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

Aug 6, 2026
Recent Posts

Dempsey Receives Delta Waterfowl Conservation Leader Award

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, recently received Delta Waterfowl’s 2025-26 Conservation Leader Award during the organization’s Duck Hunters Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. "This award means a great deal to me because hunting is more than a pastime where I come from," Dempsey said. "It is a way of life that brings families together, puts food on the table and teaches our kids to respect the land. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect private property and make sure folks can keep enjoying Oklahoma’s outdoors for generations to come." Dempsey was recognized for his years of work with landowners, hunters and outfitters to develop policies that reflect the needs of his district. House District 1 includes portions of LeFlore and McCurtain counties, one of Oklahoma’s premier hunting regions. "Representative Dempsey has been a steadfast leader in conservation," said Jeff Wardlaw, Delta Waterfowl’s senior manager of government affairs for the Mississippi and Central Flyway. "He is a consistent advocate for ducks and duck hunters, and we were excited to recognize his work at the Duck Hunters Expo this year." Throughout his tenure in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Dempsey has advocated for stronger safeguards to protect landowners, hunters and legitimate guiding operations from bad-faith outfitters operating without accountability. That work culminated in Senate Bill 2095 , which was signed into law earlier this year. The law requires hunting guides to obtain a guide license and maintain personal liability insurance. Guides and outfitters also must receive written permission from private landowners before conducting guided hunts on their property. Dempsey says the requirements provide greater protection for private landowners, increased safety and an enforcement mechanism to address rogue guides and outfitters. Each year, the Delta Waterfowl Conservation Leader Award is given to an individual, organization, company or agency that has demonstrated a clear commitment to Delta Waterfowl’s mission of conserving habitat, producing ducks and securing the future of waterfowl hunting.

May 15, 2026
Recent Posts

Permanent Forestry Equipment Tax Exemption Becomes Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill making a sales tax exemption for commercial forestry equipment permanent has been signed into law. House Bill 3661 , authored by Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, removes the January 2027 sunset date on the sales tax exemption for commercial forestry service equipment used by logging, timber and tree farming businesses. Dempsey said the measure will continue supporting one of southeast Oklahoma’s longstanding industries and help forestry businesses reinvest in their operations. "Forestry is an important part of the economy in my district, southeast Oklahoma and across many rural communities in our state," Dempsey said. "Making this exemption permanent gives businesses certainty and helps keep operating costs manageable so they can continue investing in equipment and the future of the industry." By removing the sunset date, qualifying equipment will continue to include forwarders, fellers, bunchers, skidders, hydraulic excavators, delimbers, soil compactors and skid steer loaders used in commercial forestry operations. HB3661 takes effect Nov. 1.

May 7, 2026
Recent Posts

House Sends Burial Freedom Bill to Governor's Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure that would give Oklahoma families an additional end-of-life option while ensuring the process is governed by strong commonsense safeguards is now headed to the governor's desk for final approval. House Bill 3660 , authored by Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, 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 compassion, dignity and respecting the wishes of Oklahoma families during some of the hardest moments of their lives," Dempsey said in a statement. "Families deserve the freedom to choose how they honor and lay their loved ones to rest without unnecessary government interference. At the same time, this legislation puts clear standards in place so these services are handled safely, professionally and with the respect every family deserves." Several House members debated in favor of the bill and addressed what Rep. Jonathan Wilk, R-Goldsby, described as misinformation. "Last time it was presented to this body, we heard a lot of lies, to be honest with you," Wilk said. "Lies that it had to do with humanure. That's absolutely not true. It's nowhere in that bill. Lies that it had to do with using human remains as fertilizer. That's a point-blank lie. None of that is true. There's two things that the government should stay out of: it's coming into this world and leaving this world." In his closing debate, Dempsey reiterated that the bill provides freedom to Oklahomans looking for additional end-of-life options. "All this started with is a bald-faced lie," Dempsey argued. "This is just another option for us for our families if you want it. Nobody is forcing you to do this. I've heard that funeral homes don't want to buy the equipment. Nobody's forcing the funeral homes buy the equipment. But this is the option for us, for our citizens, for equal rights. Give it back to us." HB3660 passed 58-35 and now heads to the governor's desk for final approval.