By Constitution Staff

The First Regular Session of the 60th Legislature began with the State of the State Address by Gov. Kevin Stitt on February 3. The deadline for lawmakers to submit legislation for the 2025 legislative session was January 16. A total of 1,928 House Bills, 29 House Joint Resolutions, three House Resolutions, and two House Concurrent Resolutions were filed before the deadline. Senators filed 1,124 bills and 17 joint resolutions. After legislation is filed, it had to be reported out of Committee in the chamber of origin (House or Senate) by March 6. The deadline for Third Reading (and passage) of Bills in the chamber of origin was March 27. The Senate sent 321 bills to the House for consideration and the House sent 438 to the Senate. The legislation approved in the chamber of origin had to be reported out of Committee in the opposite chamber by April 24. The Deadline for Third Reading of Bills from the opposite chamber is May 8. The deadlines do not apply to Resolutions and appropriations bills, which can be filed throughout the session. Upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of both chambers, a measure can be exempt from all cutoff dates in both chambers. Legislation must receive final approval in both chambers by the end of the session which must occur no later than May 30. Here is a look at just a few of the bills that were being considered:

Establish Gold Depository

House Bill 1197 by Rep. Cody Maynard (R-Durant) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) would allow the state treasurer to either establish a depository in the state or contract with a third-party vendor to give citizens the option of buying and depositing gold or silver and to use a transaction card to spend their assets. Maynard explains that about $800 billion in gold exists in the United States that currently is not usable by the average citizen. This legislation unlocks the resource, giving citizens purchasing power and could allow local banks to tie into the transactional aspect of the process. He said software already exists to allow the types of calculating necessary to determine the current price of gold or silver and convert it to U.S. dollars. “This would give our citizens an additional option for saving and transacting in a way that protects against inflation and economic uncertainty,” Maynard said. “This measure would establish Oklahoma as the first state to allow a person to use their gold or silver as a spendable asset.” The bill passed the House 77-15 on March 24, 2025 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Cut State Income Tax

House Bill 1539 by state Rep. Mark Lepak (R-Claremore) and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom (R-Big Cabin) would cut Oklahoma’s 4.75 percent personal income-tax rate by a quarter point each year that net state revenue increases by at least $300 million, continuing the process until the tax is completely repealed. More states are moving toward zero. Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas have either lowered income tax rates below Oklahoma’s 4.75% or locked in plans to get there. The bill passed the Oklahoma Senate on a 36-9 vote on April 10. It returned to the House where the legislation previously passed on a 76-20 vote on March 25. All that remained was a procedural vote in the House to send the bill to Gov. Stitt’s desk for his signature.

Property Tax Credit for Seniors

Senate Bill 1114 by Sen. Tom Woods (R-Westville) and Rep. Chris Kannady (R-Oklahoma City) would submit to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that provides a property tax credit on the homestead of an individual head of household who is at least 65 years of age and qualifies for the limitation on the growth of fair cash value. “My goal with this bill is to protect Oklahomans over 65, especially retirees, and ensure their property taxes remain stable through a true senior tax freeze,” Woods said. “Many retirees across our state have been left with no choice but to leave their homes after property taxes have continued to rise year after year. This bill will provide much-needed relief for our seniors and allow them to enjoy a secure retirement and remain in the homes they worked hard for.” The property tax credit would be equal to the difference between the property owner’s current property tax liability for the homestead and the property tax liability of the homestead in the year in which the homestead first qualified for the limitation on fair cash value. Senate Bill 1114 passed the Senate 37-9 on March 25 and moved to the House for consideration. If the bill is approved, the vote on the tax credit would be placed before voters on the November 2026 ballot.

Sports Betting and Gaming Compact

The Oklahoma House passed two significant bills aimed at legalizing sports betting and enhancing the state’s gaming compact with tribal partners. House Bill 1047, authored by Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City) and Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City), authorizes sports betting in Oklahoma. The bill also maintains the existing funding for the treatment of compulsive gambling, ensuring the monthly allocation to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services remains at $20,833. Additionally, the bill outlines provisions for tribes interested in entering into gaming compact supplements to accept the state’s offer for sports betting. It passed the House 62-31 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 1101, also authored by Rep. Luttrell and Sen. Coleman, establishes a voter referendum for the approval of sports wagering in the state. It mirrors many of the provisions in HB1047 and provides a path for tribes to adopt the state’s gaming compact supplements. However, HB1101 specifies that it will only take effect if HB1047 does not become law. It passed the House 66-29 on March 26 and moved to the Senate.

