Representative Trey Caldwell

R

District 63

Hi, I’m Trey Caldwell and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 63rd District.


representative

Leadership

Vice Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee

59th Legislature

Majority Deputy Leader

58th Legislature

Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 27, 2025
Recent Posts

House Releases Updated Budget Transparency Portal

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives released today updated budget numbers in its online transparency portal, detailing the House position on how the FY26 budget should be crafted. The portal, known as Budget HQ , was created in 2024 in an effort to bring transparency to the state budgeting process both for the full House membership and the public. The numbers are a starting point for negotiations with the Senate and Governor over the FY26 budget. "We have been working closely with the Senate and the Governor to determine where we can find areas of agreement, and potential areas of disagreement, and the numbers released today are a result of that hard work," said House Appropriations Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon. "We are proud to have these numbers out so early in session, and hope to continue close negotiations with the Senate to reach a budget deal that is good for the State of Oklahoma." Knowing the Board of Equalization certified in February the state will have less revenue for FY26 than last year, there are tough decisions that have to be made to ensure the state's obligations are met and efficiencies are found where possible. Recent years of fiscal prudency and strategic investment have left the state in a solid cash position, giving Legislators the ability to continue to invest in needed programs while asking specific agencies to find a way to make strategic cuts. "Our one constitutional obligation as a Legislature is to pass a balanced budget, and the budget details release today shows we are well on our way to getting an FY26 budget secured," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "In this budget you see strategic investment, targeted cuts and a focus on moving the state of Oklahoma forward with long-term stability. This is a starting point. The final product will happen through negotiation, but I feel good about us being this far along this early in session." Budget negotiations will continue, and a budget must be approved prior to sine die adjournment May 30. 

Mar 26, 2025
Recent Posts

House Passes Multiple Energy Bills

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed multiple bills today that relate to the Oklahoma energy industry, from determining how energy is regulated "behind the meter" to setbacks on wind turbines and solar panels. House Bill 2751, by Rep. Trey Caldwell, is the culmination of work done by multiple House members who filed wind setback bills this session. The bill puts in place a setback from wind turbines in counties that meet certain wind speed and population density requirements. The bill puts in place: A setback of 1.5x the tip height of a wind turbine from the property line or a half mile from an occupied dwelling, whichever is greater, in the counties that meet the criteria  average wind speed below 9.5 mph according to Oklahoma Climatological Survey and; population density greater than 8.5 per square mile according to the 2020 US Census "At the end of the day, the intent of this legislation is to provide a foundational regulatory framework for wind energy development in the state of Oklahoma while also protecting private property rights. This does not ban wind turbines in the state of Oklahoma. It simply says you have to be a good neighbor," said Caldwell, R-Faxon. "I appreciate the work of our Republican House members who came together to find a compromise that, while it doesn't make everyone happy, addresses this issue in a way that works for all of Oklahoma. This bill ensures every county in the state of Oklahoma can make the determination on their own how they want to handle wind development in their local area." There are multiple ways local control is protected in HB2751. The legislation allows a property owner to waive a setback distance from a proposed turbine, if desired. It also gives local county commissioners the ability to put to a vote of the people the option to either opt-in to these setback limitations or opt-out, as desired. Finally, 10% of registered voters in a county can put an opt-in or opt-out on the ballot for local election through an initiative petition. "This bill sets fair baseline standards for wind development in Oklahoma," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "This balances the needs of western and eastern Oklahoma and gives every county the ability to further determine how they want to handle wind development locally. Our caucus came into this session determined to find a solution that works for Oklahoma and you saw the fruition of that work come to light today with a two-thirds majority voting in favor of this legislation." The bill requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a list of counties and their wind setback status. It also does not apply to existing wind turbines in Oklahoma. Also passed today are: House Bill 1374 - allows businesses producing electricity only for itself to avoid regulation as a public utility  House Bill 2142 - limits wind turbines near military instillations and operations House Bill 2156 – places setbacks on solar energy and industrial battery storage facilities House Bill 2157 - establishes an advisory committee to study renewable energy solutions and its benefits to the agriculture industry House Bill 2747 - adjusts various standards related to electric utilities House Bill 2752 - expands prohibitions on wind turbine construction via eminent domain to include solar, hydrogen and various related infrastructure House Bill 2756 - requires electric utilities seeking to build new facilities to solicit and acquire a Certificate of Authority from the Corporation Commission The bills will now move to the Senate for further consideration.

Mar 12, 2025
Recent Posts

Legislative Leaders Reorganize Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding

OKLAHOMA CITY – House and Senate leaders today announced the reorganization of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding for the 60 th Legislature with new members to review project progress on post-pandemic relief funding. To date, funds have been distributed to more than 1,000 projects, including transformative investments in Oklahoma's water and broadband infrastructure, strengthening the nursing pipeline and rural hospitals across the state and ensuring nonprofits and food pantries are able to serve local communities, among others. There are no new applications being accepted as 100% of the funds have already been obligated to existing projects.  The state’s Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding will meet during session to ensure projects are on target for completion and funds are being used as intended. "Oklahomans can be assured these projects are being used in ways that strengthen our state for the future. This reorganization allows us to review what was allocated to ensure funds are being used appropriately. The process we have undertaken has been very deliberate and we have funded many worthwhile projects to this point. I look forward to working in the same fashion with my colleagues moving forward.” - House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow "The Legislature remains committed to ensuring that every dollar of pandemic relief funding is spent wisely and transparently. By reorganizing the Joint Committee, we can further our discussions on how to prioritize projects that will have a lasting impact on Oklahoma’s economy, healthcare system and critical infrastructure are progressing. To date, all the projects selected have been strategic and has been a thoughtful approach intended to prioritize meaningful investments in our state.” – Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle “We are proud of the transformational investments being made in our state through these funds. Our goal has always been to maximize the benefit of these relief funds for Oklahomans. It is part of our oversight role to get updates on the progress of these projects and determine if any changes may be necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the state recovery plan.” – Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon “This committee reorganization reflects our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility and strategic investment. We are focused on ensuring these funds are used efficiently to create meaningful, long-term improvements for Oklahomans. I appreciate my colleagues work thus far and look forward to building on this successful process.” - Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was designed by the federal government to provide relief funds to state, local and tribal governments that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Oklahoma received $1.87 billion from the federal government through ARPA, while counties, cities and local communities received an additional $1.32 billion. The committee will soon start meeting to discuss progress on projects and any needed changes as projects evolve. Members of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding and associated working groups for the 60 th Legislature are the following: Co-Chairmen Senator Chuck Hall, R-Perry Representative Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon Health and Human Services Working Group Co-Chair Senator John Haste, R-Broken Arrow Senator Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City Senator Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City Co-Chair Representative Carl Newton, R-Cherokee Representative John Kane. R-Bartlesville Representative Cyndi Munson, R-Oklahoma City Education and Economic Development Working Group Co-Chair Senator Adam Pugh, R-Edmond Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City Senator Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa Co-Chair Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang Representative Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee Representative Melodye Blancett, D-Tulsa Transportation, Infrastructure and Rural Development Working Group Co-Chair Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond Senator Casey Murdock, R-Felt Senator Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City Co-Chair Representative Brad Boles, R-Marlow Representative Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee Representative Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City Government Transformation and Collaboration Working Group Co-Chair Senator Grant Green, R-Wellston Senator Brent Howard, R-Altus Senator Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City Co-Chair Representative Mike Osburn, R-Edmond Representative Nicole Miller, R-Edmond Representative Judd Strom, R-Copan