News

OKLAHOMA CITY - Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, hosted an interim study examining how living wage laws affect employers and job opportunities. Presenters from business and policy organizations highlighted the need for market-driven solutions that raise wages and expand opportunity without government-imposed mandates. “Living wage laws, while well-intentioned, often create unintended consequences that hurt both employers and workers,” Tedford said. “They can reduce entry-level jobs, limit hiring or push small businesses to close locations, all of which affects the very people these laws aim to help.” Experts noted that states with higher mandated minimum wages often experience slower job growth and higher unemployment. For example, Missouri saw unemployment rise from 2.8 percent to 4.3 percent after its minimum wage increase took effect, and California, home to the nation’s highest minimum wage, also leads in unemployment rates. James Leewright, CEO of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, added that less than 2 percent of workers nationally earn the federal minimum wage and many of those are in entry-level positions that give young people their first work experience. Tedford said employment provides more than income. It builds skills, experience and confidence. He cautioned that rigid wage mandates risk eliminating first-step opportunities for young workers, rural residents and individuals reentering the workforce. Data from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce shows that while Oklahoma follows the federal minimum wage, most skilled workers earn well above a living wage. “That tells us market forces are working,” Tedford said. “When people build skills, their earning potential rises naturally.” Throughout the discussion, participants explored targeted alternatives such as workforce development, income tax credits and skills training programs, approaches that strengthen both the labor force and the economy. “These strategies empower Oklahomans to earn more through skill and effort,” Tedford said. “That’s the right way to build opportunity, not through government mandates that limit it.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Beginning Nov. 1, Oklahoma drivers will be prohibited from using handheld cell phones and other electronic communication devices in active school and work zones under House Bill 2263 , authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond. The law strengthens Oklahoma’s existing distracted driving rules by limiting handheld phone usage in areas where extra attention behind the wheel is critical. Drivers may still use hands-free features to stay connected safely. “This law is a practical step toward safer roads,” Miller said. “It allows drivers to continue using hands-free technology while ensuring their focus stays on driving, especially in critical areas where workers and students are most at risk.”  Miller said the change is a simple but has significant impact to safeguarding Oklahoma communities.  “Distracted driving is a lead contributor to collisions and preventable harm on our roads,” she said. “This law reinforces every driver’s responsibility to remain attentive and protect those around them.”  Violations carry the same penalties as the state’s texting-while-driving ban. The law also protects driver privacy by prohibiting law enforcement from accessing or downloading data from a phone without a warrant or probable cause.  Enforcement of the law begins Nov. 1, marking a step forward in keeping school children, road crews and motorists safer on Oklahoma roads.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law requiring cultivated- or manufactured-protein food products – including those derived from plant or insect proteins – to be clearly labeled as distinct from meat takes effect Nov. 1. Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, authored House Bill 1126 . The measure requires food manufacturers to clearly disclose that cell-cultivated or cultured products or those that come from a lab, plants or insect proteins are not meat. Those convicted of false advertising could face a misdemeanor.  "This law is an effort to help the buying public distinguish between what is real meat from an animal and what has been grown or manufactured in a lab or from a nonanimal source," Grego said. "This also will protect our state farmers and ranchers against the flood of products claiming to be meat." Grego said consumers will still have the freedom to purchase lab-grown or nonanimal products if they wish, but this new law adds clarity for how they were produced to be clearly stated on the product's label. "This is truth in labeling," Grego said. Under the provisions of the act, "Agricultural food animal" means any domesticated animal belonging to the bovine, caprine, ovine or porcine species, or any domesticated chicken or turkey. "Cultivated-protein food product" means a food product having one or more sensory attributes that resemble a type of tissue originating from an agricultural food animal but that, in lieu of being derived from meat processing, is derived from manufacturing cells or nonanimal sources, including processes in which one or more stem cells are initially isolated from an agricultural food animal, are grown in vitro, and may be manipulated, as part of a manufacturing operation. "Manufactured-protein food product" means a cultivated protein food product, insect-protein food product or plant-protein food product containing more than a trace amount of plant-protein food products. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will be responsible for investigating all credible complaints that food products are falsely advertised or misbranded as meat products. Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, is the Senate author of the bill. -END-   Jim Grego serves District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Latimer County and part and Pittsburg County. