Administrative Rules

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed House Bill 2012, which would extend the operations of state harm-reduction programs through July 1, 2027. The bill, authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, ensures harm-reduction services such as needle exchange programs and rapid sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing can continue their work. The programs, which must be registered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) but cannot use state funding, are currently set to expire in 2026.  "Harm-reduction programs are an essential tool in saving lives and protecting public health," Pae said. "These programs not only combat the spread of disease but also provide critical resources for individuals in need. This is a step forward for Oklahoma, as we work to support our communities and provide better access to life-saving services." The bill extends legislation Pae coauthored in 2021 that authorized harm-reduction programs to register with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The four programs currently registered with OSDH distributed 578,330 syringes and 25,125 naloxone kits between 2022 and 2024. Additionally, they reported 1,212 overdose reversals and referred 1,528 individuals for substance use education or STI/HIV testing. Syringe exchange programs are linked to a decrease of HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV), both of which can spread through shared needles. In 2022, Oklahoma ranked among the top seven states in the U.S. with the highest rural burden of HIV. Each case costs the state over $500,000 throughout a person's life. That same year, Oklahoma also had the highest rate of new HCV infections. "Allowing these programs, which don't receive any state funding, to continue their work will later save the state millions of dollars," Pae said. "Additionally, extending this work will allow us more opportunities to learn about the long-term impact of these programs. Through House Bill 2012, we can continue to provide individuals with the resources they need to rebuild their lives and protect their health, ultimately creating a healthier and safer state for everyone." HB2012 passed the House floor 52-41 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

A bill extending the operations of state harm-reduction programs has passed committee. House Bill 2012 , authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, extends harm-reduction services, including needle exchange programs and rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections, through July 1, 2031. Without legislative action, the law authorizing these programs would expire in 2026. "These programs save lives," Pae said. "By extending harm reduction programs, we are preventing the spread of disease and connecting people to critical resources. The data speaks for itself: Harm reduction works, and it’s our responsibility to ensure they continue." In 2021, Pae coauthored the original law allowing harm reduction programs registered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to distribute clean needles, test kits, and naloxone, as long as no state funding is used. These organizations also provide referrals for substance abuse treatment and other health services. Last October, Pae led an interim study on the impact of these programs. Between 2022 and 2024, Oklahoma’s four registered harm reduction organizations: Served 8,896 clients Distributed 578,330 syringes Provided 25,125 naloxone kits Reported 1,212 overdose reversals Referred 1,528 people for substance use education or STI/HIV testing HB2012 passed the House Administrative Rules Committee by a vote of 10-5 and now moves to the full House for consideration.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Bill 2728, a measure designed to enhance transparency and legislative oversight in the state’s administrative rulemaking process. House Bill 2728 , authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, modeled after similar federal legislation. The bill ensures that state agency regulations receive greater legislative review before taking effect. "This is a major step toward ensuring the people’s elected representatives—not unelected agencies—have the final say on costly regulations," said Kendrix. "State agencies hold significant power in implementing laws, and this bill makes sure the Legislature plays a more active role in the process." If enacted, HB2728 would require all proposed agency rules to be submitted with an economic impact statement. Additionally, any rule projected to cost at least $1 million over five years would require separate legislative approval before it could take effect. "The rise of decentralized movements like DOGE shows that people value transparency, accountability, and freedom from unchecked control," said John Tidwell, state director with Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma. "The REINS Act embodies these same principles by ensuring that unelected bureaucrats can't impose costly regulations without legislative approval. State and federal governments must remain accountable to the people they serve. By passing the REINS Act, Oklahoma is reinforcing the fundamental idea that power should rest with the representatives elected by the people—not with runaway regulatory agencies." The bill establishes the Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to provide independent reviews of agencies' economic impact statements. This ensures accuracy and prevents unnecessary regulatory burdens. Similar models in other states have successfully cut excess red tape and saved taxpayers millions. "This legislation strengthens accountability by making sure agency rules receive independent review before becoming law," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "This is the second House priority bill we have passed in the first three weeks of the legislative session and I appreciate the speed at which the House has passed these important bills." House Bill 2728 passed 86-3 and now advances to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration. The House also passed House Bill 1276 , banning cell phones in schools, and sent it to the Senate with the title on, meaning it is ready to become law if approved by the Senate.