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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, which aims to shield Oklahoma families and small businesses from higher utility costs tied to large-scale energy users like data centers, is one step closer to becoming law. Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is the author of House Bill 2992 , which passed the House floor as well as the Senate floor yesterday with a unanimous vote. The measure establishes guidelines for how all Oklahoma electric suppliers and regulators manage the growing energy demands of data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations and artificial intelligence facilities. "I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature for their overwhelming bipartisan support to pass this bill and truly appreciate that so many of my colleagues have signed on as co-authors of this bill," Boles said. "I also really appreciate Senator Grant Green who carried this effort forward and got it across the finish line in the Senate. We have a duty to our constituents to put proper ratepayer protections and safeguards in place in state statute. Oklahoma families and small businesses should not be expected to finance major system upgrades required for high-demand users. Those costs should rest with the companies driving the need." The bill defines "large load customers" as new facilities adding 75 megawatts or more of demand and clarifies that residential, commercial, and traditional industrial customers are not included in that classification. The bill also adds a notice requirement within 60 days of acquiring land for these large load customers requiring them to notify the adjoining landowners, county commissioners, and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission which adds more transparency for local communities at the beginning stages of these large projects. Currently, 36 House and Senate lawmakers from both parties have signed on as co-authors of this bill alongside Rep. Boles and Sen. Green, R-Wellston, who are the primary authors. "I’m glad to see this critical reform pass the Legislature unanimously," Green said. "If private companies want to build in this state, they need to pay their own way and be good neighbors to the Oklahomans who have lived off this land their whole lives. Under this legislation, data centers and other facilities that consume massive amounts of energy can't pass their costs on to hardworking Oklahomans. Most importantly, data center developers won’t be able to buy land without notifying the community and nearby neighbors of their plans. This is a major victory for Oklahoma ratepayers that closely aligns with President Trump's broader efforts to protect consumers from higher utility costs." The Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026 now moves to the Governor's office to consider signing into law.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Gabe Woolley, R–Broken Arrow, urges the Oklahoma State Senate to consider House Joint Resolution 1084 , which he said the measure is intended to ensure that Oklahoma courts remain grounded solely in the Oklahoma Constitution and the United States Constitution. HJR1084 would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Woolley says it would allow voters to decide whether foreign legal systems or foreign legal codes may be considered in Oklahoma court decisions. "This measure is important because it would amend our state Constitution, and, if passed by voters, judges would be required to base their decisions on the Constitution and the rule of law, not outside legal systems," Woolley said. "This ensures clarity that the governing authority in Oklahoma courtrooms is our state and federal Constitutions." If the Senate approves the measure and it is passed by the people of Oklahoma, the state would join seven other states that have already enacted laws restricting the use or consideration of foreign legal codes in judicial decisions. "Other states have already taken steps to make clear that American courts should rely solely on domestic constitutional law and not be influenced by foreign legal systems," Woolley said. "Oklahoma voters should have the same opportunity to decide this issue for themselves." Woolley added that, as a Republican-led state, Oklahoma should be at the forefront of addressing this issue. "Given growing concerns about foreign influence, now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law," Woolley said. "I appreciate my colleagues in the House for advancing this resolution, and I am grateful to the thousands of Oklahomans who have engaged with this effort as we work to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. I urge our friends in the Senate to pass this measure and send it to the people. Oklahomans deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard on this issue."

OKLAHOMA CITY- Legislation that will improve awareness and prevention of dangerous blood clots is now in the hands of the Governor. Authored by Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, House Bill 3644 , titled the Blake Burgess Act, would require hospitals with emergency departments and ambulatory surgical centers to develop policies and procedures for identifying and responding to patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The measure also would require annual training for nonphysician staff on these procedures. The Act is named after a 21-year-old former neighbor and constituent of Stinson's who died from a pulmonary embolism in 2020. "This is a step toward better understanding the realities of this condition so we can increase awareness, recognize the warning signs earlier and respond faster," Stinson said. "Blake’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of how serious venous thromboembolism can be, and every six minutes, someone dies from complications related to VTE. We owe it to families across Oklahoma to improve education and help prevent more lives from being lost to a condition that is often overlooked until it is too late." A pulmonary embolism is a serious form of venous thromboembolism, or VTE, which occurs when blood clots develop in the veins and travel to the lungs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 60,000 and 100,000 Americans lose their lives to VTE-related complications each year, while many others face lasting health effects. The measure would also incorporate definitions for pulmonary embolism and venous thromboembolism into the Continuum of Care and Assisted Living Act. In addition, assisted living facilities would be required to provide new residents with educational materials about VTE at the time of admission. The informational pamphlets would be supplied free of charge through the National Blood Clot Alliance. Stinson said his thought behind the legislation is to improve coordination across the health care system. "Blood clots remain one of the leading preventable causes of hospital-related deaths in the United States, claiming more than 100,000 lives each year," Stinson said. "The reality is that many of these cases can be prevented, and as the old saying goes, that which gets measured gets managed. Through proper risk assessment and early intervention, we can definitely save lives."

