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Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, is aiming to expand eligibility and qualifying expenses for a first-in-the-nation tax credit. West's  House Bill 4118  would eliminate the current age minimum for eligible family members. Currently, eligible family members must be at least 62 years old. Additionally, the bill would add mileage for medical appointments to the list of qualifying expenses. "Unpaid family caregivers shoulder enormous responsibility, often at significant personal cost," West said. "This bill removes unnecessary barriers so more Oklahomans can access a tax credit that recognizes the real financial sacrifices caregivers make every day. By expanding eligibility and recognizing mileage for medical appointments, we’re making this tax credit reflect the realities families face." The tax credit is capped at $2,000 per year for most participants, but individuals caring for veterans or those with a dementia-related diagnosis will receive up to $3,000. According to the AARP, family caregivers spend around $7,200 annually caring for a family member. "By expanding this tax credit, lawmakers can offer meaningful relief for Oklahoma caregivers who spend thousands of dollars each year to care for loved ones," AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl said. "Broadening eligibility helps lighten the financial load so caregivers can focus on what matters most which is caring for their loved ones." In 2023, the Legislature approved the  Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit , designed to help offset some out-of-pocket expenses incurred by unpaid family caregivers. The credit took effect in 2024, and Oklahomans could begin claiming it on their 2025 tax returns. The Oklahoma Tax Commission reported over 100 returns claimed the credit during its first year. HB4118 is eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 2. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, has filed two bills for the upcoming legislative session aimed at stopping foreign terrorist activity and illegal foreign land ownership in the state. "Oklahoma welcomes those who have come to our country legally and who are willing to abide by the laws of our land," Turner said. "But those who are here to further a terrorist cause, to harm our citizens through drug or human trafficking or in any other manner, or who illegally purchase our land with an eye to siphon our resources and profits, should know that we will punish them to the full extent of the law." House Bill 3764 would enhance penalties for anyone convicted of a felony offense while acting on behalf of or supporting a known foreign terrorist organization as defined by the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. Enhanced punishment would include twice the maximum prison sentence and twice the maximum fine that could have been imposed for a first conviction for the underlying felony offense. These would apply in addition to, not in place of, any mandatory minimum sentence applicable to the underlying offense. The state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, at the time of the offense, was a member of, acting at the direction of, knowingly provided material support to or knowingly associated with in furtherance of the objectives of the designated foreign terrorist organization. Just last week, the U.S. Justice Departmen t reported it took into custody 37 foreign fugitives facing a range of criminal charges including human smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, money laundering and other offenses. One of the fugitives was charged in the Western District of Oklahoma. Turner said this is just one small case of many. House Bill 3765 would create felony punishments for any alien or person who is not a citizen of the United States who has unlawfully acquired title to or owns land in this state either directly or indirectly through a business entity, trust or foreign government enterprise, and who uses such land to commit a felony offense in violation of state law. Upon conviction, the felony would be punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed two years, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. In addition, all property seized would be subject to forfeiture. Turner acknowledges the state already has laws in place to limit the ownership of land in Oklahoma by non-U.S. citizens. This would create a separate felony offense for those unlawfully acquiring titles or deeds. Both bills carry an emergency clause, which if approved, would mean they take effect immediately after being signed into law.  Both measures will be eligible for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2. 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Freshman lawmaker Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, has filed legislation to create the 988 Trust Fund to help ensure Oklahoma’s mental health crisis hotline remains available to those in need as federal funding is set to expire later this year. “Oklahomans need to know that when they make that call, someone will answer,” Norwood said. “With more than 30 years of experience in mental health presentations, I understand how powerful one conversation can be. It can change the direction of someone’s life for the better. This bill is about making sure help is always there when someone needs it most.” House Bill 4092 would create the 988 Trust Fund and establish the sources of money that may be deposited into the fund, including legislative appropriations, federal funds, grants, gifts and other sources. Money in the fund could only be used for 988 Mental Health Lifeline and related behavioral health crisis services. Any actual funding levels would be decided later through the state budget process or separate legislation. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has confirmed that a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that partially funds 988 in Oklahoma is scheduled to end Sept. 30. Norwood said the pending loss of federal support makes it critical for the state to plan ahead. “We cannot let 988 come to an end,” Norwood said. “No one should ever make a permanent decision based on temporary problems. This bill helps make sure there is a fund in place, so someone is always there to answer the call for Oklahomans who are struggling.” The 988 hotline replaced the Suicide Prevention Lifeline to better serve Oklahomans experiencing mental health crises. Calls or texts to 988 connect individuals with trained mental health professionals who can provide immediate support, link callers to local resources and deploy mobile crisis teams when needed. According to recent data from Solari Crisis & Human Services , which partners with ODMHSAS to operate the 988 Mental Health Lifeline in Oklahoma, the most common reasons people contact 988 include coordination of care, self-harm or suicide concerns, anxiety and depression. While call volume spiked last fall due in part to SNAP-related stressors, 7,166 calls have been made to the hotline in the past 30 days alone. HB4092 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

