Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed three major pieces of legislation sponsored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, the chair of House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight. These workforce focused bills are aimed at strengthening the state’s job pipeline, driving innovation, and positioning Oklahoma for long-term economic growth. "Our children shouldn't have to move to Denver or Dallas to launch their careers," Hill said. "I'm proud to help lead a unified effort to align education, training, and economic development in a way that prepares Oklahomans for the jobs of tomorrow. By investing in strategic workforce priorities, we can lay the foundation for a more competitive and prosperous Oklahoma." Senate Bill 324, by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, and Hill, would establish the Oklahoma Research and Development Rebate Fund and Program, which would incentivize private-sector innovation by offering a 5% rebate on qualified research expenditures. The annual rebate, to be administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and capped at $20 million, would encourage job-creating investments in science, technology and advanced manufacturing. Senate Bill 663, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Hill, moves the Workforce Coordination Revolving Fund from Commerce to the newly established Oklahoma Workforce Commission, ensuring that resources are targeted more efficiently toward high-impact initiatives. The fund would provide grants for critical workforce needs aligned with economic development goals identified by the Education and Economic Development Working Group of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding. Senate Bill 662 , also by Pugh and Hill, charges the Oklahoma Workforce Commission with implementing programs that expand work-based learning opportunities, support high-demand career pathways and foster innovation in K-12 education for workforce readiness. It would also establish the Commission as the centralized data hub for Oklahoma’s workforce efforts, providing policymakers and stakeholders with timely, actionable information through the Legislature’s Workforce & Infrastructure interactive map. All three bills were amended in the House and now return to the Senate for another vote.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two bills aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s unemployment tax system—one reducing costs for employers and the other cracking down on fraud—have passed the House floor and now head to the governor’s desk. Carried in the House by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, Senate Bill 911 reduces the top unemployment tax rate from 9.2% to 6.5%—a significant cut that offers direct relief to Oklahoma employers. The change especially benefits small businesses, which can hit the top rate after only a few claims. By lowering the rate and updating outdated formulas, the bill brings greater fairness and predictability to the unemployment system. SB911 also establishes a new conditional factor rate table and raises the threshold for triggering an unemployment insurance surcharge from $25 million to $50 million.  Senate Bill 924 , also carried by Tedford, targets fraud within the unemployment system. The bill allows the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) to require in-person interviews when fraud is suspected and authorizes denial of claims when the employer is not correctly named—two tools critical to protecting the system’s integrity. It also updates statutory language and clarifies judicial review procedures to improve efficiency and consistency in appeals.  “For small business owners, just one or two claims can send their unemployment tax rate sky-high. That’s not sustainable for those working trying to keep people employed,” Tedford said. “And when fraud slips through the cracks, it hurts everyone. These bills help level the playing field—making taxes fairer and tightening up the system so benefits go where they’re supposed to.”  Both bills passed the House unanimously. If signed into law, they will take effect Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation aimed at strengthening transparency and improving the stewardship of taxpayer dollars is now headed to the governor’s desk, following final passage of Senate Bill 491 carried in the House by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa. SB491 updates the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to allow public bodies to discuss the sale, lease or acquisition of real property during executive sessions. Under current law, such closed-door discussions are limited to purchases or appraisals only. “This is a straightforward and necessary update to the Open Meeting Act,” Hildebrant said. “It ensures public bodies can handle all real estate transactions with consistency, confidentiality and care, while maintaining the public’s trust.” Importantly, the bill does not alter existing legal requirements that all actions and votes must take place in open session. “Today, many of these negotiations happen informally between a mayor and vice mayor, excluding the full governing body,” Hildebrant said. “This change allows all elected members to participate in sensitive discussions, which leads to better decision-making and stronger local accountability.” Only members of the public body, their attorney, and immediate staff will be allowed to attend such executive sessions under SB491. Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, who authored the bill in the Senate, expressed pride in seeing it advance to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. “This update to the Open Meetings Act ensures public bodies can negotiate real estate transactions in the best interests of Oklahoma taxpayers,” Guthrie said. “By allowing local authorities to enter executive session to consider leases, sales, or acquisitions, they will have greater ability to protect sensitive information, avoid undermining negotiations, and ensure better outcomes for the public. I’m proud to see this bill advance, and look forward to it being signed into law, ultimately enabling local officials to be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars.” The legislation received bipartisan support and now awaits the governor’s signature.