Representative Dick Lowe

R

District 56

Hi, I'm Dick Lowe and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 56th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Feb 11, 2025
Recent Posts

House Committee Approves Financial Literacy Requirement for Student Athletes in NIL Era

Student athletes with name, image and likeness (NIL) contracts could soon be required to take financial literacy workshops if legislation by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, becomes law. House Bill 1305 would require colleges and universities to offer financial literacy workshops throughout the year to students with NIL contracts. Student athletes would be required to attend at least five hours of workshops within the first two semesters of participating in NIL activities. Each workshop would include information concerning foundational knowledge of budgeting, taxes, contracts, credit and debt management, savings, investments and entrepreneurship. "NIL opportunities can be life-changing for student athletes, but they also come with serious financial responsibilities," Lowe said. "House Bill 1305 ensures that these athletes are well-prepared to manage their earnings wisely, helping them avoid costly mistakes and set themselves up for long-term financial success." HB1305 would also allow colleges to provide free contract review, tax prep and other financial services to student athletes. Colleges could offer a financial course for credit and contract with third parties to provide the workshops, but HB1306 prohibits promotional referral programs or soliciting. Students who fail to complete the requirements would forfeit their eligibility to participate in NIL activities. HB1305 passed the House Postsecondary Committee 7-1 and may now be heard in the House Education Oversight Committee.  

Feb 10, 2025
Recent Posts

House Subcommittee Passes Bill to Pay Career Teachers More

The House Appropriations Education Subcommittee passed a bill today that would give teachers late in their career the opportunity to earn more money. House Bill 1087 , by House Education Chairman Dick Lowe, would extend the teacher salary schedule through year 35 of service, where it currently caps out at year 25. The legislation aims to encourage teachers who are eligible for retirement yet still in their prime working age to continue to teach. "We know we have a statewide teacher shortage, and we have thousands of great teachers in the classroom we would like to continue to teach past 25 years of service. But currently, there is no financial incentive to do so," said Lowe, R-Amber. "This legislation extends our teacher salary schedule through year 35 with built in step raises so teachers who stay will be financially compensated for their continued service." Right now, a teacher could start his or her career at the age of 22 and reach 25 years of service as early as 47 years old. This legislation would encourage career teachers to stay in the classroom at a time where experienced teachers are needed more than ever. "Many teachers are retiring in their early 50s and going to work in the private sector or for private schools so they can continue to increase their earnings during the last years of their career," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We should be rewarding those career teachers who choose to stay in the classroom and they should continue to see salary increases until they are ready to retire. This legislation should directly help address our state's teacher shortage and keep more quality teachers in the classroom longer." House Bill 1087 unanimously passed out of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee today and will next be considered by the full Appropriations and Budget Committee.  

Feb 5, 2025
Recent Posts

House Committee Passes "Bell to Bell, No Cell" Bill

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Common Education Committee today gave approval of a bill to prohibit students' cell phone use during the school day. Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, authored House Bill 1276 to eliminate distractions in the classroom and improve students' mental health. The bill would require Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus before the start of the next school year. Personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, are also included under the measure. "Data clearly shows the alarming effects of social media and smartphone usage by young people, as well as academic declines when phones are allowed in schools," Caldwell said. "This bill would allow schools the ability to craft their own policies to prohibit the use of cell phones and smartwatches during the school day starting next school year. Schools maintain control, but students reap the benefits." Any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, chair of the House Common Education Committee, said he prioritized HB1276 as the committee’s first bill of the year in response to widespread calls from across the state for a solution. He praised Caldwell's leadership on this issue.  "Cell phones are powerful tools, but they usually do more harm than good in the classroom," said Lowe, a former agriculture teacher. "House Bill 1276 gives schools the flexibility to implement policies that work best for their communities and helps students be fully engaged without the constant pull of technology. I appreciate Representative Caldwell's extensive work to find a solution that protects local control, and I hope to see this sent to the governor's desk quickly." "Going 'bell to bell, no cell' is about creating a learning environment where students are not continuously distracted by their devices, and Representative Caldwell has done a tremendous job rallying support for this bill," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "It's time our classrooms return to being places of learning, not distractions. House Bill 1276 gives Oklahoma's schools the flexibility to set policies that fit their needs while reinforcing a simple goal—to let kids be kids and let teachers teach." Under HB1276, school boards could choose to allow student cell phone use but the policy must be approved annually. The bill passed the House Common Education Committee 11-2 but must pass the House Education Oversight Committee before it can be heard on the House floor.