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OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, has re-filed to serve as speaker-designate for the Republican Caucus of the House of Representatives for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature. Hilbert was the only member to file for the position. The Speaker of the House serves as the chamber’s chief presiding officer, overseeing committee appointments, the flow of legislation, and management of the House budget and staff, and serves as an ex officio voting member on all House committees. “I am grateful for the continued support of my colleagues and the opportunity to serve during my final term in the House,” Hilbert said. “We are not finished. I remain fully committed to strengthening our state and ensuring Oklahoma is an even better place to live, work and raise a family. I am eager to continue working with Pro Temp Paxton and Governor Stitt and I look forward to seeing the progress we’ve made over the past few years continue alongside whomever is the next Governor.” Hilbert was first selected as speaker-designate ahead of the 60th Legislature and currently serves as Speaker of the House. During his tenure, the House has prioritized improving public education outcomes, building historic savings, tax relief for Oklahoma families, and long-term infrastructure improvements. First elected in 2016 to represent House District 29, Hilbert previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore and vice chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. Hilbert resides in Bristow with his wife, Alexis, and two daughters with one additional child on the way. Under majority caucus rules, the speaker-designate is formally selected by the Republican Caucus during an election year, with the full House voting on organizational day when the next Legislature convenes. “Our caucus is unified and focused on delivering results for the people of Oklahoma in the 2026 session,” Hilbert said.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation aimed at shielding Oklahoma families and small businesses from higher utility bills is advancing at the Capitol. A measure that would require data centers to cover the infrastructure costs tied to their operations passed the House Utilities Policy Committee today with a unanimous 7-0 vote, clearing another step in the legislative process. Authored by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, House Bill 2992 , the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would set guidelines for how electric suppliers and regulators address the rising energy demands of large data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. The bill defines "large load customers" as new facilities adding 75 megawatts or more of demand and clarifies that residential, commercial and traditional industrial customers are not included in that classification. "I appreciate the strong support behind this bill, especially from members of the Utilities Committee who understand how important this issue is for Oklahoma families," Boles said. "With more than a dozen potential data centers considering our state, we must make sure everyday Oklahomans are not left paying higher electric bills because of increased demand. This is about protecting ratepayers and ensuring large energy users pay for the infrastructure needed to support their operations instead of shifting those costs onto families and small businesses." The legislation would require the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and other governing bodies to ensure rates remain fair and that costs are assigned according to cost causation principles, meaning those who create the demand are responsible for the associated expenses. Electric suppliers would need to establish separate terms and conditions for large load customers, including credit protections and a minimum 10-year service commitment to reduce the risk of stranded costs if a facility leaves or significantly reduces usage. The measure would apply to all electric suppliers operating in the state . "I will continue working with my colleagues as well as stakeholders to move this bill forward thru the legislative process," Boles said. "We have a duty to put proper ratepayer protections in place. Oklahoma families should not be expected to finance major system upgrades required for high-demand users. Those costs should rest with the companies driving the need." Boles will next present the measure in the House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Committee, which he chairs.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A measure to increase Oklahoma’s homestead exemption and provide direct property tax relief to homeowners statewide has been filed by Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City. House Bill 4145 would increase the state’s homestead exemption from $1,000 to $7,000 of a home’s assessed value. If enacted, homeowners would subtract $7,000 from their home’s assessed value before property taxes are calculated. Lowering the taxable value would, in turn, reduce the overall tax bill. The change would apply statewide to qualifying primary residences. "This is broad-based, straightforward relief that will reach working families, seniors on fixed incomes and longtime homeowners who have watched their property values steadily increase," Manger said. "It keeps the foundation of our local funding system intact while giving homeowners room to breathe." Property taxes, or ad valorem taxes, are an integral source of local funding, supporting public schools, CareerTech, county law enforcement and courts, road and bridge work and other essential services such as police, fire, libraries and emergency medical care. Amid recent calls to eliminate property taxes entirely, Manger said any reform effort must acknowledge both the essential services these dollars support and the growing strain on homeowners as property values and tax bills rise. "The dollars collected through property taxes keep our schools open, our roads maintained and our communities safe," Manger said. "At the same time, families are opening their tax statements and seeing bills climb higher each year. We have a responsibility to address that pressure in a thoughtful way." If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, the measure would represent one of the most significant increases to the homestead exemption in state law and would begin delivering relief in 2027. Manger says HB4145 was designed to offer meaningful relief while preserving the framework that funds essential local services. "We can support our schools and local governments while also recognizing the real impact rising property taxes have on families," he said. "House Bill 4145 is about striking that balance and doing right by the people we serve." Under current law, qualifying homeowners receive an exemption on the first $1,000 of assessed value. If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, House Bill 4145 would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.