Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

Legislation addressing the social worker shortage in Oklahoma will take effect Nov. 1.  Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, authored House Bill 3015 to make Oklahoma more competitive with other states in the region for social workers.  The bill, which was signed into law Tuesday, revises the practicum requirement for licensed social workers, licensed clinical social workers and licensed social workers with administration specialty from 2 years to 3,000 hours of postgraduate experience in the related field.  "There are too many social workers that are trained in Oklahoma but leave for other states to complete their supervision," Boatman said. "In restructuring the postgraduate experience requirements for social workers to make the process more straightforward, we can significantly help the recruitment and retention of social workers to our state. I hope this legislation helps strengthen Oklahoma's social work workforce and ensure the well-being of our communities."  HB3015 was carried in the Senate by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan. “House Bill 3015 will make it easier for Oklahoma to recruit and retain qualified social workers by reducing the number of supervised work hours they must complete to obtain their license,” Garvin said. “This will eliminate some of the barriers that discourage talented professionals from pursuing these critical jobs while also bringing Oklahoma’s licensing requirements in line with the national standard.” 

A measure making Oklahoma's state employee management agency and the Chief Information Officer subject to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act has been sent to the governor's desk.  House Bill 3057, authored by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, would require all purchases of equipment, products and services within the Information Services Division of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) and the Chief Information Officer to be subject to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act and the Public Competitive Bidding Act of 1974 without exception.  "Oklahomans demand transparency and accountability regarding the expenditure of their hard-earned tax dollars," Steagall said. "The abuse of certain exemptions provided for in current statute pertaining to the competitive bid process has to end, and with the passage of HB3057, the Legislature is taking steps to reign in a significant portion of such exploitation. As the author of the bill and concerned taxpayer, I will be working to amend additional statutes to close loopholes and eliminate exemptions used or designed to bypass the competitive bid process." HB3057 is authored in the Senate by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. "A government that can’t be trusted is a government that will lose citizen support," Weaver said. "How we conduct business must be above reproach and above board. As Senate author of HB 3057, I am grateful that we are taking action and adding a safety rail to guard against corrupt activities." The House passed HB3057 99-0 in March and, this week, the Senate passed it 37-0. HB3057 is now at the governor's desk and available to be signed into law. 

During the 2024 Oklahoma Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, was named the 2024 Outstanding Elected Official by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Oklahoma Department of Health," Talley said. "Protecting our children and supporting vulnerable families has been a cornerstone of my work as an elected official. I am committed to continuing my mission to ensure every child in Oklahoma grows up in a safe and nurturing environment." Talley, who serves as chair of the House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee, is the director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for North Central Oklahoma. He has also worked as an ordained minister since 1978. Every year, the 2024 Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards recognize outstanding efforts of organizations, individuals, groups, activities or events that promote safe, stable and nurturing environments and relationships for Oklahoma’s children.