Representative David Hardin

R

District 86

Hi, I’m David Hardin and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 86th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Jun 14, 2024
Recent Posts

Representatives Commend Governor's Line-Item Veto of Education Budget Limits Bill

A group of legislators on Friday praised the governor's line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122, which would have placed spending limits on the State Department of Education (SDE) for its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which goes into effect July 1. The statement is issued by Reps. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid; Chris Banning, R-Bixby; Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle; Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita; Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; JJ Humphrey, R-Lane; Tom Gann, R-Inola; Jim Grego, R-Wilburton; Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa; Mark Lepak, R-Claremore; Cody Maynard, R-Durant; Jim Olsen, R-Roland; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener. "We'd like to thank Governor Stitt for his thoughtful line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122," they said. "These portions of the bill would have done nothing to improve the education of Oklahoma students and instead would have significantly damaged the Department of Education's ability to carry out its mission." The lawmakers said Section 15 of SB1122 would have required SDE to apply for every federal grant, while Section 16 would have included provisions that forbid SDE from using any money to secure media interviews or public relations, or for other public promotional purposes. The group noted that no other agency is subject to these restrictions. State agencies are granted the autonomy to decide which grants to apply for and almost every state agency spends money to communicate to the public about particular programs or services offered. Section 16 would have singled out and severely limited SDE in this function. The lawmakers spoke about the Teacher of the Year program, teacher recruitment efforts, certain financial disclosures, and other public relations messages that would have been hampered should this measure have been signed into law. On Friday afternoon, the governor issued Executive Order 2024-12, which prohibits all state agencies, rather than inequitably highlighting a specific agency, from entering into sole source contracts with public relations, marketing, or communications firms and vendors, as well as requires all PR vendors be procured through a 30-day request for proposal.

Mar 21, 2024
Recent Posts

Hardin Disappointed as HB4090 Stalls in House

Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, commented on House Bill 4090, which failed to progress following the House of Representatives' third-reading deadline for bills from their chamber of origin. HB4090 proposed criminalizing unlawful presence in the United States. Under the bill, if a person is arrested and found to be illegally present in Oklahoma, they would be charged with a felony and subject to a minimum penalty of five years imprisonment. "It's disappointing that House Bill 4090 failed to advance," Hardin said. "Under Joe Biden's administration, the border crisis has reached unprecedented levels, forcing states to act on their own. This legislation could have served as a significant move toward addressing the urgent problem of illegal immigration within our state. Instead, we continue to ineffectively manage the influx of individuals entering Oklahoma illegally." Under HB4090, a person arrested may post a cash bond of at least $100,000. Alternatively, the court could issue a written order requiring the person to return to the foreign nation from which the person entered if the person agrees to the order, has not previously been convicted of a violent crime, and is not charged with another felony offense. The measure would require the Department of Corrections to notify the United States Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security to arrange transportation for the repatriation of the person. In 2023, Hardin visited McAllen, Texas, and the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, on the border between the United States and Mexico. "I saw firsthand the reality of what is happening at our nation's southern border," Hardin said. "Under the current administration's deliberate and ineffective border strategy, record numbers of immigrants are entering the U.S. illegally, depleting resources and overrunning towns and cities throughout the country." As part of his efforts to better address illegal immigration in our state, Hardin recently reached out to House leadership to get HB4090 passed. It passed the Judiciary—Criminal Committee 6 -1 but failed to get a hearing on the House floor.

Mar 13, 2024
Recent Posts

House Passes the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act

The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation to set standards for all state detention and lockup facilities. Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, authored House Bill 3757, which would establish the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act and authorize the State Department of Health to promulgate rules to implement it. "In the past, our jail rules were just that—rules," Hardin said. "But now, with this new law, we're making an effort to codify robust regulations into law, defining elements such as inmate living space and safety monitoring." The measure directs detention facility inspections to be limited to the specific requirements of the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act or rules. Detention facilities must have staff available to perform sensitive functions and procedures to accommodate inmate gender. Under HB3757, a county or municipality operating a detention facility may request a waiver from any provision of the Oklahoma Jail Standards Act or any rules upon a showing that application of such provision would impose undue hardship upon the county or municipality or the inmates held at the facility. HB3757 passed the House 92 – 1 and moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Weaver, R-Moore.