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton; Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City; Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh; and Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, released the following joint statement after the resignation of Office of Juvenile Affairs Director Tim Tardibono amid recent concerns at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center: “We acknowledge Tim Tardibono’s decision to step down as director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. This change gives the agency a chance to restore stability and refocus on its core mission of helping Oklahoma’s youth succeed. “New leadership is a positive step but we know that leadership changes alone don’t fix long-term problems. The challenges at COJC, including staff injuries, low morale and daily operational strain, need real, lasting attention. “We’re calling on the interim director and the OJA Board to move quickly and transparently to strengthen the agency. That means ensuring safe staffing levels, rebuilding morale, supporting trauma-informed care and keeping the focus on rehabilitation and youth development. “We welcome Sharon ‘Shel’ Millington as interim director and look forward to working with OJA leadership, state officials and community partners to bring forward meaningful reforms next session. “The work ahead is significant but we share the same goal: to protect staff, support youth and restore public confidence in Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, conducted a bipartisan, bicameral interim study in front of the Education Oversight Committee on how to reintegrate students who have been removed from the classroom for violence without putting teachers and other students in harm's way. “Every child in Oklahoma deserves access to a meaningful education, including those whose trauma has led to violent behavior,” said Fugate. “This study is about finding real solutions for violent students who’ve been removed from the classroom and are returning. We must protect teachers and students while ensuring no child is left behind.” The study looked into solutions on how to best accommodate all students and teachers. “The bipartisan, bicameral study provided important insights into how we can protect both students and teachers in the classroom while also supporting those rejoining their peers,” said Johns. “These findings will help guide future policy discussions to ensure our schools remain safe and welcoming places for learning. Protecting educators while giving every student the tools to thrive must remain at the heart of our efforts.” The Oklahoma Constitution mandates that every child receive an education, making it the responsibility of the Oklahoma legislature to collaborate with experts and develop solutions that ensure every child is educated while in a safe classroom environment. “Today’s study brought together educators, experts, and lawmakers to confront one of the toughest challenges in public education,” said Fugate. “We’re committed to supporting these students, safeguarding our schools, and upholding the promise of education for all.” The study heard from presenters that varied from alternative education teachers and two mental health providers. They suggested an embedded model of school-based mental health to provide support for kids. This would include a structured, school-based therapy and other comprehensive, wraparound services. It would require collaboration with the legislature, education professionals, and mental health providers. “We simply can’t give up on any child in our state,” said Mann. “It’s important that we look at proven methods to give these kids the help and tools they need to succeed.” While Oklahoma does provide alternative education opportunities, study experts noted it does not meet the needs of violent students. Additional services are needed to promote the reintegration of students and provide equal access to public education. “As a 43-year veteran educator, I understand the serious challenges schools are facing, particularly when it comes to violence directed toward school personnel,” said Stanley. “I am committed to being part of the solution and doing my part to help identify and implement effective ways to address this growing concern.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, comments on the removal of Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, effective immediately: “I have taken the minority caucus’ recommendation and have removed Rep. Pittman from all committee assignments, in addition to her previous removal from the State Tribal Relations Committee. These are serious findings from the Ethics Commission, in addition to an ongoing criminal investigation, so I feel this additional step is warranted.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City, conducted an interim study in front of the Common Education Committee exploring education reading readiness and how to advance reading skills in Oklahoma. “Reading is fundamental to enriching the lives of Oklahomans,” said Timmons. “That is why it is important to develop stronger education literacy programs so students can start early and have the best outcomes as they move through school and into the workforce.” The study showed that early benchmarks for literacy development start in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade. However, screening data shows that roughly one in three Oklahoma students K-3 start below the benchmark in foundational reading skills. Foundational reading skills can vary throughout different districts, but reading difficulties can be identified early with screening, intervention, and support. The study also found that the consequences for not reading proficiently by the third grade can expand past academic achievement and into behavioral, economic, and societal struggles. Legislative solutions discussed were updates to the Strong Readers Act, first introduced in 1997. It also highlighted the need for sustained and foundational funding for screening and early intervention services. The study featured presenters from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, as well as former Superintendent of WK Jackson Leadership Academy Dr. Gloria Anderson to explain the vital need for support for early-level reading programs and what happens when support for these programs is lacking. “When we ensure that every Oklahoma child who enters fourth grade is ready to learn from what they read, we ensure a better future for them and for Oklahoma as a whole,” Timmons said. