House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, has filed a three-bill legislative package establishing commonsense safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in Oklahoma. The measures seek to clarify that artificial intelligence systems are not persons and cannot hold legal rights, ensure state agencies use AI responsibly with human oversight, and protect minors from harmful AI chatbots and social AI companions. “This is not anti-technology, it’s pro people,” Maynard said. “We can embrace innovation while defending constitutional principles, parental rights and basic human dignity. AI should assist humans, not replace human responsibility.” House Bill 3546 would affirm that AI systems and algorithms may not be granted legal personhood under the Constitution or laws of Oklahoma. Maynard said the measure reinforces a foundational principle reflected in the Declaration of Independence: that our rights do not come from government but are endowed by our Creator and recognized by our Constitution. "Machines are created by man, and they must never be elevated to the status of the people they were designed to serve," Maynard said. House Bill 3545 would create guardrails for AI use in state government. It would restrict high-risk uses such as manipulation, unlawful discrimination through automated classification systems, real-time remote biometric surveillance in public spaces, and deceptive or malicious deepfakes. It also would require human review of certain AI-driven recommendations and would strengthen transparency by requiring agency reporting and an annual statewide AI report published by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. House Bill 3544 would protect minors from AI systems designed to simulate human-like relationships. It would prohibit the deployment of social AI companions and human-like AI chatbots to minors and would require reasonable age certification measures, with a narrow exception for certain therapeutic tools under strict professional oversight. Maynard said the bill reflects growing national concern, including widely reported lawsuits alleging that some AI-companion platforms foster emotional dependency in minors and, in tragic cases, encouraged self-harm. All measures will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, filed two bills today that will ensure taxpayer-funded assistance programs are only reserved for those who are lawfully present in the United States. The bills will make sure the state is Safeguarding Eligibility, Compliance and Use of Resources Efficiently (SECURE) when it comes to state and federal assistance. “These bills are about accountability, fairness and the rule of law,” Speaker Hilbert said. “Oklahoma taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize benefits for individuals who are in our country illegally. These services are intended for legal tax-paying citizens, and we are going to make sure that is who is receiving these benefits in Oklahoma.” The bills, HB 4422 and HB 4423, both reinforce eligibility standards for public assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid and Women Infant Children (WIC), by clarifying that individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States are ineligible for taxpayer-funded benefits. The legislation strengthens verification requirements to ensure state agencies are complying with federal law and that benefits are directed to eligible recipients only. Speaker Hilbert said the legislation is pro-worker, pro-taxpayer and pro-law enforcement. “We continue to undo the effects of reckless federal border policies created by the Biden Administration that have made every state a border state. Oklahoma must send a clear message: we stand with legal immigrants, American workers and the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who enforce our laws,” Hilbert said. "This promotes cooperation with federal authorities and reinforces that Oklahoma will not serve as a magnet for illegal immigration or the misuse of public resources." Together, these measures reaffirm House leadership’s dedication to an America First agenda focused on Safeguarding Eligibility, Compliance and Use of Resources Efficiently (SECURE).

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, has filed legislation aimed at improving safety for students traveling to and from school on high-speed state highways. The bill is named in honor of 9-year-old Talyn Bain, who tragically passed in a traffic accident in Glenpool while on his way to school.  House Bill 2979 , known as the Talyn Bain Act, would require the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to establish reduced-speed school zones on certain state highways upon request by a local jurisdiction. The measure applies to high-speed roadways that run directly alongside public or private school property and lack adequate access roads or grade-separated entrances. “Talyn was a young boy with a full life ahead of him, and his loss is something no family should ever have to endure,” Banning said. “This bill seeks to honor Talyn in a meaningful way by taking responsible steps to better protect children on their way to and from school.”  Under the proposal, ODOT would be required to establish a 45 miles per hour school zone on qualifying state highways adjacent to schools. The reduced speed would be enforceable during designated drop-off and pick-up times when flashing beacons are active, including during school-designated hours approved by the department. Local jurisdictions would be responsible for maintaining and operating all school zone signage and equipment once installed.  “This is a practical step that helps communities slow things down where children are crossing, learning and growing,” Banning said. “When local schools and cities see a safety concern, this bill gives them a way to step in and help prevent another family from facing this kind of loss.” HB2979 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature and, if passed, would take effect Nov. 1, 2026.