House Media

Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, have filed legislation to address Oklahoma's reading crisis. Hall introduced the Oklahoma Reading Excellence through Accountability, Development, and Standards (READS) Act in House Bill 2944 , while Bergstrom filed mirror legislation, Senate Bill 1271 . The measures introduce early intervention for K-3rd students who have a reading deficiency, reimplement the policy of retaining third graders who do not read on grade level and assign literacy coaches to districts with low reading scores. "Reading is the foundation on which all other learning rests," Hall said. "If we do not ensure students have sufficient reading skills by third grade, we are hampering their ability to achieve academically. This could ultimately lead to fewer opportunities for them in the workforce and their careers." "Oklahoma is failing our children. By almost every metric, our state is facing a literacy crisis, and it is our kids and our grandkids who are going to suffer," Bergstrom said. "On top of that, this could severely hamper our state’s ability to compete and prosper." The changes are modeled after Mississippi's Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA), approved in 2013. Since the implementation of the LBPA, Mississippi has climbed from 49th to ninth for fourth grade reading, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. "The reforms we are proposing have a proven track record of success. In fact, the groundwork was laid down in the Strong Reader’s Act," Bergstrom said. "However, if we want to see significant progress, we must pass these changes and stick to them. Oklahoma cannot afford another decade of illiteracy." The Oklahoma READS Act would increase opportunities to screen public school children in kindergarten and first, second and third grades for reading deficiencies throughout the school year. Additionally, the measure would require that if a student's reading performance is not on grade-level, the student will remain in the third grade, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Under the bill, those students will be provided intensive intervention services. The legislation does include specific "good-cause" exemptions under which a school district may promote a student to fourth grade, including students with individualized education programs (IEPs) and English language learners who have had less than two years of instruction. The Oklahoma READS Act also requires the State Dept. of Education (SDE) to employ and assign literacy coaches to districts identified by SDE as having many students who received low reading assessment scores. "We have an opportunity for serious gains in childhood literacy," Hall said. "Reforms and results in other states have shown that widespread illiteracy is a policy choice. We must make the necessary policy changes here in Oklahoma to put our students on a trajectory of success." The Oklahoma READS Act is eligible for consideration during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 2, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation aimed to exempt baby diapers from the state sales tax, a move she said would provide targeted relief to families facing rising costs. "This bill is about doing our job as legislators. With inflation driving up prices on everyday necessities, many Oklahoma parents are struggling to stretch their budgets," Gise said. "Families are telling us they're being squeezed by rising costs, and diapers are one expense parents cannot avoid. Removing the sales tax on diapers is a pragmatic, pro-life solution that helps parents keep more of their own money while ensuring babies have what they need to thrive." According to the National Diaper Bank Network , one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers, and the average monthly diaper cost for families ranges from $80 to more than $100. "Currently, the only program that can be used for diaper aid is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, but TANF funds must also cover other basic expenses, including utilities, rent, clothing, transportation and other essential needs, leaving little, if anything, available for diapers," Gise said. House Bill 2935 aims to exempt baby diapers from the sales tax altogether, which Gise says ultimately helps families better manage household expenses. Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, who originally introduced the diaper tax exemption, says lawmakers should act where they are able. "Hardworking families across Oklahoma are doing the best we can to raise our children, and that is more expensive now than it has ever been before," Menz said. "If the Legislature can do something to make essentials like diapers more affordable, we should do it. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this important legislation." Gise reaffirmed her commitment to reducing the cost of essential goods and supporting policies that put Oklahoma families first. "Baby diapers are a basic health necessity for infants and toddlers and should not be treated as discretionary purchases," she said. "This bill is common sense, both from a fiscally responsible standpoint and for families, as it applies only to baby diapers." HB2935 will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, is again pursuing legislation that would send to a vote of the people a question regarding future legislative pay changes. West is drafting a resolution to require a statewide vote to determine whether legislative pay increases or decreases should face a vote of the people each time they are recommended. House bills and resolutions must be filed by Jan. 15. The next legislative session convenes Feb. 2. "I made a promise to the people in my district that I would attempt to let them vote on whether or not legislators deserved a pay raise," West said. West said this would not do away with the Oklahoma Legislative Compensation Board or the Statewide Official Compensation Commission, both of which have the same members appointed by the governor, the speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the state Senate as well as non-voting members from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Tax Commission. These entities could still meet to make the recommendation for legislative pay and explain their rationale, West said, but the ultimate decision would be in the hands of voting Oklahomans. West has filed identical resolutions since being re-elected to serve his House district in 2020. None have ever advanced from committee. "I'm hopeful this will be the year this advances," West said. West declined to take a 35% increase in legislative pay that was approved by the Compensation Board for state lawmakers starting in 2019. At the time, West was not in office. But, he said he pledged to voters that upon taking his seat in 2020, he would instead donate the amount to charities in his House district. The board in 2023 voted to increase by 5% stipends paid to legislative leaders. This year, both the board and the commission voted to increase base legislative pay by $7,400 – from $47,500 to $54,900. Also approved were bonus stipends of $27,450 for leaders of both legislative chambers, as well as $18,117 for others in legislative leadership positions. West said these amounts exceed the median household income of $50,027 in LeFlore County, where his House District 3 is located.