Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill in committee that would criminalize a straw purchase of property on behalf of a foreign national. House Bill 3495 would make it unlawful to knowingly and willfully purchase or attempt to obtain any property on behalf of a foreign national. Punishment would be a felony not to exceed two years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. The measure defines "straw person or party" as a third party who is put up in name only to take part in a transaction. "This law will help stop organized crime and cartel activity that has allowed a free-flow of human, drug and sex trafficking in and through Oklahoma," Duel said. "We must secure ourselves from hostile foreign interests that do not have our best interests, or even our survival, at heart." Duel pointed to the number of drug busts conducted on illegal marijuana grows in the state - and the consequent number of people arrested that were in the country illegally – as evidence of the problem of straw purchase. He also notes that Interstates 35 and 40, which crisscross the state and the nation, have long served as major corridors for human and drug smuggling. Shutting down the straw purchase loophole, will help stop the amount of illegal activity along these highways and throughout the state. "In talking with law enforcement from across Oklahoma, it's evident this has become a growing problem," Duel said. "We must have the ability to prosecute and punish those who would seek to hide behind gaps in the law." The bill passed the Criminal Judiciary Committee on a vote of 5-0. It now is eligible for consideration in the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, on Tuesday won committee passage of a bill he says will make the state pro-business and more competitive. House Bill 3498 is a modernization of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and state LLC statutes. "This is a pro-business bill that would invite new investment in Oklahoma and ensure the businesses that are here remain," Duel said. "It would update numerous outdated provisions to better reflect how corporations actually act in today's economy." Duel acknowledged announcements in the past week of two major Oklahoma employers moving operations to Houston. While this bill might not have changed the outcome, he said, it would have improved the chances of keeping those businesses in Oklahoma. "A number of our corporation and business laws have not been updated in years," he said. "This would help us modernize our corporate structure so Oklahoma can compete with other states." Duel said a number of companies incorporate in Delaware, for instance, because that state has laws similar to what is included in his bill. "This would give financial certainty that our laws will encourage investment," he said. The bill passed the House Business Committee on a vote of 7-1. It now is eligible for consideration in the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development Oversight.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, passed a bill in committee this week that would require public schools to provide annual firearm safety instruction to students.  House Bill 3312 would require schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction from the earliest grade determined appropriate through 12th grade. The Oklahoma State Department of Education, in consultation with the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, would develop or approve the curriculum. Instruction must cover safe storage, school safety and what students should do if they find a firearm. The curriculum must remain viewpoint neutral and may not include live firearms or ammunition.  “If a child comes across a firearm, they need to know exactly what to do,” Eaves said. “This bill focuses on awareness, responsibility and making sure students receive consistent, age-appropriate safety instruction.”  The bill received a 9-2 vote and would require schools beginning in the 2026-27 school year to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction from the earliest grade determined appropriate through 12th grade. Schools would determine how best to incorporate the instruction into the academic year.  HB3312 now advances to the Education Oversight Committee for further consideration.