House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, today is reminding Oklahomans they can opt-in on a federal income tax credit next year for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). Funding is to be used for scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses. Crosswhite Hader is the House author of House Bill 3704 , which recently was signed into law by the governor. She said the federal program is similar to the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program, a state tax-credit program that supports scholarship efforts in Oklahoma. HB3704 declares the state's intent to participate to the fullest extent permitted by federal law in the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit. It also directs the governor to formalize the state's election and required agreements and designates the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) as the administering agency. State agencies, including the Tax Commission and the governor, are prohibited from adopting rules or regulations that go beyond what federal law requires when implementing this act. "This allows Oklahoma taxpayers the freedom to donate to a registered scholarship granting organization, whether they have children or not," Crosswhite Hader said. "The funding from these organizations will then be available for eligible Oklahoma students to attend the school of their choice or to help pay for other educational expenses, such as tutoring or academic materials. Every parent should have the right to determine the education that is best for their children, and taxpayers should be able to support such choices with their own tax dollars."  Gov. Kevin Stitt previously signed an executive order opting Oklahoma into the federal program. Crosswhite Hader said this legislation just puts this in statute so going forward this will be available to all willing taxpayer participants. The tax credit is part of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law last year by President Trump. The act provides for an individual, dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 per individual taxpayer or $3,400 for a joint federal return for contributions to state-approved, federally recognized nonprofits that distribute private-school scholarships to eligible children, defined as students from households earning no more than 300% of their county’s median income.  States must proactively opt into the federal tax credit program, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Oklahoma is now one of 27 states currently opted in. Under HB3704, the OTC will be required to identify and register eligible SGOs, maintain and submit their list to the U.S. Treasury, develop rules, forms and procedures to administer the list, and ensure compliance with federal guidelines, including contribution reporting and scholarship distribution. The Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs recently reported the tax credit could generate an additional $24 billion in education funding annually nationwide. Every $1 billion in scholarships could fund tuition at a school of choice for 77,000 students or cover tutoring for more than 300,000 students.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, this week secured House passage of Senate Bill 933 , a measure creating the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act. SB933 would establish a legal pathway for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access individualized investigational treatments tailored to their unique genetic profile when no other approved options remain.  The bill would allow eligible patients, with physician approval and informed consent, to pursue customized treatments developed specifically for them. Participation is voluntary for manufacturers and the bill does not require insurance coverage. "Medicine is changing fast, especially when it comes to treatments built around a person's genetic makeup," Stark said. "For patients facing serious diagnoses, this creates an opportunity to explore those options closer to home and alongside their doctor."  Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, is the Senate author of the measure.  "This bill broadens access to innovative treatments, offering hope to terminally ill patients who have exhausted all approved options and cannot participate in clinical trials," Stanley said. "I’m proud to see this bill pass the House and look forward to finalizing it before the Senate, further improving quality, accessible health care in our state."  The legislation outlines eligibility requirements, ensures patients are fully informed of potential risks and limits liability for providers and manufacturers acting in good faith. It also prohibits state entities from blocking a patient's access to treatment.  Stark said the bill reflects a growing effort to make emerging, personalized treatments more accessible to patients facing serious diagnoses. The measure would build on similar laws enacted in other states and aims to give Oklahomans more options without requiring them to seek treatment outside the country.  SB933 now returns to the Senate for consideration of House amendments. 

A bill by Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, to strengthen Oklahoman's constitutional rights and enhance transparency within Oklahoma’s criminal justice system has been signed into law. House Bill 3742 , known as the Due Process Protection Act of 2026, updates Oklahoma’s criminal procedure statutes by modifying timelines and requirements related to discovery in criminal cases. Harris said these changes will ensure both prosecutors and defense attorneys have adequate time to review evidence prior to trial. "House Bill 3742 will provide clearer guidelines for courts and attorneys, reduce delays and improve the overall integrity of criminal proceedings across our state," Harris said. "At its core, this law reinforces the fundamental principle that every Oklahoman deserves a fair and transparent legal process which is required by the constitution. By improving how discovery is handled before trial, justice can be served efficiently while protecting the due process rights of all parties involved." HB3742 addresses procedures surrounding preliminary examinations and disclosure, helping promote consistency and protect the constitutional rights of individuals involved in the judicial process. The bill passed both legislative chambers unanimously and was signed into law on April 27. It takes effect Nov. 1.