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, applauds Governor Stitt's executive order to ban illegal immigrants on welfare benefits. The executive order comes after House Bill 4422 and House Bill 4423 did not advance in the State Senate. "I am thankful that Governor Stitt takes the issue of illegal immigration seriously and recognizes the importance of enforcing the rule of law at every level of government. Oklahoma taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize benefits for individuals who are in our country illegally. These services are intended for legal tax-paying citizens, and we are going to make sure that is who is receiving these benefits in Oklahoma. Oklahoma must send a clear message: we stand with legal immigrants, American workers and the men and women of ICE and Border Patrol who enforce our laws. The House stands with President Trump and with Governor Stitt in protecting American citizens and our tax dollars."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, on Tuesday passed a bill that would require all youth camps to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and to develop an emergency action plan by the end of this year and every three years going forward.  The plan specified in House Bill 1675 must include response protocols for each severe weather hazard applicable to the site, evacuation routes and other items outlined in the measure. Senate amendments were adopted by the House, and the bill has been sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law. "This bill is about keeping our children safe, and to assure parents that when they send their children to camp, it will be a wonderful and safe experience," Cantrell said. "It is not intended to put onerous regulations on camp owners, nor is it focused on any particular camp." Cantrell said the legislation was inspired after a catastrophic flood in Texas last year took the lives of 25 young campers, two counselors and a camp director. "The news reports of this event were horrific to watch, and I honestly cannot imagine the grief of the parents and families that is ongoing today." Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is the Senate author of the bill. “Camp should be a time for kids to let loose and have fun,” Seifried said. “But parents shouldn’t have to sit at home worrying every time they see a severe weather alert. This bill makes sure camps have clear emergency plans in place and staff who know what to do when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Preparing ahead of time and planning for all scenarios will keep campers safe and give parents peace of mind.” Cantrell said his legislation is not as restrictive as legislation passed in Texas. Instead, he said it would require camps to work with local emergency management officials to develop plans based on their local topography and local weather patterns. He said this is important in Oklahoma, where tornadoes, flash flooding and other severe weather events are a recurring threat. "I trust camp owners and operators will be able to work together with local officials to make sure we have the best emergency preparedness plans in place before our kids arrive at camp going forward," Cantrell said.                                                                                  Under the measure, youth camps would be required to maintain two independent methods of receiving severe weather alerts, an internal communication system, procedures for notifying guardians, and to provide access to shelters. Potential threats of severe weather and emergency response procedures must be disclosed to all participants. Camp staff are required to receive annual emergency procedure and hazard recognition training and conduct periodic drills. A copy of the emergency action plan must be kept on file with the applicable regulating authority. Regulating authorities are authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions and can impose corrective action plans, civil penalties, and suspend or revoke licensure for material noncompliance.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, today commented on a bill being sent to the governor that would require every Oklahoma birth certificate to contain an accurate biological sex designation of either male or female as identified at the time of birth. House Bill 1225 clarifies that the biological sex listed on birth certificates at the time of birth is not to be amended to display gender identity or a nonbinary designation. "The compelling interest for this legislation is to ensure the state has integrity and accuracy on the vital records it maintains," West said. "Birth certificates are used for many different purposes, including accurate identification of a person. It's important these documents reflect biological reality that cannot be changed regardless of how a person might wish to be identified otherwise." Sen. Michael Bergstrom, R-Big Cabin, is the Senate author of HB1225 and the principal author of Senate Bill 1100 , signed into law in 2022, which limited the biological sex designation on birth certificates to male or female. "Oklahoma statutes have always held that on vital statistics documents there are two options for sex, male and female," Bergstrom said. "This legislation clarifies that position, clarifies that's the position always held by Oklahoma's Legislature, so moving forward no one can unintentionally or intentionally confuse this matter." West said HB1225 is closely tied to House Joint Resolution 1032 , which was approved by the governor in March. The resolution removed rules relating to driver's license and identification card renewal that were inherited by Service Oklahoma. The rules were implemented prior to the agency's existence. "These rules did not have statutory authority to exist," West said. He said the clarification in statute is needed after a previous bill signed into law in 2024 has been wrongly interpreted by some. "The combination of these two measures close a perceived loophole that lawyers have used to argue that people can change their sex marker on their driver's license," West said. "This will ensure the accuracy of state records going forward." 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, applauds the signing of a bill that will give more parents the chance to choose the educational experience that best meets their child's needs. Caldwell is a coauthor of House Bill 3705 , which increases the annual cap on the Parental Choice Tax Credit program from $250 million to $275 million beginning in Fiscal Year 2027, which starts July 1. Under the program’s tiered structure, eligible families may receive refundable tax credits ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 per student for private school tuition, depending on household income. Additionally, families who homeschool may qualify for a $1,000 per-student tax credit for approved educational expenses. "This program has been extremely well-received by Oklahoma families, as shown by record application numbers this year," Caldwell said. "I truly believe education is the most important thing the state does for its citizens. A quality education has the power to change someone's life. And parents, not the government, should have the power to decide the best educational path for their child. I'm glad the Legislature and the governor responded to the growing demand by expanding the cap for this vital program, so more parents have the flexibility to choose the education their children deserve." The Parental Choice Tax Credit program was established through House Bill 1934  in 2023. This program is just a part of the legislative commitment aimed at improving education in Oklahoma. In addition to creating the popular school choice program in 2023, the Legislature has also invested more than $1 billion in new funding for public education.  "Parents deserve a choice of where to send their children to school," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, the House author of the bill. "For many, that's the local public school. However, if that school is not meeting their needs, parents should be able to put their tax dollars toward the place where their child will truly flourish." The Parental Choice Tax Credit program is administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, which opened applications for the 2026–27 school year on March 16. The commission reported nearly 27,000 applications for the upcoming school year were submitted on the first day alone. The application period for the tax credit closes at 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation before the deadline to ensure consideration.  More information, including application guidance and eligibility details, is available on the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s website: https://oklahoma.gov/tax/individuals/parental-choice-tax-credit.html .

