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OKLAHOMA CITY – A law making it a felony crime to traffic abortion pills is now in effect. Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, is the author of House Bill 1168 . The measure creates a felony offense for anyone to knowingly possess or deliver abortion-inducing drugs — including mifepristone, misoprostol and methotrexate — to someone who intends to use them for an unlawful abortion. "Today, Oklahoma's anti-chemical abortion pill trafficking act officially takes effect, and I couldn't be prouder," Crosswhite Hader said "Four years ago, I set out to close the loophole that let traffickers ship dangerous chemical abortion pills into our state with no oversight and no accountability. This law protects vulnerable women who have too often been coerced or deceived into taking these pills with no medical care or support. It's projected to save around four thousand preborn babies a year in Oklahoma, and every one of those lives matters. I'm grateful to everyone who fought alongside us to get here."  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the Senate author of the bill. “Four years of work led to this day," Bullard said. "Oklahoma’s anti-chemical abortion pill trafficking act is now the law of the land, and traffickers who ship these deadly pills into our state can finally be held criminally accountable. We estimate this law will save roughly four thousand preborn babies a year in Oklahoma. That’s four thousand reasons this fight was worth it, and I’m proud of every person who helped carry it across the finish line.” Crosswhite Hader said she's heard reports of women being given these drugs by non-medical professionals who do not understand what the medications can do to a woman if administered incorrectly.  Under HB 1168, anyone convicted of trafficking or attempting to traffic abortion-inducing drugs could face a fine of up to $100,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both. This is the same as current law for those performing an illegal abortion. The legislation only addresses those who intend to distribute these drugs illegally to others, not those who are accessing these drugs for themselves, Crosswhite Hader said.  This measure does not limit or prohibit the sale of contraceptives, and it would not impact couples undergoing IVF treatment. Under the definition of "Abortion-inducing drug, " included in the bill, it specifies that this definition does not apply to drugs that may be known to cause an abortion, but which are prescribed for other medical indications, such as chemotherapeutic agents or diagnostic drugs, or for treatment of an ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous miscarriage. Additionally, HB 1168 does not apply to pharmacists, drug manufacturers or distributors who legally possess, sell or distribute pharmaceuticals intended for lawful medical purposes. The bill passed the House last year and the Senate this year. It was signed into law by the governor May 5. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – A ceremonial bill signing highlighted new legislation allowing the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to share critical complaint information with law enforcement when an individual threatens a person or organization. Before House Bill 4302 , authored by Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, and Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, complaint information was kept confidential unless a court ordered it released. The new law creates a specific exception for safety threats. "When a complaint escalates into a serious threat of violence, public safety should always come first," Norwood said. "I am thankful to Senator Gillespie for her hard work and to all those who signed on to support it. This legislation replaces inaction with action, helping law enforcement respond to serious threats before dangerous situations escalate." Gillespie said the new law will help authorities better address future threats and protect public safety. "Oklahomans should feel secure when reporting concerns within the state’s juvenile justice system," Gillespie said. "The new law allows the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to notify law enforcement when a threat appears serious and credible, while keeping other complaint information confidential. It also protects a complainant's privacy while prioritizing public safety when a situation could escalate into violence. I was proud to partner with Representative Norwood on this important measure, and I'm grateful for the Governor's support." HB4302 takes effect Nov. 1.