“These bills represent a balanced approach, ensuring both tribal and public interests are served,” Luttrell said. “By legalizing sports betting, we’re not only creating new opportunities but also capturing revenue from millions of dollars that are currently being bet illegally or out of state. This means Oklahoma will benefit from those funds, which will help strengthen our economy and provide additional resources for critical services.”

Women’s Sports Incentives

Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman) won bipartisan support from the Senate for legislation expanding the state’s professional sports tax rebate program to include women’s professional sports. “In Norman, we’ve seen how fan excitement and enthusiasm for women’s sports like softball, soccer, and basketball has really exploded in recent years, and our capital city is already home to a professional women’s softball team, the Oklahoma City Spark,” Boren said. “Any vision for professional sports in Oklahoma must include opportunities for women’s sports.” The program, which was approved during the 2024 session, specifically made the rebate available to teams with the National Football League (NFL); National Basketball Association (NBA); National Hockey League (NHL); Major League Baseball (MLB); and Major League Soccer (MLS). Under Boren’s Senate Bill 820, the tax rebate program would also include the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA); Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF); and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Senate Bill 820 was approved 26-18 on March 12 and moved to the House for consideration where Rep. Emily Gise (R-Oklahoma City) is the principal author.

Keep Businesses Open During Pandemics

Senate Bill 672, by Sen. Julie McIntosh (R-Porter) and Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore), would prohibit the governor from closing any business during a pandemic without documented scientific evidence that the nature of the business actually contributes to the spread of the disease. The governor would still have the ability to close businesses during a pandemic to protect public health if there is scientific evidence that a particular business is a contributor to the spread of the disease. The governor would have to give notice and the opportunity for a hearing for any business determined to be nonessential or determined to be detrimental to public health. This would give the business a course of action to plead their case and possibly stay open. It passed the Senate 38-8 on March 26 and the House 74-15 on April 21.

Private Property Protection with Firearms

House Bill 2818, by Rep. Jay Steagall (R-Yukon) and Sen. Derrell Weaver (R-Moore), clarifies the scope of and modifies penalties for certain crimes related to firearms. The measure provides for the justified defensive display of a firearm or other deadly weapon. It provides that the unlawful pointing of a firearm does not apply to a person acting in self-defense or to home or business owners in defense of their private property. The measure removes the administrative fine assessed against persons for unlawfully pointing a firearm if they possess a concealed carry license. The bill passed the House 73-16 on March 25 and was sent to the Senate for consideration.

Misrepresentation of Service Animals

House Bill 1178, by Rep. Marilyn Stark (R-Bethany) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), makes it a misdemeanor for individuals to falsely present an animal as a service animal to gain privileges intended for individuals with disabilities. It provides that any person that does not have a disability or is not training to assist individuals with disabilities who uses a service animal to gain treatment or benefits will be guilty of a misdemeanor upon conviction. The measure passed the House 52-28 on March 18 and went to the Senate for further consideration.

Behind the Meter

House Bill 1374, by Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) and Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston), allows private industry to develop and manage their own power solutions “behind the meter.” “House Bill 1374 is a proactive solution that could help address the bottleneck in grid connections, especially for large industrial consumers,” Boles said. “With this bill, Oklahoma could attract billions of dollars in new investments and job creation while reducing the need for long transmission lines by producing power directly at the source of demand.” The bill is particularly relevant as the demand for energy rises due to growing investments in manufacturing and AI data centers in the Midwest and Southeast. The bill passed the House with a unanimous vote of 86-0 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Eminent Domain for Energy Facilities

House Bill 2752, by Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) and Sen, Todd Gollihare (R-Kellyville), expands prohibitions on wind turbine construction via eminent domain to include solar, hydrogen and various related infrastructure. It requires any company seeking to use eminent domain for the construction of a 300 KV transmission line to first obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The measure also clarifies that utilities using natural gas have the power of eminent domain. Lastly, the measure prohibits the use of eminent domain for siting renewable energy facilities on private property. It passed the House 83-11 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Commercial Solar Facility Decommissioning Act

