House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, commented on the signing of Senate Bill 1433 , known as the Guidance Transparency Act, a measure to increase transparency and accountability in state government.  SB1433 requires state agencies to make guidance documents publicly available, both online and at their principal place of business, ensuring Oklahomans have clear access to agency policies and interpretations. The measure also requires agencies to submit guidance documents to the Office of Administrative Rules for publication in a searchable, centralized format.  "With this legislation, Oklahoma becomes the first state in the nation to enshrine guidance document transparency into law," Hall said. "By requiring these documents to be accessible, we’re creating more transparency and helping the public better understand how decisions are made and which government agency documents are legally binding."  The legislation defines guidance documents broadly to include agency statements, memoranda, bulletins and similar materials that communicate official policy or interpretation, while clarifying that such documents do not carry the full force of law unless otherwise authorized.  "With the Guidance Transparency Act now law, we’re correcting internal processes that allowed agencies to act without enough transparency. Guidance documents will now be disclosed to the public and easy to access, resulting in clearer rules and greater accountability," said Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair.  SB1433 ensures agencies regularly update and publish guidance documents, including any amendments or rescissions, helping maintain accurate and up-to-date information for the public.  The measure takes effect Nov. 1, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Bill 1933 , authored by Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, is headed to the Governor’s desk after gaining final legislative approval. The measure, known as the Maddix Bias Act, seeks to prevent the misuse of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas. The bill is named in honor of Maddix Bias, a 2023 Tecumseh High School graduate and standout baseball player whose life was tragically cut short in a car crash caused by his boss, who was under the influence of nitrous oxide. HB1933 would make it a misdemeanor to possess, buy, sell or transfer nitrous oxide for the purpose of intoxication. Violators could face up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $5,000 or both. The measure also will increase penalties for possession of larger quantities and for those who sell or provide nitrous oxide to minors, including potential jail time, steeper fines and suspension of business licenses. "This is a huge win for Oklahomans because while nitrous oxide is often mistakenly viewed as harmless, its misuse can have devastating consequences, like in the case of what happened to Maddix," Sterling said. "We have seen firsthand how dangerous it can be when misused. With this bill, we are taking a stand and saying that abusing this substance will not be tolerated in our state." Although nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medical, dental, culinary and industrial settings, it remains widely accessible for recreational misuse through retail outlets and online sales. Health experts warn that repeated misuse can lead to serious neurological damage, including harm to the brain, nerves and spinal cord, and in some cases, death. "If we did nothing, kids would think whippits are for fun and games, like the use when you are at the dentist's office but at home, and that is simply not the case," Sterling said. "This is a growing problem that we can put a stop to, and I'm proud my colleagues in the Legislature recognized the need to act and took steps to address it." Sterling said the legislation is also intended to honor the memory of Bias and help prevent similar tragedies. "No family should have to endure the kind of loss that Maddix’s family has experienced," Sterling said. "This effort works to preserve his legacy, which will lead to greater awareness and safer communities across our state." HB1933 aligns with national efforts like H.R 7945 , the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026, which aims to curb the sale and misuse of nitrous oxide consumer products while preserving its legitimate applications.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, secured passage this past week of a measure in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee that would strengthen Oklahoma’s ability to investigate cyber-related crimes and financial fraud. Senate Bill 1859 would create a Cyber Crime and Fraud Unit within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation focused on investigating cyber-enabled criminal activity, including network breaches, ransomware, identity theft and other forms of digital fraud.  The unit would provide digital forensics, technical assistance and training to law enforcement agencies while coordinating with federal, state, tribal and local partners on investigations.  "Cybercrime is not something most people see day to day, but it’s happening constantly and it’s getting more sophisticated," Chapman said. "We need to make sure our investigators have the expertise and support when these cases land on their desks instead of asking local agencies to figure it out on their own."  In addition to establishing the unit, the bill creates a revolving fund to support its operations and ensure resources are available to carry out its responsibilities.  SB1859 passed on the House floor and now heads to the Governor's desk for final approval.