Speaker Kyle Hilbert

R

District 29

Hi, I’m Kyle Hilbert and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 29th District.


representative

Leadership

Speaker Pro Tempore

59th Legislature

Speaker Pro Tempore

58th Legislature

Speaker of the House

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Apr 25, 2025
Recent Posts

House Speaker Welcomes Official Appointment of Jim Hess as OSU President

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, comments on the appointment of Dr. Jim Hess as the next President of Oklahoma State University: "I am thrilled to hear of the official appointment of Dr. Jim Hess as the next President of OSU. His experience and dedication to student success and the university make him well-suited for this role. Since stepping in as interim president, he’s been a great partner to the Legislature, and his official appointment brings stability to the university as it prepares for continued growth and future success." "I’m grateful to the OSU Board of Regents for their swift and decisive action today. Having reliable, long-term leadership in place will allow the institution and the general public to buy in to a long-term vision of making Oklahoma State University the preeminent land grant University in the country."

Apr 17, 2025
Recent Posts

House Holds First Hearing in Investigation into Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today convened the first hearing of a newly-formed select committee to investigate financial operations within the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). This initiative is led by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to provide greater transparency and oversight into how state funds are being allocated and spent by the department. Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa has been appointed chair of the bipartisan 14-member panel, which includes 11 Republicans and 3 Democrats. “With just over a month remaining in the legislative session, this investigation is a top priority,” said Speaker Hilbert. “Our goal is to understand the department’s financial practices, ensure accountability and determine whether additional funding is truly necessary before the session concludes.” Among the issues under review are: Reports of using current fiscal year funds to cover prior year expenses The cancellation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) contracts and its impact on service continuity The agency’s request for FY25 supplemental funding The unexplained allocation of $5 million for an electronic medical records (EMR) system that was never implemented Long-term budget planning for FY26 Updates related to the federal court-ordered consent decree impacting ODMHSAS Testimony Thursday included: ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiller Tulsa Police Officer Lt. Amber McCarty Tulsa Police Deputy Chief Mark Wollmershauser Still set to testify at upcoming meetings will be: Skip Leonard – Interim CFO, ODMHSAS Regina Birchum – Director, Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency Aaron Morris, CFO, State of Oklahoma Barrett Brown – Former Chief of Staff, ODMHSAS Janet Cizek – CEO, Community Treatment Integrations of Oklahoma Jon Greenwood – CEO, Gateway to Prevention Adam Andreassen – CEO, Family and Children's Services Amanda Otis – Purchasing Director, State of Oklahoma  The committee’s investigation complements other oversight efforts already in progress. A forensic audit of ODMHSAS is currently being conducted by the State Auditor and Inspector. Additionally, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is reviewing the department’s contracts and financial records, and Governor Kevin Stitt will soon appoint a special investigator to conduct an independent review. During today’s hearing, lawmakers also addressed the recently passed consent decree stemming from a 2023 lawsuit against ODMHSAS. The decree, negotiated by the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Attorney General, and ODMHSAS, was approved unanimously by the House (91-0). It seeks to uphold due process for pretrial defendants awaiting mental health evaluations and competency restoration by mandating faster evaluations, expanded forensic resources, and improved training. “This is a critical moment for mental health services in Oklahoma,” said Rep. Lawson. “We must balance compassion with accountability and ensure those in crisis receive the help they need, while taxpayers can trust their dollars are being spent wisely.” The committee is expected to hold additional hearings over the coming weeks as legislators work swiftly to draft a balanced budget as is constitutionally required and complete their review prior to session adjournment at the end of May.

Apr 15, 2025
Recent Posts

House Speaker Announces Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced today the formation of a select committee to review the finances at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). Majority Leader Mark Lawson will chair the committee for the House and the following members have been appointed to the committee: Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa – chair Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany Rep. Josh West, R-Grove Rep. Kevin West. R-Moore Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater "It is our constitutional duty to oversee and appropriate state funds, and we take that role very seriously," said Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We have just over a month left in this legislative session and we still don't have a clear understanding of how much state funding ODMHSAS needs. This public hearing will help us get to the bottom of what has happened and what needs to happen moving forward." The Speaker first announced his desire to form this committee last week. Additionally, the state Auditor and Inspector is doing a forensic audit of the agency and Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is reviewing existing contracts and finances to help give a third party perspective to the way the department has handled state appropriated dollars. The Governor also announced yesterday he will appoint a special investigator to review the agency's finances and actions. "The people of Oklahoma are depending on the critical mental health services provided by the department and we need more information than what we have in front of us right now to make a decision on if state funds have been spent appropriately, and what additional dollars may be needed to ensure continuity of care," said Lawson. "We have seen contracts cancelled and have been told money appropriated by the Legislature for specific purposes is unaccounted for. The Legislature needs more confidence in what it will take to adequately fund mental health services both in the short and long term. This is an all-hands-on-deck approach as we near the end of the legislative session." The Commissioner of ODMHSAS Allie Friesen will be called before the committee to address recent issues at the department, including but not limited to: The current financial condition of the ODMHSAS The unknown use of specific fund allocations such as the $5 million allocated for upgraded electronic medical records system, which was never implemented The use of current year appropriations to pay prior years expenses Cancelled CCBHC contracts The department's need for a FY25 supplemental to fulfill its financial obligations in the current fiscal year and the amount needed to do so Future budget needs for FY26 Give an update of the current state of the federal court-ordered consent decree on the Department of Mental Health The select committee will meet on Thursday, April 17, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 450 at the state Capitol.