OKLAHOMA CITY – Recent legislative action in the state House of Representatives included adding a financial literacy course to high school graduation requirements. The bill, House Bill 2158, was authored by Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) and was approved by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Lowe said in a press release that empowering students to take control of their finances starts with education.
“Requiring students to master financial literacy before graduating isn’t just about balancing budgets,” he said. “It’s about laying a good foundation as they begin the next chapter of their lives by equipping them with the tools they need to navigate financial decisions thoughtfully.”
Students will now be required to complete a half unit of personal financial literacy coursework during high school, either in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade. The bill allows the coursework to be integrated into an existing class or taught by itself, although certain topics must be taught. They include retirement planning, investing, online banking features and credit scores.
The student financial literacy law will take effect July 1, 2025.
State budget negotiations are still underway between the House and Senate, with the current legislative session ending on May 31. This leaves about 10 days for an agreement in the regular session. Legislators are also still working for a final push on bills that are still pending and have not made it to the governor’s desk for approval. Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) House Resolution 1047 advocates for amending the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of citizenship for voter registration passed and was enrolled, signed and filed with the Secretary of State last week. Rep. Boles was a co-sponsor of the resolution, which was authored by House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka).
The measure is to recognize the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that only eligible citizens exercise their right to vote. It notes that the current provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution do not explicitly require proof of citizenship for voter registration and that numerous other states have already implemented a similar requirement.
Two bills co-sponsored by Rep. Boles were approved by the governor last week.
HB 4012, which pertains to building the State Capitol Arch to honor the Oklahoma National Guard. The $4.3 million price will be allocated from the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority Legacy Capital Financing Fund.
HB 3190 pertains to health insurance and the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act, and specifically addresses disclosure and review of prior authorization, adverse determinations, consultations, reviewing physicians, utilization review entity, exceptions, retrospective denial, length of prior authorization, continuity of care, standard for transmission of authorization, failure to comply and severability. Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton) The state House resolution advocating for amending the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, HR 1047, was also co-sponsored by Rep. Caldwell. It was enrolled, signed and filed with the Secretary of State last week.
In addition, Rep. Caldwell, along with Rep. Boles and Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) co-sponsored HB 3190, which pertains to health insurance and the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act. The measure was approved by the governor on May 15.
A bill pertaining to schools and modifying graduation curriculum requirements, HB 3278, co-sponsored by Rep. Caldwell, was also approved by the governor on May 15. It modifies certain current statutes and specifies standards for individual subjects and how many units will be required for graduation. For example, the bill text states that for the subject matter standards for history, social studies and United States Government classes will include the content of the U.S. naturalization test. Three units will be required from a list of approved classes.
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) A measure creating the Laser Hair Removal act, HB 2998, authored by Rep. Hasenbeck and co-sponsored by Rep. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan), was approved by the governor on May 13. The law now mandates education and training and will require certain credentials.
Rep. Hasenbeck was also a co-sponsor on HB 3190, along with other southwest Oklahoma legislators, which pertains to health insurance and the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act. That measure was approved by the governor on May 15.
Rep. Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus) Rep. Kendrix was also a co-sponsor on House Joint Resolution 1047, along with other southwest Oklahoma legislators, which advocates for amending the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of citizenship for voter registration. The measure was filed with the Secretary of State last week.
In addition, Rep. Kendrix authored House Concurrent Resolution 1014, which recognized May 10 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It was filed with the Secretary of State. The resolution recognized and honored the contributions and sacrifices of military spouses and expressed appreciation for military spouse service.
Rep. Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan) Two bills authored by Rep. McEntire was approved by the governor last week.
HB 3376, which pertains to pharmacy benefit managers and the Patient’s Right to Pharmacy Choice Act, was approved on May 15. The measure also addresses contracts, health information, fines and fees, definitions and creates a revolving fund. A section of the bill requires the Attorney General to review and approve retail pharmacy network access for all pharmacy benefits managers to ensure compliance.
HB 3351, which pertains to medical preceptorship training and provides for an income tax credit, establishes a revolving fund and addresses a license fee. In the health field a preceptor is defined as an experienced practitioner who supervises students during clinical practice. The measure was approved by the governor on May 16.
A bill creating the Laser Hair Removal act, HB 2998, authored by Rep. Hasenbeck and co-sponsored by Rep. McEntire, was approved by the governor on May 13. The law now mandates education and training and will require certain credentials.
In addition, a bill co-sponsored by Rep. McEntire, Senate Bill 1670, was sent to the governor’s desk on May 15 and is awaiting approval. The measure pertains to pharmacy benefits management and seeks to modify audit processes and requirements and also addresses modifying reimbursement rates. Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) Three bills co-sponsored by Rep. Pae were approved by the governor last week.
HB 3278 addresses schools and modifies graduation curriculum requirements. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Caldwell, was approved by the governor on May 15.
HB 3511, which pertains to special elections and modifying timelines for certain elections. In brief, it sets time limits for special elections to be held after already scheduled voting. It was approved by the governor on May 16.
HB 4148, which pertains to civil procedure regarding the collection of medical debts, civil actions, default judgments and procedures. It was also approved by the governor on May 16. Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) Two bills either authored or co-sponsored by Rep. Lowe received legislative action last week.
HB 2185, which pertains to agriculture and specifically addresses pesticide application and modifying the requirement to receive an aerial license, was sent to the governor’s desk and is pending approval. The bill, authored by Rep. Lowe, also seeks to modify some rules and standards and create uniformity between the requirements of Oklahoma and those prescribed by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
Rep. Lowe also co-sponsored HB 4012, along with several other southwest Oklahoma legislators, which pertains to building the State Capitol Arch to honor the Oklahoma National Guard. The $4.3 million price will be allocated from the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority Legacy Capital Financing Fund.