Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would allow the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) to donate surplus vehicles to rural law enforcement agencies passed the House Government Oversight Committee today with unanimous support. House Bill 2724 , Co-authored by Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, and by Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, amends the Oklahoma Surplus Property Act to permit the donation of OHP vehicles that have surpassed 90,000 miles to law enforcement agencies in counties with populations under 100,000. This measure would provide rural law enforcement with reliable, cost-effective vehicles, helping to equip officers with the tools they need to carry out their duties.  Under current law, surplus OHP vehicles are often sold or decommissioned once they reach high mileage, but HB2724 ensures that these vehicles are put to use in communities where resources may be limited. The bill emphasizes the continued use of these vehicles for valid law enforcement purposes, contributing to the safety and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in smaller, rural communities across the state.  “This bill helps rural law enforcement agencies that often struggle to secure adequate resources,” Chapman said. “By allowing surplus OHP vehicles to be donated instead of sold or decommissioned, we are providing officers in smaller communities with better equipment to serve and protect Oklahomans.”  HB2724 now moves to the House floor for further consideration. If signed into law, the measure would take effect Nov. 1, 2025.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives this week passed House Bill 2261 , authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, to address the state’s critical shortage of social workers by allowing Oklahoma to join the Social Work Licensure Compact. HB2261 would allow social workers licensed in any compact member state to practice in Oklahoma without obtaining an additional state license. With the state currently meeting only 67% of its estimated need for licensed clinical social workers, the bill aims to break down barriers to recruitment and expand access to behavioral health services. “Oklahomans shouldn’t have to wait for critical mental health and case management services simply because we don’t have enough providers,” Miller said. “Right now, our state is only meeting about two-thirds of the need for licensed social workers. Removing unnecessary licensing hurdles will make it easier to recruit and retain professionals ready to serve our communities.” The legislation would preserve Oklahoma’s authority over social workers practicing in the state. Through the compact’s data system, regulators would have access to information about out-of-state licensees, including investigative records and disciplinary actions, ensuring continued oversight. “Streamlining the licensing process doesn’t mean lowering standards,” Miller said. “Oklahoma will still enforce its own laws and regulations while opening the door to a larger pool of qualified social workers.”  HB2261 follows a nationwide model established by the Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts. To ensure Oklahoma’s eligibility, no substantive changes can be made to the bill’s language.  The Social Work Licensure Compact currently includes 22 states, including Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Louisiana. By joining, Oklahoma would gain access to a national pool of approximately 500,000 licensed social workers to help fill critical workforce gaps.  HB2261 is now eligible to move to the Senate for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Protect Our Kids Act, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, passed the Education Oversight Committee and is now eligible to be heard on the House floor. This legislation would strengthen protections for students by enhancing transparency and accountability in cases of teacher and administrator misconduct. “As elected officials, our first priority must be the safety and well-being of our students,” said Rep. Hildebrant. “The Protect Our Kids Act ensures that any recommendations for dismissal or non-reemployment of teachers and administrators, particularly in cases involving potential criminal misconduct, are properly reported and addressed. This legislation eliminates loopholes that have previously allowed individuals to resign quietly and continue working in other districts without proper scrutiny, while also ensuring that due process is followed and not circumvented.” House Bill 1075 , the Protect Our Kids Act, would amend current law to require that all recommendations for teacher and administrator dismissal be forwarded to the State Board of Education, regardless of whether the individual resigns before or after a termination recommendation is made. Additionally, school boards would be mandated to notify the State Board of Education of any resignation that occurs under investigation for serious misconduct. "By ensuring that teacher and administrator resignation or termination cases are thoroughly reviewed, we can better protect students and staff from potential harm, while ensuring fairness in cases where no criminal charges are filed," said Hildebrant. "This bill takes significant steps to safeguard our schools and guarantee that only the most qualified educators are entrusted with our students' futures." Procedures for expungement would be established for cases without criminal charges or certificate revocation, ensuring fairness. Educators could submit supplementary information in response to recommendations, providing context. Additionally, records of misconduct would remain confidential but accessible to school districts for informed hiring decisions, balancing privacy with student safety. With a bipartisan 9-0 vote in the Education Oversight Committee, the Protect Our Kids Act now advances to the House floor for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would take effect on July 1, ensuring immediate implementation before the next school year.