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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, recently received Delta Waterfowl’s 2025-26 Conservation Leader Award during the organization’s Duck Hunters Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. "This award means a great deal to me because hunting is more than a pastime where I come from," Dempsey said. "It is a way of life that brings families together, puts food on the table and teaches our kids to respect the land. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to protect private property and make sure folks can keep enjoying Oklahoma’s outdoors for generations to come." Dempsey was recognized for his years of work with landowners, hunters and outfitters to develop policies that reflect the needs of his district. House District 1 includes portions of LeFlore and McCurtain counties, one of Oklahoma’s premier hunting regions. "Representative Dempsey has been a steadfast leader in conservation," said Jeff Wardlaw, Delta Waterfowl’s senior manager of government affairs for the Mississippi and Central Flyway. "He is a consistent advocate for ducks and duck hunters, and we were excited to recognize his work at the Duck Hunters Expo this year." Throughout his tenure in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Dempsey has advocated for stronger safeguards to protect landowners, hunters and legitimate guiding operations from bad-faith outfitters operating without accountability. That work culminated in Senate Bill 2095 , which was signed into law earlier this year. The law requires hunting guides to obtain a guide license and maintain personal liability insurance. Guides and outfitters also must receive written permission from private landowners before conducting guided hunts on their property. Dempsey says the requirements provide greater protection for private landowners, increased safety and an enforcement mechanism to address rogue guides and outfitters. Each year, the Delta Waterfowl Conservation Leader Award is given to an individual, organization, company or agency that has demonstrated a clear commitment to Delta Waterfowl’s mission of conserving habitat, producing ducks and securing the future of waterfowl hunting.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, and Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, represented Oklahoma in national policy discussions during the 2026 Legislative Summit hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in Chicago. Townley participated in a panel on state workforce development strategy, while Miller moderated a discussion on the growing cost of deferred transportation maintenance.  Townley joined fellow lawmakers from Delaware, Illinois and Utah for "Policy to Practice: The Legislative Role in Workforce Development." The panel examined how state workforce development boards can help align program and funding decisions with economic goals, employer needs and changes in the labor market. "A strong workforce is the foundation of a strong economy," Townley said. "As legislators, our responsibility is to create policies that connect Oklahomans with meaningful careers while ensuring employers have the skilled workforce they need to compete, innovate and grow. The states that invest in workforce development today will lead the economy tomorrow, and Oklahoma has made tremendous progress by bringing education leaders, workforce partners and industry together to meet the needs of our economy. But we can never stop looking for better solutions. Conversations like these allow us to exchange ideas, learn from other states and challenge ourselves to think differently. It was an honor to share Oklahoma’s successes with legislators from across the country while bringing home innovative ideas that will strengthen opportunities for Oklahoma families, support our businesses and help keep our state economically competitive for generations to come." Miller moderated “The Pothole Problem: Transportation’s Deferred Maintenance Gap,” which featured experts from the American Society of Civil Engineers, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The discussion focused on the long-term costs created when routine repairs to roads, bridges and transit systems are postponed, as well as the role of transparent asset management and sustainable transportation investment. "Moderating this discussion gave Oklahoma an opportunity to help guide a national conversation about better data, long-range planning and responsible investment," Miller said. "Those are the tools states need to protect taxpayers and keep transportation systems safe and reliable. I was proud to share Oklahoma’s successes, especially our significant improvements from 49th to fourth in the nation for structurally deficient bridges, and the lessons we have learned as we addressed long-deferred infrastructure maintenance over the last 20 years." Townley serves as vice chair of NCSL’s Labor and Economic Development Standing Committee, while Miller serves as co-chair of NCSL’s Transportation Standing Committee. The summit was held July 27-29 in Chicago.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Stacy Jo Adams, R-Duncan, and Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson, will lead an interim study examining the factors contributing to rising homeowners' insurance costs in Oklahoma. The lawmakers will bring together insurance professionals, contractors, builders, real estate professionals, adjusters, consumer advocates and homeowners to better understand why Oklahoma consistently ranks among the states with the highest homeowner's insurance premiums. "This issue hits close to home for me in more than one way," Adams said. "As a customer-facing insurance agent and a state representative, I hear the frustration across the desk and across the district. I see customers opening their renewal notices and wondering why their homeowner's insurance premiums have increased again. I also hear from constituents who simply want to know why it costs so much to protect the homes they’ve worked so hard to build. I want answers too." The study will examine property values, construction materials, labor expenses and severe weather losses. Adams and Sneed also plan to consider the cost of replacing roofs through insurance claims compared with similar work during new construction. "Our plan for this study is to dig into the costs that may not be as obvious," Sneed said. "We know property values have increased significantly, building materials and labor cost more and we know storms seem to love Oklahoma. There has to be additional factors driving these prices, and we intend to cover all our bases." Additional topics will include litigation and legal expenses, reinsurance, building codes, fraud and regulatory requirements. "We are approaching this study without a predetermined conclusion," Adams said. "Some factors may be outside Oklahoma’s control, while others may present opportunities for reform. Our goal is to follow the data, separate fact from assumption and identify practical solutions that could make a difference for Oklahoma families." The interim study period begins Monday, Aug. 3, and ends Friday, Oct. 30. Interim studies allow lawmakers to examine policy issues in greater detail outside the regular legislative session. The date and meeting details for the study will be announced at a later date.

