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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, today issued the following statement after receiving word that the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN) K9 Interdiction Unit was named “Team of the Year” by the National Criminal Enforcement Association (NCEA). Additionally, agents Dallas Lang, Justin Taylor and Darin Morgan were recognized as Royal Knights, the first award developed by the Desert Snow Training Program, developed to help motivate and acknowledge relentless criminal interdiction police work. The awards were announced at the NCEA's national interdiction conference in South Carolina on Wednesday. “I want to personally congratulate the OBN Interdiction Team and these agents on these well-deserved awards," said Turner, who serves as vice chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Committee, and who has a long career in law enforcement. "This recognition shows that the criminal element is active on Oklahoma roads, and it underscores the importance of interdiction work. As a former drug task force supervisor and sheriff, I know firsthand how vital interdiction is for keeping our communities safe. Whether part of a local impact team or a dedicated interdiction unit, these professionals protect our citizens and our state. Oklahoma is blessed with some of the best interdictors in the world, both current and retired. Their expertise is now respected nationwide and will be used to help other states build effective programs. Thank you to these team members and these agents for their dedication and service.” Turner noted that just in the past 12 months, OBN's K9 Interdiction Unit has seized 6,839 pounds of marijuana, two pounds of heroin, 89 pounds of cocaine, 365 pounds of meth, and 140 pounds of fentanyl. They've made dozens of arrests, including two people on the International Terrorism Federal Watch List, and recovered two endangered children kidnapped from the state of Kansas.  Turner also pointed out that Royal Knight status is only awarded to road officers who have met a number of requirements and have also been accepted by the Royal Knight Committee. Individuals selected must show a sustained and professional effort to protect the motoring public by identifying and apprehending some of America's worst criminals. Additionally, it was announced at the conference that OBN and Oklahoma Highway Patrol would be co-hosting the 2026 NCEA Conference in Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, released the following statement after a wreck in his district occurred Monday night involving a Minco school bus carrying several players and coaches from the Minco High School softball team. "My heart is heavy for the students, coaches and families affected by this tragic accident," Lowe said. "This is a time when we must all come together in prayer and allow the families space and privacy as they walk through the days ahead. The administration at Minco Public Schools is one of the best in the state and the courage of these young people and their coaches inspires us all." Lowe had the opportunity to visit with Minco Superintendent Kevin Sims this morning to receive an update on the accident and those involved. While several remain in critical condition in the hospital, as the superintendent put it, “broken bones heal faster than broken hearts,” and the community is fortunate this was not a fatality situation. "When terrible situations like these hit a community, it reminds us how important those around us are," Lowe said. "Oklahomans always come together in our time of need. The entire state is standing with Minco, and we will continue to surround these families with love and support in the days ahead. I encourage everyone to step in and help in any way they can." Lowe is working closely with the Minco community to provide assistance and support where it is needed most. The administration at Minco Public Schools is also preparing for students to return and for the school to begin processing this situation together. Updates on the accident, school schedules and ways the community can help will be posted on the Minco Public School's Facebook page.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, was honored Saturday as the Legislative/Government Official of the Year  for 2025 by the Licensed Child Care Association of Oklahoma (LCA). He received the award during the organization’s annual gala at the Grand Casino in Shawnee. The LCA hosts its gala each year to recognize early education professionals and individuals who make a positive impact on the field. “When the Department of Human Services introduced abrupt rule changes that threatened to close daycare centers across Oklahoma, the Licensed Child Care Association stepped forward to make sure lawmakers understood what was at stake,” Maynard said. “After hearing their concerns, I was able to work with DHS to modify those rules and protect an essential service for families in every community. I’m humbled by this recognition, but the real win is that we preserved vital child care options for parents and children across our state.” Maynard currently serves on the House Common Education Committee and chairs the House Government Modernization & Technology Committee. He is also a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight Committee, the Administrative Rules Committee, and the Appropriations & Budget Finance Subcommittee. LCA Executive Board member Tina Feltman said Maynard was selected for the award primarily because of his work on administrative rules. She said Maynard was always agreeable to sitting down and discussing matters with board members. His taking time to listen and to check into issues for them, proved invaluable to the organization. Feltman noted that every LCA member across the state votes on the award recipient. She said members especially appreciated Maynard’s openness to questioning rules when necessary and his commitment to ensuring that early childhood educators have a voice in the process.

