment tax rate sky-high. That’s not sustainable for those working trying to keep people employed,” Tedford said. “And when fraud slips through the cracks, it hurts everyone. These bills help level the playing field—making taxes fairer and tightening up the system so benefits go where they’re supposed to.”  Both bills passed the House unanimously. If signed into law, they will take effect Nov. 1.

Mar 3, 2025
Recent Posts

House Passes Tedford’s Bill to Strengthen Insurance Protections

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Bill 1160 , authored by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, with a 93-2 vote. The legislation updates state insurance laws to ensure policyholders are better protected if their insurance company becomes insolvent. “This bill is about safeguarding Oklahomans when they need it most,” Tedford said. “By modernizing our insurance laws and aligning them with national best practices, we’re ensuring a smoother, more efficient process for handling claims when an insurer fails.” HB1160 updates the Oklahoma Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Act, which provides a safety net for policyholders if their insurance company goes bankrupt. The legislation clarifies which companies and claims are covered, establishes clear guidelines for handling cyber insurance insolvencies and allows the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner to share critical pre-liquidation information with the Oklahoma Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association (OPCIGA) to expedite claims processing. It also incorporates language from other states’ statutes regarding advertising practices. HB1160 now moves to the Senate for further consideration. If signed into law, the measure would take effect on Nov. 1, 2025.

Feb 7, 2025
Recent Posts

Tedford Files Bill to Require Health Care Cost Analysis

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, has introduced House Bill 1161, a measure designed to provide lawmakers with clearer financial and policy insights before approving any new health care mandates. The bill proposes requiring an impact study before final passage of any legislation that imposes new coverage requirements on health benefit plans. Under HB1161, any bill that includes a health care mandate would need to undergo a study conducted by the Oklahoma Insurance Department before advancing to final passage. The study would evaluate the mandate’s social, medical and financial impacts, including its effect on insurance premiums, providers and market stability. The department would have 60 days to complete the analysis and could consult external experts if needed. The bill also proposes that mandates be reviewed by legislative committees responsible for insurance. A majority vote would be required to request an impact study and additional analyses could be conducted on amendments or conference committee reports at the request of legislative leadership. The Legislative Services Bureau would be limited to five referrals per year unless additional studies are approved by the Insurance Commissioner. “These mandates could drive up premiums by millions, yet we’re often asked to approve them with no real understanding of the financial burden on Oklahomans,” Tedford said. “This bill ensures we have the facts before making decisions. This is just responsible lawmaking.”