Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law prohibiting edible medical marijuana products from being made in the shape of humans, cartoons or animals, or in a form of commercially available candy takes effect Nov. 1. Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, authored House Bill 4454 . The measure also requires edible medical marijuana products to clearly indicate the number of servings of THC in each package and the amount of THC in each individual serving. This includes drinks and beverages. "These changes are intended to better protect children from accidental ingestion of these potent products and to help us better inform consumers about recommended dosage amounts," Newton said. HB4454 specifies that edible marijuana products shall not be attractive to children. They cannot use any image or words designed or likely to appeal to anyone under the age of 18. This includes but is not limited to cartoons, toys, animals, food or depictions of persons younger than 18, including any characters or phrases popularly used to advertise to those under 18. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana in the state in 2018 through State Question 788. The question was brought to the ballot by voters themselves through the initiative petition process.  Newton, who is a practicing optometrist, said he's aware that some in the industry have complained about the changes this new law will require to manufacturing and packaging, but his efforts are to keep the public safe. "We've got to protect our kids and make sure they don't get sick or worse thinking they are just eating some colorful candy," Newton said. "We also owe it to consumers to be clear about how much THC is contained in each package. This makes sure patients are fully informed on the medical marijuana they are taking to prevent overmedicating." HB4454 amends existing state statute. There are no new penalties in the law for licensed processors. They already are subject to up to two yearly inspections by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Those found deficient have one month to correct or face a $500 fine per deficiency. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two new laws taking effect Nov. 1 will further strengthen Oklahoma's administrative rules process by requiring state agencies to demonstrate clear legal authority for their regulations and making agency guidance documents more accessible to the public. House Bill 4319 , authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, requires clear legal authority for agency rules, which carry the weight of law. Senate Bill 1433 , the Guidance Transparency Act, carried by Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, requires agencies to make guidance documents publicly available and submit them for publication in a centralized, searchable format. Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature for approval. "Administrative agencies have a responsibility to carry out the laws passed by the Legislature, but they must do so in a transparent way and within the bounds of what the law specifically allows," said Kendrix, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. "We have made significant and much-needed reforms to this process over the last three years, and I appreciate my colleagues' support of these measures and the work Representative Hall has done to continue building on this important work." HB4319 limits state agencies to adopting rules supported by specific and explicit authorization in state law rather than relying solely on general statements of rulemaking authority. The law also strengthens legislative review by requiring lawmakers to determine whether proposed rules have specific statutory authorization and fall within the scope of that authority. In addition, agencies must review existing rules and determine whether they meet the requirements within three years or risk noncompliant rules being repealed. "House Bill 4319 reinforces the Legislature's constitutional authority in making law," Kendrix said. "By strengthening the emphasis on specific statutory authority, we can confirm agencies implement intended legislative policy rather than establishing requirements without proper authorization from the elected officials tasked with lawmaking responsibility." SB1433 addresses another part of the regulatory process: agency guidance documents that communicate official policies, interpretations or recommendations but are not necessarily formal administrative rules. The Guidance Transparency Act requires certain state agencies to make guidance documents available for public inspection online or at their primary places of business. Agencies also must submit the documents to the Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules for publication in a centralized, searchable format and keep the information current. "Making agency guidance more accessible gives Oklahomans a clearer picture of how decisions are made and what they can expect when working with state government," Hall said. "I believe this change will make a meaningful difference for people trying to navigate those processes. Greater transparency also brings greater accountability, and that's something that benefits everyone." Together, the measures build on recent efforts to limit agency overreach and restore accountability to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process. In 2025, the Legislature enacted four major reforms addressing legislative oversight, agency authority and public accountability. The Secretary of State's Office also launched rules.ok.gov , an online portal where Oklahomans can review proposed rules, submit public comments and sign up for updates on agency rulemaking. 

Two Edmond-area lawmakers thanked Gov. Kevin Stitt for naming numerous census tracts as federal Opportunity Zones, an effort aimed at attracting private investment, encouraging economic development and creating new opportunities in local communities. Three census tracts located in Edmond have been designated as Opportunity Zones, creating new opportunities to attract private investment for housing, downtown revitalization and commercial development. Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, who represents two of the three selected tracts, highlighted municipal leaders' coordinated strategy to connect housing needs, downtown and University of Central Oklahoma traffic and future developments along the city's southern gateway. "I appreciate Gov. Stitt's leadership in securing these Opportunity Zone nominations for Oklahoma," Harris said. "Encouraging private investment in our communities can help create jobs, strengthen our local economies and create new opportunities for Oklahoma families and businesses. These designations give local leaders another tool to support growth and make our state more competitive." In addition to other economic development opportunities, planned projects within the three tracts include: Census Tract 1082.03: A $90 million housing and mixed-use development. Census Tract 1082.04: A proposed $150 million transit-oriented development, a proposed $10 million project and a potential future commuter rail along the Edmond-Oklahoma City-Norman corridor. Census Tract 1082.07: Two mixed-use and multi-family developments totaling $76 million. Together, the three tracts have a documented pipeline of $360.5 million in planned private investment across nine identified future projects. Approximately $285.8 million in public and private investment is anticipated to be completed. Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, represents one of the three tracts designated Wednesday. "Opportunity zones can help bring private capital to projects that might otherwise face challenges getting across the finish line," Osburn said. "Edmond has already taken advantage of this program, and this designation creates another opportunity to build on that work, attract businesses and expand housing options. From housing near jobs and services to investment around downtown and UCO, these three areas each have an important role in Edmond’s future." Osburn, Harris and other Edmond legislators worked with local leaders to develop the three-tract economic approach and advocate for the designations. "This designation comes in a large part thanks to the relentless work of our Edmond municipal leaders to coordinate with private partners," Harris said. "Edmond is now in a stronger position to attract new investment that benefits our community and strengthens Oklahoma's economy as a whole." Opportunity Zones are federally designated census tracts where qualifying investments made through Qualified Opportunity Funds may receive federal tax benefits. It does not guarantee project financing, approval or construction. The U.S. Department of the Treasury must certify the selected census tracts before they receive official Opportunity Zone designation. The renewed program is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with the new designations lasting 10 years. The full map of nominated tracts may be found here .