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Legislation adding a financial literacy course to high school graduation requirements has been signed into law. House Bill 2158 was authored by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, who said empowering students to take control of their finances starts with education. "Requiring students to master financial literacy before graduating isn't just about balancing budgets," Lowe said. "It's about laying a good foundation as they begin the next chapter of their lives by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate financial decisions thoughtfully." The measure requires students to complete 1/2 unit of personal financial literacy coursework in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade. The coursework may be integrated into an existing class or taught on its own. HB2158 outlines certain topics to be taught, including retirement planning, investing, online banking features and credit scores. "I proudly signed HB 2158 into law because students need these crucial financial literacy skills to thrive in their lives and careers," said Governor Kevin Stitt. "I’m proud of Representative Lowe for introducing this important piece of legislation, and I’m excited for the doors this opens for Oklahoma students." "Housing is a basic human right, and homeownership is a dream for many," said Bryan Hutchinson, CEO of the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS®. "Putting financial literacy tools into our students' hands is key to making the next generation of homeowners a reality. This bill better prepares Oklahoma’s students to navigate the pathway to homeownership and creates the foundation for financial responsibility. The Oklahoma Association of REALTORS®? was pleased to support HB 2158, and our 14,000 members sincerely thank Representative Dick Lowe and Senator Brenda Stanley for prioritizing this legislation." HB2158 was authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City. "In addition to ensuring Oklahoma students receive a quality education, we must provide them with tools for success as they transition into adulthood," Stanley said. "It was an honor to work with Representative Lowe on this legislation that ensures young adults in our state are introduced to budgeting, investing, retirement planning, credit scores, home ownership, and other subjects related to personal finances. I appreciate the governor for signing this measure that ensures the next generation is empowered to make wise financial decisions following the completion of this graduation requirement." HB2158 will take effect July 1, 2025.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Kevin Stitt on Wednesday signed into law legislation that will fund the building of an arch at the Oklahoma Capitol to serve as an honorary symbol of the services performed by the Oklahoma National Guard. House Bill 4012 is authored by Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore. "This arch was part of the original design for the state Capitol, and I believe it will add to the beauty of our complex," McBride said. "In addition, it will pay tribute to the legacy of Oklahoma National Guard members and their service and protection of the citizens of our great state." McBride, who is term-limited this year after serving 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, said he's pleased that one of his last pieces of legislation will leave an enduring monument for Oklahomans to enjoy.  Architect Solomon Layton included drawings of the arch in early plans for the Capitol, which was completed in 1917. McBride said the arch originally was designed to stretch across Lincoln Boulevard much like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was one of the structures, like the dome, however, that was laid aside because of lack of funding at the time.  The 30-foot tall and 60-foot long scale model arch would be constructed south of the visitor's parking lot on the south of the Capitol. It would have a small amphitheater that could seat about 100 people, and the grassy area that now exists would be named Veterans Park.  HB 4012 creates a revolving fund into which state appropriations, donations, gifts and bequests by private individuals or other entities could deposit funds for the purpose of maintaining the arch. McBride said the project has been in the works since about 2014, before restoration of the Capitol began. He said he wanted to get the $250 million restoration project off the books on time and under budget before he ran this bill asking for funding for the arch. The estimated cost of the arch is $4.3 million, which would come from the Legacy Capital Financing Fund to the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority.  The Senate author of HB 4012 is Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City. 