Lawton-area legislators are mourning the loss of Lawton Police Chief James T. Smith, who passed away on Jan. 22, 2026, at the age of 66.  Reps. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, along with Sens. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, and Spencer Kern, R-Duncan, remembered the longtime law enforcement officer in a joint statement.  "Chief Smith embodied what it means to be a public servant. Throughout his decades with the Lawton Police Department, he led with integrity and compassion, and he maintained an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Lawton families. Our community is stronger and safer because of Chief Smith’s vision and leadership. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, the officers of the Lawton Police Department and all those who had the privilege of working alongside him."  Smith dedicated more than 35 years to law enforcement and was named Chief of Police for the Lawton Police Department in 2012. His work with the department was recognized statewide, including being named Large Agency Chief of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police in 2025 and receiving the William “Bill” Tilghman Public Service Award from the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2024.       In addition to his law enforcement career, Smith served 30 years in the military, retiring as a Colonel after service in the Kentucky Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves.  The lawmakers ask the community to join them in honoring Smith’s legacy of service and to keep his family and colleagues in their thoughts during this difficult time.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, has filed two bills that would protect lawful businesses from excessive liability and give Oklahoma farmers more flexibility to sell products directly to consumers. House Bill 2960 would expand existing liability protections for firearm manufacturers, distributors and sellers to include firearm component parts. The bill specifies that businesses that lawfully manufacture or sell firearms or firearm component parts could not be held liable for injuries or damages resulting from misuse or aftermarket modifications made by others. “Oklahoma law already recognizes that manufacturers should not be punished for the criminal actions of someone else,” Hardin said. “This bill would close a loophole by ensuring those same protections apply to firearm components.”  House Bill 3056 would update the Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act by removing restrictions on the incidental sale of raw, unpasteurized milk. The bill would remove the gallon limit on sales and clarifies that farmers may sell raw milk directly to consumers at farms, farmers markets, feed stores and restaurants, as well as through delivery from the farm. The measure would also allow advertising of raw milk sales and permits farmers to make cheese using milk produced on their own farms. “This legislation supports Oklahoma agriculture and respects consumers’ freedom to choose,” Hardin said. “Farmers should be able to sell their products and consumers should be able to decide what they buy without unnecessary government interference.” HB2960 and HB3056 are eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, has filed legislation that would extend the period of time for people to file health care liability claims based on a good faith belief that a federal procedural bar was in place when a cause of action arose. Supporters of House Bill 3119 say it could remove federal liability shields for claims such as COVID vaccine injuries, among others. They also say this would restore patients' constitutional rights to remedy and protect their right to bodily autonomy. "This bill allows us to go back and file civil liability claims against anyone that put people at harm whether through negligence, medical malpractice, lack of informed consent or medical battery," Humphrey said. "This isn't just about COVID, but that is a big reason for me filing this bill." A rally to support the measure is planned from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24 at the State Capitol in the Second Floor Rotunda. HB3119 specifies that a good faith belief exists when a claimant or attorney could reasonably conclude, based on existing federal declarations, amendments, advisory opinions or judicial interpretations, that the federal liability immunity provisions applied to the alleged conduct. Federal procedural bar includes federal liability immunity provisions provided in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act in U.S. statute. If enacted, the new law would extend the good faith belief that a federal procedural bar was in place when a cause of action for health care liability claims arose to one year after the good faith belief no longer existed. The bill would apply to all such actions accruing on or after Feb. 1, 2020. The legislation also would ensure Oklahoma courts retain jurisdiction over claims that, but for temporary legal impediment or reasonable misperception of federal preemption, would have been timely filed.

Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, announced today a joint resolution that would place a constitutional amendment before Oklahoma voters to restructure how the investment returns from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) are managed and distributed. This measure expands what TSET can hold by allowing real property, stocks and other equity investments to be added to the trust, not just cash. It would eliminate the TSET Board of Directors entirely and transfer all remaining responsibilities to the existing Board of Investors (BoI), whose role would be expanded to fully managing, administering and transferring trust assets and earnings. Under the proposal, TSET earnings would be distributed annually in a fixed order: first to fully fund Oklahoma’s Promise (OHLAP) scholarships, and then any remaining earnings would be transferred to the Education Reform Revolving Fund (the 1017 Fund). Because the distribution formula would be set in the Constitution, the Board of Directors would no longer be necessary. "By eliminating duplicative administrative structures and prioritizing funding for Oklahoma’s Promise and the 1017 Fund, this reform delivers real savings and results," said Caldwell. The reform is intended to simplify TSET’s structure, reduce administrative costs and increase the amount of money going directly to scholarships and education funding. Eliminating the Board of Directors and associated staff functions is projected to save at least $4.19 million annually. Based on an average $6,000 Oklahoma’s Promise award, those savings alone could fund scholarships for nearly 700 additional Oklahoma students each year. "This resolution reflects a practical, good-government approach," said Caldwell. "The goal is to fully fund every Oklahoma student who can academically qualify for Oklahoma's Promise to go to college and career tech tuition-free, as well as students seeking apprenticeships."

