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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved House Bill 4265 , including a floor amendment to designate a memorial highway honoring longtime House employee Harvey Weathers Jr., who passed away earlier this year. The amendment, brought by Reps. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, and Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, adds the Harvey Weathers Jr. Memorial Highway designation. The bill, as amended, passed the House unanimously. "Harvey represented the very best of public service," Dempsey said. "From his time in uniform to his years at the Capitol, he served with integrity and treated everyone with respect. This designation ensures his legacy will be remembered for years to come." Weathers served six years in the Oklahoma National Guard and spent 30 years as a firefighter in Oklahoma City. He later served 18 years as a sergeant at arms at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where he became a familiar and respected presence among lawmakers, staff and visitors. Dempsey said Weathers’ impact extended far beyond his official duties. "He had a way of connecting with everyone he met," Johns said. "He brought energy and humor wherever he went, and his kindness left a lasting impression on so many people at the Capitol." House Bill 4265 memorializes multiple highways, bridges and interchanges across the state while also updating location descriptions for certain existing designations. Among the new recognitions included in the measure are memorials honoring veterans, local leaders and community members in counties across Oklahoma. Lawmakers said the additions reflect a continued effort to recognize individuals who have made lasting contributions to their communities and the state. The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today the Oklahoma House passed House Bill 4420 strengthening the Strong Reader’s Act and ensuring our students can read by the third grade.  The legislation includes early identification of reading deficiencies through consistent, statewide screening; targeted intervention grounded in the science of reading; clear communication with parents about their child’s reading progress and available at-home supports; accountability measures to ensure students demonstrate reading ability before advancing to the next grade; giving 2nd graders the option of taking the state test; expanded teacher training and classroom support to improve instruction outcomes; new requirements and accountability for colleges of education preparing our state’s future teachers; a new funding formula that supports all students, while also giving additional funds to students who need more help and rewarding schools seeing growth; and creates a revolving fund to encourage public-private partnerships. “Our goal is to have the strongest reading bill in the country,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow and author of the bill. “This bill is not a partisan issue - we all want our kids to read by the third grade. This legislation balances accountability with support for teachers, schools and parents, all of whom play an important role in teaching a child to read. We are taking what we have seen states like Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana do - with similar state demographics - and building upon it to make our law even stronger and unique to our students’ needs.” The legislation has received overwhelming support, largely because the statistics around Oklahoma’s reading levels are alarming. In 2015, Oklahoma students performed near the national average in reading. Today, we trail peer states by more than a full grade level. Based on Spring 2025 testing, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are reading at or above grade level. “Before third grade, students learn to read. After third grade, they read to learn. When that transition does not happen, the consequences compound quickly and follow students for life,” said Hilbert. “ We want to talk about career pathways and dream jobs for our students, but our children will be perpetually underemployed if they cannot read. Oklahoma has already taken important steps, and I am proud of the work our educators are doing. But we must be honest about where our current approach falls short and make immediate shifts to ensure more of our students are reading on grade level.” The bill passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 86-6 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. 

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, has passed legislation aimed at protecting parental rights and providing clarity in the state's child welfare and adoption laws through the House. House Bill 3586 , known as the "Right to Raise Act," would ensure that individuals cannot be denied the opportunity to become adoptive or foster parents based solely on the individual's desire to raise or reference a child by their biological sex. The bill also specifies that such actions alone cannot be considered child abuse or neglect. Harris said the legislation reinforces parents’ rights while ensuring Oklahoma’s child welfare laws remain focused on protecting children. "Parents should not have to worry that expressing their sincerely held beliefs or using biologically accurate language could be mischaracterized as a crime," Harris said. "House Bill 3586 provides important clarity in statute and protects the fundamental right of parents to raise their children without unnecessary government interference." HB3586 passed the House with a vote of 75–15 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation, authored Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, aimed at increasing transparency and seeking public input in the planning of turnpike projects passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives today. House Bill 1939 would establish additional oversight, reporting requirements and opportunities for public input in the planning of new turnpike projects. The measure would require the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to work more closely with local governments, provide additional notice to residents near proposed routes, and hold public meetings on major project decisions in compliance with the state’s Open Meetings Act. Sterling said the bill is designed to ensure Oklahomans have a stronger voice in infrastructure decisions that directly impact their communities. "When you are talking about major projects like turnpikes, the public deserves to be informed and involved from the very beginning," Sterling said. "This bill brings more transparency to the process and makes sure local communities are not left out of decisions that affect their property, their roads and their future." The measure would also require detailed studies before new turnpikes are proposed, including analysis of potential routes, economic impact and environmental considerations. Property owners within a defined area of a proposed project would receive direct notification under the measure. "This is about putting a structure in place that is open to the public and accountable," Sterling said. "We want to make sure these projects are thoroughly vetted and that taxpayers can have a voice during the process every step of the way." Under HB1939, newly authorized turnpike projects would expire if key planning steps are not completed within a set timeframe, helping prevent projects from lingering indefinitely without progress. "This ensures these projects don’t sit on the books without any sort of progress," Sterling said. "If we’re going to move forward with something as significant as these projects are, they need to be done in a timely manner." The measure now advances to the Senate, where Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman is the Senate author.