House Bill 1373 is also known as the Commercial Solar Facility Decommissioning Act. The bill, authored by Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) and Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston) would establish statutory protections for landowners hosting industrial solar facilities by ensuring that solar companies are held accountable for decommissioning. Currently, Oklahoma lacks regulations governing the removal of solar infrastructure if a company goes out of business or if a company decides not to decommission the solar facility in a timely manner once it ends production. The bill would also introduce new requirements that solar companies must follow such as requiring financial assurance to the landowner that must be at least equal to the estimated amount by which the cost of removing the solar power facilities from the landowner’s property and restoring the property to as near as reasonably possible the condition of the property prior to the solar facility installation on the property The bill passed the House with a unanimous vote of 94-0 on March 3 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Setback Requirements for Wind and Solar Facilities

House Bill 2751, by Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) and Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore), is the culmination of work done by multiple House members who filed wind setback bills this session. The bill puts in place a setback for wind turbines in counties that meet certain wind speed and population density requirements. A setback of 1.5x the tip height of a wind turbine from the property line or a half mile from an occupied dwelling, whichever is greater, in the counties that meet the criteria. “At the end of the day, the intent of this legislation is to provide a foundational regulatory framework for wind energy development in the state of Oklahoma while also protecting private property rights. This does not ban wind turbines in the state of Oklahoma. It simply says you have to be a good neighbor,” said Caldwell.

The legislation allows a property owner to waive a setback distance from a proposed turbine, if desired. It also gives local county commissioners the ability to put to a vote of the people the option to either opt-in to these setback limitations or opt-out, as desired. Finally, 10% of registered voters in a county can put an opt-in or opt-out on the ballot for local election through an initiative petition. The bill requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a list of counties and their wind setback status. It does not apply to existing wind turbines in Oklahoma. The bill passed the House 68-22 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Setbacks for Solar and Battery Storage Facilities

House Bill 2156, by Rep. Mike Dobrinski (R-Okeene) and Sen. Casey Murdock (R-Felt), places setbacks on utility scale solar energy and industrial battery storage facilities. The facilities must be 500 feet away from any occupied structure or occupied residence, unless waived by the occupant; 50 feet away from the outer boundary of the solar or battery facility property; 100 feet away from the center line of any public road; and 1/2 mile from any public school, or hospital. The measure applies to any 10 megawatt or larger solar or battery facility, and any project in development that does not have a power purchase agreement in place by the effective date of the act. It passed the House 73-23 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Wind Turbine Setbacks

Senate Bill 2, by Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston) and Rep. John Pfeiffer (R-Orlando), aims to protect property owners’ rights with reasonable setbacks, where no wind energy facilities may be constructed if the base of any turbine is located within 0.25 nautical miles of a residential dwelling or property that is not related to the wind farm. “Oklahoma law currently offers homeowners no protections from the noises and dangers of wind farms,” Senator Green said. “Without this much-needed regulatory change, someone could purchase land and build a wind farm in a resident’s backyard, without any consideration for their property values or quality of life. But we must strike a balance without impeding on property owners’ rights.” Reasonable residential setbacks strike a balance and are a rational compromise when the law already requires wind turbines to be distanced from schools, hospitals and airports. “While this legislation may not go as far as some would like, it is a vital first step toward safeguarding Oklahomans’ private property rights. Senate Bill 2 attempts to find a compromise that ensures property owners aren’t forced to live in fear of unwanted developments while also allowing energy producers to operate without excessive government interference.” It passed the Senate 28-19 on March 27 and was advanced to the House for consideration.

Buffer Zone for Medical Marijuana Facilities

Senate Bill 640, by Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) and Rep. Tim Turner (R-Kinta), increases the required distance between medical marijuana dispensaries from school entrances and places of worship from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet. “Too often, dispensaries use bright signs, gimmicky branding and other marketing ploys designed to grab attention. The last thing we need is for our kids to walk past these storefronts on their way to school or while at church, normalizing the presence of marijuana at a young age. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana, but they did not approve exposing children to its marketing,” Sen. Paxton said. The legislation is not retroactive and will not impact existing businesses. It passed the Senate 88-5 on March 18 and was advanced to the House for consideration.