Members of the Oklahoma Accountancy Board and the Oklahoma Society of CPAs joined Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, for the ceremonial signing of legislation that offers another pathway to obtaining certified public accountant (CPA) designation. House Bill 4317 creates an additional path to achieving the certification while maintaining the requirement to pass the CPA exam. Kendrix said the update will modernize the licensure structure while protecting the quality of work. Kendrix, the bill's author and a CPA of more than 30 years, said the change will help address the state’s ongoing shortage of CPAs as the profession has evolved beyond traditional number-crunching to include more consulting and advisory work. "We need to make sure our licensing requirements are preparing students for the workforce, not simply requiring them to take more classes and pay more costs," Kendrix said. "This legislation helps us move toward a system that emphasizes mentorship and real-world experience, while still maintaining the higher education path for those who choose it." In addition to passing the CPA exam and one year of supervised work experience, the existing paths require either a master's degree in accounting or at least 150 additional credit hours. The new path requires a bachelor's degree in accounting and two years of supervised work experience. All candidates will still be required to pass the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination within the designated timeframe before receiving their CPA certification. Prior to licensure, candidates must also pass an ethics exam and a criminal background check. HB4317 also allows the Oklahoma Accountancy Board to grant CPA certificates to applicants licensed in other states. The update takes effect Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, and Sen. Kelley Hines, R-Oklahoma City celebrated the signing of House Bill 4486 , which authorizes the placement of a Gold Star Family Monument on the State Capitol grounds. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the measure into law Wednesday.  "Gold Star families carry with them a sacrifice that deserves our deepest respect and lasting remembrance," Townley said. "This monument will give Oklahomans a permanent place at our State Capitol to honor the service members who gave their lives for our country and the families who continue to carry their legacy. Generations from now, I hope it serves as a reminder of the tremendous cost of the freedoms we enjoy and of the Oklahoma families who have borne that cost. I’m grateful to Senator Hines for his partnership in bringing this legislation forward and to Governor Stitt for signing it into law."  HB4486 authorizes the State Capitol Preservation Commission or its designee to work with private entities to design, construct and place the Gold Star Family Monument on the Capitol grounds. The monument is to be located in the northwest corner behind the State Capitol Arch and will be constructed at no expense to the State of Oklahoma.  "Gold Star families have paid the ultimate price for our freedom," Hines said. "This monument will serve as a public reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave military men and women and, importantly, their loved ones who somehow find the strength to carry on even in the face of unimaginable grief. It was an honor to work with Representative Townley and Gold Star families on this legislation."  The measure took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A ceremonial signing was held for House Bill 1687, which updates Oklahoma law governing advance healthcare directives and medical decision-making. House Bill 1687 , authored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, creates the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act of 2026. The law gives Oklahomans clearer options for documenting their healthcare preferences, appointing an agent and designating who may make decisions if they lose the ability to do so themselves. "I know how difficult healthcare decisions can be for patients and their loved ones," Roe said. "This signing represents years of careful work to give Oklahomans a stronger voice in their healthcare, protects patients’ wishes while giving families and medical professionals clear guidance when it matters most." HB1687 presumes individuals have the capacity to make or revoke healthcare decisions unless a court determines otherwise or qualified medical professionals properly rebut that presumption. "We began this work during the 2025 legislative session and continued working closely with Oklahoma for Life and many others to make sure the language was compassionate and carefully crafted for families facing very difficult medical decisions," Roe said. "I am proud to see this legislation now signed into law." The law also establishes safeguards for patient rights, permits directives addressing mental health care and provides legal protections for healthcare professionals and institutions acting in good faith. HB1687 takes effect July 1, 2027.