Representative Mark Tedford

R

District 69

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

representative

News & Announcements

Aug 15, 2025
Recent Posts

Legislators Unite to Appreciate Teachers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, and Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, are welcoming Oklahoma teachers back to the classroom and thanking them for their dedication to students. Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, commended teachers who play a vital part in shaping students' future. “Oklahoma teachers work tirelessly to inspire and prepare the next generation,” Banning said. “Your influence extends far beyond academics. You teach resilience, encourage kindness towards others and build the foundation for lifelong success. I deeply appreciate the heart and energy you bring into the classroom each day.” Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, expressed gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice teachers bring to their work. “As the school year kicks off we want to say how much we appreciate the work you do every single day,” Tedford said. “We know teaching takes more than lesson plans and grading papers. It takes patience, creativity and a deep commitment to your students. The impact you have reaches far beyond the classroom and lasts a lifetime.” Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, emphasized the role of Oklahoma educators in preparing students for higher education and the workforce. "Oklahoma’s dedicated teachers are shaping our future by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in higher education, the workforce and in life,” Guthrie said. “I’m incredibly grateful for their commitment and wish everyone a safe and successful school year." Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, recognized the lasting influence teachers have on their students and communities. "Oklahoma's teachers are the backbone of our communities. They invest daily in the growth, confidence and potential of our children. Teachers: your dedication inside and outside the classroom shapes not only individual lives but the future of our state. We are thankful for the important work you do and hope this school year is both rewarding and successful."

Jun 10, 2025
Recent Posts

Bill Limits Insurance Benefit Assignments

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans will have stronger protections against improper post-loss insurance practices under House Bill 1084 , authored by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks.  HB1084 blocks the solicitation or acceptance of assignment agreements for post-loss insurance benefits related to property damage under auto, residential or commercial property insurance policies. These agreements are often used by service providers to take control of a policyholder’s claim and seek payment directly from insurers — sometimes leading to inflated costs or legal disputes without the policyholder’s full awareness.  “Limiting these types of agreements helps reduce fraud and unnecessary legal conflict, which ultimately helps lower insurance costs for everyone,” Tedford said. “When third parties take control of a claim, it can result in inflated repair costs, excessive litigation and confusion for the policyholder. House Bill 1084 helps restore accountability and ensures Oklahomans remain in control of their own claims. It’s a practical step toward a fairer, more transparent insurance process.” HB1084 includes clear exemptions to ensure it does not interfere with legitimate transactions such as those involving federally insured financial institutions, mortgagees or subsequent property owners. It also maintains protections for legal services and does not prevent insured individuals from choosing to have payment made directly to service providers when appropriate. Violations of the bill would be treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Oklahoma insurance law, making violators subject to existing penalties and enforcement mechanisms. The bill is set to take effect Nov. 1, 2025.

May 21, 2025
Recent Posts

Tedford Comments on Property Insurance Rates

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, today responded to a recent article about Oklahoma’s rising property insurance premiums, citing the state’s frequent severe weather and ongoing legislative efforts to support homeowners. “Oklahoma faces some of the most destructive and unpredictable weather in the country,” Tedford said. “From widespread hailstorms to wildfires and tornadoes, our events are frequent, damaging and often hit densely populated areas. Claims drive premiums, and storms like the ones we saw in Sulphur, Barnsdall, Holdenville and Claremore last year, along with March's wildfires, cost billions in damages. That’s the reality insurers are responding to.”  He said insurance premiums are also affected by inflation in construction costs, the rising price of materials and labor and the increasing number of high-value claims following back-to-back disasters.  Tedford noted that while many states are now seeing rate increases, Oklahoma’s market adjusted earlier than most. “Oklahoma ranked 35th last year for average rate hikes,” he said. “It’s not the worst in the nation. It’s a sign our market responded early while others are still catching up. I commend the work Commissioner Mulready is doing to improve Oklahoma's Insurance industry.”  Last year, Tedford authored House Bill 3089 to create the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, a grant program to help homeowners retrofit their homes with weather-resistant materials. He also worked with the insurance commissioner on House Bills 3092 , 3093 and 3095 to prevent insurers from canceling policies due to older or single claims. He introduced House Bills this year, including House Bill 1084 , focused on reducing claim costs and curbing insurance fraud. Tedford cautioned against overregulation, pointing to other states where stricter policies led insurers to exit the market.  “When states overregulate, insurers leave,” he said. “That’s what happened in California, and it left homeowners without options. We don’t want that in Oklahoma. We can’t change the weather, but we can pursue smart, targeted policies that support homeowners and keep the insurance market strong.”