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OKLAHOMA CITY– Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, has filed House Joint Resolution 1001 aimed at providing financial relief to Oklahoma senior homeowners. This initiative seeks to stabilize property taxes for those aged 65 and older who meet certain criteria, ensuring that they can remain in their homes without the burden of rising property taxes. “This measure is about protecting our seniors and eliminating the worry about property taxes skyrocketing as they retire,” Manger said. “By freezing taxable property values for qualifying seniors, we are helping them maintain stability and control over their financial future." This measure was filed as a House Joint Resolution which, if passed by the Legislature, would give Oklahoma voters the opportunity to decide whether to incorporate the provisions of HJR1001 into the Oklahoma Constitution. Under HJR1001, homeowners would need to meet specific eligibility requirements, including being 65 years or older, occupying their home for at least 10 years and ensuring the property’s fair cash value does not exceed $500,000. Temporary absences from the home, provided they do not exceed 365 days within a 10-year period, would not disqualify eligibility. HJR1001 states that the fair cash value of a qualifying senior’s homestead would be frozen at the value it held when the senior turned 65. This freeze applies even if property values in the area increase. The measure would also eliminate income-based eligibility, ensuring that all seniors who meet the age and occupancy criteria can benefit, marking a significant departure from the existing rules. Additionally, any new improvements to a senior's home would be added to the taxable value and once adjusted, the fair cash value total would remain for as long as the senior continues to own and occupy the property. "Oklahoma’s seniors often live on fixed incomes, and rising property taxes can strain their finances," Manger said. "This resolution would ensure that older homeowners are protected from these increases while maintaining fairness in the state’s property tax system." Rep. Manger encourages Oklahomans interested in this bill to reach out to their legislators and urge them to co-sponsor the legislation. HJR1001 will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 3. If passed, Oklahomans could see it on the ballot in 2026.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives completed bill filing Thursday, Jan. 16, for the first regular session of the 60th Legislature. A total of 1,928 House Bills, 29 House Joint Resolutions, three House Resolutions, and two House Concurrent Resolutions were filed before the deadline.  The full text of the bills, along with additional information including authors and co-authors, may be found online at https://www.okhouse.gov/ . Last year, the Clerk of the House reported 1,210 House Bills, 12 House Joint Resolutions and one House Resolution were filed. Joint resolutions may be filed at any point during the session. The House is currently comprised of 80 Republicans and 20 Democrats with one vacancy. The first regular session of the 60th Legislature will begin Monday, Feb. 3, at noon with the State of the State address from Gov. Kevin Stitt in the House Chamber.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert today filed legislation to protect President Donald J. Trump's constitutional rights to vote and bear arms in Oklahoma.  HB2292 will ensure that past and present presidents are allowed to vote and the right to possess and carry firearms or weapons in the state of Oklahoma, regardless of the politically-motivated actions of other states. This legislation is intended to safeguard constitutional freedoms and resist efforts to undermine political figures through the misuse of legal systems. Donald J. Trump is set to be sworn in as President of the United States on Monday, Jan. 20.   “This legislation is about standing up for our state's principles and rejecting the blatant weaponization of the justice system. Oklahoma will not stand idly by while political games are played to undermine a president who has fought tirelessly for the American people," said Speaker Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We want to send a clear message that every American, and especially the President of the United States, is afforded their full rights and protections in Oklahoma, regardless of political attacks elsewhere.  Oklahoma is one of only two states in the country where every county voted for President Trump in the most recent presidential election.  "Oklahomans love President Trump and we will continue to work closely with our federal delegation to ensure that the policies of the new administration align seamlessly with Oklahoma’s priorities and values," said Hilbert. “Political attacks in other liberal states won’t impact how we govern and act in the state of Oklahoma. We welcome President Trump to visit Oklahoma, where his rights will be fully recognized.”  HB2292 was filed today and will be assigned to committee prior to the start of the 60th Legislature, which begins on Monday, February 3rd, 2025. 