OKLAHOMA CITY - In response to ongoing discussions about mandating E-Verify for employees in Oklahoma, Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, chair of the House Business Committee, issued the following statement:  “Although I appreciate the intent to protect Oklahoma jobs and wages, I have serious concerns about placing additional burdens on Oklahoma’s small businesses,” Banning said. “Requiring E-Verify for every W-2 employee would subject most Oklahomans to yet another federal database and would create additional regulatory challenges for Oklahoma businesses. If a business chooses to utilize E-Verify, I respect their decision but I cannot support making its use mandatory for every employer and employee in our state.”  E-Verify is a federal program operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration. The system allows employers to confirm the employment eligibility of employees by comparing information from an employee’s Form I-9. Federal law already mandates Form I-9, which confirms employee eligibility to work in the United States.  Under federal law, most private employers are not required to use E-Verify unless they hold federal contracts or operate in states where its use is mandated. In Oklahoma, private employers are not required to use E-Verify though some choose to do so voluntarily. Banning emphasized that while he supports efforts to address illegal immigration, he believes any solution should balance enforcement with protecting small businesses and Oklahomans’ liberty.  “I fully support upholding the law and ensuring individuals come to the United States legally,” Banning said. “However, we must be careful not to create unnecessary obstacles for the Oklahoma businesses that drive our economy.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, has been nominated and accepted the position of Co-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Transportation Standing Committee for the next two-year term. Miller previously served as Vice-Chair of the committee where she was recognized for her leadership, dedication and active engagement in transportation policy at the state and national levels. She currently serves as Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, where she leads efforts to shape policy, guide infrastructure investment and advance workforce development across Oklahoma’s transportation and aerospace sectors. "I am honored to serve as Co-Chair of NCSL’s Transportation Standing Committee," Miller said. "Transportation connects our communities and drives our economy. Over the years, working on everything from surface transportation to the aviation and aerospace sector, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful policy and consistent, reliable transportation funding can make a real difference for families, workers, and businesses. I look forward to working with legislators across the country to bring back solutions that strengthen safety and improve efficiency to keep Oklahoma moving forward. The NCSL Transportation Standing Committee brings together state legislators from across the nation to address issues related to transportation policy, infrastructure development and safety. Members collaborate to share ideas, research and strategies that improve the effectiveness of transportation systems at both the state and federal levels. Miller looks forward to continuing her work on transportation issues and representing Oklahoma in this national forum.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, and Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, received Legislator of the Year awards recently from the Oklahoma Restaurant Association (ORA). The two were recognized during an Oklahoma Hospitality Leaders Dinner held at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The dinner was part of the ORA's annual expo. "It's wonderful to be recognized for legislation I've authored and supported that is pro-business, pro-economy and lower taxes for individuals and businesses," Bashore said. "During my time as a legislator I've focused on legislation that will allow everyday Oklahomans to keep more of their hard-earned income or that would help businesses come out from under onerous regulations so they can operate more freely, which always improves the overall economy." Fetgatter said, "I've worked hard as a legislator to make sure food service and other entertainment and hospitality industries thrive in Oklahoma. These business owners contribute not just to our job market and our economy, but they enhance our overall quality of life. I'm proud to have been awarded for my efforts." Bashore currently serves as Majority Deputy Floor Leader in the House. Before being elected to state office in 2020, he was general manager of a casino and resort where he led hundreds of employees and oversaw numerous high-profile sporting events and concerts, resulting in tens of millions of dollars positively impacting the state economy. He's also is credited with reviving a struggling Oklahoma Boxing Commission as its executive director. Fetgatter currently serves as Tribal and External Affairs Leader in the House. He was elected as a representative in 2016. Prior to that, he owned a construction company, worked in sales and marketing for a web-based technology company as well as in the grocery business. In the Legislature, he's worked to promote business-friendly policies and create economic development opportunities.  