Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed legislation this week giving Oklahoma families more control of funeral options for their loved ones. House Bill 3660 , authored by Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, would create a balance between personal freedom and public responsibility. It would give Oklahoma families an additional end-of-life option while ensuring the process is governed by strong commonsense safeguards. The legislation would mandate nothing but would allow those who want additional options for their loved ones to do so with confidence that those options are safe and responsibly managed. "This bill is about giving Oklahoma families the freedom to make their own choices about how to bury their loved ones, and making sure that when they do, it’s done the right way," Dempsey said. "The government shouldn't be able to dictate or restrict how a family wants to lay their loved ones to rest." Dempsey also addressed lies circulating about the bill, emphasizing that the bill does not weaken existing protections or create new risks to the public. "A lot of what’s being said about this legislation is inaccurate," Dempsey said. "This bill includes safeguards and limitations, with strict state oversight. This is not a government mandate - no one is required to use it. It simply gives families a choice that currently doesn’t exist in Oklahoma." This legislation works within existing law that already prohibits this organic material from being used in agriculture, food production or commercial distribution of any kind. Those restrictions in the Consumer Protection Division of the Oklahoma Fertilizer Act are governed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry under Title 2, Sections 8-77. This provides an additional layer of legal protection ensuring the material cannot enter Oklahoma’s food ecosystem. It also aligns with existing regulations established by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Funeral Board, which, under state law, are responsible for licensing and regulating the process. "There is no pathway legally or practically for this material to enter Oklahoma’s food supply or agricultural system," Dempsey said. "The protections are layered, they are explicit and they will be enforced. Families can have complete confidence in that. Anything said to the contrary is a lie meant to stir up Oklahomans for political gain." Dempsey says the bill is a straightforward approach to protect personal choice, uphold public health and make sure it is done the right way. "It ensures the process operates under clear, enforceable standards and accountability," Dempsey said. "The body is placed in a controlled environment, monitored throughout and tested at completion to ensure it is free of harmful pathogens before being returned to the family. Loved ones are allowed to keep the soil to spread the same way they might spread the ashes of someone who has been cremated." HB3660 is now eligible to be heard in the Senate.

Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, announced today that he will not seek reelection to House District 81: "Serving Edmond and the great state of Oklahoma has truly been the honor of a lifetime. "When I first stepped into the Capitol, I didn’t have a grand plan to become a ‘career politician’. In fact, if you had told me back then I’d spend a decade in this seat, I probably would’ve laughed and asked where the nearest exit was. But somewhere between the long committee hearings, late nights at the Capitol and the responsibility of representing the people of Edmond, this work became deeply personal. "I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside good people, building lasting relationships and being part of work that truly matters. "Some of the legislation I’m proudest of may not have always made headlines, but mattered where it counts. From strengthening our state workforce and improving civil service systems, to helping bring clarity to criminal justice sentencing and modernizing our elections calendar, I focused on doing the kind of work that quietly makes Oklahoma stronger and more effective. "At the end of this term, I will have spent ten years in the House and cast votes on more bills than I can count. Through it all, I’ve tried to approach each decision with one simple question: Is this good for the people I represent and the future of our state? "During my time in office, Oklahoma faced some significant challenges. Difficult budget years, the teacher walkout, and the uncertainty of COVID all come to mind. But I’m proud that our state didn’t just endure those moments. We came through them stronger. We made historic investments in public education, built the largest rainy day fund in state history and kept Oklahoma moving forward during some very uncertain times. "A role like this doesn’t belong to one person; it belongs to an entire family. I am incredibly grateful to my wife, Holly, and our three amazing children for their patience, sacrifice and unwavering support. They’ve sacrificed a lot over the last ten years, and I’m looking forward to giving more of that time back to them. "While I will miss the work and the people more than I can fully put into words, I will leave elected office with a full heart and a deep sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished together. It has been an incredible honor to serve the people of Edmond and the state of Oklahoma. Though this chapter is coming to a close, my commitment to this community and this state is not. That call to serve never really goes away—it just finds new ways to show up." Osburn was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as chair of the House Rules Committee. He represents House District 81, which encompasses central Edmond.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Bill 4265 , including a floor amendment to designate a memorial highway honoring longtime House employee Harvey Weathers Jr., who passed away earlier this year. The amendment, brought by Reps. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, adds the Harvey Weathers Jr. Memorial Highway designation. The bill, as amended, passed the House unanimously. "Harvey represented the very best of public service," Dempsey said. "From his time in uniform to his years at the Capitol, he served with integrity and treated everyone with respect. This designation ensures his legacy will be remembered for years to come." Weathers served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard and spent 30 years as a firefighter in Oklahoma City. He later served 18 years as a sergeant at arms at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where he became a familiar and respected presence among lawmakers, staff and visitors. Dempsey said Weathers’ impact extended far beyond his official duties. "He had a way of connecting with everyone he met," Johns said. "He brought energy and humor wherever he went, and his kindness left a lasting impression on so many people at the Capitol." House Bill 4265 memorializes multiple highways, bridges and interchanges across the state while also updating location descriptions for certain existing designations. Among the new recognitions included in the measure are memorials honoring veterans, local leaders and community members in counties across Oklahoma. Lawmakers said the additions reflect a continued effort to recognize individuals who have made lasting contributions to their communities and the state. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.