Representative Mark Lawson

R

District 30

Hi, I'm Mark Lawson and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 30th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Leader

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 13, 2025
Recent Posts

House Members Comment on Release from Pinnacle Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives today commented on the release of the state's Department of Human Services from the Pinnacle Plan. Established in 2012, the Pinnacle Plan was a part of a legal settlement aimed at reforming Oklahoma's foster care system. This marks the conclusion of more than a decade of intensive foster care reform efforts to better serve Oklahoma’s children and families.  "The conclusion of the Pinnacle Plan marks a historic milestone for child welfare in Oklahoma. Over the past decade, the Department of Human Services has worked to strengthen our foster care system, reduce the number of children in state custody and ensure more Oklahoma families receive the support they need. I commend Director Cartmell and his team for their dedication to this mission and look forward to supporting future efforts that strengthen Oklahoma families," said Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow.  "While the formal oversight has ended, The Oklahoma House of Representatives will continue to work alongside the Department of Human Services to build on these successes, ensuring that every child in our state has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and loving environment," said Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa.  "This achievement is a testament to the dedication of agency staff, foster families and community partners who have prioritized the well-being of our state’s most vulnerable children. Their efforts have laid the foundation for a brighter future for Oklahoma’s youth," said Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City.  "While this turning point is worth celebrating, our work does not stop here. We remain committed to ensuring every child in Oklahoma has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive and nurturing home," said Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton.

Dec 13, 2024
Recent Posts

Speaker-Elect Applauds Decision to Halt Controversial Energy Transmission Line

House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert today applauds the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) confirmation that the proposed Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) will not proceed in its designation process. This decision marks a significant victory for Oklahoma communities and reinforces the power of grassroots advocacy and local input. “This announcement is a testament to the voices of Oklahomans who stood together to defend their land, livelihoods and local autonomy,” said Speaker-Elect Hilbert, R-Bristow. “The proposed transmission line would have imposed an unnecessary burden on our communities without clear local benefits, and we are pleased that the Department of Energy has recognized the concerns raised by our citizens.” The DOE confirmed the decision in a statement from Kristen Nawoj, spokesperson for the Grid Deployment Office, noting that the Delta-Plains NIETC would not advance into the next phase of the designation process. The DOE also announced plans to release updated maps and details for other proposed NIETCs the week of December 16, as well as to invite further public input. “Oklahoma has always been a leader in energy production and innovation, but we firmly believe that development must respect our communities and their voices,” said Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa. “While we are encouraged by this outcome, we remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure that Oklahoma’s interests are respected in any future energy infrastructure decisions.” The proposed Delta-Plains NIETC had drawn widespread controversy from landowners, who raised concerns about its potential impact on property rights. "We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for policies that align with our state’s values and priorities," said Hilbert.

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.