Oklahoma House of Representatives

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Oklahoma House of
Representatives
SLP-Infobox Image-Color.png
General Information
Party control:   Republican
Session start:[1]   February 1, 2021
Session end:[1]   May 27, 2021
Term length:   2 years
Term limits:   12 year cumulative
total, in either or
both chambers
Redistricting:  Legislature-dominant
Salary:   $47,500/year
+ per diem
Members
Total:  101
Democrats:  19
Republicans:  82
Other:  0
Vacancies:  0
Leadership
Speaker:   Charles McCall (R)
Maj. Leader:   Jon Echols (R)
Min. Leader:   Emily Virgin (D)
Elections
Last election:  November 3, 2020
Next election:  November 8, 2022

The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Alongside the Oklahoma State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Oklahoma state government and works alongside the governor of Oklahoma to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Oklahoma House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives meets in the state capitol building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

  • All 101 House seats were up for election in 2020. The chamber's Republican supermajority increased from 76-25 to 82-19. Click to read more »
  • Oklahoma has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

  • This page contains the following information on the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

    Party control[edit]

    Current partisan control[edit]

    The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Oklahoma House of Representatives as of November 2021:

    Party As of November 2021
         Democratic Party 19
         Republican Party 82
         Vacancies 0
    Total 101

    Members[edit]

    Leadership[edit]

    The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body. Duties of the speaker include preserving order and decorum, referring proposed legislation to committee, and signing bills, resolutions, and papers.[2]

    Current leadership and members[edit]


    Office Name Party Date assumed office
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 1 Eddy Dempsey Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 2 Jim Olsen Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 3 Rick West Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 4 Bob Ed Culver Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 5 Josh West Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 6 Rusty Cornwell Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 7 Steve Bashore Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 8 Tom Gann Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 9 Mark Lepak Republican November 19, 2014
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 10 Judd Strom Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 11 Wendi Stearman Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 12 Kevin McDugle Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 13 Avery Carl Frix Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 14 Chris Sneed Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 15 Randy Randleman Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 16 Scott Fetgatter Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 17 Jim Grego Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 18 David Smith Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 19 Justin Humphrey Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 20 Sherrie Conley Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 21 Dustin Roberts Republican November 17, 2010
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 22 Charles A. McCall Republican November 21, 2012
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 23 Terry O'Donnell Republican November 21, 2012
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 24 Logan Phillips Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 25 Ronny Johns Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 26 Dell Kerbs Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 27 Danny Sterling Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 28 Danny Williams Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 29 Kyle Hilbert Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 30 Mark Lawson Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 31 Garry Mize Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 32 Kevin Wallace Republican November 19, 2014
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 33 John Talley Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 34 Trish Ranson Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 35 Ty Burns Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 36 Sean Roberts Republican November 17, 2010
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 37 Ken Luttrell Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 38 John Pfeiffer Republican November 19, 2014
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 39 Ryan Martinez Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 40 Chad Caldwell Republican November 19, 2014
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 41 Denise Hader Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 42 Cynthia Roe Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 43 Jay Steagall Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 44 Emily Virgin Democratic November 17, 2010
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 45 Merleyn Bell Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 46 Jacob Rosecrants Democratic September 20, 2017
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 47 Brian Hill Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 48 Tammy Townley Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 49 Tommy Hardin Republican November 17, 2010
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 50 Marcus McEntire Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 51 Brad Boles Republican March 16, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 52 Gerrid Kendrix Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 53 Mark McBride Republican November 21, 2012
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 54 Kevin West Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 55 Todd Russ Republican October 21, 2009
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 56 Dick Lowe Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 57 Anthony Moore Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 58 Carl Newton Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 59 Mike Dobrinski Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 60 Rhonda Baker Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 61 Kenton Patzkowsky Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 62 Daniel Pae Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 63 Hurchel Caldwell Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 64 Rande Worthen Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 65 Toni Hasenbeck Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 66 Jadine Nollan Republican November 17, 2010
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 67 Jeff Boatman Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 68 Lonnie Sims Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 69 Sheila Dills Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 70 Carol Bush Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 71 Denise Brewer Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 72 Monroe Nichols Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 73 Regina Goodwin Democratic July 21, 2015
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 74 Mark Vancuren Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 75 T. Marti Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 76 Ross Ford Republican November 28, 2017
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 77 John Waldron Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 78 Meloyde Blancett Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 79 Melissa Provenzano Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 80 Stan May Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 81 Mike Osburn Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 82 Nicole Miller Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 83 Eric Roberts Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 84 Tammy West Republican November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 85 Cyndi Munson Democratic September 16, 2015
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 86 David Hardin Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 87 Collin Walke Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 88 Mauree Turner Democratic November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 89 Jose Cruz Democratic November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 90 Jon Echols Republican November 21, 2012
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 91 Chris Kannady Republican November 19, 2014
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 92 Forrest Bennett Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 93 Mickey Dollens Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 94 Andy Fugate Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 95 Max Wolfley Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 96 Preston Stinson Republican November 18, 2020
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 97 Jason Lowe Democratic November 23, 2016
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 98 Dean Davis Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 99 Ajay Pittman Democratic November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 100 Marilyn Stark Republican November 21, 2018
    Oklahoma House of Representatives District 101 Robert Manger Republican November 21, 2018


    Salaries[edit]

    See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
    State legislators
    SalaryPer diem
    $47,500/year$165/day. Tied to federal rate. Unvouchered.

