Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt is continuing her work to address Oklahoma’s shortage of affordable housing. Kirt presented a study on land banks on Tuesday at the state Capitol. Land banks could give cities and counties a way to repair and reuse abandoned or run-down properties and get them productive in private hands again.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, held an interim study Tuesday examining how properties developed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program are valued for property tax purposes and how Oklahoma can ensure its tax policies don't unnecessarily drive up the cost of housing.

The LIHTC program, also known as Section 42, provides federal tax credits to developers to help finance rental housing. In exchange, properties are subject to long-term restrictions on rents and tenant eligibility.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, held an interim study Tuesday to hear recommendations from state agency leaders on how to make a new law preventing foreign adversaries from owning land in this state more targeted and enforceable.

Pederson invited officials from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to present suggestions for clarifying and strengthening Senate Bill 893, which will take effect July 1, 2027, at his interim study before the Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, on Monday hosted an interim study examining the potential dangers of artificial intelligence to children and ways to better protect young Oklahomans as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in society.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is standing with fellow lawmakers from across the country in opposing an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to rescind the highly effective and popular Roadless Rule, a policy which prohibits road construction and logging on national forest lands with great ecological and recreational value.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate and House Democrats continue their Capitol Conversations series this coming Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m., in room 535 of the state Capitol. Sen. Carri Hicks said people of all ages and political interests are welcome to participate in a discussion about public education.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is asking the public to provide feedback ahead of her upcoming interim study on county law libraries. County law libraries provide free access to legal materials, including state and federal statutes, city ordinances, and other resources for legal research. The study will be held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in room 4S9 of the state Capitol.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City, held an interim study examining a state law that can force local pounds to surrender dogs and cats for animal testing. Oklahoma is the last state in the nation to still have such a law on the books.

WELLSTON – Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, today issued the following statement on the tragic loss of Wellston firefighter Joe Flake.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jo Anna Dossett, D-Tulsa, led an interim study in the Senate’s Revenue and Taxation Committee exploring the feasibility of an income tax credit for filers who complete firearm safety training or obtain an Oklahoma firearm carry permit.

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Sen. Deevers, R-Elgin, today honored the courage and public service of Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor following the Department of the Interior’s announcement that Taylor passed while rescuing residents from their homes threatened by or burning from the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton has appointed Senator Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, to serve on the newly establishe

OKLAHOMA CITY — Leaders of the LOFT Oversight Committee issued the following statements today on a Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency report examining the Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ verification processes for childcare subsidies to prevent fraud and misuse within the system.

Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, Co-Chair of the LOFT Oversight Committee:

OKLAHOMA CITY — Leaders o

Haste, Townley Thank Dolly Parton for Her Contributions to Childhood Literacy Through Imagination Library

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow and Representative Tammy Townley, 
R-Ardmore, expressed their heartbreak at the loss of country music legend and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, August 25, at the age of 80. The lawmakers celebrated the life and legacy of Parton and her commitment to improving childhood literacy.

ENID, OK — Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, on Friday joined local and state leaders in celebrating the completion and official ribbon-cutting of the Kaw Lake Water Supply Treatment Facility, marking the final major component of the Kaw Lake Water Supply Program.

The $350 million project represents a significant investment in the future of Enid and northwest Oklahoma, providing a reliable and sustainable water supply for generations to come.

Senator Says Public Safety is Paramount as 17 Arrested After Recent Sweep

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, today praised law enforcement for clearing the Reed Avenue encampment in Norman and taking action against individuals who returned to the state-owned property despite repeated warnings that doing so violates state law.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, is encouraging Oklahomans to recognize Oklahoma’s second-largest industry today by celebrating Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day and National Aviation Day.

Stanley, chairwoman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, noted that Oklahoma passed a state law in 2017 marking August 19 as Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day. The date also coincides with National Aviation Day, which honors the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, today marked Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day by celebrating the booming industry that is the state’s second-largest economic driver.

Rosino said the aerospace and defense sector is Oklahoma’s fastest-growing industry, contributing more than $44 billion annually to the state’s economy. The industry also supports more than 120,000 direct, high-paying jobs, as well as many more in related and ancillary fields.