Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

Reps. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, and Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, invite all Oklahomans to attend the second annual Oklahoma Memorial Trail Ruck-Off in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on Saturday, May 18, 2024.  The event aims to raise awareness about veteran issues, support military recruitment efforts and promote the newly created Oklahoma Military Trails. "I encourage everyone to join us on May 18 in Guthrie, whether you're walking or attending the closing ceremony," Duel said. "Your presence will help us honor and raise awareness for our veterans. I want to thank the City of Guthrie, Guthrie Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in organizing this event."  This year's ruck-off is named in honor of Pvt Oscar J. Upham, a U.S. Marine who earned the Medal of Honor during the Boxer Rebellion. Pvt. Upham passed away at the age of 77 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. "Members of the Legislative Veteran's Caucus and several departments in Oklahoma have been working on this project for a while now," Burns said. "We are thrilled to host it once again and excited to expand it to other regions of the state."  The march will begin at 7:00 a.m. Participants can choose between a four-mile or a twelve-mile route, with or without a 35-pound ruck. The closing ceremony is scheduled for noon at the WPA Armory, located at 724 E. Logan Ave., Guthrie, Oklahoma.  To register for the march, visit  https://calendly.com/cloverleafprecision/ruck-off-2024/

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday signed into law a bill that modifies continuing education requirements for electrical contractors, journeymen and apprentices. House Bill 3215, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, seeks to address the worker shortage facing the electrical industry. "This bill was the work of many groups and individuals in the industry coming together to address the problem of finding licensed, competent electrical workers to meet Oklahomans' needs," West said. "In addition, it will help individuals take the next step in their career as an electrician." West said the measure returns the pass rate of the journeyman test to 70%, which was the passing score on the test up until 2008. It also increases the continuing education requirements to help ensure the work performed is by a trained and knowledgeable electrician. "Finally, this act levels the playing field for state electricians by matching requirements with surrounding states that have reciprocal license agreements with Oklahoma," West said. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the Senate author of the measure. "The electrical industry is in dire need of workers entering the trade and obtaining their journeyman’s license," Daniels said. "Every day the need for new workers grows as the electrician workforce ages and more retire." Daniels said the average age of electricians in the United States is 41 years old, and every year over 75,000 electricians are needed throughout the country to meet the growing demand. "We believe these changes are one step to help address this need in the electrical industry while ensuring that the workforce continues to be safe and well educated in the trade," she said. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, contractors and journeymen must complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years for license renewal. The courses must be approved by the Committee of Electrical Examiners and cover specified topics. Apprentices must complete three hours of continuing education annually for registration renewal. Continuing education is not required for apprentices who are students or enrolled in an approved course. 

Legislation updating regulations of Oklahoma's public pools and spas for the first time since the 1970s has been approved by the governor. Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, was contacted by two constituents who own an apartment building in Ardmore after they faced numerous barriers of red tape while renovating the building's public pool last summer. She proposed House Bill 4035 to eliminate those outdated regulations. "Tourism is the third largest entity in Oklahoma, and House Bill 4035 will allow for more streamlined updates to Oklahoma's public pools and resorts all over the state," said Townley, who chairs the House Tourism Committee. "All of Oklahoma deserves to have beautiful resorts and parks that attract their visitors to stay and enjoy with their families. I'm glad this measure has been signed quickly to help the process become less burdensome." "We spent the months between February and August 2024 attempting to get the Oklahoma State Department of Health to issue a permit to build the replacement pool," the constituent, Frank Feiock, said. "In desperation, we contacted Representative Tammy Townley of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Tammy made a few calls to the appropriate officials and got the pool permit process moving again. Not only that, Tammy introduced new legislation to update the pool permit process." Under HB4035, the State Dept. of Health will oversee the regulations of public pools and spas, but exemptions exist for pools in private residences or managed by a Homeowner's Association. The State Commissioner of Health can establish safety rules, fees and penalties for non-compliance. Construction permits and operation licenses cost $50.00 for municipalities with a population of 5,000 or less. Public pool owners must use designated forms for permits, adhere to safety codes, possess an annual license, and allow inspections. HB4035 was authored in the Senate by Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow. "This legislation updates outdated and burdensome language which allows the Oklahoma Department of Health to properly regulate public pools without unnecessary red tape," Haste said. HB4035 was signed into law April 22 and takes effect Nov. 1.