Marijuana Trafficking Act

House Bill 1163, by Rep. Tom Gann (R-Inola) and Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee), would reduce the amount of marijuana an individual may legally possess, distribute, manufacture or bring into the state. Under the legislation, anything above 25 pounds would be considered aggravated trafficking vs. simple trafficking. The current threshold is 1,000 pounds. The crime is punishable by a fine ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. “This legislation is necessary to prevent the illegal trade of marijuana inside the state of Oklahoma,” Gann said. The bill also would close another loophole that has been problematic for prosecutors. The bill would require that anyone pulled over by law enforcement that has marijuana in their system to produce their medical marijuana card at the time of the stop. “What’s happening, is people who are arrested for that, they buy a license between the time they are ticketed and before they get to court,” Gann said. “This would stop that.” The bill passed the House 66-17 on March 26 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Trafficking Abortion-inducing Drugs

House Bill 1168, by Denise Crosswhite Hader (R-Piedmont) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), provides that an individual who knows or has reason to know that another person intends to use an abortion-inducing drug, and knowingly delivers such a drug to that person or possesses one with intent to deliver it, will be committing trafficking in an abortion-inducing drug and is guilty of a felony upon conviction. This act does not apply to a pharmacist or a manufacturer or distributor acting lawfully in the usual course of their business or profession. Nothing in this act may be construed to prohibit preventive contraceptives used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. The bill passed the House 77-19 on March 25 and moved to the Senate for consideration.

Fetal Development Curriculum

House Bill 1603, by Rep. Emily Gise (R-Oklahoma City) and Sen. Christi Gillespie (R-Broken Arrow), would require high schools to offer instruction on human biology, including pregnancy, fetal development and prenatal growth milestones. Parents would be able to complete an opt-in form at least two weeks before instruction begins. The curriculum could include an ultrasound video demonstrating fetal development and an animation highlighting cell growth and organ formation. “House Bill1603 is about promoting a culture of life – rooted in compassion, backed by science and shaped by conservative principles,” Gise said. Schools would have the flexibility to incorporate the instruction into existing health or science courses or to offer it as a standalone course. The instruction would be required for graduation unless a student’s parent does not complete the opt-in form. The bill passed the House 75-18 on March 24 and moved to the Senate for further consideration.

Devoting More to Classroom Funding

On March 27 the House failed in a 36-57 vote to pass a bill that would have required state public schools to spend at least 50% of their funding in the classroom. House Bill 1280, authored by Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid) and Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa), would have required any school district spending less than 50% on instruction to increase that amount by 2% each year until the target percentage is met. “If money really is the reason kids aren’t performing better in school, then asking schools to devote at least half of their spending into the place where the bulk of learning actually happens – the classroom – shouldn’t be too big of an ask.”

Caldwell said instruction would have included teacher and teacher aid salaries, as well as other direct classroom items such as books and materials for learning. To accommodate the specific needs of rural schools, he even amended the bill to allow transportation to be counted in the 50% of instructional expenses for schools with less than 1,000 average daily membership. The remaining 50% of a school’s budget could have been spent on other school staff, including counselors, nurses, front desk personnel, cafeteria workers, as well as on other areas.

The national average for classroom spending is 62%, and 37 states spend a higher percentage in the classroom, on average, than Oklahoma schools do. Caldwell said many schools in the state already exceed the 50% on instructional expenses, but about 150 schools do not. He suggested parents and other stakeholders look at their districts’ public records to see how their schools are spending their funds. Caldwell said since 2011, the Legislature has invested more in education than at any time previously in state history. During that time, administrative positions have grown by about 25%, while teachers and students have grown by only about 3% to 5%. This shows that administrators, and not teachers or students, seem to be reaping the benefits of the additional funding put toward education, he said.

Emergency to Permanency Teacher Certification

Senate Bill 186, by Sen. Mark Mann (D-Oklahoma City) and Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater), would create the “Teacher Certification Emergency to Permanency Revolving Fund.” The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability would administer a grant program to provide emergency certified educators with resources to help earn alternative teaching certificates, and ultimately, earn a regular teaching certificate. “We have more than 4,000 people in our state who’ve changed careers to help meet the ongoing, critical need for teachers, and we want them to succeed so our children will succeed as well,” said Mann. “SB 186 will provide grants for additional training and certification. Every child deserves a great education, and that’s what this bill is about.” The bill passed the Senate 34-12 on March 24 and moved to the House for consideration.

