Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, was unanimously elected vice chair of the Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee for The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South). “As an alum of CSG South’s leadership development program, I appreciate the opportunity to share and learn best practices and policies from leaders across the region," Pae said. "Fiscal and government operations policies directly impact every aspect of state government, and I am honored to serve as the incoming vice chair and work with our chair, CSG South and the 15 Southern states." The CSG South Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee is comprised of state legislators and legislative staff from the 15 CSG South member states. The committee develops policies and programs on a wide array of fiscal issues impacting state budgets and finances, as well as governmental operations topics such as artificial intelligence and regulatory oversight. As vice chair, Pae will assist in forming the committee’s policy focus and projects, including programming for the 79th Annual Southern Legislative Conference next July in Alabama. Pae has served House District 62 since 2018, where he represents west Lawton. He is chair of the House Rural Development Committee and vice chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on General Government. In 2020, he served as co-vice chair of the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee following the decennial U.S. census. Before being elected to the House, he worked in municipal government in Lawton. Pae graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 and holds a master’s degree in public administration, as well as undergraduate degrees in economics and political science. A long-time appointee to CSG South's Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee, Pae is a graduate of the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) Class of 2019. He also was a 2022 Henry Toll Fellow and received CSG's 20 Under 40 Leadership Award that same year. In 2019, he was awarded the Rising Star Award by the International Leadership Foundation (ILF) for his professional achievements and dedication to the improvement of the Asian Pacific American community. CSG South is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, established in 1947, that exists to support members in all three branches of state government.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statement regarding a recent executive order by State Superintendent Ryan Walters to allow the Bible and the Ten Commandments to be used as historical texts in statewide public schools. "I feel it is important as a state representative that I announce my public position on this matter. I would caution anyone from letting their opinion of the state superintendent cloud their judgement. The first issue is the question: is it legal to use the Bible and Ten Commandments as historical texts? It is my understanding the courts have ruled the Bible and Ten Commandments can be used as historical texts. Therefore, it is my understanding that it is absolutely legal to teach using these texts. However, it is my understanding the Bible and Ten Commandments cannot be used to encourage or teach religion or religious views.  The second issue is, do the parents of the school districts desire their schools to use the Bible and Ten Commandments to teach their children?  I believe that the recent events of the past month have inspired more public support for these foundational documents. I have received numerous opinions on this matter, but I feel the overwhelming majority support using the Bible and Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.  I personally support using the Bible and the Ten Commandments because these are the historical and foundational principles on which our nation has been established. When we have followed these foundational principles, we have prospered, and look at us now. As for me and my house, we will always follow these teachings."

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday ceremonially signed a bill supporting the health and well-being of military personnel. House Bill 3673, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, establishes the Oklahoma Tricare Reserve Select Reimbursement Program to provide grants to military members on state active duty orders for more than 30 days. These grants will reimburse eligible personnel for the cost of purchasing Tricare Reserve Select insurance coverage, benefiting both the service members and their immediate family members.  "This legislation represents our commitment to the men and women who serve our state," Miller said. "By alleviating the financial burden of healthcare costs, we are ensuring that they can focus on their vital duties without worrying about the health and well-being of their families." Miller said the Oklahoma Tricare Reserve Select Reimbursement Program will be a critical resource for those who serve on extended state active duty, providing them with peace of mind and essential healthcare coverage. Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, coauthored the bill. Her district includes Tinker Air Force Base. "This program ensures that those on state active duty are supported not only in their critical roles but also in securing the healthcare coverage they need for themselves and their families," Stanley said. "I appreciate Representative Miller, Governor Stitt, and the special guests who joined us for the ceremonial signing of this legislation. It is always an honor to come together in support of our service members and to celebrate policies that serve those who have served us." Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, also attended Wednesday's ceremonial signing. "As a veteran who was wounded in combat, I can't stress enough the importance of having the proper amount and the right type of insurance coverage not only for ourselves but for our family members," West said. "I'm grateful to see this bill signed into law to begin helping our military members with the cost of such coverage." Miller worked on the legislation with the National Guard Association of Oklahoma (NGAOK). "The National Guard Association of Oklahoma is excited on the signing of HB 3673 as it will provide another needed benefit to our Oklahoma Guardsmen while they are serving the state," said James Hight, who serves as president of NGAOK. "We would like to thank the many legislators, Governor and the Oklahoma National Guard for putting in the work to ensure Oklahoma Guardsmen have all the tools they need to complete any mission they are given. The Oklahoma National Guard is always ready and always there because of the countless efforts of so many to ensure they are the best Guardsmen in the country." The program will be administered by the Oklahoma Military Department. HB3673 takes effect Nov. 1.