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Stitt on Tuesday held a ceremonial bill signing for legislation that creates the True Grit Trail in eastern Oklahoma. House Bill 1411 was authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. "'True Grit' is a classic story," Grego said. "And much of it was set right here in Oklahoma. This new trail will give us a way to show off the places made popular in the story. Hopefully, it also will draw new visitors to the state, positively impacting our local hotels, restaurants and other businesses." Hamilton added, “The True Grit Trail will be a uniquely Oklahoma experience that celebrates our rich western heritage and highlights a story that captured our nation’s attention with an iconic novel and film,” Hamilton said. "Showcasing the historic sites in True Grit will encourage visitors from across the nation to explore Southeastern Oklahoma, which will greatly contribute to the region’s economy.” "True Grit," a novel written by Charles Portis, has since been turned into several movie adaptations. It follows the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross who hires U.S. Marshall Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father. The trio trace the murderous gang into what was known as "Indian Territory" in 1878. The movie role of Rooster Cogburn was first played by John Wayne in 1969 and in a 2010 remake by Jeff Bridges. Kim Darby played the original Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld played the character in the 2010 film. Towns and places of interest along the trail include: Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. HB 1411 was signed into law in April and takes effect Nov. 1. Ceremonial bill signings give legislators the opportunity to invite others who were instrumental in the legislation. Tuesday's ceremonial signing featured several southeast Oklahomans dressed up as characters from the novel and the movies, including Zoe Reyes, who appeared as Mattie Ross, and Dr. Clarance Benes representing Rooster Cogburn. Also in attendance was Mike Cathey, a constituent of Grego who provided much of the inspiration for the bill. Cathey writes a weekly newspaper column and an annual tourism column. This year, with the passage of the True Grit Trail bill, he encouraged readers to find their way to Dardanelle, AR, the fictional home of Mattie Ross, and then traverse the near 260 miles along Arkansas State Highway 22 to Fort Smith, were Mattie travels to engage Deputy Cogburn to help find the man who killed her father. "Then travel with Mattie, Rooster and Texas Ranger LeBouef across the Arkansas river into Indian Territory (Sallisaw, Oklahoma to Spiro and then Oklahoma State Highway 31) as they head toward McAlester, (now Oklahoma), in search of the murderer Tom Chaney as he has been recently seen at J.J. McAlester’s Store. "This journey finds the traveler in the beautiful San Bois Mountains valley, in the now Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma’s largest lake) region, and following a visit to J.J. McAlester’s Olde Town stomping grounds, into the outlaws’ Robbers Cave and finally in the Winding Stair Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest of southeastern Oklahoma. And there is so much more as Charles Portis, I believe, purposely set his novel to parallel the Trail of Tears and the Butterfield Trail." Cathey said Arkansas launched and designated the True Grit Trail in Arkansas in 2019. In the fall of 2023 following the Charles Portis Symposium at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, on the grounds of the U.S. Marshal’s Museum in Fort Smith, Cathey and others launched the True Grit Trail in Oklahoma. He then worked with the Oklahoma authors of HB 1411 to establish the trail in Oklahoma statute. HB 1411 requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to post signs along Oklahoma state highways directing visitors to sites along the new trail. ODOT and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will be required to collaborate to maintain information regarding the True Grit Trail on an online platform.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, and Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for the ceremonial signing of two bills that restore state funding for 211 Oklahoma and restructure the statewide support system. House Bill 4095 and Senate Bill 1290 secured $3 million in state funding for 211 Oklahoma and restructured the advisory council that oversees its operations. "I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Dossett to secure passage of these two important bills," Norwood said. "Restoring state support for 211 will help ensure Oklahomans in every county can connect with critical services when they need them most. I’m grateful to Governor Stitt for signing these measures into law and to the advocates whose dedication helped carry them across the finish line." Dossett said the bills will help direct state funding efficiently and strategically to serve Oklahomans in need across the state. "It’s been an honor to work with Representative Norwood on these bills and with 211 advocates from both metropolitan areas," Dossett said. "I’m thankful to every legislator from across the state who lent their vote to this cause and to the governor for his signature." The 211 hotline provides access to assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, text and online. It connects residents with local and statewide resources during times of need and plays an important role in emergency response and recovery efforts. State funding for 211 Oklahoma had not been appropriated since 2016, when it was phased out because of budget constraints. Since then, nonprofit organizations, United Ways, health systems and community partners have worked together to sustain the service through private fundraising and other support. HB4095 takes effect Nov. 1. SB1290 took effect July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement condemning the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s decision to recommend parole for Verna Stafford, who was convicted for her role in the 1978 Sirloin Stockade massacre. "Parole, even one step closer, is not owed to Verna Stafford. Justice is owed to her victims. The board’s decision moves a convicted murderer one dangerous step closer to freedom. It disregards the brutality of these crimes, the lives that were stolen and the pain the victims’ families have carried. I began my law enforcement career the same year this massacre shocked our state. I remember like it was yesterday seeing the suspects being brought into the jail. I remember looking