A new bill proposed by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, would prohibit pelvic and breast examinations on unconscious patients without prior written informed consent. House Bill 1172  would prohibit health care providers overseeing a training program with medical students from performing certain examinations on a patient who is under anesthesia or unconscious. These include breast, pelvic, urogenital, prostate or rectal examinations. The measure is similar to a  bill  Stark filed last year. "The performance of these examinations without the explicit consent of the patient is a clear violation of their trust and their human dignity," Stark said. "A person is at their most vulnerable when they are unconscious. House Bill 1172 gives every patient the choice to preemptively approve or refuse to undergo these exams while under anesthesia." The performance of these exams on unconscious patients had been a common practice in medical schools and teaching hospitals for many decades, but  new guidance  from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services now requires providers to obtain prior consent for breast, pelvic, prostate and rectal exams for educational and training purposes. As of 2023,  20 states  had laws prohibiting pelvic examinations on unconscious patients and 13 states were considering similar legislation. Any health care provider found guilty could face a felony conviction, a prison sentence of up to five years, or a fine of $20,000. They could also face penalties from the licensing board responsible for their area of practice. HB1172 provides certain exceptions, including if the patient or authorized representative of the patient has provided prior written informed consent to the examination, if an emergency occurs or if a court has ordered the examination to collect evidence. HB1172 may be considered in the upcoming legislation session, which begins Monday, Feb. 3.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, has filed a series of bills that range from placing a moratorium on green energy projects to creating setbacks to recapturing tax subsidies from the industry. Another measure would ban the use of biosolids. "I told my constituents when running for office I would fight against the green energy insanity that has come to a peak during the Biden Administration," Shaw said. "The truth is many of the so-called green energy centers are massive consumers of energy, and they would completely destroy the economy of our great state." For the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 3, Shaw has filed: House Bill 1450 , which would place an indefinite moratorium on all new industrial wind and solar facilities, or the expansion of existing facilities. "We already have too much intermittent and unreliable green energy in our portfolio – almost 50/50 wind versus natural gas," Shaw said. "We must pause to allow legislators to work with constituents on the best long-term path forward." House Bill 1451 would establish setbacks for utility-scale solar farm facilities and would amend setbacks for wind energy facilities constructed after Nov. 1.  Setbacks would include 1.5 nautical miles from the center line of a runway at a public-use or municipal-owned airport, from any public school, and from a hospital; and three miles from any nonparticipating property line. Shaw said industrial wind already has 1.5 nautical mile setbacks from hospitals, schools and airports, so he is leaving that as-is, but he's including a fourth category for nonparticipating property lines. He's duplicating the categories and distances for industrial solar. Solar has no setbacks or regulations today. House Bill 1452 would create the "Green Energy Subsidy Recapture Tax Act." Starting Oct. 1, all industrial wind and solar companies operating in Oklahoma will be assessed a tax equivalent to the federal subsidies they're receiving. House Bill 1726 would immediately ban the use of biosolids as land applied fertilizer and calls for immediate studies to be conducted by the Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, with a report due by Dec. 1 on how best to handle biosolids going forward.

Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, has again filed legislation to provide a sales tax exemption to certain nonprofits. House Bill 1171  would provide a sales tax exemption to nonprofit organizations with $3 million or less in annual gross revenue. Alcohol and tobacco purchases would not be considered exempt purchases. "I've been working on this policy proposal for several years now, and I hope that this is the year we get it across the finish line," Stark said. "Thanks to inflation, a dollar, whether it's donated or provided through a grant, doesn't have the same buying power it did five years ago. Allowing our nonprofits, which do so much good for our communities, to become exempt from sales taxes would be a great benefit to these organizations and the people they serve." Stark ran similar legislation,  House Bill 1568 , in 2023. The measure passed the House 70-17 but was not heard on the Senate floor. She led an  interim study  on the topic in October 2023. This year's iteration, HB1171, is eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins Feb. 3.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, announced today the introduction of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act, a groundbreaking initiative to position Oklahoma as a national leader in embracing sound money principles and cutting-edge fiscal policy. Aligned with President Trump’s vision for digital assets and financial stability, House Bill 1203 would allow Oklahoma’s state savings accounts and pension funds to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin. Maynard said the investments would be managed prudently to meet the needs of fund managers, generate reliable returns for citizens, and safeguard purchasing power against inflationary pressures. “Bitcoin represents freedom from bureaucrats printing away our purchasing power,” Maynard said. “As a decentralized form of money, Bitcoin cannot be manipulated or created by government entities. It is the ultimate store of value for those who believe in financial freedom and sound money principles.” The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act would ensure Oklahoma is prepared for a future where digital assets play a pivotal role in the global economy, Maynard said. By allowing state funds to responsibly invest in Bitcoin, the legislation would provide a hedge against inflation and reinforce Oklahoma’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and forward-thinking governance. “This bill is about protecting the hard-earned money of Oklahoma’s citizens,” Maynard continued. “By diversifying our state’s savings and pension funds into digital assets, we are not only securing a stronger financial future for our state but also demonstrating Oklahoma’s leadership in adopting innovative fiscal policies.” The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act underscores Maynard’s belief in leveraging technology to empower individuals and governments alike. With Bitcoin’s finite supply and decentralized nature, he said it represents a unique opportunity to strengthen Oklahoma’s financial foundation and ensure sustainable growth for generations to come. HB1203 will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 3. If enacted, it would become effective Nov. 1. 

Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, has again filed legislation to change the date of school board elections in Oklahoma. If passed, House Bill 1151 would move school board elections to the same cycle as House and Senate elections, as well as modify term lengths for school board members by making both elementary district boards and independent district boards four-year terms. Under state statute, school districts must reimburse county election boards for all costs of school board elections. In 2023, these elections cost Oklahoma school districts a combined $16.8 million, taxpayer funds Banning said could go toward other purposes. "This bill is simple—it repurposes millions of dollars for our amazing educators while providing a more accurate representation of community standards at the polling place," Banning said. Under HB1151, these elections would move to the same schedule as legislative elections, which are held in June and November. Currently, school board elections are held in February and April. Banning said there are many examples of very low voter turnout in these elections. He pointed out the April 2024 election to fill Union Public Schools Board seat for Zone 4, which only 146 people voted in. Last year, Banning ran a nearly identical measure, House Bill 3563, which passed the House Elections and Ethics Committee but was not heard on the House floor. HB1151 will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins Mon., Feb. 3.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, has introduced House Bill 1100 , a legislative measure aimed at ensuring accountability within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). The bill would require clear and convincing evidence to keep a child away from their parent or guardian. HB1100 would also impose felony kidnapping charges on the DHS employee who is responsible for approving the continued holding or release of a child for noncompliance. “Due process appears to be an idea that has gone out the window in many cases here in Oklahoma,” said Woolley. “House Bill 1100 ensures the government is not above the law and requires concrete evidence of a crime or misconduct before the Department of Human Services can keep a child away from their family.” Woolley authored HB1100 to prevent children from being wrongfully taken or kept from their families by DHS, even in cases where charges were dropped or no evidence of misconduct was found. HB1100 would mandate that DHS present “clear and convincing evidence” of abuse or criminal behavior to justify separating a child from their family. If DHS fails to meet this new standard and refuses to return a child, the agency employee responsible for making that decision could face felony kidnapping charges. “No one is above the law,” Woolley stated. “If a private individual refuses to return someone’s child, they would face charges of kidnapping. DHS should be held to the same standard. Too often, Oklahomans have seen families torn apart without evidence or due process, and that must stop.” Woolley emphasized the importance of balancing the scales of justice and addressing the lack of accountability and transparency within DHS. “Oklahoma families should not live in fear of their own government,” he said. “This bill helps ensure DHS and the courts do not abuse their power and that families are protected at all costs.” HB1100 also seeks to replace the phrase "preponderance of evidence" with "clear and convincing evidence." Currently in Oklahoma child custody cases, "preponderance of evidence" refers to a legal standard requiring a more likely than not chance of misconduct to justify keeping a child from their family. By replacing this term with "clear and convincing evidence," HB1100 would require DHS to present strong, concrete proof that leaves little room for doubt about its validity. “Preponderance of evidence does not prove guilt,” Woolley noted. “The vague language in our laws has been weaponized to divide and destroy innocent families. It’s time to bring clarity, justice and accountability back into our system.” This bill still allows the court to hold review and follow-up hearings if DHS presents legitimate evidence of abuse to protect children. Woolley concluded, “In Oklahoma and in America, we believe in due process and the principle of being innocent until proven guilty. House Bill 1100 reflects these values and ensures that the government entity designed to protect children is held to the highest standards of justice.”