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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, issued the following statement after a federal judge declined to approve proposed settlement agreements in the long-running Illinois River Watershed poultry litigation:  "The Attorney General and his team worked to bring forward settlement agreements that would have provided a clearer path forward in this case. Those agreements reflected months of negotiation and an effort to bring stability to a situation that has remained unresolved for far too long.  With the court declining to move those agreements forward, the uncertainty surrounding this case continues, and it's being felt most by the families who rely on poultry production to make a living.  In eastern Oklahoma, poultry growers are family operations that have made significant investments and taken on real financial risk. Without long-term certainty, many of them are now facing difficult decisions about whether they can continue operating.   At this point, I believe it is appropriate to reevaluate the direction of this case. I am urging the Attorney General to consider withdrawing the lawsuit so we can prevent further economic strain on rural communities and avoid pushing more families to the brink."  The Illinois River Watershed litigation, originally filed in 2005, remains ongoing as the court considers next steps following its decision on the proposed agreements. -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.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, today issued the following statement after receiving word that Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Trooper Vernon Brake, of Guthrie, was killed in an accident on Interstate 35. The driver of the other vehicle, and a four-year-old passenger were killed in the accident as well. "My heart goes out to the families of the deceased," Duel said. "Sadly, law enforcement and first responders know all too well the risks they are asked to face every day they wear a uniform and serve the public, but it never gets easier to deal with their loss. I'm thankful for the service of Trooper Brake, and I stand with many others in this community in telling his surviving wife and two children that we will be there for them when they need us. My condolences and prayers go out to the families of the other victims of this tragedy as well." OHP released that Trooper Brake was a graduate of the 56th OHP Academy in 2006, and proudly served the patrol for nearly 20 years, with a significant amount of time assigned to Troop S (commercial motor vehicle enforcement). After his graduation from the academy, he also served in Oklahoma and Logan Counties. Trooper Brake is survived by his wife and two children. OHP's Traffic Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the crash. Details are still emerging.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Senate Bill 640 by Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has passed the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee, which aims at addressing abandoned and improperly maintained medical marijuana grow operations. The measure would require licensed medical marijuana businesses to properly remove and dispose of surface trash, debris and waste tied to their operations. It also would mandate that commercial growers clean up sites within 30 days after a license is revoked, expired or becomes inactive. Failure to do so would classify the property as a public nuisance, allowing for abatement. "Over the interim, I had the opportunity to hear directly from landowners and law enforcement throughout our communities who spoke about the real challenges these abandoned grow sites are creating," Roe said. "We need to set clear expectations and make sure marijuana operators clean up after themselves so these properties do not become hazards." The measure would also establish fines for violations and gives the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority the authority to implement rules and enforcement measures. Roe, who serves as chair of the House Public Health Committee, said the amendment stems from extensive research and input gathered during an interim study. "We learned a lot through the interim study process, and it was clear that stronger standards were needed," Roe said. "This bill is about putting the responsibility where it belongs. It also would give the state tools to address bad actors while supporting responsible businesses that are doing things the right way to protect our land." The measure now moves to the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee for further consideration.