    Swearing in dates[edit]

    See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

    Oklahoma legislators assume office 15 days following the general election.[3][4]

    Membership qualifications[edit]

    See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

    Article 5, Section 17 of the Oklahoma Constitution states: "Members of the Senate shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and members of the House of Representatives twenty-one years of age at the time of their election. They shall be qualified electors in their respective counties or districts and shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their term of office."

    Historical party control[edit]

    Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives shifted in favor of the Republican Party. As a result of the 1992 elections, Democrats held a 69-32 majority. The chamber's partisan balance flipped in 2004, and Republicans have increased their majority in the house since that election, holding 82 seats after the 2020 election. The table below shows the partisan history of the Oklahoma House of Representatives following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

    Oklahoma House of Representatives Party Control: 1992-2020

    Year '92 '94 '96 '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16 '18 '20
    Democrats 69 65 65 61 53 53 44 44 40 31 29 29 26 25 19
    Republicans 32 36 36 40 48 48 57 57 61 70 72 72 75 76 82

    Between 2010 and 2020, Republicans expanded their majority by 12 seats. The most significant movement in the partisan balance of the state House occurred as a result of the elections held in 2004 and 2010. Republicans gained nine seats in each of those elections, and the 2004 elections resulted in Republicans taking control of the chamber. Republicans gained six seats in 2020.

    .

    Trifecta history[edit]

    A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2021, Oklahoma was under the following types of trifecta control:

    • Democratic trifecta: 1992-1994, 2003-2004
    • Republican trifecta: 2011-2021
    • Divided government: 1995-2002, 2005-2010

    Oklahoma Party Control: 1992-2021
    Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  Eleven years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
    Governor D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R
    Senate D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D S S R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    House D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R

    Elections[edit]

    Elections by year[edit]

    Oklahoma state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Oklahoma holds elections for its legislature in even years.

    2022[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2022

    Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary is scheduled for June 28, 2022, and a primary runoff is scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline is April 15, 2022.

    2020[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2020

    Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 25, 2020. The filing deadline was April 10, 2020.

    After the November 2020 election, Republicans maintained control of the Oklahoma House of Representatives by a margin of 82-19.


    Oklahoma House of Representatives
    Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
         Democratic Party 23 19
         Republican Party 76 82
    Total 101 101

    2018[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2018

    Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2018. A primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and a primary runoff took place on August 28, 2018.[5] Democrats use a hybrid primary and Republicans use a closed primary. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was April 13, 2018.[6]

    In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 72-27 to 76-25.

    Oklahoma House of Representatives
    Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
         Democratic Party 27 25
         Republican Party 72 76
         Vacancy 2 0
    Total 101 101

    2016[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2016

    Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 15, 2016. All 101 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

    Heading into the election, Republicans held a 71-30 majority. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 75-26 majority.

    Oklahoma House of Representatives
    Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
         Democratic Party 30 26
         Republican Party 71 75
    Total 101 101

    Term limits[edit]

    See also: State legislatures with term limits

    The Oklahoma legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Oklahoma Term Limits Act in 1990. That initiative limits Oklahoma state legislators to no more than twelve years in the Oklahoma State Legislature. These 12 years can be served in any combination of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[14]

    The first year that the term limits enacted in 1990 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2004.

    Vacancies[edit]

    See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

    If there is a vacancy in the Oklahoma State Legislature, the governor must call a special election no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. No special election can be called if the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year and if the term of office will expire in that year. This second provision allows special elections to be held for outgoing senators with two or more years left in their terms.[15]

    If a senator announces his or her resignation before March 1st but the effective date lies between the general election and the new session, a special election can be held on the general election dates. The winner of this election will take office upon the senator's official resignation. This only applies to senators with two or more years remaining in their terms.[16]

    Oklahoma's special election process was modified in 2012 by Senate Bill 91. The bill was intended to avert a special election for Al McAffrey's (D) vacated seat. McAffrey resigned in February of an election year. The text above reflects the modification approved in SB 91.[17]

    DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Oklahoma Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 12-106

    District map[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma state legislative districts

    The state of Oklahoma has 101 state House districts. Each district elects one representative.

