Legislative Leaders Comment on Sine Die of First Session of 60th Oklahoma Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – The First Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature adjourned Sine Die today, capping a landmark session marked by numerous legislative victories, generational policy reforms and a unified vision for Oklahoma’s future.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, each celebrating their first sessions as leaders of their respective chambers, praised the Legislature’s accomplishments and said the work accomplished this year sets the tone for sustained progress in years to come.

“This session has been about laying the foundation for Oklahoma’s future,” said Pro Tem Paxton. “We came in with a clear mission to put our state on a stronger footing, and we delivered. We passed transformational tax reforms that return hard-earned dollars to Oklahoma families and businesses while keeping our state competitive. I’m proud of the Senate’s work to pass common-sense legislation that reflects the values of the people we represent. From reducing unnecessary virtual school days to making classrooms more focused by removing cellphones and curbing DEI ideology on our campuses, to modernizing the way we approach energy and economic development, we took bold steps to improve our state's future. We’ve proven that good governance yields real results. We’re not just talking about the future, we’re building it.”

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert praised the teamwork across both chambers.

“This session was about taking bold action to improve the lives of every Oklahoman,” said Speaker Hilbert. “We prioritized policies that put students, families and businesses first. We were able to cut taxes, strengthen our schools and modernize outdated laws that held us back. I’m especially proud of the bipartisan support we saw on issues that matter most to everyday citizens. The legislation we passed isn’t just a checklist of campaign promises, it’s a roadmap to a better, stronger Oklahoma. These measures aren’t just wins for today, they’re investments in the next generation.

Among the top accomplishments highlighted by legislative leadership are:

• Comprehensive Tax Reform: House Bill 2764 is a significant reduction in personal income taxes and modernization of Oklahoma’s tax code, aimed at strengthening the state’s economy.

• Economic Development Initiatives: House Bill 2781 is the Reimagine Oklahoma Act, which supports the construction of a new aluminum plant, revitalizing Oklahoma’s industrial base and creating thousands of new jobs. 

• In-Person Learning: Senate Bill 758 reduces reliance on virtual school days to ensure students receive the benefit of in-person learning.

• Bell to Bell No Cell: Senate Bill 139 requires public school districts to limit student cellphone use from “bell to bell” for the entire 2025-2026 school year.

• Ending DEI on College Campuses: Senate Bill 796 prohibits taxpayer-funded DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) programs at public colleges and universities.

• Tort Reform: A series of bills (Senate Bills 1168, 642 and 453) strengthen legal protections for businesses and ensure fairness and speedy settlements in civil litigation while also making much-needed workers’ compensation reforms.

• Energy Innovation: Senate Bill 480, the “Behind the Meter” law, is designed to increase energy generation as the demand for electricity rises nationwide due to a growing number of large-scale manufacturing facilities, data centers and artificial intelligence processing centers.

• Streamlining Elections: Senate Bill 652 establishes five election days annually, scheduled in Fabruary, April, June, August and November, making election days less confusing to support voter turnout. 

• REINS ACT: House Bill 2728, The REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act) in Oklahoma aims to increase legislative oversight of state agency rules, particularly those with significant fiscal impacts. It requires state agencies to seek approval from the Legislature before adopting major administrative rules and provides for independent review of agency economic impact statements.

• Chevron Deference: House Bill 2729, legislation to eliminate the "doctrine of Chevron deference," a legal test that limited courts' ability to interpret ambiguous administrative rules. The law ensures that unelected agencies do not have the final word in establishing law.

During the coming months, the Legislature will begin the process of moving into the Second Session of the 60^th Legislature with interim studies and bill filing later in the year. For updates, visit the websites for the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives for more information. 

Overview of Legislation from the First Session of the 60th Legislature.pdf

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