Reduce School Virtual Instruction Days

Senate Bill 758, by Sen. Kristen Thompson (R-Edmond) and Anthony Moore (R-Clinton), prohibits school districts and charter schools from counting virtual instruction days toward the 180-day or 1,080-hour school year requirement, except under specific circumstances outlined in the bill. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, districts and charter schools would only be permitted to close and provide virtual instruction for up to two days or 12 hours per school year. Additionally, it mandates the State Department of Education to publish an annual report by June 30, 2027, and each year thereafter, detailing the use of virtual instruction across Oklahoma schools. The report will be made available online and submitted to the governor and legislative leaders. “This measure ensures accountability and transparency while preserving limited virtual learning options, when necessary,” Senator Thompson said. “Parents expect schools to be open and fully operational throughout the academic year. While technology can serve as a resource in emergencies, it should never replace the daily structure, and social interaction that come with traditional classroom instruction.” The bill passed the Senate 33-14 on March 27 and moved to the House for consideration.

“Bell to Bell, No Cell”

The House passed its first bill of the 60th legislative session prohibiting the use of cell phones by students during the school day. 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. House Bill 1276, by Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid) and Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore), would eliminate distractions in the classroom and improve student academic outcomes. “The research is clear – cell phone use among young students is not only bad for their mental health, but also hurts academic outcomes,” said Caldwell.

The legislation requires that any policy prohibiting cell phone use must also include a provision for emergency use, including items used for medical issues. The bill also leaves it up to the local school district how it chooses to implement the cell phone ban. School boards could choose to allow student cell phone use, but the policy must be approved annually. The bill passed the House 82-9 on February 13 and was sent to the Senate for further consideration.

School Cell Phone Policies

Senate Bill 139, by Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore) and Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid), would require public school districts to develop policies to limit student cellphone use for the full school day for the entire 2025-2026 school year. Seifried amended her legislation on the floor to require school districts to restrict cellphones for the upcoming school year while also granting school boards the flexibility to adjust their policies in future years. A previous version of the legislation would have required schools to adopt “bell to bell” policies in perpetuity. Seifried said she’s optimistic that once schools see the advantages of going phone-free, they won’t want to go back.

Seifried has spent the last two years working to improve education outcomes and eliminate classroom distractions by limiting cellphones in schools. She introduced SB 139 after co-hosting a wide-ranging interim study last fall that highlighted the overwhelmingly negative effects of cellphone use in schools. The bill passed the Senate 30-15 on March 13 and moved to the House for consideration.

In-State College Athletic Conference

House Bill 1017, Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton) and Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa), would establish a new intercollegiate athletic conference to promote and regulate college athletics among member institutions within the state. Participating teams would no longer compete with out-of-state teams. “With student athletes spending less time on a bus traveling to other states to compete, they would have more time in the classroom, improving their academic performance and their overall collegiate experience. As a result, we would expect to see a rise in college graduation rates,” Moore said. “In addition, this would save universities money on their athletic budgets.”

The language in the bill says the measure would foster more community and state pride, enhancing the student and fan experience by providing better in-state rivalries. It also would allow better in-state recruiting – keeping Oklahoma students in the state. HB1017 also would create the Oklahoma National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Athletic Conference Commission that would be responsible for exploring and making recommendations regarding the creation of a new conference consisting of Oklahoma NCAA Division II Schools and others to be determined and named at a later date. It passed the House 78-13 on March 4 and went to the Senate for consideration.

End DEI Policies in Higher Education

Senate Bill 796, by Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond) and by Denise Crosswhite Hader (R-Piedmont), codifies an existing Executive Order to ensure Oklahoma’s higher education institutions focus on academic excellence and equal opportunity for all students. The bill prohibits institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from using state funds, property or resources to support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) positions, programs or activities. The legislation also bars institutions from mandating participation in education or training that grants preference based on race, color, sex, ethnicity or national origin. Additionally, the measure prohibits the requirement of loyalty oaths, ideological statements, DEI declarations in hiring, or the disclosure of pronouns. “Our higher education institutions should focus on providing quality education and workforce development opportunities rather than engaging in politically driven initiatives,” Sen. Pugh said. The bill passed the Senate 39-8 on March 27 and advanced to the House for consideration.

