Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore

R

District 57

Hi, I'm Anthony Moore and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 57th District.


representative

Leadership

Speaker Pro Tempore

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 13, 2025
Recent Posts

Judicial Nominating Commission Reform Measures Pass House

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed two measures this week that would reform the way judges are vetted and selected in Oklahoma. The state's Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), established in 1967 by an amendment to the state Constitution, is charged with nominating the three most qualified candidates for appointment by the governor to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals, as well as district and associate district judgeships when vacancies occur outside the normal election process for those positions. Currently, six of the 15 members of the commission are attorneys and nine are non-lawyers. "A majority of Oklahomans are ready to modernize how state judicial applicants are vetted and appointed," said Speaker Pro Tem Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, who is the author of the bills. "The judiciary provides a vital check and balance function as laws are created, and it is important the system remains above reproach and is managed by those who know the law best. These two measures would update the nominating process in a way that would benefit the public while preserving the integrity of this system." House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, added, "These changes have been a long work in progress as we've listened to and considered the concerns of all Oklahomans. Our ultimate goal is for those who are most familiar with the law to promote judicial candidates that have demonstrated a strong record of competence, a commitment to administer justice based on existing law, and who have exhibited the highest moral character. These bills would allow us to make some much-needed changes to this long-established process." House Joint Resolution 1024 would send to a vote of the people a state question asking whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to make changes to the structure and terms of the members serving on the JNC. If approved, the question would establish that at least one member of the JNC be from each of the state's five congressional districts at the time of their appointment. If the state were to get another congressional seat, a change to the composition of the commission would be automatic. The six JNC members appointed by the governor and the six members of the Bar Association would serve six-year terms. The change would remove restrictions allowing the three at-large members to either be an attorney or have a familial relationship with an attorney. It would remove the prohibition on political appointments, allowing all appointments to be from one political party, if desired. It also would allow those appointed by House and Senate leaders to succeed themselves beyond their initial two-year terms. A yes vote would limit commissioners from serving more than 12 years. House Bill 2103 seeks to modernize the statutory portion of the JNC. It would prohibit any JNC member from participating in the decision-making process if the member is related to a nominee to the third degree either through ancestry or by marriage. The measure establishes penalties for violation and disclosure requirements, including the amount of any contributions made to the judicial campaign of any applicant. Both measures now move to the Senate where they are authored by Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville. 

Mar 6, 2025
Recent Posts

Governor, House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem Push For Change to State Board of Education Operations

House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert, with  the  support  of  Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Governor Kevin Stitt, filed an amendment to legislation that would allow two members  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place items on  the  board agenda. House Bill 1491 allows any member  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place an item on  the  board agenda if requested in writing by at least two members  of   the  board.  The  item shall be placed on  the  agenda for  the  next meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by  the  requesting members, in accordance with  the  Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. "We have volunteer boards and commissions that play an important oversight function for state agencies for a reason, and  the  duly-appointed members  of   the  State Board  of  Education should have a say in  the  agenda before  the m. This has been a longstanding issue that needs to be fixed," said  Speaker  Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We have checks and balances on government intentionally built into our system and this legislation will help ensure  the  State Board  of  Education – no matter who is appointed or who is  the  chair – will be able to move  the  needle for Oklahoma kids." " The  State Board  of  Education plays a crucial role in shaping  the  future  of  our schools, and its members should have a clear and fair process for addressing key issues,” Pro Tem Paxton, R-Tuttle, said. “This legislation ensures that every board member has a voice in setting  the  agenda, reinforcing transparency and accountability in our education system. With  the  current structure,  the  board is neutralized and has no say in shaping policy. Allowing this will provide a fair and more effective structure.” “No one member should unilaterally control a board, especially one that directly impacts  the  outcomes  of  our students," said Gov. Kevin Stitt. "It’s time to give a voice on  the  Board  of  Education to parents and students all across Oklahoma. Thank you to  Speaker  Hilbert and Pro Tem Paxton for spearheading this important legislation.” House Bill 1491, originally authored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, will be heard in  the  House Education Oversight Committee today. -END-

Mar 6, 2025
Recent Posts

House Approves Moore Bill Expanding Oklahoma's Promise to Children of Teachers

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved a measure by Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, that would give the children of longtime public school teachers access to the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship. House Bill 1727 would waive the scholarship's financial eligibility requirements for children of a full-time certified teacher who has taught for at least 10 years in Oklahoma public schools. The years do not have to be consecutive or at the same school. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), better known as Oklahoma's Promise, allows students with certain income, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or technology tuition scholarship. The program, administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, was created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college. "Our talented educators dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our state, and House Bill 1727 is one way we can show them that we value their work," Moore said. "By removing financial barriers to higher education for the families of longtime teachers, we are giving their children every opportunity to succeed and investing in the next generation of leaders for our state." Moore hopes that the measure will help address the teacher shortage. He said that children of educators are more likely to follow in their parents' footsteps, and he hopes that making them eligible for Oklahoma's Promise will inspire them to stay in Oklahoma for college and launch their teaching careers in their home state. "We've worked hard over the past decade to improve working conditions for Oklahoma teachers, increasing pay and health benefits, including paid maternity leave, while working to improve classroom conditions," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Removing income restrictions so their children can qualify for the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship is just one more incentive to keep certified teachers in our classrooms long-term where their expertise and dedication is needed and appreciated." Having passed the House 71-20, HB1727 now moves to the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.