    Use the interactive map below to find your district.

    Redistricting[edit]

    See also: Redistricting in Oklahoma

    In Oklahoma, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Oklahoma State Legislature. These lines may be vetoed by the governor.[18]

    If the legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines. The commission comprises the following seven members:[18]

    1. The governor appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
    2. The majority leader of the Oklahoma State Senate appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
    3. The majority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives appoints one Republican and one Democrat.
    4. The lieutenant governor serves as the non-voting chair of the commission.

    The Oklahoma Constitution requires that state Senate district boundaries take into account "population, compactness, area, political units, historical precedents, economic and political interests, contiguous territory, and other major factors."[18]

    The redistricting committee of the state House adopted redistricting guidelines similar to the senatorial district requirements described above. These guidelines apply to state House and congressional districts, as well. These guidelines may be amended by the state legislature at its discretion.[18]

    2020[edit]

    See also: Redistricting in Oklahoma after the 2020 census

    Upon completion of the 2020 census, Oklahoma will draft and enact new district maps. The Oklahoma House of Representatives provided this projected timeline for the 2020 redistricting cycle in Oklahoma.[19] On Sept. 24, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) called a special session of the legislature to address redistricting that began Nov. 15, 2021.[20]

    Projected redistricting timeline for Oklahoma, 2020 cycle
    Date Event
    April 1, 2020 Census Day
    October 15, 2020 Revised deadline for Census to complete collection activities
    November 3, 2020 General Election: Last election to be held using the current district boundaries for the state House, Senate, and Congressional seats
    December 11, 2020 Bill request deadline for the First Regular Session of the 58th Legislature
    January 5, 2021 58th Legislature convenes for Organizational Day
    February 1, 2021 Legislature reconvenes
    April 1, 2021 Deadline for Census to deliver P.L. 94-171 redistricting data to states
    May 28, 2021 Sine die adjournment deadline
    April 15, 2022 Filing deadline for 2022 primary elections for federal, state, and legislative offices
    June 28, 2022 Primary Election: First election to be held using the new district boundaries for state House, Senate, and Congressional seats


    The House and Senate Redistricting Committees scheduled town hall meetings about redistricting to take place at the following times and locations:

    Town hall meetings for Oklahoma redistricting, 2020 cycle
    Date Location
    July 8, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 535
    July 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Virtual
    July 20, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Enid, Autry Technology Center
    July 22, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center, Riverside Campus
    July 27, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center
    July 29, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Lawton, City Hall
    August 3, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Virtual

    2010[edit]

    See also: Redistricting in Oklahoma after the 2010 census

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Oklahoma's population increased from 3.45 million to 3.75 million between 2000 and 2010.[21] The population was densest around Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Growth rates were highest in the suburban and exurban areas surrounding these cities, while rural Oklahoma counties grew at a lower rate or lost population. Of Oklahoma's 77 counties, 23 saw a drop in population between 2000 and 2010.[22] The state's overall growth rate was 8.7 percent, which was below the national average of 9.7 percent, but not low enough to cost the state a Congressional seat.[23]

    Oklahoma officials received detailed Oklahoma results from the Census in February 2011. The legislature formed steering committees in each chamber to draft the maps before the May 27, 2011 deadline. The House of Representatives completed its work relatively quickly, producing a map that avoided putting any incumbents in a district together by early May.[24] The Senate did not produce a map until mid-May.[25][26][27] The House map was passed in its initial vote, while the Senate encountered minority opposition. The opposition eased on the second round of votes, and the Gov. Mary Fallin (R) signed the bills into law on May 20, 2011, seven days before the deadline.[28][29]

    Sessions[edit]

    Legislation[edit]

    The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the House to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

    Dates of legislative sessions in Oklahoma by year[edit]

    2021[edit]

    See also: 2021 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

    In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 1, 2021, and adjourn on May 27, 2021.


    2020[edit]

    See also: 2020 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

    In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 3, 2020, and adjourn on May 22, 2020.

    Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

    See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
    Covid vnt.png
    Coronavirus pandemic
    Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.


    Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Governor Kevin Stitt (R) called the Oklahoma State Legislature into a special session scheduled to convene on April 6, 2020. The legislature had previously suspended its session, effective March 23, 2020, through April 3, 2020. That suspension was originally scheduled to continue through March 27, 2020. On May 4, 2020, the legislature reconvened its regular session. It adjourned on May 22, 2020.[30][31][32][33]


    2019[edit]

    See also: 2019 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

    In 2019, the legislature was in session from February 4, 2019, through May 31, 2019.

    2018[edit]

    See also: 2018 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

    In 2018, the legislature was in session from February 5, 2018, through May 3, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.


