House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, today commented on the governor signing into law House Bill 3700 . The measure requires college students to be graded solely on academic performance, including attendance, and not on their opinions, beliefs, or conduct unrelated to academic situations. "College students should never feel they have to self-censor for fear of receiving a negative grade simply because their beliefs run contrary to those of their professor's," Caldwell said. "Nor should they think they'll get a better grade by agreeing with the opinions or beliefs of those grading their assignments. The purpose of higher education is to teach students to think for themselves and be able to express their ideas within the academic context."  Caldwell said the legislation came from a recommendation by the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee, established under the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The committee came through House Bill 3543 , enacted in 2022, also authored by Caldwell. "Currently, only one of the state's 25 colleges and universities has a policy that clearly states what is now contained in this law," Caldwell said. "It should be a foundational standard that every student should expect to be graded only on their academic performance. With this legislation, when students decide to enroll in an Oklahoma college or university, they can now rest assured their First Amendment rights will be honored." Also signed into law is House Bill 3701 , which would require the State Regents of Higher Education to review college degree programs on a five-year cycle. Any program determined to be "low producing," as defined in the measure, would trigger an annual review by the Regents, who must then consider suspending or deleting the program. The program could continue if it meets certain exceptions, but it would be placed on probationary status for three years and must submit a plan for improvement. Caldwell said this bill simply codifies into statute the Regents’ existing procedures for consolidating low-producing programs. The State Regents earlier voted to eliminate 41 low-producing degree programs and suspend 21 others.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statement regarding an Open Records lawsuit involving the Richard Glossip case. Humphrey and former Rep. Kevin McDugle filed the lawsuit against Tulsa County District Attorney Steven Kunzweiler on May 12 in Tulsa County District Court. "This Open Records Act lawsuit seeks production of records we believe have been improperly withheld by Tulsa County District Attorney Steven Kunzweiler. Our requests relate to communications and records involving the Richard Glossip case, the District Attorneys Council, and the role of current and former public officials using their public offices to oppose the Attorney General’s confession of past prosecutorial misconduct before the United States Supreme Court. "District Attorney Kunzweiler recently stated that 'Prosecutors are ministers of justice. We’re gatekeepers. If we misused the law for personal or political gain, we undermine the system.' These principles are precisely why public transparency is so important when elected prosecutors take positions in matters of extraordinary public consequence, especially in a death penalty case. "Records show that District Attorney Kunzweiler and multiple district attorneys, mobilized to intervene and advocate for the execution of Richard Glossip even in the face of prosecutorial misconduct. The United States Supreme Court ultimately rejected DA Kunzweiler’s and his fellow DA’s position and vacated Mr. Glossip’s conviction and death sentence, holding he was entitled to a new trial. The state is now prosecuting Mr. Glossip for a third time, and the public has a legitimate interest in understanding the role public officials and public agencies played and continue to play in those decisions. "This lawsuit is about access to public records, transparency by elected officials like District Attorney Kunzweiler, and accountability. Oklahomans are entitled to know how their elected officials use public offices, public resources, and public authority in cases involving the death penalty, prosecutorial misconduct, and the administration of justice. "We will continue to pursue transparency and accountability through the legal process."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, today commented on the signing of House Bill 4275 , a measure aimed at strengthening and expanding Oklahoma’s mental health workforce by providing clarity and consistency in certification standards.  HB 4275 updates state law to allow certified behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists to maintain their certification through employment at the city and county level. The measure helps expand local access to care and strengthens support services for county sheriffs, courts, and first responders, including police and fire departments.  Miller said the changes will help communities better respond to mental health needs by supporting the people on the front lines of care.  "These are the people meeting others where they are and helping them navigate some of the hardest moments in their lives," Miller said. "They should be able to focus on that work without unnecessary barriers standing in the way of serving those who rely on their support most. This law helps clear the way so more communities can build strong, local support systems."  Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, is the Senate author of the bill.  "This is a widely supported reform that will strengthen Oklahoma’s response to mental health crises and help connect people with the care they need," Reinhardt said. "Certified behavioral health case managers can play a critical role alongside police officers and firefighters by de-escalating situations and connecting individuals to support services. I appreciate Representative Miller’s leadership on this issue."  Miller said the measure reflects a broader effort to strengthen Oklahoma’s behavioral health system through practical updates that allow providers to serve in critical roles in their cities and counties while maintaining professional standards.  HB4275 will take effect Nov. 1, 2026.