Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Tim Turner, R-Kinta, this week held an interim study reviewing Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) eligibility and transfer rules as well as usage of school athletic facilities. The study, held before the House Common Education Committee, specifically examined the implementation of OSSAA Rule 24, commonly referred to as the "Link Rule," which is intended to discourage student athletes from changing school districts to follow a trainer and/or coach for athletic purposes. Lawmakers said they wanted to consider the rule in relation to Senate Bill 783 , passed in 2021, which amended provisions of the Education Open Transfer Act. The act governs student mobility and participation in public school extracurricular activity. "We took a close look at how Rule 24 is being applied and whether it reflects the intent of the Open Transfer law," Miller said. "Families make school decisions for many different reasons, and kids should still be able to stay connected to the activities and teams that give them a sense of belonging. We also heard how restrictions on the use of public school fields for camps or training during the school year can create challenges, particularly when they limit opportunities for Oklahoma student athletes to demonstrate their skills and talent. These are real situations for real students. Moving forward, I want to ensure our rules are clear, fair and truly supportive of the opportunities our students work so hard for." Turner said, "Today's study was not a witch hunt but to look at concerns brought to legislators by parents, coaches and citizens about the OSSAA. We want to keep high school sports fun and make sure student athletes are able to better themselves to go to the next level. We want to stay on facts and present evidence gathered by each speaker to help the legislative body determine the way they would like OSSAA to proceed." OSSAA Executive Director David Jackson said the association is not just some outside entity imposing rules on schools. It's an organization created and governed by school administrators who voluntarily join in order to operate on a level playing field in athletic and other competitions. The intent is to keep the focus on education rather than on winning at all costs. The 482 member schools themselves set the rules by which they're governed, and they can change them if necessary. It's also important to note OSSAA oversees about 30 co-curricular activities, including the arts such as vocal and instrumental music, theater, speech and debate, among others. About 150,000 students are served through the organization each year. Jackson said OSSAA's foundational rule of residence eligibility states that a student is eligible to compete only in the school district where the parents reside. If a student transfers to a school outside the district, then they are required to sit out one year from varsity-level participation unless they are given an exception, or what OSSAA would call a hardship waiver. During the first two-and-a-half months of the current school year, OSSAA tracked 1,060 exceptions requested by students transferring out of their district who wanted to be granted eligibility. Jackson said 1,003 of those requests – about 95% - were approved. In recent years, Jackson said member schools of the association determined to allow students 9th grade and above to select whatever school they would like to attend and then be granted one free transfer. He said they are fielding requests, however, from students who are unhappy with the school where they transferred. They either want to transfer back to their original school or onto another school. There are some guardrails and timelines around when transfers can occur, he said. Jackson also addressed the Link Rule. "Schools have always been concerned about students that want to follow a coach that maybe changed jobs. When the exception – the free transfer – came about, they (school administrators) absolutely anticipated that's even going to magnify that issue a great deal more, and they're right about that." Several parents and a student spoke at the meeting as did former Rep. Mark Vancuren, who also previously worked as a coach.  Chris Adamson, a Deer Creek School Board member and the parent of student athletes, spoke about restrictions on high school sports facilities for use by outside entities. His son, who played quarterback, frequently had to attend camps and other events outside of the state to get before college recruiters. Sixty-one events between January and May and not one of them was in Oklahoma, he said. He knows for a fact there have been inquiries about running them in the state, but there have been obstacles to getting these events run on high school campuses. "These are incredibly important exposure and recruiting events," Adamson said. "This impacts Oklahomans to find the best opportunities for college." From a school board perspective, Adamson said there is a lot of lost revenue for schools because of these restrictions. Additional study presenters included Tom George, chief executive officer and founder of QB Impact; Cindy Morey, a parent of a student athlete; Hannah Whitten, an attorney with Whitten Burrage; and Kent Rossander, one of four Glencoe High School students initially deemed ineligible to play after transferring earlier this year. The entire study can be viewed here . 