Following numerous tornadoes across the state this spring, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed two bills Tuesday to assist communities affected by recent tornadoes. House Bill 2912 and House Bill 2913 were coauthored by and presented on the House floor by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, whose district includes the town of Barnsdall. The town suffered severe damage as a result of an EF4 tornado on May 6, which led to the deaths of two people and numerous injuries. "The outpouring of support from across the state and country has been tremendous, and I want to thank everyone who has already reached out," Strom said. "This funding represents a major step toward filling a crucial gap in hazard mitigation and restoring the communities across Oklahoma that have been or will be affected by natural disasters, and I'm glad to see strong support for these measures as they move through the process." HB2912 creates the State Assistance Dedicated for Disaster-impacted Local Economies Revolving Fund. The fund would provide advanced financial liquidity to governmental subdivisions directly impacted by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-declared emergency or disaster event. Governmental subdivisions could put the funds toward infrastructure repair, temporary housing and shelter, to fund gaps in required matching funds necessary to participate in FEMA programs, and to mitigate revenue losses. HB2913 appropriates $15 million to the State Emergency Fund and $30 million to the fund created by HB2912. Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, whose district is still grappling with the after-effects of a tornado in April 2023, expressed strong support for both bills. "Last year, I saw firsthand the incredible spirit of the Oklahoma standard as people traveled from across the state to provide support," Kerbs said. "Having resources like this funding available is crucial for meeting the minimum funding requirement for specific federal programs and assisting our affected neighbors in their rebuilding efforts." Both bills passed the House 80-0 on Tuesday and now move to the Senate for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today responded to what the Department of Corrections (DOC) is calling a "group disturbance" at the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. Humphrey, who chairs the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, recently criticized the department after two inmates were killed at the facility, which is managed by The Geo Group, a private owner. Initial reports said more than 30 people, including a corrections officer, were injured in the May 10 event. Corrections officials later downgraded that report to say only three people were injured. "I have been warning about escalation for months now in our state prison system, and here within the last two weeks we have multiple reports of incidences of violence resulting in death or injury in state prisons," Humphrey said. "And these are just the latest in a long list of such reports." In addition to the May 10 incident in Lawton, there was another report of inmate-on-inmate assault that sent two to the hospital with minor injuries from the same facility the week prior. Humphrey said he also received reports of a stabbing at a prison in Holdenville during the same timeframe. In addition, DOC reported that a deputy warden at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center was terminated and arrested May 10 for the introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Upon first hearing reports of two killed and 30 injured in Lawton, Humphrey called the Lawton incident a "mini riot" and said at the very least it was a precursor to a riot. In a May 13 press release, DOC Chief of Public Relations Kay Thompson called the event a "group disturbance" and said Humphrey "seems to lack an understanding of precisely what constitutes a riot in a correctional setting." She said the department’s definition of a riot was "when inmates band together and are violent toward the facility and staff, causing massive damage and disrupting operations." Humphrey said her definition sounds "exactly like what is reported to have happened in Lawton. It's not my fault if the department can't count – there's a big discrepancy between 30 injured and three." Thompson also reportedly told media outlets the "disturbance" happened as a result of human error, when two rival gangs were place in the same area together. Humphrey said he looks forward to Thompson following through on her public promise to release full details of the event once an investigation is complete. But he again is calling for an outside investigation of this and other reports of rapes, murders, assaults and other human rights violations at state prisons. Humphrey said he also takes issue with Thompson's claim he is misrepresenting the truth to fit a "self-serving" narrative. "My political career has been greatly harmed because of my willingness to take a stand on this and other issues that involve millions of taxpayer dollars," Humphrey said. "Bottom line is I will keep fighting for the rights of our correctional officers and our inmates and their family members and others who are affected by what's happening behind the walls of our corrections' centers." Humphrey has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and served over 20 years in the DOC. He is certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET), and has many other law enforcement certifications or endorsements. He previously served as chair of the House Public Safety Committee.

A measure establishing a pathway to fund a pilot program designed to expand opportunities to invest in Oklahoma's mental health workforce has been signed into law. House Bill 3449, authored by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, modifies the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund and establishes the University Hospitals Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund. The funds could be used to implement a pilot program at behavioral health facilities aimed at supporting behavioral health workforce development and facilitating access to behavioral health professionals. "I am glad to learn that the governor signed House Bill 3449," Boatman said. "It's critical that our flagship public universities assist the private sector in growing our mental health workforce. We currently have a critical shortage of psychology and psychiatry professionals in Oklahoma, and this bill is a great first step in addressing that issue."  "As our state continues to grapple with the challenges of mental health care, House Bill 3449 represents a significant step forward," Haste said. "By establishing this fund, we are paving the way for innovative pilot programs that will expand access to mental health services and support the growth of our mental health workforce." The bill also requires the University Hospitals Authority, along with the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority, to submit a report to the Legislature detailing the results of the first year of funding.  HB3449 was passed with an emergency clause, allowing the bill to take effect immediately upon being signed. The bill was signed by the governor on May 13.  