    About legislative sessions in Oklahoma[edit]

    The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[41] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

    Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution establishes when the Oklahoma State Legislature, of which the House of Representatives is a part, is to be in session. Section 26 of Article V states that the Legislature is to meet in regular session on the first Monday in February of each year, and it is to adjourn its regular session by the last Friday in May of each year. Additionally, Section 26 also states that the Legislature is to meet for organizational purposes on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in January of each odd-numbered year.

    Section 27 of Article V contains the rules for convening special sessions of the Legislature. Section 27 allows a special session to be called by the Governor of Oklahoma or by a written call signed by two-thirds of the members of both legislative houses.

    Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

    Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

    Veto overrides[edit]

    Veto Override Graphic-Republican Party.png

    See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

    State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Oklahoma are listed below.

    How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

    Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 68 of the 101 members in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 32 of the 48 members in the Oklahoma State Senate. Oklahoma is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

    Are there other special rules?

    If the governor vetoes an emergency measure, three-fourths of the members in both chambers are required to override the veto, which is 76 of the 101 state representatives and 36 of the 48 state senators.[42]

    Authority: Article VI, Section 11 of the Oklahoma Constitution.

    "Every bill which shall have passed the Senate and House of Representatives, and every resolution requiring the assent of both branches of the Legislature, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor; if he approve, he shall sign it; if not, he shall return it with his objections to the house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large in the Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members elected to that house shall agree to pass the bill or joint resolution, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered; and, if approved by two-thirds of the members elected to that house, it shall become a law, notwithstanding the objections of the Governor."

    Role in state budget[edit]

    See also: Oklahoma state budget and finances
    Oklahoma on Public Policy Logo-one line-on Ballotpedia.png
    Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
    BudgetsCivil libertiesEducationElectionsEnergyEnvironmentHealthcarePensions

    The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[43]

    1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in August.
    2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by October 1.
    3. Agency hearings are held from November through January.
    4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in February.
    5. The legislature typically adopts a budget in May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The new fiscal year begins July 1.


    Oklahoma is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[43]

    The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[43]

    Committees[edit]

    See also: List of committees in Oklahoma state government

    Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

    • Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
    • Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
    • Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

    Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Oklahoma House of Representatives has 30 standing committees:


    Constitutional amendments[edit]

    In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

    The methods in which the Oklahoma Constitution can be amended:

    See also: Section 1, Article V, and Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Oklahoma

    The Oklahoma Constitution lays out three different paths, in two different articles, for how to go about changing the state's constitution.

    • Signatures equaling 15 percent of "legal voters" must sign a petition to put a proposed amendment on the ballot. The number of "legal voters" is defined as based on "the total number of votes cast at the last general election for the State office receiving the highest number of votes at such election."
    • Petitions that are circulated for this purpose must include "the full text of the measure so proposed."
    • To put the proposed amendment on a general election ballot, a simple majority vote is required.
    • If the legislature wants the proposed amendment to go on a special election ballot, it has to approve the amendment by a two-thirds vote.
    • Proposed amendments must observe the single-subject rule.
    • Section 2 also says a question about whether to hold a convention shall automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years.
    • The section does not specify any way other than the every-20-years automatic referral, but is worded in such a way as to suggest that there could be other ways for a constitutional convention question to go on the ballot.
    • Other ways could include the state legislature voting to put it there or citizens petitioning to put such a question on the ballot.



    2021 measures:

    Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2021 ballot by the legislature.

    See also: 2021 ballot measures

    Certified:

    The following measures were certified for the ballot.

    No measures to list



    See also[edit]

    Elections Oklahoma State Government State Legislatures State Politics
    Ballotpedia Elections Badge-VOTE-no shadow-Square.jpg
    Oklahoma State Flag-Close Up.jpg
    State Houses-Tile image.png
    State Courts-Tile image.png

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. 1.0 1.1 This date reflects the regularly-scheduled date and does not reflect any change made as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. For more information on changes to state legislative sessions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, click here.
    2. Oklahoma House of Representatives, "Rules of the Oklahoma House of Representatives - Duties and Rights of the Speaker," accessed February 16, 2021
    3. Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 80.35.14," accessed November 2, 2021
    4. Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Oklahoma Statutes Citationized 14 O.S. § 141 ," accessed November 2, 2021
    5. Oklahoma State Board of Elections, "Oklahoma Elections — 2018," accessed August 23, 2017
    6. Oklahoma State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing," accessed August 23, 2017
    7. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2012 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    8. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    9. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2008 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    10. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2006 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    11. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2004 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    12. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2002 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    13. Follow the Money, "Oklahoma House of Representatives 2000 Campaign Contributions," accessed May 1, 2014
    14. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named limits
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