House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Newly elected Rep. Dillon Travis, R-Maramec, took his oath of office Wednesday in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He was elected in a special election Feb. 10 to represent House District 35, which includes portions of Pawnee County and parts of Creek, Noble, Osage and Payne counties. "I am honored to be sworn in as the newest state representative," said Travis. "I promise to represent House District 35 well and continue working hard for rural Oklahoma. I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get here, especially my wife, mom, brother and all friends from across the district. I am blessed to be here and excited to get to work." Travis is a sixth-generation Oklahoman from Pawnee County with a background in agriculture and small business. He owns and operates an agriculture company serving producers across four states and manages his family's cattle and hay operation. Through his work in production agriculture and agribusiness, Travis has experience with land management, business operations, supply chains, input costs and regulatory policy affecting rural communities. He and his wife have one daughter and live in Maramec. Following Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony, the Oklahoma House is now comprised of 81 Republicans and 18 Democrats. -END- Rep. Dillon Travis serves District 35 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Pawnee County and parts of Creek, Noble, Osage and Payne counties.

OKLAHOMA CITY –  The House Common Education Committee today advanced House Bill 4427, authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, strengthening Oklahoma’s adjunct teacher policy while prioritizing student success in early grades. House Bill 4427 updates existing statute to ensure adjunct teachers bring meaningful experience into classrooms while maintaining strong standards for student learning, particularly in the earliest grades. “We value the professionals who step into our schools with real-world experience and subject-matter expertise," Hilbert said. "We also have a responsibility to protect the quality of instruction our youngest students receive. This bill ensures we do both.” The measure clarifies that public and charter schools may hire adjunct teachers who possess distinguished qualifications in their field, as defined by the State Board of Education through formal rulemaking. For adjunct teachers who do not hold a baccalaureate degree, the bill requires they either be within two years of completing a degree program or have at least 20 years of distinguished, verifiable experience in the subject area they are hired to teach. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, adjunct teachers will no longer be permitted to teach core curriculum subjects, specifically math, English, language arts, science or social studies, in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. However, school districts may apply for a waiver for adjunct teachers who were previously employed in those roles, provided the teacher has completed professional development in the science of reading and receives approval from the State Board of Education. The bill also establishes that adjunct teachers may not serve longer than five years unless they earn a standard or alternative teaching certificate, complete the requirements for certification, or are actively on a pathway to becoming certified within two years. If certification is not achieved within that timeframe, continued employment as an adjunct teacher would not be permitted. Additionally, the State Department of Education will be required to publish an annual report outlining adjunct teacher qualifications, the subject areas in which they are teaching, and the types of distinguished experience that qualified them for the classroom. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, who presented the bill in committee said the legislation strengthens accountability while maintaining flexibility to address workforce needs. “We are setting clearer expectations, giving direct paths to certification, and protecting early-grade instruction, all while keeping the door open for highly qualified professionals to contribute in our schools,” Lowe said. “This is a thoughtful step forward for students, parents and educators.” House Bill 4427 passed the Common Education Committee unanimously and will now advance to the Education Oversight Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, chair of the House Business Committee, released the following statement on the committee's work so far this session as the first committee deadline approaches: “As we wrap up consideration of House bills in the Business Committee, I’m proud of the thoughtful and deliberate work our members have put in,” Banning said. “The role of this committee is to carefully review legislation that impacts Oklahoma businesses, taxpayers and job creators. We’ve had strong discussions focused on protecting Oklahoma’s economic climate and ensuring legislation is carefully considered and responsibly crafted. Our goal has been to advance sound policy while maintaining transparency and a fair process, and I appreciate the members who worked to move forward legislation that strengthens our state’s economic foundation.”  The House Business Committee has passed 20 House bills so far this session.