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers gathered last week to review an interim study led by Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, titled Deconfliction: Coordination Between Agencies to Ensure Safety for Police . The study examines how law enforcement agencies coordinate operations to prevent dangerous overlaps. between law enforcement officers from different agencies who are working on a case but from different crimes. “I appreciate the opportunity to host this important discussion and bring law enforcement leaders together,” Roberts said. “When our agencies work in sync, it protects officers in the field, strengthens investigations, and ensures taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. Our goal is to keep our communities safe and support the men and women who serve them.” The interim study opened with Detective Van Keuren of the Oklahoma City Police Department, who recounted a 2024 human trafficking investigation in Mustang. Officers from different agencies unknowingly encountered each other during separate undercover operations. The incident, which could have turned deadly, was resolved without injury and led to greater coordination through the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs’ deconfliction system. “This situation shows just how quickly things can go wrong, even when everyone’s following protocol,” Van Keuren said. “We were seconds away from a tragedy simply because two agencies were operating separate investigations without realizing it. Deconfliction systems exist to prevent that, and this incident reinforced how vital it is that every law enforcement agency use the same system and report their operations accurately.” Officials highlighted the critical role of deconfliction, which coordinates operations across agencies to prevent overlap and enhance officer safety. Established in 1996 and integrated into the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) system in 1999, the system now covers thousands of officers and hundreds of agencies statewide. In 2025 alone, nearly 16,000 deconflictions were conducted in Oklahoma. “Deconfliction is more than a tool, it’s a lifeline for officer safety and investigative integrity,” said Donnie Anderson with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. “By coordinating operations, sharing intelligence and preventing overlap, it keeps officers safe and ensures that law enforcement efforts are effective across local, state and federal levels.” Keith Brown, Director of HIDTA emphasized that accountability begins with agency leadership rather than individual officers, and that proper law enforcement leadership training, paired with administrative oversight, ensures deconfliction is used effectively. “Deconfliction failures are rare, but when they happen, they can be costly and dangerous,” Brown said. “The goal is always to protect officers, preserve investigative integrity and ensure taxpayer resources are used effectively. It starts with agency leadership and then their teams following suit.” Captain Jeremy Yurton, commander of Oklahoma’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, highlighted the system’s role in coordinating investigations of internet crimes against children. OSBI triages cyber tips to local, state and federal agencies, ensuring multiple agencies do not duplicate efforts and investigations remain coordinated. “Deconfliction is an essential investigative tool for Internet Crimes Against Children,” Yurton said. “It allows officers to see if multiple tips point to the same suspect, address or device, ensuring we don’t duplicate efforts and can act efficiently to protect children.” Representatives from CLEET stressed that all agencies must comply with deconfliction procedures. While larger agencies generally follow the system, smaller agencies or those refusing to participate pose risks for operational conflicts. CLEET emphasized that accountability measures, including hearings and potential revocation of law enforcement credentials, address intentional noncompliance. “Deconfliction is a mandatory process for law enforcement in Oklahoma, and if an agency or officer intentionally refuses to follow it, there must be accountability,” a CLEET representative said. Officials confirmed that deconfliction training is already incorporated into existing law enforcement education programs, including the Sheriffs Academy, Chiefs Academy, and the two-week investigative academy. They emphasized that the training is straightforward and accessible, but strong leadership and administrative oversight remain essential to ensure consistent use of deconfliction procedures across all agencies statewide. The interim study was requested after House Bill 1862 did not advance through the committee process. The bill, which sought to strengthen coordination between law enforcement agencies during undercover operations, was requested by Oklahoma City Police Captain Kylie Turner. “I look forward to continuing this conversation during the upcoming session,” Roberts said. “There’s broad agreement that deconfliction saves lives and improves coordination. I’m committed to working with law enforcement and my colleagues to make sure Oklahoma has the tools and policies in place to keep our officers and communities safe.” HB1862 remains eligible for consideration in the upcoming 2026 Second Regular Session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study in front of the Civil Judiciary Committee on parole processes in Oklahoma and how to assist people and agencies involved to ensure the best opportunities for rehabilitation of inmates. “My hope is that through thoughtful, data-driven reforms, our state's pardon and parole system will operate as intended: to promote safety, uphold accountability, and create second chances where they have been earned, fairly and consistently,” said Stewart. The study explored ways to identify areas of improving the efficiency, efficacy, and fairness of the parole process. Speakers from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Pardon and Parole General Counsel, District Attorneys, and those with lived experiences all came together to examine ways to better fund and support the Pardon and Parole system to best reintegrate inmates into society while also improving communication with victims. Ways to do this are providing accessible mental health and substance abuse treatment for inmates and parolees, providing services that are not just limited to minimum security facilities, and better reentry programs that address an inmate's employment and reintegration. With the collaboration of experts and the Oklahoma legislature, it is possible to execute a fairer and safer pardon and parole system that best serves all Oklahomans. -END