into their eyes and witnessing for myself the danger and recklessness that defined their character. They were as cold-blooded as they come. They preyed on nine innocent people, robbed them of their lives and left families permanently shattered. "She can say that she changed, and she can seek repentance. In fact, I truly hope she did. But what she cannot do is steal nine innocent lives and then escape the full punishment imposed for those crimes. I am calling on the Governor to reject this recommendation. Verna Stafford should never get one step closer to seeing the light of day as a free person." Stafford was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences for her role in the nine murders. She and her husband, Roger Dale Stafford, who was executed in 1995, were convicted of murdering a family of three along Interstate 35 near Purcell and later robbing an Oklahoma City Sirloin Stockade restaurant, where they stole $1500 and murdered six employees. Stafford’s parole recommendation now goes to the Governor for final consideration. If approved, the parole would apply only to her first life sentence. She would then begin serving her second consecutive life sentence and could be eligible for parole again in 15 years. Manger, chair of the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee, completed a 33-year law enforcement career with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

OKLAHOMA CITY — House and Senate lawmakers joined Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday for the ceremonial signing of two laws protecting Oklahoma utility customers and groundwater resources as large-scale data centers expand across the state. Stitt ceremonially signed House Bill 2992 , the Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, authored by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, and Senate Bill 259 , known as the Groundwater Modernization Act, authored by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, and Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee. The measures create safeguards to protect Oklahoma families, small businesses and traditional utility customers from bearing utility and infrastructure costs created by large-scale energy users. They also enhance groundwater protections and water-use reporting requirements. "With these two bills now law, Oklahoma families and businesses will not be forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of massive data centers and other large-scale energy users," Boles said. "I appreciate all of my colleagues in the House and the Senate who recognized the importance of protecting Oklahoma ratepayers and Governor Stitt for signing these measures into law. I am pleased we were able to deliver these ratepayer protections for Oklahomans." HB2992 took effect July 1 and protects existing utility customers from infrastructure costs created by large-scale energy users, including data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. It also requires developers to notify adjoining landowners, county commissioners and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission within 60 days of acquiring land for a qualifying project. "As our state continues to attract major energy-intensive industries, we’ve established a framework that ensures those developments pay their own way rather than shifting costs onto Oklahoma families, farmers, ranchers and small businesses," Green said. "Today’s ceremony highlighted our shared commitment to protecting Oklahoma land and ratepayers while supporting responsible and transparent economic growth." SB259 takes effect Nov. 1 and modernizes Oklahoma’s groundwater permitting, monitoring and reporting requirements. The law requires water permit holders to submit annual water-use reports to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and directs the board to establish rules for reviewing reports, investigating complaints of waste and imposing penalties for overuse. "The Groundwater Modernization Act ensures Oklahoma’s most important natural resource is protected as our state attracts new commercial investments," Howard said. "The legislation recognized in today’s ceremony establishes a stronger standard for responsible and transparent groundwater management and conservation across Oklahoma. This law will help safeguard this vital resource for the needs of our communities today and for generations to come." The law prohibits data centers from using groundwater in open-air evaporative cooling systems or other systems that consume groundwater through evaporation without recirculation. To receive a groundwater permit, a data center must demonstrate that it will use low-consumptive cooling technology, such as a closed-loop or dielectric immersion system, which will help preserve groundwater for local communities and farmers. "For those communities that choose to allow data centers, this bill will ensure that water is conserved, and evaporation is limited," Newton said. "It's important to me and those I serve in northwestern Oklahoma, as well as residents throughout the state, that we protect our precious water resources and use the best conservation practices." Stitt says these new laws offer an approach to meeting Americans’ data needs while making sure Oklahomans are not left holding the bill. "This legislation ensures Oklahoma families come first as our economy grows," Stitt said. "In Oklahoma, we welcome the free market to drive prosperity, and we have also set clear guardrails for large load customers to solve for their own power needs. I appreciate legislative leaders for passing a modern solution that keeps Oklahoma a national energy leader while protecting four million Oklahomans from paying for someone else’s power use." The event was held at 9:30 a.m. in the Governor’s Blue Room. Stitt previously approved HB2992 May 11 and SB259 May 20.