Major Administrative Rules reforms take effect in Oklahoma

Administrative rules are where the government-law rubber meets real-life road. It's the nitty-gritty detail of how law affects life. In the legislature, administrative rules oversight requires a lot of work and dedication. It's not glamorous or headline/camera catching, but it is absolutely necessary. 

Major Administrative Rules Reforms Take Effect in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2nd) – The last of four major reforms to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process took effect last month, marking a significant overhaul of the state's regulatory oversight system. Already in effect were three other new laws that strengthen legislative oversight, limit agency overreach and ensure that regulations are grounded in law and subject to greater public accountability.

Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature, but state statute left loopholes that could allow rules to become permanent without a single vote from lawmakers.

Small: Oklahoma needs regulatory reform

Oklahoma needs regulatory reform

By Jonathan Small

A major focus of this year’s legislative session centers on reducing excessive government regulation.

House Bill 2728, by state Rep. Gerrid Kendrix and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, would create the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025.

Under the bill, any state agency rule with an economic impact of $1 million or more over a five-year period would face extra scrutiny and oversight from the Legislature.

Yet some question why Oklahoma needs this reform. The answer is simple: Because Oklahoma state agencies are as prone to overreach as government agencies in other parts of the country.

AFP-OK lauds passage of REINS bill as transformative regulatory reform

AFP-OK Applauds Senate Passage of REINS Bill

Transformative regulatory reform now heads to Gov. Stitt for signature

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 1st) - Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK) celebrated the Senate passage of REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) legislation today that will create a crucial check on the administrative state once signed into law. 

AFP-OK has been a steadfast advocate for HB2728, which will ensure that burdensome regulations from state agencies will have legislative approval before taking effect to protect taxpayers from the unchecked growth of government. 

House passes administrative rules reform measure; OCPA, AFP-OK praise

House Passes REINS Act

Second House priority bill passes House title-on in first three weeks of session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 20th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed House Bill 2728, a measure designed to enhance transparency and legislative oversight in the state’s administrative rulemaking process.

House Bill 2728, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, creates the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, modeled after similar federal legislation. The bill ensures that state agency regulations receive greater legislative review before taking effect.

Small: REINing in the government Goliath

REINing in the government Goliath

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma state government’s reach may seem insignificant compared to the gargantuan size of the federal government, but Oklahoma government still has tendrils reaching all segments of our economy.

That’s why it is important for Oklahoma lawmakers to restrain government regulation at the state level even as President Trump does the same thing at the federal level.

State House committee approves bill to reform administrative rulemaking

You want to address how government impacts citizens? Take a look at administrative rulemaking - where bureaucracy interprets legislation in the real world.

House Committee Advances Bill to Reform Administrative Rulemaking

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb 4th) – The Oklahoma House Administrative Rules Committee has approved legislation aimed at reforming the state’s administrative rulemaking process—the system through which state agencies implement laws by drafting and proposing regulations.

House Bill 2728, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, would establish the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, modeled after similar federal legislation introduced in Congress last year. Kendrix described the REINS Act as a crucial first step toward increasing transparency and oversight in what he referred to as an attempt by the unelected bureaucracy to create an unconstitutional "fourth branch of government."