Move School Board Elections

Senate Bill 6, by Sen. Ally Seifried (R-Claremore) and Rep. Chris Banning (R-Bixby), would move the General Election for school board races from April to November, when Oklahoma holds general elections for other elected positions. Seifried has worked on this issue since she first took office and said she wants more voters to have their voices heard in these important elections. “Voter turnout in local school board elections is alarmingly low because these contests are held outside Oklahoma’s traditional election cycle,” Seifried said. “It will increase the number of candidates running for these key positions and, more importantly, boost voter participation in these pivotal races. School board decisions shape the future of public education across our state and determine how taxpayer dollars are allocated. By moving these elections to a time when more members of the community are engaged in the election process, we can ensure that these races receive the attention they deserve.” The bill passed the Senate 33-10 on March 12 and advanced to the House for consideration.

Procedures for Tied Elections

House Bill 1678, authored by Rep. Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore) and Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard), requires a second election be held when a tie occurs in primary, runoff or general elections. “This bill ensures elections are decided by voters, not by chance,” Townley said. “I was surprised to learn that races could be settled by a random drawing. With the technology we have, there’s no reason a tied election can’t go to a runoff. This bill takes that step to make our elections fair and transparent.” The bill amends Title 26, Section 8-105 of Oklahoma Statutes, directing that if a tie vote occurs, a second vote will be scheduled for the next available election date. Additionally, if the tie persists after the second vote, the race would be decided by a public drawing conducted by the election board. The bill, inspired by the 2024 primary election in Carter County where a sheriff’s race was decided by a random drawing after a tie, aims to modernize election procedures to prevent outcomes based on luck. The bill passed the House 56-28 on March 5 and moved to the Senate for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, the bill will take effect on Nov. 1, 2025.

Photo Voter IDs

House Bill 1005, by Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) and Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant), would require all voter identification cards to include a photo of the voter beginning in 2027. Under the bill, Service Oklahoma would be tasked with working with the Secretary of the State Election Board to develop and provide a free photo identification card that meets the bill’s requirements. “Oklahoma’s elections are among the safest in the nation, and House Bill 1005 presents another opportunity to safeguard the integrity of our elections,” Olsen said. “By requiring a photo ID for all voters, we are securing the votes of all Oklahomans and enhancing transparency and accountability in our elections.” The bill passed the House 75-18 on March 27 moves to the Senate for consideration.

Recall Elections

Senate Bill 990, by Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City), would create a recall process for state elected officials to be removed from office. Coleman said he crafted this legislation because the state doesn’t have any process to remove a state elected official from office other than impeachment proceedings, which can only be initiated in rare situations. Coleman said he intends to change the legislation so the public could force a recall election by submitting an initiative petition with signatures of registered voters equal to 25% of the votes cast in the last general election to elect Oklahoma’s governor. “Senate Bill 990 is still a work in progress, and I plan to work with my colleagues in both chambers to make this recall process driven by Oklahoma voters from start to finish,” Coleman said. “However, overturning the will of voters should never be taken lightly. That’s why I plan to set a high signature threshold for these petitions and implement safeguards to prevent recalls from being used simply because someone disagrees with an elected official or belongs to a different political party.” Nationwide, 19 other states allow for recalls at the state level. Many Oklahoma municipalities have established recall processes for local elected officials. The legislation passed the Senate 31-15 on March 27 and moved to the House for further consideration.

Initiative Petition Reform

Senate Bill 1027, by Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow), would increase public transparency and also require that proposed ballot measures receive support from Oklahomans across the state before being placed before voters. It gives a broad cross-section of Oklahomans a voice in what qualifies for the ballot by establishing limits on the total number of initiative petition signatures that can come from any one county. It also proposes greater transparency by requiring paid signature gatherers to disclose their financial backers and mandating that only registered Oklahoma voters are eligible to gather signatures. Under the bill, only Oklahoma residents or groups could pay signature gatherers. The bill further proposes simplifying the language of petition summaries, or gists, and requiring that these summaries explicitly state whether a petition will have a fiscal impact. It also requires that those who sign a petition must first read the full ballot title for the proposed measure.

