Representative Trey Caldwell

R

District 63

Hi, I’m Trey Caldwell and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 63rd District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Deputy Leader

58th Legislature

Appropriations and Budget Committee Vice Chair

59th Legislature

Appropriations and Budget Committee Chair

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jan 22, 2026
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Lawton-Area Lawmakers Mourn Passing of Police Chief James T. Smith

Lawton-area legislators are mourning the loss of Lawton Police Chief James T. Smith, who passed away on Jan. 22, 2026, at the age of 66.  Reps. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, along with Sens. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, and Spencer Kern, R-Duncan, remembered the longtime law enforcement officer in a joint statement.  "Chief Smith embodied what it means to be a public servant. Throughout his decades with the Lawton Police Department, he led with integrity and compassion, and he maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Lawton families. Our community is stronger and safer because of Chief Smith’s vision and leadership. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, the officers of the Lawton Police Department and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him."  Smith dedicated more than 35 years to law enforcement and was named Chief of Police for the Lawton Police Department in 2012. His work with the department was recognized statewide, including being named Large Agency Chief of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police in 2025 and receiving the William “Bill” Tilghman Public Service Award from the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2024.       In addition to his law enforcement career, Smith served 30 years in the military, retiring as a Colonel after service in the Kentucky Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves.  The lawmakers ask the community to join them in honoring Smith’s legacy of service and to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts during this difficult time.

Jan 21, 2026
Recent Posts

Caldwell Plans to Expand Oklahoma's Promise Using TSET Funds

Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, announced today a joint resolution that would place a constitutional amendment before Oklahoma voters to restructure how the investment returns from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) are managed and distributed. This measure expands what TSET can hold by allowing real property, stocks and other equity investments to be added to the trust, not just cash. It would eliminate the TSET Board of Directors entirely and transfer all remaining responsibilities to the existing Board of Investors (BoI), whose role would be expanded to fully managing, administering and transferring trust assets and earnings. Under the proposal, TSET earnings would be distributed annually in a fixed order: first to fully fund Oklahoma’s Promise (OHLAP) scholarships, and then any remaining earnings would be transferred to the Education Reform Revolving Fund (the 1017 Fund). Because the distribution formula would be set in the Constitution, the Board of Directors would no longer be necessary. "By eliminating duplicative administrative structures and prioritizing funding for Oklahoma’s Promise and the 1017 Fund, this reform delivers real savings and results," said Caldwell. The reform is intended to simplify TSET’s structure, reduce administrative costs and increase the amount of money going directly to scholarships and education funding. Eliminating the Board of Directors and associated staff functions is projected to save at least $4.19 million annually. Based on an average $6,000 Oklahoma’s Promise award, those savings alone could fund scholarships for nearly 700 additional Oklahoma students each year. "This resolution reflects a practical, good-government approach," said Caldwell. "The goal is to fully fund every Oklahoma student who can academically qualify for Oklahoma's Promise to go to college and career tech tuition-free, as well as students seeking apprenticeships."

Oct 1, 2025
Recent Posts

House Updates Online Budget Transparency Portal

The Oklahoma House of Representatives released today an update to its online budget transparency portal, detailing state agency budgets that have been submitted to the Legislature for the FY27 budget. The portal, known as  Budget HQ , was created in 2024 in an effort to bring transparency to the state budgeting process both for the full House membership and the public. "Our budget transparency portal has brought light to what used to be a mostly behind the scenes process in crafting our state budget. We will be posting updated budget requests ahead of budget hearings our committees will hold in December and January so our members and the public know the requests being made," said House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon. "We are already working on the FY27 budget and will continue to keep the public informed as the process progresses." Agencies are required to submit proposed budgets for the next fiscal year by Oct. 1, but because of various board schedules, agencies submit budgets throughout the month of October. The House will be frequently updating the portal as new agency budgets are received. "Our one constitutional obligation as a Legislature is to pass a balanced budget, and receiving agency budget requests is the very first step in that process," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "The budget is our most important job as a Legislature and being transparent from Day 1 is important to us."