Oklahoma Political News

Oklahoma lawmakers are beginning to prepare interim studies. These fall meetings, with bipartisan and bicameral support, can offer a glimpse of policy priorities during the legislative session.

Interim studies are publicly held meetings meant to inform lawmakers and the public about an impending political or social issue. They usually cover a wide range of topics, from public safety and the judicial system to water issues and healthcare.

This year, there are about 90 approved studies in each chamber. Several overlap topically, suggesting where lawmakers' priorities lie ahead of the next legislative session.

Read the full story at KGOU.

Rather than choosing a new education secretary for the final five months of his term, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday he tapped Oklahoma’s state superintendent to serve as his top adviser on school policy.

Lindel Fields will hold both positions, Stitt said, following Education Secretary Dan Hamlin’s recent departure. Oklahoma’s next governor, who would choose his or her own Cabinet officials, will take office in January, as will the next elected state superintendent.

Read the full story at Oklahoma Voice.

A House lawmaker said Wednesday that a fellow Republican has blocked his efforts to hold a study at the Capitol to probe a controversial aluminum smelter that the Trump administration wants to build in his hometown.

Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, denied his request to hold an interim study about aluminum smelters. Gann said he was further censored when he was barred from using House resources to distribute a news release letting the public know why the hearing would not take place.

Read the full story at KGOU.

...HD 81 Republican voters are preparing to choose between telecommunications professional Troy Talley and petroleum and real estate businessman Rusty Rains, each of whom said he decided to run after being approached by family friends who are political consultants.

Read the full story at NonDoc.

Oklahomans looking to cast their ballot in the Aug. 25 partisan primary runoff election have until the end of the month to register to vote or update their voter registration, though they cannot change their party affiliation.

Changes to a resident’s voter registration, like name or address changes, can be made as long as the registration is received or postmarked by the July 31 deadline.

Voters can update their registration online through the state’s voter portal with an up-to-date driver’s license or state ID or by completing an application in person at their local county election board. Applications are also available at many tag agencies, post offices and public libraries.

View the full story at Oklahoma Voice.

The legislatively referred constitutional amendment does not change Oklahoma’s voter identification law, though critics fear it could have unintended consequences.

To assist Oklahoma voters in research ahead of the August 25 election, Oklahoma Watch compiled information about SQ 846 through interviews, research and public statements from supporters and opponents.

Read the full story at KGOU.

Several Oklahoma agencies and councils are at risk of shutting down after Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed several bills that would have extended their sunset dates past 2026.

July 1, the first day of the state's 2026-27 fiscal year, marks the sunset date for the affected organizations, which span public media, environmental advisory councils and a professional regulatory board. Sunset provisions set termination dates for laws and agencies, subjecting them to regular review before the legislature can reinstate them.

The affected councils can continue operating beyond this year if the legislature successfully extends their sunset dates in its 2027 session. Leaders at some agencies facing sunset, including the Oklahoma Education Television Authority and Board of Chiropractic Examiners, said they were optimistic that lawmakers would preserve their organizations.

Read the full story at KGOU.

More than 100 new laws take effect Wednesday. Many deal with the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which begins July 1. Other measures though are expected to impact public schools, employee pay and youth in foster care.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the higher-profile measures that take effect Wednesday.

View the full story at Oklahoma Voice.

A central and south Oklahoma City House district finally has a representative after spending the past legislative session without one.

Sam Wargin Grimaldo, a Democrat, took the oath of office Friday afternoon to represent House District 92. Former Democratic Rep. Forrest Bennett resigned from the office Dec. 1 to lead the Oklahoma AFL-CIO, a labor union coalition.

Read the full story at Oklahoma Voice.

Senate Bill 904 was one of several measures introduced this session focusing on restricting gender-affirming care. It prevents the state Medicaid program, or SoonerCare, from covering it, and bars public funds from being used to provide or subsidize it. State property, facilities and buildings also can’t be used to deliver this care.

Read the full story at Oklahoma Voice.