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, and Sen. Spencer Kern, R-Duncan, hosted an interim study Monday examining the role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Oklahoma’s health care system and how their practices affect patient access, local pharmacies, and state health care costs. "I’ve seen firsthand how PBM practices can harm both patients and independent pharmacies," Marti said. "Our goal is to ensure every Oklahoman receives fair pricing and quality care while protecting the local pharmacies that keep our communities healthy." Experts testified about the financial pressures PBMs place on community pharmacies and the complexity of the drug supply chain. Jonathan Buxton of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association said PBMs aim to maintain pharmacy access while controlling costs for plan sponsors. However, several witnesses noted that pharmacies are often reimbursed below acquisition costs, threatening their long-term viability and patient access, especially in rural areas. Marti expressed concern over the continued decline of community pharmacies and questioned whether PBMs are ensuring fair reimbursement rates to keep them sustainable. Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46Brooklyn Research and 3 Axis Advisors, said nearly every participant in the drug supply chain, from manufacturers to PBMs, has financial incentives that can obscure transparency and drive up prices. Independent pharmacists shared firsthand challenges. Todd Pendergraft, co-owner of Broken Arrow Family Drug Stores, reported nearly $30,000 in underpayments on workers’ compensation prescriptions last year and described PBMs steering patients to PBM-owned pharmacies. Lucas Coody, PharmD, Director of Government Affairs at AlignRx, said the burdensome and ever-changing PBM appeals process, combined with disregard for Oklahoma statutes, often causes pharmacies to abandon reimbursement disputes altogether. Scott Biggs, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission, explained that while his agency enforces maximum reimbursement rates, PBMs are regulated by the Attorney General’s Office and the Insurance Department. Michael Leake, Deputy Attorney General and Director, PBM Compliance and Enforcement Unit, said enforcement actions have recovered $32 million for the state health plan and made Oklahoma a national leader in PBM oversight and transparency. Kern said the findings highlight the need for stronger regulation. "PBMs play an important role, but we cannot allow practices that harm our state budget or limit patient access to essential medications." Marti thanked participants for their testimony and announced plans to pursue PBM reform legislation in the 2026 session to ensure fair treatment for both pharmacies and patients statewide. The Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature will convene on Feb. 2, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, hosted interim study IS25-115 , Life Without Parole Sentencing Review, which examined Oklahoma’s use of life without parole (LWOP) sentences, including an exploration of second look policies and their economic impact. The study discussed the growing number of states adopting second look policies, which allow courts to review life or long-term sentences after evidence of rehabilitation. "My goal for this study was to ask if our current sentencing practices are fair and if not, what a change should look like," Williams said. "There are other states that have implemented second look laws, and Oklahoma could benefit from a similar pathway." Colleen McCarty, executive director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law, presented data showing the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ daily cost per inmate is $67.53, totaling $24,648 annually and nearly $493,000 over 20 years, excluding geriatric healthcare costs. She noted that several states , including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington, as well as the Council of the District of Columbia, have adopted second look policies. McCarty added that Oklahoma’s recently enacted Survivors’ Act reflects similar principles and could serve as a model for future reform. Under potential proposals, adults serving LWOP sentences could become eligible for review after 20 years if they meet rehabilitation benchmarks, including educational achievements, program completions and positive conduct. Victims and survivors would be notified and given an opportunity to provide input during the process. For individuals sentenced before age 25, a review could occur after 15 years, with courts considering factors such as youth trauma, maturity and rehabilitation. Denied petitions could be refiled every five years. McCarty estimated that if just 10 people qualified per year, Oklahoma could save roughly $246,000 annually. The study also included testimony from community members and family members of incarcerated Oklahomans who have been affected by sentencing laws. "As a Christian, I believe in redemption and forgiveness for everyone, but people must show they’ve done the work to heal and change," Williams said. "They should be given the chance to prove it." The study took place on Oct. 21 before the House Public Safety Committee at the Oklahoma State Capitol.