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, joined lawmakers from across the country this week to officially launch the American German State Legislators Caucus during the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago. Pae is a founding member of the bipartisan organization, which brings together state legislators interested in improving trade, investment, education, workforce development and cultural exchange between U.S. state legislatures and Germany. The kickoff event welcomed U.S. state legislators, a delegation of members of German state parliaments, representatives of German businesses and professional organizations, and members of the caucus's inaugural Board of Directors. "Oklahoma has benefited tremendously from strong international partnerships, and Germany has long been one of our most important economic partners," Pae said. "I'm honored to be a founding member of the American German State Legislators Caucus and look forward to working with colleagues across the country to strengthen the relationships that create jobs and encourage innovation between our communities."  Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, attended the launch as well. "It was good to meet with Angela Freimuth at the NCLS conference in Chicago," Rader said. "We discussed some possible ways for strengthening and increasing business opportunities between Germany and Oklahoma. Thank you, Rep. Pae, for arranging the meeting." In 2025, Germany was Oklahoma's fourth largest export market, exporting $485 million in goods to the country. The new caucus will provide opportunities for state legislators to share best practices, engage with German leaders and businesses, and promote policies that strengthen transatlantic cooperation.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has been named to the Executive Committee of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). The executive committee is the governing body of state lawmakers responsible for guiding the national, non-partisan organization that meets regularly to focus on the regulation, legislation and policies of the U.S. gaming industry. "I'm honored to both bring Oklahoma's perspective as a gaming compact state to the table and to learn from other national legislators who have devoted years of study to the issues surrounding gaming in their own states," Bashore said. Bashore currently serves as Deputy Floor Leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His private industry experience includes serving as general manager of the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in northeast Oklahoma. His house district includes several casinos. He said his knowledge of the gaming compacts between the state and many of the tribal nations that call Oklahoma home will serve him well on the council's executive committee. NCLGS is structured to include committees on lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, casinos, responsible gaming, state-federal relations focusing on Indian gaming issues and iGaming. The organization's meetings provide information on cutting edge gaming issues, such as sports betting, iGaming, lottery and prediction markets, that legislators need to know. Programs include balanced panel presentations that offer opposing views. NCLGS also is valuable to local and tribal officials, and as a result, all non-legislative government officials (including tribal and state/local government officials) are invited to attend meetings. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, today commented on the announcement that U.S. Gypsum (USG) plans to close its Southard plant in northern Blaine County in November, affecting over 250 employees. "USG has been one of the largest employers in this area for over a century," Dobrinski said. "This is devastating news for these employees, their families and our area as a whole."  Dobrinski said he is working alongside Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, and Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, both of whom have affected constituents. "We are working to ensure these employees will have much needed resources such as state unemployment benefits, along with additional workforce training and education to help meet their needs. We are engaging our area CareerTech centers of Chisholm Trail, Northwest, Autry and High Plains to begin coordination and communicating opportunities that can provide new careers right here at home. We are fortunate to have many businesses in diverse industries here in Northwest Oklahoma that are actively expanding their workforce every week. While this news was not expected and certainly disappointing, we will continue doing all we can to ensure other businesses see our area as a valuable place to locate their operations." Dobrinski said the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission offers the Oklahoma Works Rapid Response program, which provides on-site employee workshops, job search assistance, career counseling, training opportunities, food assistance resources and more. The commission also can assist with filing for unemployment benefits, including for large groups facing mass layoffs. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and area chambers of commerce also are being tapped for assistance.  