The governor recently signed legislation to provide financial grants to construct or retrofit homes against the destructive forces of tornadoes, windstorms, and hail. Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, authored House Bill 3089, establishing the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act within the Department of Insurance. It would make grants available to residential property owners with insurable property who reside in an approved county, meet certain home conditions, and own an owner-occupied, single-family residence. "Many constituents are seeking solutions to mitigate these rising insurance costs," Tedford said. "While we cannot control the weather, we can proactively protect our homes from its destructive forces. The goal is to help Oklahoma consumers lower their insurance rates and initiate the process of fortifying homes across the state." HB3089 would establish a grant program to assist homeowners in reinforcing their roofs with impact-resistant materials that meet the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) fortified standards. These funds will enable consumers to construct or retrofit their homes with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements. Under the measure, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-income applicants and applicants who live in areas more prone to catastrophic weather. The property owner must hire an approved evaluator to prequalify the property, obtain bids from at least three approved contractors, and follow specific retrofitting standards. The measure will become effective Nov. 1., with the first grants going out in 2025.

 Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, released the following statement applauding Attorney General Gentner Drummond's recent lawsuit against major diabetic drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS) for unfair pricing. "I commend General Drummond and his office for advocating for Oklahomans struggling to make ends meet while PBMs and health insurers continue to boast record profits year after year. Since the Attorney General's office took authority over PBMs, we have seen progress in curbing their anti-competitive and monopolistic practices. "The Oklahoma Legislature has been at the forefront of the battle against PBMs and their lack of transparency in the United States. This lack of transparency has resulted in higher drug prices and poorer health outcomes. Despite misinformation from these companies and the state chamber of commerce, the Oklahoma House and Senate have remained steadfast in fighting PBM abuses." Marti serves as the chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee. According to the petition Drummond filed Tuesday, in the past decade alone, manufacturer defendants have increased the prices of their insulins up to 1000%.

Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, extends his appreciation to Governor Stitt for signing a bill designed to help prisoners develop work skills for employment options upon their release from prison.   House Bill 3158 would modify the current school application requirements to help cosmetology and barber schools in prisons continue to educate and train students.  "The requirements for running a school within a prison are impractical, and the unique challenges that come with it need to be considered," Roberts said. "In recent years, lawmakers have worked to reduce hurdles to employment for people with a criminal record through reforms such as occupational licensing reform and expungement automation under certain circumstances. When an individual can find employment after serving their time, it significantly decreases the likelihood they will return to crime and incarceration." Under the measure, correctional facility schools are exempt from submitting a financial statement as they provide education free of charge and do not collect any funds. These schools will also obtain a memorandum of understanding from the Department of Corrections. RISE Cosmetology School currently offers training programs at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center. Witnessing former prisoners trained in cosmetology experience a transformative impact through this program, Roberts said he advocates expanding employment and educational opportunities to aid recently incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives after prison. Roberts also thanks Sen. Rader, R-Tulsa, for carrying the bill in the Senate. "I'd like to thank Senator Rader for advancing this measure in the Senate," Roberts said. "I am grateful for the governor's support and the cooperation of my fellow lawmakers in developing reforms that will help previously convicted individuals reenter the workforce." “House Bill 3158 helps make second chances possible for incarcerated Oklahomans,” Rader said. “Ensuring these individuals have marketable job skills to find gainful employment after completing their sentence improves the state's workforce and reduces recidivism rates. The governor’s support of this measure that will build on Oklahoma’s previous workforce initiatives and criminal justice reforms is greatly appreciated.” HB3158 will go into effect on Nov. 1. 

The Oklahoma House of Representatives recognized May 12 through May 18, 2024, as National Police Week and May 15, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Oklahoma. House Resolution 1050, authored by Rep. John George, R-Newalla, and Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, was adopted Monday, May 13. "Our police do so much for our citizens, from keeping them safe from criminals to helping direct them to needed assistance to providing community services to youth, the elderly, and so many other populations," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "We at the Oklahoma Legislature are proud to stand up publicly and say we back the blue and will always support them, and we appreciate all they do to protect us all from harm." During the past year, 136 officers nationwide have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, including Captain John Robert Randolph III of the Ringling Police Department in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma House honors these brave individuals and extends its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of these fallen officers. The resolution recognizes the House's strong support for law enforcement officers in Oklahoma and across the United States in their efforts to build safer and more secure communities.