House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, commented on the launch of the new Oklahoma Spending Transparency database by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) that gives Oklahomans greater access to information about state agency spending. The database follows transparency reforms championed by Strom during the 2026 legislative session. "I have always believed taxpayers have a right to not only know how much their government is spending, but where those dollars are going and what they are getting in return," said Strom, who chairs the House General Government Appropriations and Budget Committee. "State contracts should be transparent so communities can understand the cost and scope of public projects, ask informed questions about their progress and see how taxpayer dollars are being used. By making this information more accessible and in one place, we are giving Oklahomans the tools to identify concerns and evaluate spending decisions while holding government accountable." According to OMES, the database allows users to search state agency spending, including vendor information, purchase amounts and transaction dates. It includes both anticipated costs through purchase orders and actual expenditures made with state purchase cards. The Oklahoma Spending Transparency database follows the passage of House Bill 3415 , part of an eight-bill package authored by Strom in 2026 to improve transparency and oversight of state contracts. HB3415 requires subcontractor disclosures, stronger documentation, post-project reviews and a public database detailing state contracts, including vendors, anticipated costs and contracted services. HB3415 took effect Nov. 1. Oklahomans can access the new Spending Transparency database at contracts.ok.gov .

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker, R-Bristow, released the following statement at the conclusion of the results for the 2026 general election: "Oklahoma voters sent a clear message at the ballot box today, sweeping all statewide offices and reaffirming a supermajority in the state house. Despite the national trends, tonight’s results demonstrate that Oklahomans continue to believe in the conservative principles, priorities and leadership that have helped move our state forward. I’m grateful to every Oklahoman who took the time to vote and to the candidates who stepped forward to serve their communities.” “I’m especially excited to welcome new faces to the Legislature as we prepare for the 61st Legislature. Each election brings an opportunity for fresh perspectives, new ideas and renewed commitment to serving the people of Oklahoma. I look forward to working alongside our returning and incoming members to build on our progress and deliver meaningful results for our state.” -END-

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.