Representative Collin Duel

R

District 31

Hi, I'm Collin Duel and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 31st District.

representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Floor Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

May 1, 2025
Recent Posts

Duel Praises Passage of Biotechnology Protection Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Tuesday passed a bill in the House aimed at protecting Oklahoma's bioscience and research assets from being exploited by hostile foreign governments. Senate Bill 552 now moves to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law. "Foreign adversaries have made clear their intent to exploit sensitive biological data," Duel said. "We cannot allow Oklahoma’s institutions to be vulnerable to such risks. Oklahoma must remain vigilant in protecting our state’s security and ensuring that taxpayer dollars do not support entities that pose a risk to our nation." Duel, a combat veteran and former Army Ranger, has fought for similar protections of state assets in other areas of law. He said if the U.S. government designates a biotechnology company to be one of concern due to its close association with hostile foreign governments, any Oklahoma state agency that receives federal or state funds would be prohibited from using the company's equipment or services. The agency also would not be allowed to use a company that contracts with such an entity. Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Oklahoma City, is the Senate author of the measure. Hines is a retired U.S. Army Colonel. “Senate Bill 552 strengthens national security by safeguarding our bioscience and research assets from hostile foreign governments,” Hines said. “By ensuring state agencies don’t contract with companies designated as biotechnology companies of concern, we are protecting the integrity of our state’s innovation and securing the future of Oklahoma’s research sector.” Both lawmakers said Oklahoma has many world-class foreign researchers, and the bill is not intended to risk those relationships. They also acknowledged viable work with companies from around the globe. They said the bill targets a narrow category of foreign-government affiliated companies that are set on unlocking world-changing technologies with ill intent. The U.S. Senate is poised to consider similar legislation. While SB522 is meant to mirror the federal legislation, it establishes state-level protections regardless of whether the congressional bill passes.

Mar 27, 2025
Recent Posts

Duel's Foreign Adversary Divestment Act Moves to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Wednesday passed a bill in the House that would require state and local managed funds to divest from foreign adversary nations. House Bill 1561 would create the “Foreign Adversary Divestment Act of 2025.” "It's imperative we enact this as a matter of state and national security," Duel said. "This would keep Oklahoma public investment dollars safe from interference from countries of concern. This also would assure we are not funding the development of military technologies and surveillance tools of our adversaries that could be used against us." Duel is a decorated Army Ranger who served the nation during four combat deployments to Afghanistan. He said it is this that drives the decision to better protect the state and nation from outside threats. Under the provisions of the bill, all state and local managed funds would be prohibited from holding investments in any foreign adversary, as well any company owned or controlled by a foreign adversary, any state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary, or any company or other entity domiciled within a foreign adversary. All state-managed funds would be required to divest of any holdings prohibited in this act by Jan. 1, 2036, or 10 years after the effective date of this act, whichever is earliest. Divestment would mean reducing the value of prohibited investments to no more than five-hundredths of one percent of the market value of all assets under management by a state or locally managed fund. The act would require the state treasurer to develop a notification system to identify foreign adversaries or countries of particular concern as designated by the Secretary of State. Entities subject to the provision of the act would have six months from the effective date to identify all companies affected. HB1561 now moves to the State Senate where it is authored by Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Edmond. 

Mar 11, 2025
Recent Posts

Duel Advances Measure to Protect Against Child Abuse and Neglect

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Monday won House passage of a measure that would require referrals received by the Department of Human Services (DHS) hotline alleging abuse or neglect towards a child to be immediately reported to the appropriate local law enforcement entity. Duel worked with the District Attorney's Council in drafting House Bill 1565 .  "Protecting Oklahoma children is the No. 1 priority of this legislation," Duel said. "Getting law enforcement involved from the moment a claim of abuse or neglect is made can save valuable time in ensuring children are safe and that investigations of abuse or neglect are conducted appropriately." Duel said right now the law just stipulates that DHS must report to law enforcement at some point during their investigation if child abuse or neglect is suspected by someone other than the person responsible for a child's health, safety or welfare. This change would make it so a criminal investigation could begin immediately at the same time as the DHS investigation. The bill passed the House with a vote of 88-4. It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. Duel is chair of the House Civil Judiciary Committee and vice chair of the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee. Weaver serves as chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee If signed into law, the measure would take effect Nov. 1.