Today the Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 1778, which strengthens the state’s Strong Readers Act, giving teachers additional training and support and ensuring 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. To support this reform, the Legislature is making targeted investments to strengthen teacher preparation and student literacy. The budget includes over $43 million for reading instruction and interventions in schools, $5 million in supplemental investment for teacher training academies this summer, and $5 million in ongoing annual funding for teacher training programs. In addition, the state will invest over $5 million in reading at home initiatives and dedicated funding for math and reading screeners to help educators identify and address student learning needs earlier. “Once again, we are making a historic investment into our common education system.” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow and House author of the bill. “The difference is that we are implementing strategic programs that have shown to prove real, data-driven results. This bill is not a partisan issue - we all want our kids to read by the third grade." 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. The bill will now be heard on the House floor for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, issued the following joint statement after Tuesday's shooting at Pauls Valley High School. "We are grateful for the swift response from local law enforcement and for the extraordinary courage shown by the principal, who put his students first in a moment of real danger. We are praying for his full recovery and lifting up the entire Pauls Valley community as details continue to unfold. We thank God that no students were harmed. "Acts like this are exactly why the Oklahoma Legislature is taking a strong stand to protect our schools and our youngest Oklahomans. We have committed a permanent, recurring $50 million investment in school safety every single year to make sure our children are protected, and our classrooms remain secure. Oklahoma will not back down when it comes to defending our kids and keeping dangerous individuals out of our schools."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives officially recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Oklahoma. House Resolution 1043, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, chair of the House Public Health Committee, emphasizes that every child deserves to be safe and supported, and that communities play a critical role in ensuring families have the resources they need. "Child abuse is preventable, and it takes all of us working together to make that a reality," Roe said. "Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable and supportive environment. This resolution is a reminder that strong families build strong communities, and prevention starts with awareness and action." The measure also recognizes the long-term impact of abuse and neglect, including the significant emotional, developmental and economic costs, among other concerns. According to the Oklahoma Department of Health, in fiscal year 2022 13,546 Oklahoma children were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect. Neglect accounted for 73.5% of cases, followed by emotional abuse at 34%, physical abuse at 13.1% and sexual abuse at 5.2%. "It is easier to build strong children than to repair the harm caused by abuse and neglect," Roe said. "We must continue strengthening partnerships between families, schools, health care providers, law enforcement and community organizations to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive." The resolution encourages citizens, businesses and organizations to take an active role in supporting parents and caregivers, recognizing that prevention efforts are most effective when communities work together. "This resolution is about protecting our children today and securing a stronger future for Oklahoma tomorrow," Roe said.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, legislative leaders in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate, along with the Governor, announced they have reached an agreement on the state budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The agreement marks the earliest a comprehensive budget deal has been reached in recent state history. The FY27 budget prioritizes fiscal discipline while making strategic investments in critical areas of state government. The budget makes significant strategic investments in education, including $27.3 million to fund health insurance increases for teachers, almost $80 million dedicated to reading and math initiatives, including support for the Strong Readers Act, and $85 million for teacher pay raises. These investments, along with others reinforce the Legislature’s commitment to improving student outcomes while strengthening Oklahoma’s education workforce. The budget also increases funding for the Department of Mental Health to support efforts with the ongoing consent decree, the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority for increased Medicaid utilization and the Department of Human Services for Advantage waiver, changes to the SNAP program and child care teacher recruitment and retention.  “Even in a challenging fiscal environment, our priority has been protecting core services for Oklahomans while maintaining a responsible approach to taxpayer dollars,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This early agreement is the result of leaders coming to the table prepared to do the work." "This budget is the result of a collaborative, good-faith effort between the Senate, House and Governor’s Office to put Oklahomans first,” said Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton. “By holding our state agencies harmless, we are ensuring that the core services our citizens rely on, from public safety to infrastructure, remain fully funded and reliable. At the same time, we are making a historic, targeted investment in our future. This plan provides our teachers with a much-needed pay raise to keep Oklahoma competitive, ensures our students benefit from more instructional days in the classroom and honors our commitment to retirees through a critical cost-of-living adjustment. I want to thank everyone involved for the tireless effort and