Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, introduced three bills eligible to be heard during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature that address quality public education. “At this point, it is common knowledge that Oklahoma ranks 50th nationally when it comes to public education,” said McCane. “These bills are designed to ensure professionals working within public education are paid fairly. When we have qualified staff at all levels, we can better implement solutions that will help Oklahomans receive the quality, free public education they deserve.” HB 3485 gives public school employees the same benefit allowance as state employees, including legislators. This measure would allow our public education employees to put more money in their pockets while also supporting the health of themselves and their families. HB 3486 limits district superintendent salaries to no more than six times their first-year teacher salary. This would ensure equal pay among school districts and redirect excess funds toward students and teachers. Lastly, HB 3487 sets the minimum hourly wage for public school employees at $15. When public school employees are paid fairly, they are less likely to cease employment at public schools. This would reduce public school employee turnover and provide for a better quality of service from public school employees. All three bills were referred to the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee. -END-

Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, today issued the following statement commemorating Feb. 4, 2026, as Rose Day, which recognizes the sanctity of life.   The House adopted House Resolution 1031 , which stated, in part, that the Oklahoma House of Representatives has "led the nation in adopting legislation to defend unborn children" and that "Oklahoma will continue to lead the nation in the introduction and enactment of legislation to protect unborn children." "Rose Day is a powerful reminder that every life is worth protecting," West said. "Each rose presented today represents a life, a hope and a future. Protecting the sanctity of life means standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves and ensuring compassion and care guide our laws and our communities." Rose Day, held annually near the beginning of the legislative session, draws hundreds of Oklahomans who support the lives of unborn babies. They distribute roses, each symbolizing the life of an unborn child, to legislators and other government officials. This year, supporters gathered in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for a short program, where Mia Armstrong featured as the keynote speaker. Mia, who has Down syndrome, is an actress, voiceover artist, author and advocate. She was joined by her mother, Cara. 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation that would allow and later require certain public cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest nickel has passed a House policy committee and now moves to an oversight committee. Authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, House Bill 3075 , formally titled the Oklahoma Common Cents Act, would not apply to the private sector and would apply only to public payments made in cash or the portion paid in cash. The measure does not apply to checks, debit cards, credit cards, electronic payments or other digital transactions. "This is a simple, practical bill that modernizes how we handle cash payments without impacting anyone who pays digitally," Hildebrant said. "HB3075 is limited to public cash transactions only. If you’re paying online or with a card, nothing changes." Under HB3075, final cash amounts owed to a political subdivision would be rounded to the nearest nickel. Amounts ending in $0.01 or $0.02 would be rounded down to $0.00, amounts ending in $0.03 or $0.04 would be rounded up to $0.05, amounts ending in $0.06 or $0.07 would be rounded down to $0.05, and amounts ending in $0.08 or $0.09 would be rounded up to $0.10. Hildebrant says the bill was requested by one of his constituents, who is also the Rogers County Treasurer, Jason Carini. "The Rogers County penny analysis showed the rounding approach is essentially neutral overall, and in some years, it resulted in a slight net gain," Hildebrant said. Rogers County analyzed cash transaction data across 2023, 2024 and 2025. The analysis found the rounding outcomes would have been minimal over the three-year period. In 2023, the county recorded 1,517 cash transactions, with rounding resulting in an overall net gain of $0.21. In 2024, there were 1,555 cash transactions, with an overall net gain of $0.75. In 2025, the county recorded 1,542 cash transactions, with rounding resulting in an overall net gain of $0.86. The Oklahoma Common Cents Act mirrors similar legislation currently being considered at the federal level. The federal Common Cents Act would direct the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to stop minting the penny and would require cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. Under the measure, from the effective date of the bill through July 1, 2027, political subdivisions could choose to implement the rounding system. Beginning July 1, 2027, rounding would become mandatory for applicable cash transactions unless directed otherwise by Congress. The bill also outlines accounting provisions for ad valorem tax payments and authorizes political subdivisions to determine how overages or shortages are managed within funds under their control. HB3075 passed unanimously out of the House General Government Subcommittee by a 9-0 vote and will next be considered by the Government Oversight Committee.