Representative Josh Cantrell

R

District 49

Hi, I’m Josh Cantrell and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 49th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Caucus Secretary

60th Legislature

Assistant Majority Whip

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

May 18, 2026
Recent Posts

Camp Safety Bill Signed into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill requiring all youth camps and outdoor programs to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and develop an emergency action plan by the end of the year has become law. Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, is the author of House Bill 1675 . "Camp should be a fun time for our kids," Cantrell said. "But in Oklahoma, we have a lot of severe weather. Making sure our camps are as prepared as they can be will help keep young campers safe and give parents and everyone else involved much more peace of mind." Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is the Senate author of the bill. “As someone who has consistently worked on policies encouraging kids to put down their digital devices and spend more time playing outdoors, I’m proud to have been the primary Senate author of House Bill 1675," Seifried said. "Summer camps are an important rite of passage, and I want every child who goes to camp to have nothing but positive experiences. Under this new law, camp operators and staff will be better prepared for unexpected storms so kids can spend the summer making new friends and lifelong memories.”  HB 1675 requires all camp facilities, youth camps and outdoor programs to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and develop an emergency action plan before Jan. 1, 2027. The assessments and plans then must be reviewed every three years. The emergency action plan must include response protocols for each severe weather hazard applicable to the site, evacuation routes and other items as outlined in the measure. Hazards include potential for flooding, exposure to high winds or tornadic systems, hail, lightning, extreme heat or cold, wildfires or smoke from fires and other weather-related conditions.  Additionally, the camps and programs must maintain two independent methods of receiving severe weather alerts, including one method that does not rely on cellular service. They also must have an internal communication system, procedures for notifying guardians, and be able to provide access to shelters.  Potential threats of severe weather and emergency response procedures must be disclosed to all participants. Camp staff are required to receive annual emergency procedure and hazard recognition training and conduct periodic drills. A copy of the hazard assessment and the emergency action plan must be kept on file with the applicable regulating authority. Regulating authorities are authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions and can impose corrective action plans, civil penalties, and close camp facilities, youth camps and outdoor programs for material noncompliance. Lastly, the measure requires recreational campgrounds to have an emergency action plan and procedures in place for natural disasters and severe weather events. The plan must identify site specific hazards that might require evacuation, outline evacuation routes, and include methods for issuing emergency alerts. Emergency action plans must be kept on file with the local emergency management agency and updated annually.  "We're not trying to make this too hard for our camp owners or facility operators," Cantrell said. "We're just trying to make sure our youth are safe, our parents are aware of what plans are in place, and our emergency responders have up-to-date and accurate information should the need arise." The bill becomes effective Nov. 1.

May 13, 2026
Recent Posts

Lake and Industrial Access Revolving Fund Signed into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, today praised the governor signing into law a bill to create the Lake and Industrial Access Revolving Fund. House Bill 3882 creates a continuing fund to be used by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing grants through either its Lake Access or Industrial Access programs. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will be appropriated $15 million for this fund for Fiscal Year 2027, which starts July 1.  "These funds help improve infrastructure to new or existing facilities," Cantrell said. "This in turn can bring new jobs and economic development that are crucial to our entire state." Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson, is the Senate author of the legislation. “These Lake Access and Industrial Access investments will improve connectivity for residents, vacationers, and workers across Oklahoma,” Alvord said. “I’m pleased to see this legislation signed into law to enhance access to recreational areas and industrial corridors throughout our district and state.” The Lake Access Program provides direct access to public user facilities located within the immediate vicinity of lakes and other recreation areas, which are beyond the normal limits of state or local responsibility. Traditionally the access would spur off of the state highway system and would provide immediate access to a lake or recreational facility. The Industrial Access Road Program helps connect specific industry or industrial areas directly to state highways or local roads. Applications for such projects can be made by local government authorities that have jurisdiction over the roadways. Local governments also often provide a portion of the work or funding for the projects. Cantrell said such cost-sharing is important as it allows counties and cities the ability to complete projects that are beyond their ability to fully fund. "There is often no way a county, for instance, can come up with half a million dollars to reconstruct a road," Cantrell said. "But by qualifying for an access grant, they can share the cost and bring needed development in their area."

May 6, 2026
Recent Posts

Cantrell Praises Passage of Camp Safety Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, on Tuesday passed a bill that would require all youth camps to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and to develop an emergency action plan by the end of this year and every three years going forward.  The plan specified in House Bill 1675 must include response protocols for each severe weather hazard applicable to the site, evacuation routes and other items outlined in the measure. Senate amendments were adopted by the House, and the bill has been sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law. "This bill is about keeping our children safe, and to assure parents that when they send their children to camp, it will be a wonderful and safe experience," Cantrell said. "It is not intended to put onerous regulations on camp owners, nor is it focused on any particular camp." Cantrell said the legislation was inspired after a catastrophic flood in Texas last year took the lives of 25 young campers, two counselors and a camp director. "The news reports of this event were horrific to watch, and I honestly cannot imagine the grief of the parents and families that is ongoing today." Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is the Senate author of the bill. “Camp should be a time for kids to let loose and have fun,” Seifried said. “But parents shouldn’t have to sit at home worrying every time they see a severe weather alert. This bill makes sure camps have clear emergency plans in place and staff who know what to do when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Preparing ahead of time and planning for all scenarios will keep campers safe and give parents peace of mind.” Cantrell said his legislation is not as restrictive as legislation passed in Texas. Instead, he said it would require camps to work with local emergency management officials to develop plans based on their local topography and local weather patterns. He said this is important in Oklahoma, where tornadoes, flash flooding and other severe weather events are a recurring threat. "I trust camp owners and operators will be able to work together with local officials to make sure we have the best emergency preparedness plans in place before our kids arrive at camp going forward," Cantrell said.                                                                                  Under the measure, youth camps would be required to maintain two independent methods of receiving severe weather alerts, an internal communication system, procedures for notifying guardians, and to provide access to shelters. Potential threats of severe weather and emergency response procedures must be disclosed to all participants. Camp staff are required to receive annual emergency procedure and hazard recognition training and conduct periodic drills. A copy of the emergency action plan must be kept on file with the applicable regulating authority. Regulating authorities are authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions and can impose corrective action plans, civil penalties, and suspend or revoke licensure for material noncompliance.