House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, hosted Interim Study 26-014 , "Modernizing Plan Review, Permitting, and Inspections in Oklahoma's Growing Cities," which examined ways to improve permitting, plan reviews and inspection processes across Oklahoma to encourage business and residential development while maintaining protections for residents. The study brought together developers, architects, municipal leaders, tribal representatives, fire officials and housing advocates to discuss Oklahoma's growing need for housing and challenges within the permitting process that can delay residential development and increase costs. "Oklahoma is growing, and we need processes that support that growth," Gise said. "What encouraged me most about this study was the willingness of everyone at the table to work together. Our municipalities, developers and permitting officials all want safe, successful projects completed in a timely manner." During the study, Home Creations founder Jalal Farzaneh identified lot costs as one of three major factors affecting housing development and emphasized the need for greater oversight of the permitting process. Farzaneh shared an example involving a zoning dispute after the company sought approval to expand a single-family residential development. After a legal battle lasting more than three years, a judge ruled in favor of Home Creations. However, Farzaneh said legal fees, carrying costs and rising lot prices during that time added approximately $15,000 per home, costs ultimately passed along to homebuyers. The example highlighted how permitting delays and legal disputes can increase housing costs for Oklahoma families. Tyler Parette, founding executive director of Housing Forward also highlighted Oklahoma’s projected need for 372,593 housing units by 2034, including more than 105,000 affordable units, according to the Oklahoma Housing Needs Assessment. “For Oklahoma to meet the challenges ahead, the systems that impact housing development need to be firing on all cylinders,” said Tyler Parette, founding executive director of Housing Forward. “Conversations like this one bring key partners together so that we can make the improvements necessary to ensure that every Oklahoman has access to a home that fits their needs, their life, and their future.” Mike Fina with the Oklahoma Municipal League, which represents the state's 588 cities and towns, emphasized the importance of municipal oversight in the permitting process. He noted that permitting is just one step in the broader residential and commercial development process, which can take months or even years to complete. "I think the thing we all agree on here is that Oklahoma needs more development, more houses, more businesses and more economic growth. I think we need to challenge the perception that municipal government is somehow the obstacle in development," he said. "One of the most common complaints we hear from developers is that municipal permitting takes too long, but I think we need to put that into perspective. We have a very important job to do." The study also explored opportunities to improve the permitting process through public-private partnerships, better communication and transparency between developers and municipalities and voluntary modernization efforts that preserve local authority without imposing unfunded mandates. Other presenters in the study included representatives from Krittenbrink Architecture, GH2 Architects LLC, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Fire Department. Gise concluded the study by acknowledging the complexity of the issue and thanking stakeholders for their commitment to continued collaboration as potential solutions are considered ahead of the 2027 legislative session. "Public safety should never be compromised in the name of efficiency," Gise said. "Our goal isn’t to eliminate safeguards or undermine local authority. It’s to identify opportunities to improve communication, reduce unnecessary delays, lower housing costs for Oklahoma families and help our communities accommodate growth." The entire study can be viewed on the House Website under News & Media, live proceedings, then search the calendar for Oct. 28 starting at 2:00 p.m.

House Common Education Committee Chair Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, has been named the 2026 Legislator of the Year by the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools (OROS). OROS presented Lowe with the award during its annual conference on Oct. 23, recognizing his continued commitment to advocating for rural Oklahoma schools throughout his time in the Legislature. "I'm honored to receive this recognition from an organization that has spent more than four decades standing up for rural education in Oklahoma," Lowe said. "Rural schools are often the heart of the communities they serve and help sustain the future of our towns. I'm committed to making sure rural students have the same opportunities to succeed as students anywhere in Oklahoma, and I'll continue working to ensure our rural schools have the support they need to do that." OROS is a non-profit dedicated to supporting and promoting the interests of rural school districts in Oklahoma. The organization now includes more than 320 rural school districts as members. Lowe, a former agriculture teacher, has served as chair of the House Common Education Committee since 2024.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law prohibiting edible medical marijuana products from being made in the shape of humans, cartoons or animals, or in a form of commercially available candy takes effect Nov. 1. Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, authored House Bill 4454 . The measure also requires edible medical marijuana products to clearly indicate the number of servings of THC in each package and the amount of THC in each individual serving. This includes drinks and beverages. "These changes are intended to better protect children from accidental ingestion of these potent products and to help us better inform consumers about recommended dosage amounts," Newton said. HB4454 specifies that edible marijuana products shall not be attractive to children. They cannot use any image or words designed or likely to appeal to anyone under the age of 18. This includes but is not limited to cartoons, toys, animals, food or depictions of persons younger than 18, including any characters or phrases popularly used to advertise to those under 18. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana in the state in 2018 through State Question 788. The question was brought to the ballot by voters themselves through the initiative petition process.  Newton, who is a practicing optometrist, said he's aware that some in the industry have complained about the changes this new law will require to manufacturing and packaging, but his efforts are to keep the public safe. "We've got to protect our kids and make sure they don't get sick or worse thinking they are just eating some colorful candy," Newton said. "We also owe it to consumers to be clear about how much THC is contained in each package. This makes sure patients are fully informed on the medical marijuana they are taking to prevent overmedicating." HB4454 amends existing state statute. There are no new penalties in the law for licensed processors. They already are subject to up to two yearly inspections by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Those found deficient have one month to correct or face a $500 fine per deficiency.