Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Cash payments made to Oklahoma state and local governments will be rounded to the nearest nickel after the Oklahoma Common Cents Act was signed into law. House Bill 3075 , authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, and Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, establishes standardized rounding rules for cash transactions made to state agencies and political subdivisions. The rounding requirements apply only to cash, public transactions made to government entities and does not impact private businesses or electronic transactions. Payments made by check, debit card, credit card or other electronic methods will not be affected. "This is a practical solution that reflects how people are already using cash today," Hildebrant said. "As the use of the penny continues to decline, there is a need for clear statutory authority allowing state agencies and political subdivisions to round cash transactions in a consistent manner. I appreciate the Governor for signing this into law and my colleagues for their unanimous support in moving this measure forward." Under the law, cash payments ending in $0.01 or $0.02 would be rounded down to $0.00, amounts ending in $0.03 or $0.04 would be rounded up to $0.05, amounts ending in $0.06 or $0.07 would be rounded down to $0.05, and amounts ending in $0.08 or $0.09 would be rounded up to $0.10. To address any minimal rounding differences in property tax collections, the measure directs counties to absorb discrepancies through unappropriated general fund revenue. For all other payments, political subdivisions may use any available fund under their control to account for rounding differences. Hildebrant said the legislation was requested by Rogers County Treasurer Jason Carini after the county reviewed several years of cash transaction data and found the overall impact of rounding would be negligible. "The Rogers County penny analysis showed the rounding approach is essentially neutral overall, and in some years, it resulted in a slight net gain," Hildebrant said. Rogers County analyzed its own data to see what the result of rounding would have been. The county recorded 1,517 cash transactions in 2023, resulting in a net gain of $0.21 cents through rounding. In 2024, 1,555 cash transactions resulted in a net gain of $0.75 cents. In 2025, 1,542 cash transactions resulted in a net gain of $0.86 cents. The Oklahoma Common Cents Act mirrors similar legislation being considered at the federal level that would end penny production and require cash transactions to round to the nearest five cents. The Oklahoma Common Cents Act takes effect Nov. 1, for state agencies. Political subdivisions, including cities and counties, will have until July 1, 2027, to transition to the new rounding requirements.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, are praising Gov. Kevin Stitt for signing House Bill 2992 , the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, into law. The measure is designed to protect Oklahoma families, small businesses and traditional utility customers from rising utility and infrastructure costs tied to large-scale energy users such as data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. "As Oklahoma continues to grow and attract this new industry, we have to make sure the cost of that growth does not fall on hardworking families and small businesses," Boles said. "I appreciate Governor Stitt for signing this legislation into law, Senator Green for his partnership and all of my colleagues for recognizing the importance of protecting Oklahoma ratepayers. I am proud that Oklahomans will not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of massive data centers and other large-scale energy users while still allowing our state to grow responsibly." Green also praised the signing of the bill, saying the new law will give local communities a voice and greater transparency when new data center developments are proposed in their areas. "As a farmer and rancher, I have serious concerns about the growing number of data centers and how they could impact rural Oklahoma," Green said. "One of my biggest fears is that thousands of acres of prime farmland could be ruined by massive warehouses and industrial sites that drain all the local resources. I don’t want to see that happen here in Oklahoma. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act brings much-needed transparency to these developments, so deals aren’t made behind closed doors without input from local property owners. I want to thank Representative Boles for being a great partner as we worked on this legislation. I also appreciate the support from the governor and my colleagues across the Legislature." HB2992 sets guidelines for how Oklahoma utilities and regulators manage the growing energy demands of large-scale users, including data centers and AI facilities consuming 75 megawatts or more of power. The law also increases transparency by requiring developers to notify nearby landowners, county commissioners and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission within 60 days of acquiring land for qualifying projects. "This bill makes it clear that when you plug into Oklahoma’s world?class energy grid, you come to the table as a partner and do your part to cover the costs," Gov. Stitt said. "That’s how we keep Oklahoma a Top 10 state and the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family. Oklahoma is open for business, and we welcome data centers and other technology investments that want to grow here the right way." The legislation aligns with the Ratepayer Protection Pledge Proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, which calls on leading hyperscalers and AI companies to provide and pay for the energy and infrastructure needed to build and operate data centers. Several major technology companies have also agreed that as energy demand grows alongside new data center development, American households should not bear the cost of the required infrastructure. 36 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties signed on as co-authors of the legislation. The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 becomes effective July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, today commented on the signing of House Bill 4275 , a measure aimed at strengthening and expanding Oklahoma’s mental health workforce by providing clarity and consistency in certification standards.  HB 4275 updates state law to allow certified behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists to maintain their certification through employment at the city and county level. The measure helps expand local access to care and strengthens support services for county sheriffs, courts, and first responders, including police and fire departments.  Miller said the changes will help communities better respond to mental health needs by supporting the people on the front lines of care.  "These are the people meeting others where they are and helping them navigate some of the hardest moments in their lives," Miller said. "They should be able to focus on that work without unnecessary barriers standing in the way of serving those who rely on their support most. This law helps clear the way so more communities can build strong, local support systems."  Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, is the Senate author of the bill.  "This is a widely supported reform that will strengthen Oklahoma’s response to mental health crises and help connect people with the care they need," Reinhardt said. "Certified behavioral health case managers can play a critical role alongside police officers and firefighters by de-escalating situations and connecting individuals to support services. I appreciate Representative Miller’s leadership on this issue."  Miller said the measure reflects a broader effort to strengthen Oklahoma’s behavioral health system through practical updates that allow providers to serve in critical roles in their cities and counties while maintaining professional standards.  HB4275 will take effect Nov. 1, 2026.