House Media

Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: "The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted terrible loss to the Beggs community, where two lives were tragically taken. My heart is with those who are grieving and with everyone in the area who is dealing with the aftermath of this devastation. I’m grateful for the first responders, emergency crews and volunteers who immediately stepped up to support their neighbors in this moment of crisis, including the Beggs First United Methodist Church, who have stepped up to provide meals. I also want to thank Governor Stitt and other state and local leaders for moving quickly to coordinate resources and support response efforts. I ask Oklahomans to keep the families who have lost loved ones, as well as everyone affected by these storms, in their prayers."

Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, passed two measures aimed at modifying governance and oversight of the Oklahoma State Board of Education through committee. House Joint Resolution 1055  would create a state question asking voters whether to make the state superintendent of public instruction an appointed position beginning in 2034.  House Bill 3327  would increase the board’s membership and give two appointments each to the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore.  "Oklahoma has witnessed extreme volatility at the State Department of Education and its board in recent years, and our constituents are demanding improved stability and oversight," Osburn said. "By involving the Legislature and the governor in appointments of the superintendent and board members, we can align the department and board with the constitutional responsibility of the people’s elected representatives. Most importantly, these measures will reinforce public trust in one of Oklahoma's most critical agencies. Best of all, we will let the people themselves decide whether the state superintendent remains an elected position or an appointed one." HJR1055 proposes a state question that, if approved by voters, would change the process by which the state superintendent of public instruction is selected. Under the proposal, the State Board of Education would gather applications, conduct interviews and produce a list of three to five candidates. The governor would appoint the superintendent from that list, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The resolution also outlines removal procedures for the superintendent. The superintendent could be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate, or by order of the governor combined with a two-thirds vote of either legislative chamber. "Over the past three years, Oklahomans have witnessed the efficiencies, or lack thereof, of both elected and appointed state superintendents," Osburn said. "I believe now is the perfect time to ask the people whether they're satisfied with the current election process or if they want the position to be appointed." Under HB3327, legislative leadership would each appoint two members to the board. The state superintendent would continue to chair the board, and the governor would also appoint four additional members. The bill also specifies that members may only be removed for cause by the official who appointed them. If both measures take effect, the governor would appoint a total of five of the nine seats on the Board, including the State Superintendent. Both measures now can be considered on the House floor.

OKLAHOMA CITY- Legislation by Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, aimed at improving awareness and prevention of dangerous blood clots has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. House Bill 3644 , titled the Blake Burgess Act, passed the House with a 71-24 vote. The bill is named in honor of Blake Burgess, a 21-year-old former neighbor and constituent of Stinson who died from a pulmonary embolism in 2020. The bill would require hospitals with emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers to develop policies and procedures for identifying and responding to patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The measure also would require annual training for nonphysician staff on these procedures. "Blake’s death was a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly and quietly this condition can take a life," Stinson said. "Every six minutes, someone dies from complications of VTE. If we can increase awareness and improve screenings and respond faster, we can save lives like Blake's." Pulmonary embolism is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a condition caused by blood clots that form in veins and can travel to the lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die from VTE each year, and many more experience long-term complications. The legislation also directs the Oklahoma State Department of Health to contract with the state’s designated health information exchange to create and maintain a statewide VTE registry. The registry would track data and performance measures to help improve patient care, ensure compliance with nationally recognized medical guidelines and monitor outcomes. Beginning July 1, 2027, hospitals with emergency departments would be required to report certain data to the registry. The Department of Health would submit a report on the incidence of VTE in the state by June 1, 2027. The bill also adds definitions of pulmonary embolism and venous thromboembolism to the Continuum of Care and Assisted Living Act. Assisted living facilities would be required to provide residents with a consumer information pamphlet about VTE upon admission. The pamphlet would be provided at no cost by the National Blood Clot Alliance. In addition, the measure would require assisted living facilities to include recognition of VTE symptoms and emergency response techniques as part of their comprehensive resident screening instruments. Stinson said the legislation is designed to improve education and coordination across the health care system. "Many people simply don’t know the warning signs of a blood clot until it’s too late. VTE is the leading cause of preventable death in a hospital setting." Stinson said. “This bill helps ensure that both patients and health care providers have the information and systems in place to recognize the risk and respond quickly." HB3644 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.