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 9, 2025
Recent Posts

House Speaker Comments on Governor Executive Order

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert today commended Governor Kevin Stitt for issuing an executive order inquiring about contract employees across state agencies—a move Hilbert recently called for during his weekly press conference. The Governor’s action aligns closely with legislation recently passed by the House aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the use of contract labor within state government. The House passed House Bill 1607, authored by Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, in a unanimous 96-0 vote. “I want to thank Governor Stitt for taking decisive action to rein in unnecessary contract hiring,” said Speaker Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This is exactly the type of fiscal responsibility Oklahomans expect. By closely evaluating contract hires, we can take a hard look at how our agencies are spending taxpayer dollars and ensure that every dollar is accounted for and spent according to legislative intent.” Speaker Hilbert has cited an example he heard directly from the head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse where the agency is paying contract nurses $200/hour when they could pay an internally-hired nurse $65/hour. This is just one example of many that have come to light as agencies have been told by the executive branch they cannot hire additional FTEs or ask for additional appropriations from the Legislature. Despite that directive, agencies have more than $1 billion in appropriations asks in front of the Legislature currently.  “This executive order complements our legislative efforts to shine a light on how the state utilizes contracted workers,” Hilbert continued. “We’re not saying contract work doesn’t have its place—but we are saying it deserves the same level of scrutiny as any other line item in the budget. We must continue to balance the need for core government services and those employees best suited to provide those services with private sector solutions that can provide better or more efficient services. Transparency allows for open dialogue between agencies and the Legislature on how to best spend taxpayer dollars and ensure Oklahomans are getting the critical services they need.” The House has already asked LOFT to evaluate every state agency and the contract labor they have on the books to determine what is needed spending on core services vs. what is superfluous and could potentially be cut or brought in-house for cheaper. ?House Bill 1607 requires state agencies to report the number and salaries of contract employees to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) using existing payroll software like Workday. The goal is to provide increased visibility into the scope and cost of contract labor across state government. Following its passage in the House, HB1607 is now in the Senate for further consideration. If signed into law, it would take effect on November 1.

Mar 27, 2025
Recent Posts

House Leaders Tout Passing Significant Legislation by Deadline

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House leadership today celebrated the successful passage of key caucus priority bills off the House floor as the deadline to get House bills out of the house of origin concludes the first phase of legislative work. House leadership has worked diligently to advance measures that reflect the values and priorities of all Oklahomans. “Our caucus remains committed to delivering results that improve the lives of our constituents, and I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished so far this session,” said Hilbert. “Our members have worked diligently through a new two-tiered committee structure that successfully got bills further along in the process than in previous sessions at this time. The bills we have passed off the House floor address critical needs across our state. We look forward to working with the Senate to see them signed into law.” The House successfully passed 438 House bills and 1 House Joint Resolution off the floor. "The two-tiered committee structure implemented by Speaker Hilbert has been a game changer for the legislative process," said House Floor Leader Josh West, R-Grove. "This system allows for more thorough vetting of legislation, ensuring that bills receive the scrutiny and debate they deserve before reaching the House floor. It has streamlined our workflow and ultimately led to better policy outcomes for the people of Oklahoma." Before session begins, the majority caucus comes together to collaboratively establish a legislative agenda that reflects the priorities and values of their constituents. The House remains dedicated to safeguarding taxpayer dollars by implementing key legislation that reflects a commitment to accountability, economic development and efficient government spending. The House is working to eliminate wasteful spending, promote transparency and invest in initiatives that drive long-term prosperity for the state. The following list includes bills that passed the House by the deadline that align with caucus priorities: House Bill 1087 - extends the teacher salary schedule from 25 years of experience to 35 years of experience to encourage quality teachers to stay in the classroom longer House Bill 1276 – requires schools to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone ban unless local school boards choose to allow student cell phone use in a policy that must be approved annually House Bill 1374 - allows a business producing electricity only for itself to avoid regulation as a public utility  House Bill 1412 - removes chronic absenteeism from the state school report cards and replaces it with a measure of instructional time, rewarding districts that spend more days and time with students in the classroom House Bill 1491- authorizes a member of a board of education to place an item on the Board's agenda if two Board members have provided written request for the item House Bill 1727 - waives the OHLAP scholarship financial eligibility requirements for the children of public school teachers House Bill 2103 - gives flexibility to who can serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission House Bill 2288 - allows teachers to draw down their earned retirement benefits while continuing to work in a public school classroom House Bill 2516 and House Bill 2518 - create revolving funds for the Oklahoma Military Department to help bolster state military installations House Bill 2728 - also known as the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, establishes new statutory requirements for state agencies adopting major administrative rules, enhancing economic impact analysis and legislative oversight House Bill 2729 - establishes that state courts, hearing examiners, or administrative officers must independently interpret state statutes, regulations, and sub-regulatory documents without deferring to a state agency's interpretation House Bill 2751- creates setback requirements for industrial wind and solar facilities House Bill 2854 - puts a moratorium on statutory geographic restrictions for two and four year colleges across the state, allowing the Oklahoma State Regents to meet their constitutional obligation to help degree-seeking students enter critical workforce areas House Concurrent Resolution 1004 - resolves a 2023 lawsuit against the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and aims to improve competency restoration services in the State of Oklahoma House Joint Resolution 1024 - sends changes to the structure of the Judicial Nominating Commission to a vote of the people The new two-tiered committee structure in the House had its intended effect – to more thoroughly vet bills and ensure that language coming to the floor was much closer to final language than in years past. By the Numbers: 2023 – 89 amendments adopted 2024 – 120 amendments adopted 2025 – 80 amendments adopted 2023 – 487 HBs and 3 HJRs to Senate 2024 – 444 HBs and 6 HJRs to Senate 2025 – 438 HBs and 1 HJR to Senate

Mar 26, 2025
Recent Posts

House Speaker Comments on Wes Watkins' Passing

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, comments on the passing of former Congressman Wes Watkins: "I am sorry to hear of today's passing of former Congressman Wes Watkins. Being an FFA state officer changed the trajectory of my life, and I know FFA had a similar impact on Congressman Watkins. I remember speaking with him on the day of my graduation from Oklahoma State University and he shared how important ag teachers were in his run for Congress. He had a heart for students and spent his life making Oklahoma better and we are grateful for his service - his legacy will live on long beyond his life while he was with us. My heart goes out to Lou and his family during this difficult time and we honor him today for all he accomplished for the state of Oklahoma, the countless Oklahomans he inspired and a life well-lived. Oklahoma is better thanks to his contributions."