“These changes are long overdue to protect Oklahoma’s laws from being hijacked by out-of-state special interest groups pushing an agenda that goes against our local values,” Bullard said. “These guardrails will bring greater transparency to the initiative petition process and give more Oklahomans, not just the urban elites in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, a say in what questions qualify for the ballot. It’s time to ensure that rural Oklahomans have a voice in this process and that our laws reflect the will of the people, not the wealthy outside influences trying to buy their way onto the ballot.” If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, it would apply to all initiative petitions for which the Oklahoma Secretary of State has not yet set dates for signature collection. The bill passed the Senate 36-8 on March 18 and moved to the House for consideration.

Judicial Nominating Commission Reform

House Joint Resolution 1024, by Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton) and Sen, Todd Gollihare (R-Kellyville). would send to a vote of the people a state question asking whether to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to make changes to the structure and terms of the members serving on of the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC). If approved, the question would establish that at least one member of the JNC be from each of the state’s five congressional districts at the time of their appointment. If the state were to get another congressional seat, a change to the composition of the commission would be automatic. It requires the six members appointed by the Governor to serve a term of six years. The three at large members are to serve two-year terms. The six members of the Bar Association are to serve six-year terms. It would remove restrictions related to the three at-large members relating to being a lawyer or having an immediate family member who is a lawyer. It would remove restrictions relating to the number of selections belonging to one political party. The measure limits commissioners from serving more than 12 years. The resolution passed the House 78-13 on March 12 and was sent to the Senate for consideration.

Food Truck Freedom Act

House Bill 1076, also known as the Food Truck Freedom Act, authored by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant (R-Catoosa) and Sen. Christi Gillespie (R-Broken Arrow), would establish a single, statewide permit for mobile food vendors to operate within the state while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Once the state food establishment license is recognized, a vendor may operate at any location permitted by the local authority, including private properties. “The food truck industry has grown tremendously in recent years, and we need to make sure vendors are able to operate with a streamlined licensing process while maintaining public health and safety,” Hildebrant said. “Currently, mobile food vendors must obtain separate permits for each city or county in which they operate, creating excessive costs and regulatory hurdles. This bill would provide a clear, statewide framework that supports both vendors and local governments.” The Food Truck Freedom Act addresses the burdensome and inconsistent permitting requirements that often force food trucks to shut down or bypass the permitting process.

The measure outlines several operational requirements for mobile food vendors, including maintaining their vending vehicle in good condition, providing a waste receptacle and removing refuse within a 25-foot radius of the vehicle, displaying their food establishment license in a visible location and notifying the Oklahoma State Department of Health and local authorities within 10 days if they plan to serve food at a mass gathering. Several states, including Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, have successfully implemented similar policies, leading to significant growth in their mobile food industries. The bill passed the House 85-3 on March 13 and moved to the Senate for further consideration.

Banning Lab-Grown Meat

House Bill 2829, by Rep. Ty Burns (R-Pawnee) and Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston), would make it unlawful to manufacture, sell, hold or offer for sale any cultivated meat product in Oklahoma. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor upon conviction and food sellers could face suspension or revocation of their licenses. The measure allows the Oklahoma State Department of Health to adopt rules for enforcement and provides an exemption for research conducted by governmental entities or institutions of higher education. “Oklahoma has a proud agricultural heritage and this bill is about protecting our ranchers, farmers and consumers from an unregulated and potentially misleading industry,” Burns said. “Real meat comes from real animals and we want to ensure that Oklahoma’s food supply remains transparent and safe for our citizens.” Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown meat, is produced from cultured animal cells rather than traditional livestock. Supporters of the bill argue that banning its sale in Oklahoma will protect the integrity of the state’s meat industry and prevent consumer confusion. It passed the House 72-18 on March 25 moved to the Senate for consideration.