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1543 , authored by Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, which would tighten penalties for repeat impaired driving offenses, has passed the House Floor and now is waiting on a final vote from the Senate. SB1543 would establish an aggregate offense for individuals who commit two or more separate driving under the influence violations within one year, allowing those offenses to be prosecuted as a single C2 felony. "These are 100 percent preventable tragedies, and far too many families have been left to carry the weight of a decision that never should have been made," Gise said. "By tightening this law and holding repeat offenders accountable, we are taking an important step to protect innocent lives across our state." "Working so closely with the great folks over at VOID and hearing the stories from so many families that have been impacted by impaired drivers, it was very clear that we needed a change," Gise said. "No one should have to lose a loved one this way. This is about putting people first and making it clear that Oklahoma will not tolerate behavior that puts others at risk." Victims of Impaired Drivers (VOID) is an organization that supports victims and families affected by impaired driving. "Impaired driving is a choice. Every time a person climbs behind the wheel to drive under the influence of any intoxicating substance, they are endangering the lives of everyone they pass on the streets," VOID founder Jeff Murrow said. "Victimless DUI is never harmless. This bill seeks to hold people accountable and prevent them from making this terrible decision." The group visited the Capitol on May 4 for an advocacy day, where Gise presented them on the House floor. In her remarks, Gise highlighted the following statistics about impaired driving in Oklahoma: Data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office shows there are approximately 700 deaths each year from automobile crashes in Oklahoma, with about half attributed to impaired driving, an average of one Oklahoman killed each day. According to the OSBI Statistical Analysis Center , the state has averaged 11,024 DUI arrests annually since 2021. Gise said the measure reflects a commitment to addressing a persistent public safety issue and standing with families who have been impacted. 'We have an opportunity to act before another life is lost," Gise said. "This legislation sends a clear message that repeat impaired driving will be taken seriously, and that the safety of Oklahoma families will always come first." SB1543 is now in the hands of the Senate. If approved by the Governor, the bill would take effect Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday passed a bill that establishes exact procedures for law enforcement to review cold cases involving violent crimes. Senate Bill 1636 passed the House unanimously on a vote of 81-0 after previously passing the Senate 47-0. The legislation has been sent to the governor for his consideration of signing it into law. If enacted, it would become effective Nov. 1. "As a former police officer, one of the worst things was telling someone I didn't have an answer for them about what happened to their loved one," Ford said. "This legislation sets up a better procedure for violent crime cold cases to be investigated with the hope this brings many of these cases to resolution." Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of the measure. “There are at least 1,000 Oklahoma families who have waited for years for justice for their loved ones. This bill will give them an opportunity to finally have the answers and the justice they deserve,” Hicks said. “I want to thank the members of the House for joining the Senate in unanimously approving Senate Bill 1636 and thank the governor for his consideration of this important legislation.” SB1636 would require law enforcement to review cold case files upon written application by a designated person, including family members, to determine if further investigation would result in probative leads. The review must be performed by a person who has not previously investigated the case, and it must be completed within six months. The timeline may be extended under certain circumstances.  The review is to include an analysis of the investigative steps or follow-up steps that may have contributed to the initial investigation; an assessment of whether witnesses should be interviewed or reinterviewed; a review of physical evidence to determine if all appropriate forensic testing and analyses were performed in the first instance or if additional testing might produce information relevant to the investigation; and a modernization of the file to raise it to current investigative standards to the extent that it would develop probative leads. The law enforcement agency receiving the application for review must confirm within 30 days of receipt and give periodic updates to the person requesting the review. The agency will then be required to meet periodically with the designated person to discuss findings and to explain the decision whether further investigation is warranted. Law enforcement agencies can jointly coordinate reviews. After review, if the law enforcement agency concludes that further investigation is not warranted, no additional review can be taken for the same case for five years, unless new evidence is discovered.