Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, and Sen. Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, praised  Senate Bill 1344  being signed into law, creating the Oklahoma Insulin Access and Affordability Program to help expand access to affordable insulin and encourage domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. The new law places the Insulin Access and Affordability Program within the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The program is designed to increase patient access to affordable insulin, reduce prescription drug costs, encourage American manufacturing, increase marketplace competition and address shortages of generic insulin. "For too many families, insulin is not just expensive, it is a life-sustaining medication they cannot go without," Stinson said. "I am proud the Legislature saw the need and answered the call. This will improve access to affordable insulin while also supporting innovation and American manufacturing. No Oklahoman should have to choose between paying their bills and getting the medication they need to stay alive." Rosino also praised the signing of the bill into law. "With Senate Bill 1344 now law, we are opening the door to more competition, greater transparency, and lower insulin costs for patients across Oklahoma," Rosino said. "Our state is leading the way in ensuring affordable insulin is in reach for every Oklahoman. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues, advocates, and healthcare professionals to deliver meaningful relief for families who depend on insulin every day." The Department of Health will be authorized to provide financial support to one or more pharmaceutical manufacturers that are producing or developing fast-acting biosimilar insulin in the United States under the law. Before receiving funding, manufacturers must enter into a memorandum of understanding with the department and provide a match of non-state funds equal to the amount received from the state, along with meeting additional requirements outlined in the legislation. Manufacturers participating in the program will also be required to submit annual reports detailing the development, production and distribution of fast-acting biosimilar insulin. The Department of Health will compile those reports into a single annual report for submission to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. SB1344 becomes effective Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, applauded the signing of House Bill 4274 , a measure to support military families by improving school transfer access for their children. HB4274 updates Oklahoma’s open transfer law to better support active-duty military families during relocation. The measure requires school districts to treat military students relocating under official orders as in-district residents during enrollment periods, allowing schools to begin processing enrollment paperwork earlier and giving families greater certainty and stability as they transition to a new community. Currently, many military families must wait until out-of-district enrollment opens in the summer before beginning the process, often leaving them without confirmation of placement until just weeks before the school year begins. HB4274 helps remove that uncertainty by allowing families to start enrollment before establishing residency, helping students remain on track academically and providing military families reassurance during an already demanding move process. "When your family is relocating on military orders, everything moves quickly and there’s a lot to navigate all at once," Miller said. "Getting your kids enrolled in school shouldn’t be the part that slows you down. This helps ensure continuity in their education so students can get established in their new school right away. I’m grateful to Sen. Pugh for partnering with me to get this across the finish line so families can settle in and students can start strong from day one." Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, is the Senate author of the measure. "Military families already sacrifice so much in service to our country, and frequent moves are part of that reality," Pugh said. "As an Air Force veteran, I know how important stability and continuity are for children during those transitions. This bill helps ensure students can get enrolled quickly and seamlessly so families can focus on settling into their new community instead of navigating red tape. It’s a commonsense step that shows Oklahoma values and supports the men and women who serve. I appreciate Representative Miller for getting this through on the House side." HB4274 has been signed into law and will take effect July 1, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to prevent the misuse of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, has been signed into law. House Bill 1933 , authored by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, and known as the Maddix Bias Act, makes it a misdemeanor to possess, buy, sell or transfer nitrous oxide for the purpose of intoxication. Violators could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Sterling said the issue is deeply personal to him, as he served as a school administrator for Maddix’s mother and has known the family for years. "When the family came to me in October 2024, they wanted to know what we as a Legislature could do to help prevent another tragedy like this from happening," Sterling said. "From that moment on, I knew we needed to take this issue seriously and work toward meaningful change to protect Oklahoma families." The new law is named in honor of Maddix Bias, a 2023 Tecumseh High School graduate and standout baseball player whose life was tragically cut short in a car crash caused by his boss, who was under the influence of nitrous oxide. "I am proud the Governor signed this bill into law and recognized the serious dangers these whippets can pose," Sterling said. "Maddix was a great young man, and I hope this effort helps preserve his legacy by raising awareness and helping create safer communities across Oklahoma." The measure also will increase penalties for possession of larger quantities and for those who sell or provide nitrous oxide to minors, including potential jail time, steeper fines and suspension of business licenses. HB1933 aligns with national efforts like H.R 7945 , the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026, which aims to curb the sale and misuse of nitrous oxide consumer products while preserving its legitimate applications. "This is something we had to address, and I am proud of my colleagues for consistently stepping up and doing what is right through unanimous votes throughout the legislative session," Sterling said. "These young people are the future of Oklahoma, and we have a responsibility to protect them. This new law helps do exactly that." The Maddix Bias Act becomes effective Aug. 14.