OKLAHOMA CITY - Committee hearings continue as the legislative session begins its second month. The deadline for House bills and House joint resolutions to be out of Oversight, Administration Rules, Appropriations and Rules committees is Thursday, March 6.
Several southwest Oklahoma representatives have bills set for committee hearings this week. They include two bills co-sponsored by Rep. Stacy Jo Adams (R-Duncan).
• House Bill 1776, named the United States and Oklahoma Flag Display Rights Act of 2025, will prohibit any state or local government entity from banning the display of these flags on or in a vehicle or motorcycle while on public property. The intent is to prevent government restriction.
The measure, if passed, will require flags to be displayed according to proper standards and prohibits alterations or defacements. It will be heard in the House Government Oversight Committee on March 4.
• HB 1603 pertains to schools and specifically will require age-appropriate human growth and development curriculum to be taught in grades 1-12. Topics must include but not limited to human biology related to pregnancy, fetal development and the processes of fertilization.
In addition, the measure states that the curriculum must incorporate high-definition ultrasound videos and computer-generated animations showing human development stages. The State Department of Education will be tasked to develop guidelines and provide resources to assist schools and teachers. The bill will be heard March 4 in the House Rules Committee.
Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) has one measure he authored, HB 1433, pertaining to municipal audits, that will be heard in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee on March 4. On Feb. 13, he filed a committee amendment specifying that the measure will recreate the Special Investigative Unit Auditing Revolving Fund related to municipal audits.
Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton) authored HB 2762, which pertains to international corporation agents and creating the International Corporation Agent Political Activity Oversight Act of 2025. It completed a third reading in the House last week and was referred for engrossment, which means it is ready to be considered by the Senate.
The measure intends to establish new regulations for individuals representing international corporations in Oklahoma. The agent will be required to file a specific form with the Secretary of State and pay a $25 filing fee before being allowed to advocate or influence state laws or seek state funding for their associated corporation.
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) has two bills she authored headed to committee hearings this week.
• HB 2854 pertains to higher education and states that a 5-year (academic years) moratorium be enacted on the following higher education courses and programs: Northern Oklahoma College’s exclusive authority to offer all lower division courses and programs at the University Center at Ponca City. Connors State College’s restriction to lower division classes and programs.
Northeastern State University Muskogee branch’s restriction to upper division classes and programs and graduate classes at master’s level. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa’s restriction to upper division undergraduate courses and degree programs. Oklahoma State University’s prohibition from duplicating undergraduate courses offered by Tulsa Community College.
Oklahoma State University’s prohibition from duplicating undergraduate degree programs offered by Langston University Branch in Tulsa. Langston University Branch in Tulsa’s restriction to upper division undergraduate and graduate courses.
Northeastern State University in Tulsa’s restriction to upper division undergraduate and graduate courses. Oklahoma State University- Tulsa’s prohibition from duplicating undergraduate degree programs offered by Northeastern State University in Tulsa. Any restrictions imposed by law preventing two-year community colleges and junior colleges from offering upper division undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs.
Any other geographical restrictions imposed by law restricting the offering of undergraduate courses or undergraduate degree programs at institutions of higher education with The State System of Higher Education. In addition, The State Regents for Higher Education may approve functional exceptions.
This proposal will be heard on March 3 in the Education Oversight Committee.
• HB 1096, which pertains to schools and would specifically create an Academic Performance Index (API). The State Board of Education will be tasked to develop the program that would include multiple indicators like test scores, graduation rates, college remediation rates, attendance rates, dropout rates, Advanced Placement participation and college entrance exam scores.
In addition, if the measure passes, the API will modify professional development programs for teachers and expand remediation course options to include Classical Learning Test (CLT) exam scores. With the goal of providing a more flexible and comprehensive approach to measuring student performance and supporting educational achievement, the measure will update eligibility requirements for state scholarship programs.
The bill will be heard on March 4 in the Appropriations and Budget Committee.
Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) authored two bills that will be heard in committees this week. They are:
• HB 2738, which would modify Oklahoma’s property tax filing deadlines and related penalties. The deadline would be extended for listing personal property from March 15 to April 15 each year. The measure will be heard in the Government Oversight Committee on March 4.
• HB 1031 proposes to extend the sunset or expiration date for the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. The OERB is a state board with a broad mandate to support Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industry through public education, developing energy resources, promoting efficient and environmentally sound production methods, addressing historical environmental issues in oilfields and supporting research and educational activities. It will be heard in the House Administrative Rules Committee on March 5.
Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) has two bills that will be heard in committees this week. They are:
• HB 1111, a measure he co-sponsored that introduces two key provisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The intent is to improve access to the benefits for elderly and disabled individuals by simplifying the certification requirements. It also seeks to increase the standard medical deduction for households with elderly or disabled individuals.
It will be heard on March 4 in the Appropriations and Budget Committee.
• HB 2012 is a measure Pae authored that aims to remove the sunset date for harm-reduction services. If passed, it would make the existing harm-reduction program permanent.