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

Mar 25, 2025
Recent Posts

House Passes Legislation Locking in Legislative Role in Federal Spending

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed legislation aiming to increase transparency and oversight of federal funds received by state agencies. House Bill 1221 , also known as the State Accounts for Federal Expenditures (SAFE) Act, would create accounts to be used by agencies for federal funds received under competitive grant awards, direct monetary payments to the agency not associated with an established federal program the agency operates, and block grants. The bill would mandate that any state agency receiving federal funds through these mechanisms must place those funds into separate SAFE accounts, which would be subject to rigorous reporting to the legislative and executive branches. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, authored the SAFE Act, which would subject expenditures from these federal accounts to legislative approval through a concurrent resolution. If the Legislature disapproves any proposed expenditure, the agency would be required to notify the federal government and withdraw its application for the corresponding funding. "The SAFE Act ensures federal funds are spent in alignment with Oklahoma's priorities through a transparent process," West said. "This gives elected lawmakers a stronger voice on how our state agencies are spending federal funds and ensures Oklahoma taxpayers can trust how their state government is spending these dollars. I appreciate the strong support for this bill in the House and hope to see it move quickly in the Senate." HB1221 outlines specific exemptions, including temporary funding increases in existing federal programs already managed by state agencies, federal unemployment dollars managed by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC), and certain competitive grants received by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the 8-year Construction Work Plan or grants from the Federal Railroad Administration. Additionally, agencies would be required to present their grant-seeking activities and federal funding reports during legislative hearings or budget performance reviews.  "We know the Trump administration has promised and is already delivering on sending more federal dollars down to the states where we can best determine how to use those funds to best benefit Oklahomans. This legislation ensures federal funds being redirected to the state have full legislative review and control to ensure state agencies are aligning expenditures with legislative intent," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We are excited about the opportunities flexibility with these federal funds will bring to our state and this legislation will maintain accountability at the state level for those funds." Having passed the House 78-18, the SAFE Act now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee.

Mar 17, 2025
Recent Posts

House and Senate Pass Resolution Honoring Firefighters and First Responders Battling State Wildfires

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House and Senate passed a concurrent resolution today honoring and thanking firefighters and first responders who have been and continue to fight widespread wildfires across the state. High winds, low humidity and ongoing drought conditions brought high fire chances last week and those conditions continue into this week. House Concurrent Resolution 1008, by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, recognizes and thanks the firefighters and first responders who jumped into action over the weekend and asks the state to pray for all those impacted by the fires. "These fires have ravaged our state and I saw the destruction firsthand in my district as Creek County and the city of Mannford were severely impacted. These are our neighbors, and they need help not only today, but in the days and weeks ahead," said Speaker Hilbert, R-Bristow. "Without the quick action of our local firefighters and first responders, I know the impact could have been far worse. We are grateful for their service and continued dedication to keeping our state and citizens safe." Hundreds of wildfires broke out beginning Friday, starting in western Oklahoma and continuing eastward, damaging or destroying pasture, crops, barns, buildings, homes, businesses, infrastructure and other assets. At least four Oklahomans lost their lives as a result of the wildfires or the high winds or a combination of both and hundreds of others were injured as a result. The resolution recognizes the paid and volunteer firefighters in both rural and incorporated areas, along with the firefighting personnel of many Native American tribes and many first responders for using their training and expertise to combat the fires, to preserve property, to save lives, to treat injured persons and to provide all forms of assistance to those impacted by the fires. “The Senate stands firm with our House counterparts in this resolution, affirming our support for the firefighters, law enforcement, emergency personnel and countless volunteers, who have shown incredible courage and resilience in the face of these destructive fires,” said Pro Tem Paxton, R-Tuttle. “As Oklahomans begin the difficult process of recovery, the state stands ready to assist those who have lost homes, property and livelihoods. We will do everything within our power to help impacted families and communities rebuild. Oklahoma is strong because of its people, and together, we will overcome this tragedy.” The resolution states "the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate wish to express gratitude and most sincere appreciation on behalf of all people of the State of Oklahoma for the professional services, courage, dedication and the spirit of public service demonstrated by both paid and volunteer firefighters, the firefighting personnel of several Native American tribes and all first responders during this critical period of time." Copies of the HCR 1008 will be distributed to the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association, the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association, the Professional Firefighters of Oklahoma and to the several Native American tribes the firefighting personnel of which were called into service during the severe weather high wind event.

Mar 17, 2025
Recent Posts

House Passes Driver's License Reciprocation with Ireland on St. Patrick's Day

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed legislation today that gives driver's license reciprocation to residents of Ireland and allows Oklahoma residents to drive in Ireland for up to 12 months without getting an international driving permit. House Bill 2297, by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, passed the House on St. Patrick's Day, which commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and, by extension, celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish. The idea for the legislation came from discussions Hilbert had with Irish elected officials when he was visiting the country last summer. "Reciprocal agreements with other countries gives us an opportunity to encourage tourism and trade between the United States and other friendly countries," said Hilbert, R-Bristow. "This legislation will make it easier for Oklahomans who go to Ireland to drive locally and for visitors to come to Oklahoma from Ireland. This is another avenue of promoting tourism in our great state." Oklahoma has reciprocal agreements with four other countries already: Germany, France, South Korea and Taiwan. The bill passed the House with a vote of 82-3 and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.