dedication they have shown in crafting a responsible, forward-looking budget that sets Oklahoma up for long-term success." “I am grateful to leaders in the Senate and House for their work on this budget deal and for their commitment to fiscally responsible reforms that will put our state in an even better position,” said Governor Stitt. “This agreement reflects the important priorities for Oklahoma while keeping an eye on the horizon and planning for the future needs of our state.” House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, and Vice Chairman John Kane, R-Bartlesville and Senate Appropriations and Budget Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, and Vice Chairman John Haste, Broken Arrow, who led budget negotiations, emphasized the disciplined approach taken during the process. “This budget reflects months of responsible planning,” Caldwell and Kane said in a joint statement. “Even in a year when revenues are tighter, we remained focused on protecting essential services while identifying strategic investments that strengthen our state. By working closely with our Senate counterparts and the Governor’s office, we were able to produce a budget that keeps Oklahoma on stable financial footing.” “Every dollar in this budget reflects the needs and priorities of Oklahomans,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry. “This spending plan makes a significant investment in public education and provides pay raises for our hardworking teachers. It supports the dedicated public servants who show up every day to serve our state and gives retirees an overdue cost-of-living adjustment after years of high inflation. By investing in the Oklahomans who are the backbone of this state, we’re building a brighter future for Oklahoma. I’m also proud that this budget is a fiscally responsible proposal that protects core government services and does right by the taxpayers who fund our state government.” Hilbert also emphasized the Legislature’s responsibility to thoroughly examine agency spending. “As legislators, our job is not simply to approve budgets but to provide meaningful oversight of the agencies entrusted with taxpayer resources,” Hilbert said. “That means digging into the details, asking hard questions and examining every single line in an agency’s budget. Oklahomans expect us to ensure their tax dollars are spent wisely, and that work requires diligence and accountability.” More details on the FY27 budget can be found on the Oklahoma House website at https://former.okhouse.gov/fiscal/FiscalPortal.aspx and the Oklahoma Senate website at https://oksenate.gov/appropriations . “Oklahomans expect us to lead, and that means coming to the table with solutions,” Hilbert said. “Throughout this process, leadership has remained focused on delivering a responsible budget that protects services without unnecessary spending increases.”

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved legislation by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, aimed at protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools. House Bill 3240 requires school districts and charter schools to adopt policies allowing students and school employees the opportunity to participate in a voluntary period of prayer or reading of religious texts during the school day. Participation would be entirely voluntary and would require written consent from a parent or guardian for students. Hasenbeck filed the bill to provide clarity for school districts who may fear litigation following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District . She said the legislation is intended to provide school districts with a clear and constitutional framework for accommodating voluntary prayer or religious text reading. "Students and school employees should never feel like they have to hide their faith or worry about whether voluntary religious expression is allowed," Hasenbeck said. "House Bill 3240 provides clear guidance so schools can respect the religious freedom of students and educators while also respecting the rights of those who choose not to participate." The bill specifies that the period may not replace instructional time or involve prayer or readings broadcast over school public address systems. It also allows the designated period to take place before the start of the regular school day or in classrooms where all participants have submitted a consent form. The House approved the measure 61-30. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where it's authored by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson.

A measure aimed at improving access to care and strengthening health insurance protections for the over 40,000 Oklahomans living with epilepsy has been passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, authored House Bill 4294  to require individual and group health insurance policies providing medical and surgical benefits to offer the same coverage protections to individuals diagnosed with epilepsy as they would to those without the condition. The measure also prohibits insurers from terminating or refusing coverage based solely on an epilepsy diagnosis.  The bill also requires insurance plans to cover medically necessary neurostimulation devices when prescribed by a licensed physician treating the patient. These devices can help reduce or prevent seizures for individuals whose epilepsy does not respond to medication alone. "Epilepsy can be life-altering for those living with it, as well as for their loved ones," Pae said. "Under House Bill 4294, the tens of thousands of Oklahomans with epilepsy would no longer be unfairly penalized by their insurance coverage. By expanding access to treatments and proven medical technology, patients and their doctors can fully pursue the care that works best for them." According to the Epilepsy Foundation of Oklahoma , around 41,000 Oklahomans are diagnosed with epilepsy. Last year, Pae authored Dylan's Law , a measure improving education and awareness around Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), a fatal complication of epilepsy. The law is named for Dylan Cheatwood, who passed away in 2017 from SUDEP, and took effect Nov. 1, 2025. Having passed the House 63-32, HB4294 moves to the Senate for consideration. It's authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.