Oklahoma House of Representatives

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Oklahoma House of Representatives
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.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

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]

• Speaker of the House: Charles McCall (R)
• Majority leader: Jon Echols (R)
• Minority leader: Emily Virgin (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislators
Salary	Per 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, 2018Filing deadline.^[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

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2014 Elections for the Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 11, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 72-29 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Oklahoma House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 29 29      Republican Party 72 72 Total 101 101 2012[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 13, 2012. All 101 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 68-31 majority with two vacancies. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 72-29 majority. Oklahoma House of Representatives Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 31 29      Republican Party 68 72      Vacancy 2 0 Total 101 101 During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 201 House candidates was $10,597,614. The top 10 contributors were:[7] 2012 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Chickasaw Nation $276,300 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $169,500 Dank, David M $164,527 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $126,750 Oklahoma Public Employees Association $113,000 Roi Pac $98,000 Oklahoma City Fire Fighters $82,794 Turner, Michael J $79,768 Krumme, George W $79,200 Devon Energy $75,000 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Oklahoma House of Representatives District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 45 Aaron Stiles 0.1% 13,590 Paula Roberts District 56 David L Perryman 1.1% 12,064 Chuck Utsler District 22 Charles A McCall 1.8% 13,219 Doris Anne Row District 71 Katie Henke 6.5% 13,835 Dan Arthrell District 2 John R. Bennett 7.5% 11,753 Rick Agent District 12 Wade Rousselot 7.9% 13,616 David Tackett District 14 Arthur Hulbert 9.7% 12,550 Jerry Rains District 87 Jason Nelson 10.7% 12,744 Nick Singer District 32 Jason Smalley 14.1% 13,720 Keith Kinnamon District 23 Terry O'Donnell 16.9% 10,614 Shawna Keller 2010[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on July 27, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was June 9, 2010. All 101 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 62-39 majority. Republicans gained eight seats in the election, giving them a 70-31 majority. Oklahoma House of Representatives Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 39 31      Republican Party 62 70 Total 101 101 During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 191 House candidates was $11,261,443. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2010 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Chickasaw Nation $261,500 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $258,400 Dank, David $163,077 Cherokee Nation $141,000 Pruett, Raymond (RC) C $133,150 Chesapeake Energy $102,000 Oklahoma Public Employees Association $93,750 Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists $91,000 Oklahoma Association of Realtors $83,150 Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians $80,550 2008[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on July 29, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 101 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to the 209 House candidates was $10,393,664. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2008 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Chesapeake Energy $247,000 Chickasaw Nation $209,000 Cherokee Nation $197,100 Dank, David M $148,377 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $146,500 Pruett, R C $143,150 Oklahoma Association of Realtors $125,250 Oklahoma Medical Association $105,829 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $104,250 Oklahoma Farm Bureau $89,000 2006[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on July 25, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 101 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 222 House candidates was $10,344,749. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2006 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Pruett, Raymond C (R C) $286,300 Chesapeake Energy $198,800 Chickasaw Nation $167,100 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $139,657 Johnston, J D $134,512 Dank, David M $117,000 Oklahoma Medical Association $112,000 Republican Pac to the Future $95,500 Center for Legislative Excellence $84,500 Oklahoma Farm Bureau $80,450 2004[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on July 27, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 101 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 290 House candidates was $10,657,926. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2004 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Pruett, Raymond C (R C) $143,303 Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association $138,200 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $130,900 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $124,200 Chickasaw Nation $117,550 Republican State House Cmte of Oklahoma $101,987 Oklahoma Medical Association $99,450 Center for Legislative Excellence $96,500 Empower Oklahoma $94,368 Oklahoma Farm Bureau $91,750 2002[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 101 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 204 House candidates was $5,489,273. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2002 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Oklahoma Republican Party $93,550 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $88,600 Center for Legislative Excellence $68,000 Chickasaw Nation $65,950 Chesapeake Energy $64,450 Republican State House Cmte of Oklahoma $53,000 Republican Majority Fund $50,500 Hall of Fame Pac $50,004 New Leadership Fund $45,950 Meinders, Herman $44,600 2000[edit] See also: Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Oklahoma House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 22, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 101 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 221 House candidates was $6,343,970. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2000 Donors, Oklahoma House of Representatives Donor Amount Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus $190,039 Oklahoma Republican Party $113,860 Republican Majority Fund $90,500 Win Pac $85,500 Meinders, Herman $77,000 Wilson, Jim $75,471 Chickasaw Nation $62,525 House Republican Pac $59,500 New Oklahoma Pac $53,850 Association of Oklahoma General Contractors $53,000

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]

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

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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.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2017[edit] See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from February 6, 2017, through May 26, 2017. The legislature began a special session on September 25. The session ended on November 17. The legislature began another special session on December 18, which adjourned on December 22. 2016[edit] See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from February 1 through May 27. 2015[edit] See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from February 2 through May 22. Major issues in 2015[edit] Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included dealing with the $300 million budget shortfall, funding for roads and bridges, criminal justice reform, school choice, and healthcare.[34][35] 2014[edit] See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from February 3 through May 23. Major issues in 2014[edit] Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included tax cuts, the budget, prison funding, employee compensation, and judicial reform.[36] 2013[edit] See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from February 4 to May 24. Major issues in 2013[edit] Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included changes to the state pension system and workers compensation funds, tax cuts, and increased funding for education.[37] Lawsuit reform[edit] In September 2013, the legislature held a five-day special session where both houses reenacted a lawsuit reform bill. Republicans in the state legislature settled on 23 provisions with the effect of reestablishing key provisions of a 2009 lawsuit reform bill, which was struck down by the state Supreme Court in June 2013.[38] 2012[edit] See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from February 6 through May 25. 2011[edit] See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from February 7 through May 27.[39] 2010[edit] See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from February 1 to May 28.[40]

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]

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

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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.

• Sections 1 and 2 of Article V say that citizens of the state have the right to amend their constitution through the process of initiated constitutional amendments.

• 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."

• According to Section 1 of Article XXIV, the Oklahoma State Legislature can propose amendments.

• 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 of Article XXIV says that constitutional conventions can only be held if approved by a statewide vote.

• 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
Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2020 Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2018	Oklahoma State Legislature Oklahoma State Senate Governor of Oklahoma Oklahoma Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019 State legislative elections, 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures

Footnotes[edit]

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