Speaker Hilbert: investigation into "bizarre accident" vindicates both Walters and board members

The latest turn of events in the the State Department of Education TV-Gate drama: House Speaker Kyle Hilbert thinks the bottom has been reached and the actual truth discovered, and it was all a bizarre accident.

House Speaker Comments on SDE Investigation

Oklahoma City (August 5th) - Statement from Speaker Kyle Hilbert Regarding Investigation into State Department of Education TV Incident:

"On Friday, July 25, two members of the State Board of Education made graphic allegations concerning what they say was visible on a television in the State Superintendent’s office during an executive session the previous day. Due to the serious and disturbing nature of these claims, I immediately called for an independent and transparent third-party review to determine exactly what occurred.

That weekend, I spoke directly with State Superintendent Ryan Walters. He assured me that he welcomed a thorough investigation and had requested the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to come onsite to investigate. OMES confirmed with me that they would begin their work on Monday, July 28, which they did.

House Speaker Hilbert launches “Capitol to Community” tour

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert Launches “Capitol to Community” Statewide Series

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 30th) – Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert has launched a new initiative titled "Capitol to Community", a series of events held across the state over the interim with the goal of strengthening connections between legislators and the Oklahomans they serve.

The format of Capitol to Community will vary depending on the community, but the goal remains consistent: a full day on the ground, engaging directly with local leaders, businesses, educators and residents.

Small: The political fringe should not control petition process

The political fringe should not control petition process

By Jonathan Small

Supposed advocates of “good government” often decry low voter turnout, arguing that more citizens need to be involved in our political process.

Yet, for some reason, many of those same advocates hold a very different view when it comes to Oklahoma’s initiative petition process. When efforts are made to put a question before all Oklahoma voters, they are fine with largely excluding the vast majority of the state from the petition process.

Fortunately, state policymakers are not so shortsighted.

Governor Stitt, legislative leaders announce $12.6B state budget deal

Governor Stitt, Legislature Announce Budget Deal

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert unveiled a comprehensive agreement aimed at cutting taxes, investing in key infrastructure, and strengthening Oklahoma’s business-friendly climate.

The agreement includes a quarter-point tax cut to the state income tax, a consolidation of income tax brackets and a true path to zero income tax, ensuring that Oklahoma stays competitive with surrounding states.

Gann warns on unprecedented 'bonus' vote taken by House, dangers of setting new policy

Rep.-Tom Gann Issues Statement on Bonus Vote of SB224 and Warns of the Dangers of Setting New Policy

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 2nd) – Representative Tom Gann (R-Inola) released the following statement on the unprecedented bonus vote taken by the House on Thursday on Senate Bill 224. 

"On Thursday, May 1, 2025, Representative Kyle Hilbert, Speaker of the House, took actions regarding SB224 that did not align with the House Rules of the 60th Legislature. House rules dictate that once a bill is defeated it is not eligible for additional consideration. The House vote to defeat SB224 was considered final action under the rules."

"However, Hilbert, while presiding over the house allowed an additional bonus vote to occur by which the bill was approved. This breaks with years of clearly established House precedent that prevents never ending bonus votes on failed legislation and opens up a Pandoras box of potential abuse. 

What other bills will be allowed a bonus vote?

State House releases updated budget transparency portal

House Releases Updated Budget Transparency Portal

Details House Position on Budget Items for Fiscal Year 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY(March 27th)  – The Oklahoma House of Representatives released today updated budget numbers in its online transparency portal, detailing the House position on how the FY26 budget should be crafted.

The portal, known as Budget HQ, was created in 2024 in an effort to bring transparency to the state budgeting process both for the full House membership and the public.

The numbers are a starting point for negotiations with the Senate and Governor over the FY26 budget.

Judicial Nominating Commission reform measures pass State House

Judicial Nominating Commission Reform Measures Pass House

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 13th) – The House passed two measures this week that would reform the way judges are vetted and selected in Oklahoma.

The state's Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), established in 1967 by an amendment to the state Constitution, is charged with nominating the three most qualified candidates for appointment by the governor to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals, as well as district and associate district judgeships when vacancies occur outside the normal election process for those positions. Currently, six of the 15 members of the commission are attorneys and nine are non-lawyers.

"A majority of Oklahomans are ready to modernize how state judicial applicants are vetted and appointed," said Speaker Pro Tem Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, who is the author of the bills. "The judiciary provides a vital check and balance function as laws are created, and it is important the system remains above reproach and is managed by those who know the law best. These two measures would update the nominating process in a way that would benefit the public while preserving the integrity of this system."

Small: Initiative petition transparency an important reform

Initiative petition transparency an important reform

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma’s initiative-petition process allows voters to determine major policy issues, but some system flaws have become apparent. That’s why Oklahomans should support bringing greater transparency to the petition process.

Under Senate Bill 1027, the initiative-petition process would have to include clear language, transparent reporting of funders, and buy-in from a wider swath of Oklahoma.

None of these ideas should be controversial.

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."

Oklahoma Legislature formally elects new 2025-2026 leadership

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Legislature met for the constitutionally-required Organizational Day, where both legislative chambers formally elected their leadership and passed the rules package by which their respective bodies will operate for the next term.

Oklahoma officials celebrate cancellation of 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor crossing state

Property owners across the state are breathing a sigh of relief at the cancellation of an 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor, but by no means does that signal time to retreat and close eyes to future potential projects.

Numerous communities and groups across the state raised alarm over the project, culminating in a well-attended meeting at the Creek County Fairgrounds where House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert announced that the federal Department of Energy was removing designation that would have allowed eminent domain for the project, leading to its scrapping.