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, has introduced legislation establishing a statewide effort designed to position Oklahoma to compete for a U.S. national laboratory and other major federal research centers. If passed into law, House Bill 3176 would establish the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial Intelligence, and Space Research Hub (GAS Hub) to serve as a central coordinating entity, connecting state agencies, higher education and industry partners. The legislation is designed to create organizational readiness rather than initiate a specific project, establishing a disciplined framework for federal engagement, site evaluation, workforce alignment and long-term competitiveness. The GAS Hub would be located within the Department of Commerce. Archer said the focus is to attract long-term research investment and support advanced workforce development across the state. The GAS Hub could lead to new high-paying technical jobs, expanded opportunities for CareerTech graduates and university researchers, and economic growth in both rural and urban communities.  "Great opportunities don’t wait for states to catch up," Archer said. "We have the talent and resources available, but we need Oklahoma to be in position when the starting gun goes off, so we don't miss our chance. By laying the groundwork now, we can make sure we're organized and truly competitive when the time comes to seize the next opportunity." Archer emphasized that national laboratories function as long-term economic engines, generating sustained federal research investment and compounded private-sector activity over decades. For example, Oak Ridge National Laboratory  contributes more than $7 billion annually to Tennessee’s economy, with similar long-term economic impact seen in states such as New Mexico . Archer, who chairs the House Energy Committee, pointed out that energy and aerospace, the state's two largest advanced industries, intersect directly with national security and supply chain networks, which he said would make Oklahoma a prime site selection for future national laboratories if there was an established framework. "When you look at the national lab system, nearly every energy sector is represented, except oil and gas," he said. "We're at a time when energy security, space technology and computing power are vital to our national defense and global competitiveness. If we're ready when the time comes, Oklahoma could have a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity." Archer also pointed to a recent economic analysis showing that Oklahoma has lost ground in advanced industries relative to peer states, a trend he said underscores the need for a more coordinated, long-term strategy of attracting IP and development capital. "This is not a failure of effort. It’s a signal that our model needs to change," Archer said. "The GAS Hub is how we start making that change." The bill also creates the Oklahoma National Laboratory Development Program, which would identify and prepare sites by aligning workforce pipelines and assembling the infrastructure and incentives needed to attract federal investment, such as the U.S. Dept. of Energy, NASA, and the U.S. Dept. of War. With federal research priorities evolving and Oklahoma’s congressional delegation in key leadership roles, Archer said the timing is right to begin building the framework now. "House Bill 3176 is ambitious, and it may be hard, but the things worth doing usually are," Archer said. "When Oklahoma puts the right framework in place whether in aerospace, logistics or major national events, opportunity follows. This bill is about building the foundation for the next generation of opportunity." HB3176 would require annual reporting to state leadership to ensure transparency and accountability as the program moves forward. If enacted, the measure would take effect Nov. 1, 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, issued a statement following the court’s decision denying a stay in the Illinois River Watershed lawsuit. The ruling affects poultry farmers across eastern Oklahoma, many of whom rely on poultry production as their primary livelihood. “I share in the disappointment of Oklahoma poultry farmers and The Poultry Federation following the court’s decision to deny a full stay in the Illinois River Watershed case. Last week, Attorney General Gentner Drummond told poultry farmers in Adair County that he was not opposed to a stay, though he ultimately opposed it in court.  During that meeting, I asked the Attorney General whether the same settlement agreement reached with George’s would be offered to the other poultry producers. He indicated that it would, which I hope signals a path toward resolving this lawsuit and providing some relief for the hundreds of farm families caught in the middle.  I appreciate the Attorney General’s willingness to meet with our community, hear concerns firsthand and visit a poultry operation to better understand today’s farming practices.  The uncertainty surrounding this lawsuit continues to weigh heavily on farm families who depend on poultry production for their livelihoods. If integrators are forced to pull out of Oklahoma, the economic consequences would extend well beyond individual farms, impacting local jobs, county governments and school districts.  My hope remains that state leaders and all parties involved can work toward a reasonable path forward that protects our natural resources while also preserving the family farms that are crucial to eastern Oklahoma.”   -END-   Rep. David Hardin, a Republican, represents House District 86 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Adair County and portions of Cherokee, Mayes and Delaware counties.