USG, purchased by German-based Knauf Group in 2019, operates a major gypsum mine and processing plant in Southard. The company announced July 16 that it will begin to idle its manufacturing facility and phase out a majority of the industrial products portfolio manufactured at this plant, with plans to close the plant in November. In a statement, USG said its decision was based in part on the escalating complexity and cost to mine and manufacture the specialized products in the company's portfolio. The company said it would support impacted employees by offering career transition resources, relocation opportunities for those interested in transferring to another USG facility and severance packages. Dobrinski said while he appreciates these resources being offered, he hopes those affected will be able to remain in the communities where they now live. "We don't want to lose any families to other areas of Oklahoma or other states," Dobrinski said. "We want them to stay right here and thrive in a place that has strong and safe local schools, rural healthcare, friendly neighbors and an excellent way of life."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, issued the following statement after Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced a new agreement involving the companies named in the long-running Illinois River Watershed poultry litigation: "After more than two decades of litigation, I am encouraged that the state and all six poultry integrators have reached a new agreement. The agreement announced this week appears to offer a more balanced path that addresses concerns within the watershed while recognizing the importance of poultry production to our region. It is important to be clear that this is an agreement between the Attorney General, acting on behalf of the state, and the defendant poultry integrators. It is not yet a court-approved resolution. The agreement must still move through the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the federal district court before the prior judgment can be vacated and the lawsuit dismissed. There are still important steps ahead, but I am hopeful this agreement will bring this decades-long case closer to a responsible conclusion and provide greater certainty for eastern Oklahoma families." The agreement involves Tyson Foods, Cargill, George's, Peterson Farms, Cal-Maine and Simmons Foods. It includes funding for watershed projects, environmental monitoring and other measures related to poultry litter management. The agreement remains subject to court approval.  -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.

Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, has been named as chair of the Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee for the Council of State Governments (CSG) South.  Pae officially assumed the role during the organization's 79th Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), held this week in Lexington, Kentucky. He has served as vice chair of the committee for the past four years.  "I am honored by the confidence my legislative colleagues across the South have placed in me," Pae said. "As vice chair, I've had the opportunity to work alongside outstanding legislative leaders from across the region. I'm excited to build on that foundation and continue fostering productive discussions that benefit not only our member states but also the people we serve."  CSG South’s Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee focuses on a broad range of issues impacting state budgets and finances, such as the impact of the federal budget on state finances, state revenues and expenditures, and national and regional economic outlooks. The Southern Legislative Conference is the largest of The Council of State Governments' four regional conferences, bringing together legislators and legislative staff from 15 southern states to exchange ideas and collaborate on public policy issues.  Pae serves House District 62 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he represents west Lawton. He currently serves as chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Human Services Subcommittee and as vice chair of the House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, has filed an interim study request to continue work previously led by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, examining Oklahoma's innovation economy, workforce and economic development policies. The proposed study would review whether state laws, incentives and policy efforts are helping grow businesses, strengthen communities and create long-term opportunities for Oklahomans across the state. "Chairman Hill has done important work on this issue for several years and I appreciate the foundation he has laid," Banning said. "As we continue looking at economic development policy, we need to be certain the laws we pass and the tools we put in place are actually benefiting Oklahoma families." Hill hosted his eighth annual interim study on Oklahoma's innovation economy and workforce last fall. The study brought together state leaders, industry experts, agency officials and innovators to discuss the challenges facing Oklahoma businesses and opportunities to strengthen the state's economy. Banning said the next step is to build on that work by taking closer look at what is working and where the barriers remain. "Oklahoma's future will not be built by accident—it will be built through intentional leadership, innovation and a commitment to creating opportunities in every community," Hill said. "I greatly appreciate Rep. Banning's willingness to continue this important work and build upon the foundation established through these annual interim studies. By bringing together leaders from numerous industries, we can better identify barriers, strengthen our workforce and find solutions to ensure Oklahoma remains a place where businesses grow, and people thrive."  If approved, the study would be conducted later this year.