Representative Chad Caldwell

R

District 40

Hi, I'm Chad Caldwell and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 40th District.


representative

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 14, 2024
Recent Posts

Social Media Age-Limit Bill Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, today passed a bill in the House that would limit social media accounts for youth. House Bill 3914 would require social media companies to verify account holders are over the age of 18 or to confirm parental consent for those aged 16 to 18.                   "We know that social media is incredibly harmful to teens and that social media platforms have intentionally targeted our children through the use of algorithms," Caldwell said. “While the dangerous effects of social media are felt by all ages and all sexes, social media is especially harmful for teenage girls as demonstrated by rates of self-harm and anxiety increasing by 100% and 140% respectively.” In October 2023, Oklahoma joined 40 other states and the District of Columbia by filing suit against a social media platform for knowingly using features on its platforms that caused children to use them compulsively through powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. “The real question isn’t whether or not social media is a danger to our children, but rather how do we best regulate these dangerous platforms,” said Caldwell. “I want to be clear, this bill in no way targets the content that is found on social media. Instead, we are simply taking the necessary steps to protect our children from an addictive product that is verifiably dangerous to children and teenagers just like we do with alcohol, tobacco, adult websites, gambling, etc.” The measure states that “nothing in the bill should be construed to limit the content found on social media platforms or prohibit minors from posting content on other platforms, digital or otherwise, that they legally have access to." Caldwell said he hopes House Bill 3914 is the start and hopefully the continuation of a conversation that is happening all over the country. He said similar measures have passed in several states, most recently in Florida, and there is pending bipartisan federal legislation as well. The bill now advances to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore. The bill contains an emergency clause meaning it would take effect immediately after being signed into law by the governor. 

Feb 20, 2024
Recent Posts

Tax Exemption for Hearing Aids Passes Subcommittee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, on Monday won unanimous passage of a bill that would remove sales tax on hearing aids. House Bill 3912 establishes a sales tax exemption for hearing aid devices that include behind-the-ear, in-the-ear and in-the-canal aid devices. "This is just common sense," Caldwell said. "We shouldn't be taxing health care. You don't pay tax when you visit the doctor or even when you pay for prescription medications. Those with hearing loss should not have to pay tax on top of the purchase of a hearing aid." Caldwell said the cost of hearing aids can stretch into the thousands, and the cost has increased in recent years. Removing the tax would provide a significant savings for Oklahomans who otherwise might put off the purchase of the devices. The bill passed 9-0 in the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Finance, Revenue and Taxation. It now moves to the full A&B Committee for consideration.