House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, commented today on the governor's pocket veto of legislation that would have prohibited solar generation facilities and battery energy storage systems (BESS) from qualifying for the Five-Year Ad Valorem Exemption for Manufacturers, beginning in January 2028. Dobrinski is chairman of the House Utilities Committee and House author of Senate Bill 237 . The governor had until midnight May 29 to take action on the bill. Because he did not sign it into law, and because the 2026 legislative session is adjourned sine die, the bill became pocket vetoed.  "I'm extremely disappointed the governor chose not to enact this legislation that had widespread support from constituents and legislators alike," Dobrinski said. "He overruled the decision of more than 100 representatives and senators to protect taxpayer money from going to out-of-state developers taking advantage of a forty-year-old tax incentive originally designed to add quality jobs investment to our state. I represent thousands of constituents involved with the energy industry, both petroleum and renewables. Landowners choose whether they participate in various energy projects based on their own operations and unique family situation. What most agree on, however, is they support President Trump's decision to put an end to federal subsidization of the renewable industry, and Oklahoma should do the same!"   Dobrinski explained the five-year exemption was eliminated for wind in 2015 with Senate Bill 498 . In 2021, the Legislature recognized data centers were costing the state $46 million annually through the exemption, so that eligibility was removed with Senate Bill 609 .  "Eliminating this tax exemption for wind and data centers has obviously not deterred those types of new development projects in Oklahoma," Dobrinski emphasized. "We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars over the next several years that could go toward much-needed projects and services for hard-working Oklahomans. I look forward to working soon with our next governor to end this corporate welfare as quickly as possible."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, said during the next legislative session he will focus on establishing a Victims of Sexual Assault Bill of Rights for the state of Oklahoma. This would be similar to legislation that created the Oklahoma Victim's Rights Act, which clearly established the services law enforcement agencies shall provide to victims. Ford, a 25-year veteran police officer, said the intent of the legislation is to ensure victims of sexual assault are not revictimized by the very systems and state-funded advocacy organizations established to assist them. "The rights of victims must be protected through a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, justice and healing," he said. First and foremost, the legislation would ensure every victim shall retain complete autonomy over their care, treatment advocacy services and participation in the investigative process, Ford said. "All services provided to victims shall be trauma-informed and victim-centered," he said. The State of Oklahoma must establish greater oversight and accountability regarding the handling of sexual assault cases involving both children and adults, Ford insists. Ford's House District 76 includes part of Tulsa County. He said the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office has reported receiving approximately 50 child sexual assault cases per week. "These alarming numbers demand a comprehensive review of how Oklahoma responds to and investigates sexual assault crimes," he said. "For too long, the state has relied heavily upon nonprofit organizations to provide essential victim services with limited oversight or accountability. It is time for the Legislature to ensure that victims of sexual assault are protected and provided the services necessary to pursue justice and begin healing." Ford said under his legislation, any private advocacy organization receiving state tax dollars shall provide services to any organization or provider conducting sexual assault examinations, regardless of institutional affiliation, provided the examiner is certified through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and has completed Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) training. Also included will be a requirement for all law enforcement agencies to provide equal cooperation and services to any certified sexual assault nurse examiner, regardless of affiliation. The law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall be required to complete the original offense report for the sexual assault investigation, take custody of the sexual assault evidence kit and preserve all related evidence in accordance with state law and evidentiary standards. The legislation also would specify that everything collected from the sexual assault nurse examiner will be confidential and not be part of the Open Records Act. "To ensure victims can recover from one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives, the State of Oklahoma shall guarantee that law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, medical providers and sexual assault advocacy organizations work collaboratively as one coordinated team," Ford said. "The goal must always be to ensure victims receive trauma-informed, victim-centered care from a qualified provider of their choosing. "The days of treating victims as secondary to institutional control or bureaucratic process must come to an end. Victims deserve respect, autonomy, transparency and justice." Legislators will be able to file bills for the next legislative session beginning Nov. 15. The First Session of the 61st Legislature will convene Feb. 1, 2027.

Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, has received the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association’s Vic Bird Airvangelist Award, recognizing her advocacy and leadership in support of Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry. The Vic Bird Airvangelist Award honors individuals who promote public understanding of aviation and work to strengthen the aerospace industry across Oklahoma. The award is named in honor of longtime Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission director Vic Bird, who was widely known for his dedication to aviation growth and education throughout the state. Miller serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma Legislature’s Aerospace Caucus and represents House District 82, which includes northwest Oklahoma City, west Edmond and Deer Creek. She is also in her fifth year serving as chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Transportation Subcommittee, where she directly works on transportation funding priorities and significant strategic investments in Oklahoma’s transportation system, including airports and aviation infrastructure across the state. Throughout her time in the Legislature, she has championed efforts to strengthen Oklahoma’s aviation industry through infrastructure investment, workforce development and policies aimed at positioning Oklahoma as a national leader in aerospace innovation. "I’m incredibly honored to receive the Vic Bird Airvangelist Award," Miller said. "Oklahoma has a long and proud history in aviation and aerospace, and I believe we have an incredible opportunity to keep building on that legacy. Supporting our airports and aviation infrastructure is about economic growth, innovation, public safety and creating opportunities for future generations. I’m grateful to work alongside so many dedicated industry leaders, airport operators and local partners who care deeply about the future of aviation in our state."  The Oklahoma Airport Operators Association said Miller has continued advocating for aviation growth in Oklahoma while supporting policies that help ensure the safety and long-term success of airports and aerospace infrastructure across the state.