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has advanced House Bill 3742, aimed at strengthening constitutional protections and improving fairness in the state’s criminal justice system. HB3742 , named the "The Due Process Protection Act," authored by Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, updates Oklahoma’s Criminal Discovery Code to clarify disclosure requirements and adjust timelines for resolving discovery issues in criminal cases. Harris said the measure is designed to ensure that both prosecutors and defense attorneys have access to necessary evidence earlier in the legal process, helping prevent delays and ensuring defendants receive their constitutional right to fair and speedy trials. "When prosecutors and defense attorneys have clear rules and timely access to evidence, it helps prevent unnecessary delays and ensures cases move forward based on the facts," Harris said. "The Due Process Protection Act strengthens Oklahoma’s discovery process so both sides can properly prepare while protecting the constitutional rights of defendants." Harris said he collaborated on the bill with numerous stakeholders, including district attorneys, law enforcement partners and attorneys in private practice.  HB3742 passed the House unanimously and proceeds to the Senate for additional consideration. It is authored in the Senate by Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has been appointed to serve on the Human Services and Public Safety Committee of the Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South) for a one-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026. "I am honored to be selected to serve on this committee by Speaker Hilbert to represent Oklahoma in these important conversations," Roe said. "Issues related to human services and public safety directly impact families across our state, especially in our rural communities. I look forward to working with fellow legislators to share ideas and develop solutions that make a difference." As a committee member, Roe will collaborate with legislators and policy experts from across the region to address key issues, participate in policy discussions and help guide the committee’s work. Members are responsible for attending meetings and sessions at the annual Southern Legislative Conference, contributing to policy discussions and serving as a resource for their state. "This appointment gives Oklahoma a strong voice at the table as we work with other states facing many of the same challenges," Roe said. "By sharing best practices and learning from one another, we can better serve our constituents back home." Roe serves as chair of the Oklahoma House Public Health Committee and has more than 40 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner in her rural District 42. She is also among the few members of the Oklahoma House with a professional background in health care. CSG South hosts the Southern Legislative Conference each year, bringing together lawmakers and staff from across the region to discuss emerging policy issues, exchange ideas and strengthen partnerships among member states. The 2026 Southern Legislative Conference, which will be held July 11-15 in Lexington, Kentucky.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed House Bill 2933 , authored by Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks.  The measure increases transparency in Oklahoma’s insurance market while strengthening protections for policyholders navigating the claims process.  "We ask people to carry insurance to protect what matters most to them," Tedford said. "When that protection is needed, the process ought to be clear, consistent and easy to follow."  HB2933 requires insurers to submit detailed quarterly reports to the Oklahoma Insurance Department, including data on policies, cancellations, claims activity and dispute resolution efforts. The bill also makes this information publicly available, providing greater visibility into industry trends and insurer practices.  In addition, the measure establishes a Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights, improves timelines for claim responses and payments and ensures clearer communication between insurers and policyholders.  Tedford said the bill is about restoring confidence in a system people rely on during difficult times.  "A system works best when everyone understands it and can rely on it," Tedford said. "This puts structure around the process and helps bring a little more predictability to something that can otherwise feel uncertain."  The bill also strengthens enforcement authority for the Insurance Commissioner and updates consumer protections related to policy cancellations, rate increases and claims handling practices.  HB2933 now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, is the Senate author.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, has advanced legislation to strengthen maternal safety and improve health outcomes for mothers and infants across Oklahoma after House Bill 4285 passed the House with an 85-5 vote. House Bill 4285 would create the Perinatal Quality Improvement Revolving Fund within the Oklahoma State Department of Health to support initiatives in birthing hospitals statewide. "When you talk to families and health care providers, you hear the same thing, we can do better when it comes to caring for moms and babies," Miller said. "This bill would give the 41 birthing hospitals in Oklahoma the support they need to make real improvements and help more families have safe and healthy outcomes." The bill would allow the State Department of Health to partner with quality improvement initiatives and organizations across Oklahoma to address preventable maternal and infant health issues. HB4285 would focus on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as lowering rates of preventable complications and deaths among newborns and infants. The measure also would support collaboration among providers to strengthen standards of care and expand access to proven best practices. The revolving fund structure would allow the state to receive and utilize a variety of funding sources, including federal funds, grants and private contributions, helping support long-term improvements in care. HB4285 now moves to the Senate for consideration, where Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, is the Senate author.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, this week secured House passage of a bill that would strengthen mandatory child abuse reporting requirements in schools. This measure would require that any allegation of abuse or neglect by a private or public school employee be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours.   House Bill 2959  would require that law enforcement be notified prior to any formal investigation by the school or school board or the questioning of the subject of the accusation. Bashore said this is to ensure that trained individuals are aware of the misconduct and able to properly investigate the situation.   “We want to assure students that when they report an instance of abuse, allegations will be thoroughly investigated," Bashore said. "Our response to these reports needs to be immediate and thorough. It is our job to prioritize and protect our students from child predators. We take this responsibility seriously.”  HB2959 specifies that law enforcement must be notified and have the opportunity to interview the involved parties first, unless law enforcement determines an immediate school response is necessary to protect student safety. It also would not relieve any person of the duty to report to law enforcement because of the resignation, termination, transfer or other separation from employment of the subject of the allegation. Bashore said the measure would not limit the ultimate action or decision-making power of school authorities. It only would require that law enforcement be involved in their current process, so that allegations can be properly investigated. This measure passed the House unanimously March 24. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond.