Representative Eddy Dempsey

R

District 1

Hi, I'm Eddy Dempsey and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 1st District


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 27, 2026
Recent Posts

House Passes Bill Designating Memorial Roads, Honoring Longtime House Sergeant at Arms

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Bill 4265 , including a floor amendment to designate a memorial highway honoring longtime House employee Harvey Weathers Jr., who passed away earlier this year. The amendment, brought by Reps. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, adds the Harvey Weathers Jr. Memorial Highway designation. The bill, as amended, passed the House unanimously. "Harvey represented the very best of public service," Dempsey said. "From his time in uniform to his years at the Capitol, he served with integrity and treated everyone with respect. This designation ensures his legacy will be remembered for years to come." Weathers served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard and spent 30 years as a firefighter in Oklahoma City. He later served 18 years as a sergeant at arms at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where he became a familiar and respected presence among lawmakers, staff and visitors. Dempsey said Weathers’ impact extended far beyond his official duties. "He had a way of connecting with everyone he met," Johns said. "He brought energy and humor wherever he went, and his kindness left a lasting impression on so many people at the Capitol." House Bill 4265 memorializes multiple highways, bridges and interchanges across the state while also updating location descriptions for certain existing designations. Among the new recognitions included in the measure are memorials honoring veterans, local leaders and community members in counties across Oklahoma. Lawmakers said the additions reflect a continued effort to recognize individuals who have made lasting contributions to their communities and the state. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Mar 27, 2026
Recent Posts

Oklahoma House Passes Bill Expanding Funeral Choices for Oklahoma Families

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed legislation this week giving Oklahoma families more control of funeral options for their loved ones. House Bill 3660 , authored by Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, would create a balance between personal freedom and public responsibility. It would give Oklahoma families an additional end-of-life option while ensuring the process is governed by strong commonsense safeguards. The legislation would mandate nothing but would allow those who want additional options for their loved ones to do so with confidence that those options are safe and responsibly managed. "This bill is about giving Oklahoma families the freedom to make their own choices about how to bury their loved ones, and making sure that when they do, it’s done the right way," Dempsey said. "The government shouldn't be able to dictate or restrict how a family wants to lay their loved ones to rest." Dempsey also addressed lies circulating about the bill, emphasizing that the bill does not weaken existing protections or create new risks to the public. "A lot of what’s being said about this legislation is inaccurate," Dempsey said. "This bill includes safeguards and limitations, with strict state oversight. This is not a government mandate - no one is required to use it. It simply gives families a choice that currently doesn’t exist in Oklahoma." This legislation works within existing law that already prohibits this organic material from being used in agriculture, food production or commercial distribution of any kind. Those restrictions in the Consumer Protection Division of the Oklahoma Fertilizer Act are governed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry under Title 2, Sections 8-77. This provides an additional layer of legal protection ensuring the material cannot enter Oklahoma’s food ecosystem. It also aligns with existing regulations established by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Funeral Board, which, under state law, are responsible for licensing and regulating the process. "There is no pathway legally or practically for this material to enter Oklahoma’s food supply or agricultural system," Dempsey said. "The protections are layered, they are explicit and they will be enforced. Families can have complete confidence in that. Anything said to the contrary is a lie meant to stir up Oklahomans for political gain." Dempsey says the bill is a straightforward approach to protect personal choice, uphold public health and make sure it is done the right way. "It ensures the process operates under clear, enforceable standards and accountability," Dempsey said. "The body is placed in a controlled environment, monitored throughout and tested at completion to ensure it is free of harmful pathogens before being returned to the family. Loved ones are allowed to keep the soil to spread the same way they might spread the ashes of someone who has been cremated." HB3660 is now eligible to be heard in the Senate.

Dec 31, 2025
Recent Posts

Dempsey Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, announced today that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming election for House District 1. Dempsey issued the following statement: "Today I'm announcing that I will not seek reelection. I want to thank all my friends and supporters for electing me. Let me say that serving these past five years has been very rewarding, but it's time for me to come home. "I know people will ask me what comes next. I am returning to work for the same person I served before joining Senator Mullin: my wife. I look forward to continuing the work for this upcoming legislative session, but I do not know where the Lord will lead me after that. I never imagined I would serve as a state representative, but I am grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. It has been one of the most humbling and rewarding jobs I have ever had. God Bless." Dempsey was first elected in 2020 to represent House District 1 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Born in Idabel, Dempsey is a graduate of Valliant High School and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Prior to his election to the Legislature, he worked as a field representative for U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin and previously served five years on the Valliant School Board. Dempsey and his wife have been married for more than 25 years and have two sons. His family owns and operates a small farm in Valliant. To date in the Oklahoma House, Dempsey has been the principal or author of 61 House bills, with 11 signed into law. Much of his legislative work has focused on wildlife, hunting and gaming issues, reflecting the importance of outdoor recreation and tourism to House District 1, which includes Broken Bow, Eagletown, Fanshawe, Garvin, Golden, Haworth, Hochatown, Idabel, Le Flore, Talihina, Valliant, Whitesboro, Wister and Wright City. Dempsey currently serves as chair of the County and Municipal Government Committee and is a member of the Government Oversight Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee. This year, Dempsey was named Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Rifle Association in recognition of his strong support for Second Amendment rights and his advocacy for Oklahoma gun owners and firearms enthusiasts. In 2024, he was also recognized by the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center as a Legislative Advocate, and in 2022, he was named Legislator of the Year by the Oklahoma Wildlife Management Association. Dempsey will complete his current term during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.