The Oklahoma Restaurant Association also manages the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association and the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. They note that Oklahoma’s hospitality sector – including foodservice, lodging and tourism – is the third-largest industry in the state. The jobs created lead to continued growth in disposable personal income. The association reports that within Oklahoma, every dollar spent in these establishments generates an additional $1.60-1.79 of sales for the state economy. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today asked Oklahoma's attorney general to establish a multi-county grand jury to investigate the Oklahoma judicial system. In his letter, Humphrey referenced a recent federal appeals court ruling that favored a family suing members of the Wagoner County sheriff's office. Jeffrey Krueger died in 2019 after an arrest. His family sued arguing deputies used excessive force during the arrest. The United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit recently ruled the defendants in the lawsuit are not entitled to qualified immunity and the district court's recitation of the facts was incomplete. "Being a former law enforcement officer myself, I am generally going to be on the side of law enforcement," Humphrey said. "But this case deserves much greater scrutiny." Humphrey also referenced a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court public reprimand of Special Judge Emily Mueller. In their rebuke, justices noted violations of the state's Judicial Code of Conduct and found the judge's behavior to be biased, rude, undignified and disrespectful to attorneys and others in and out of her courtroom. "Based on the revelations revealed in these current reviews of our Oklahoma judicial system, I feel that you no longer can avoid calling a multi-county grand jury," Humphrey wrote to the attorney general. "I encourage you to act swiftly in convening a multi-county grand jury to look into these and all other matters." A full copy of the letter can be read here .

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 2364 , which expands the Sarah Stitt Act to improve workforce readiness and reduce barriers for Oklahomans reentering society after incarceration. Hill authored HB2364 to ensure eligible inmates are better prepared for life after release by requiring the Department of Corrections to assist individuals in obtaining a REAL ID noncompliant driver license or identification card. This measure removes a critical hurdle to employment and strengthens Oklahoma’s ongoing Restorative Workforce Initiatives. “Oklahoma has gone from leading the nation in incarceration rates to achieving one of the lowest recidivism rates,” Hill said. “HB2364 builds on that success by helping Oklahomans leaving incarceration take meaningful steps toward rejoining the workforce and contributing to their communities. In addition to supplying people the tools to succeed, every individual reenters the workforce saves taxpayers more than $20,000 each year. This legislation creates pathways for Oklahomans to rebuild their lives and support their families.” The Sarah Stitt Act, first passed in 2021, requires the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with essential documents prior to release, including vocational training records, work history, Social Security cards and resumes. HB2364 expands those requirements by prioritizing identification documents and ensuring inmates leave with the paperwork they need to obtain employment. “Ensuring that individuals leave incarceration with proper identification is a simple step that makes a big difference,” Hill said. “By reducing barriers to work, we are investing in the lives of our great state, building stronger communities, and moving Oklahoma forward.” The legislation also reflects Gov. Stitt’s policy pillars focused on Criminal Justice Reform and Classroom to Careers, supporting Restorative Workforce Initiatives that strengthen Oklahoma’s economy and communities. HB2364 takes effect Nov. 1, 2025. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has been appointed by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert to serve as the Oklahoma House majority party representative on the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Board. “I am honored to be appointed by Speaker Hilbert to serve on the SAFE Board,” Roe said. “This is a critical issue in our state, and I will work to ensure survivors are supported and that evidence is handled with the highest standards of care and accountability.” The SAFE Board oversees policy and procedures regarding the collection, testing and storage of sexual assault forensic evidence kits in Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health , an estimated 17% of women and 3% of men nationwide have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. In Oklahoma, the rate of rape and attempted rape reported to law enforcement has been 35-45% higher than the U.S. average for the past decade. “Sexual violence has left lasting scars on far too many Oklahomans,” Roe said. “These statistics show the importance of the SAFE Board’s work. Our job is to make sure the system serves survivors with compassion while providing law enforcement with the tools they need to pursue justice.” Hilbert, R-Bristow, issued the appointment in a formal letter to Roe earlier this month. “I appreciate Representative Roe’s willingness to serve in this capacity,” Hilbert wrote in his letter. “Her leadership and commitment will be valuable to the board and to the people of Oklahoma.” The SAFE Board is a 17-member multidisciplinary body established in state law. Its membership includes two senators, two representatives, the attorney general, law enforcement leaders from state and local agencies, medical professionals, victim advocates and a sexual assault survivor.