House Speaker-Elect announces new government efficiency portal

Speaker-Elect Announces New Government Efficiency Portal

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 10th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today added to its transparency portal a government efficiency survey intended to root out duplication of services, waste and inefficiencies in state government. 

This initiative piggybacks on the federal effort to eliminate government waste through the newly-created federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"We will work hand-in-hand with President-Elect Trump and our federal delegation on broader efforts to make government more efficient with DOGE," said House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We want to ensure our state government is working as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. As lawmakers, we want the assistance of Oklahomans who have first-hand experience with duplicative and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars."

Small: Tax repeal must be priority

Tax repeal must be priority

By Jonathan Small

Now that this year’s elections have concluded, Republican caucuses have selected leadership in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature. State Rep. Kyle Hilbert of Bristow will serve as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives while state Sen. Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle will serve as president pro tempore of the Senate.

As they prepare agendas for the 2025 legislative session, which starts in February, Republicans in both chambers must be prepared to tackle one of Oklahoma’s most pressing economic challenges – the state’s penalty on work.

Small: “Ghost student” reform pays off

“Ghost student” reform pays off

By Jonathan Small

In 2021, state lawmakers considered reforming school funding. Basically, they wanted to fund schools based on actual students, rather than the number of students who used to attend a district.

School officials reacted with “the sky is falling” rhetoric.

But now we’re three years down the road and the sky hasn’t fallen. Instead, a new report shows this simple reform has resulted in better allocation of roughly $180 million.

Senate GOP elects Paxton as Pro Tem designee - at least for now

The Republican majority caucus of the Oklahoma Senate met today to elect the President Pro Tempore-designee who will ostensibly lead the chamber for the next legislative term. Again. Remember, the last guy (Majority Floor Leader Greg McCortney) was shockingly defeated by a conservative challenger in the June primary. Today's designee, State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle), may not end up as the Pro Tem, either, as some controversy and complications swirled around today's vote.

For example, of the 40 Republicans, at least 11 are not returning to the body after November, due to term limits, not seeking reelection, or (as in McCortney's case) election defeat. These members still got to vote in-caucus on the leader for 2025-2026. Additionally, it seems that several conservative senators are in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, and were not present for the meeting. Perhaps this was by design.

Legislative leaders hammer out state budget agreement

Over the past week or so, legislative leaders - as well as Governor Stitt - have met in unprecedented public negotiations for this year's state budget (Tres Savage at NonDoc has a great write-up on the saga). Read the official press releases below:

Pro Tem Treat and Speaker McCall Comment on Budget Agreement

Agreement first in budget transparency process by both chambers

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 22nd) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today released the following statements after Senate and House negotiators reached an agreement on the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

The budget agreement is the first time all meetings were hosted in public and gave Oklahomans a behind the scenes look on how the state budget is negotiated. 

Senate approves bill to fund Arkansas River Levee improvements

Senate approves bill to fund Arkansas River Levee improvements

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 25th) – House Bill 3288, by Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, received approval from the full Senate Wednesday. The measure provides $50 million in funding for repairs and improvements to the Arkansas River Levee Systems, which are currently at high risk of failure.

Pro Tem Treat applauds House for passing car tag legislation

It is worth noting that this "fix" legislation exists because the legislature passed a bill several years ago without considering the ramifications contained in it in the first place, as so often is the case:

Dash cam view just prior to vehicle slamming into car on shoulder

Pro Tem Treat Applauds House for Passing Car Tag Legislation

Senate Bill 2035 was authored by Pro Tem Treat after son’s near-deadly accident

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23rd) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today applauded the Oklahoma House of Representatives for passing Senate Bill 2035, legislation he authored after his son’s near-deadly accident.

The bill passed off the House floor by a vote of 89-2.

Pro Tem Treat’s son was driving legally but did not have a car tag because current state law allows a private seller of a vehicle to retain possession of the physical car tag. While his son, Mason, was pulled over, the driver of another vehicle veered off the road and slammed into the back of his car, injuring him and the sheriff who had pulled him over.

“This goes beyond politics, and I greatly appreciate the members of the House of Representatives who voted in favor of this legislation,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I nearly lost my son due to no fault of his own. He was driving legally but was pulled over because he didn’t have a tag, even though he had all of the proper vehicle information, insurance and registration forms. Senate Bill 2035 is my main priority this session because I don’t want any families to have to go through what my family has gone through. I deeply appreciate Rep. Kyle Hilbert, who carried this legislation on the House side and all of the coauthors. I look forward to seeing this being signed into law.”

The bill will go back to the Senate for adoption of a perfunctory amendment before heading to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 2035 provides that motor vehicle license plates shall be transferable to different owners but shall remain with the vehicle it is initially registered to beginning July 1, 2024. The measure repeals a statute authorizing the transfer of a license plate to a different vehicle.

Pro Tem Treat’s son Mason spent 20 days in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He continues his recovery at home and in various physical therapy sessions.  

Click here to watch Pro Tem Treat’s floor debate on Senate Bill 2035.

Provisions of Senate Bill 2035

• Provide a method for dealers to electronically enter required purchaser information for each vehicle purchase and submit information to Service Oklahoma every 24 hours.
• Dealers and sellers must also complete the pre-registration of the vehicle by submitting documentation to Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator identifying the vehicle within two-days of the purchase.
• Individuals purchasing a motor vehicle in a private sell can also print a temporary tag to place on their vehicle after proper documentation is submitted to Service Oklahoma in the instance of the seller keeping a custom tag.
• Tribal tags will not be impacted by the law change.