Prohibiting Biosolids as Fertilizer

Senate Bill 3, by Sen. Grant Green (R-Wellston) and Rep. John George (R-Newalla), requires individuals or organizations authorized to use sludge or biosolid materials to gradually decrease their land application of the product each year until a statewide prohibition takes effect on July 1, 2027. Green said biosolid material – a byproduct of wastewater treatment that is largely made up of human waste – emits a foul odor that carries for miles and attracts flies, creating an unpleasant environment for residents. “Oklahomans pride themselves on being good neighbors, but the stench from biosolid fertilizers and the swarms of flies invading homes are anything but neighborly,” Green said. The long-term effects of using biosolids as fertilizer are also worrisome. Green said he’s deeply concerned that biosolid materials contain so-called “forever chemicals” that could harm livestock, taint farmland and leach into the state’s drinking water. The bill passed the Senate 42-4 on March 26 and advanced to the House.

Penalties for Dangerous Police Pursuits

Senate Bill 871, by Sen. Aaron Reinhardt (R-Jenks) and Rep. John George (R-Newalla), would enhance public safety by increasing penalties for individuals who cause accidents while attempting to elude law enforcement. The bill adds the crime of causing an accident that results in great bodily injury while fleeing from law enforcement to the list of 85% crimes, ensuring offenders serve the majority of their sentence in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Additionally, the bill increases the minimum sentence for this crime from one year to five years, with the maximum penalty rising from five years to seven years. “This legislation is about protecting the public and ensuring that those who endanger lives by recklessly fleeing from law enforcement face serious consequences,” Sen. Reinhardt said. The measure passed the Senate 36-8 on March 27 went to the House for consideration.

Storm Chasing Licensing

Rep. Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee) announced on April 10 that he has decided to take a deeper dive into the issue of storm chasing in Oklahoma before advancing House Bill 2426. He said, he will be holding an interim study on the legislation that would allow professional storm chasers to obtain state licensing giving them special accommodations while tracking severe weather. The bill had passed the House 53-45 on March 25 and was engrossed to the Senate. “Many people have concerns on all sides of this issue,” Fetgatter said. “I would encourage them to sit down together to work out reasonable solutions. In the meantime, it’s worthy that we keep this bill alive as we dig deeper into the details surrounding storm chasing in our state.”

The bill would create an optional severe weather tracker license for those professionally employed by a media outlet or affiliated research program at specified universities. This would have allowed licensed storm trackers, during severe weather events, to be authorized to use green and yellow flashing lights on their vehicles so they could proceed through red traffic lights and travel on closed roads and highways. Storm chasers choosing not to purchase the license would still be allowed to operate as they do now. “This was not to stop or disrupting any storm chaser that currently comes to Oklahoma to help residents stay aware of dangerous weather,” he said. “Our interim study will help continue this conversation and determine the path of the legislation going forward. I believe the proper role of government is public safety, and this is a necessary discussion.”

Sen. Mark Mann (D-Oklahoma City), the Senate author of the bill, added, “As Representative Fetgatter worked in the House, it became clear there were concerns from law enforcement and our first responder agencies. I am excited to hold a joint study this legislative interim to bring those stakeholders to the table and work out the specifics on this legislation, which will empower our media trackers to continue protecting and informing the public while also addressing the legitimate concerns of our law enforcement and first responder communities.”

Locking the Clock

On March 25, Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore) lost his fight to lock the state into standard time and stop the twice-yearly time change to daylight saving time. House Bill 1223 would have established year-round standard time in Oklahoma after daylight saving time ends November 2. The bill failed in the House in a 40-54 vote. “Congratulations to all the members who voted no on this bill,” West said. “You just ensured that we will continue to change the clocks twice each year, even though the majority of Oklahomans want us to lock the clock.” West has authored several bills that would send to a vote of the people a question on whether to adopt permanent standard time in Oklahoma. The measures have not advanced through the full legislative process.

Instead, last session, the Legislature passed and the governor signed into law Senate Bill 1200. The measure specifies that should a federal law ever authorize states to observe daylight saving time year-round, Oklahoma shall adopt it year-round. West said this was tried before. In 1974, the entire nation was mandated to go to daylight saving time. That winter, several states, including Oklahoma, petitioned the federal government to end it because the sun wasn’t up until after 8 a.m. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the workday before the sun rose. The act ultimately was repealed in 1975.