Oklahoma State Senate

Oklahoma State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	February 5, 2024
Session end:	May 30, 2024
Term length:	4 years
Term limits:	12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$47,500/year + per diem
Members
Total:	48
Democrats:	8
Republicans:	39
Other:	0
Vacancies:	1
Leadership
President:	Matt Pinnell (R)
Maj. Leader:	Greg McCortney (R)
Min. Leader:	Julia Kirt (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 8, 2022
Next election:	November 5, 2024

The Oklahoma State Senate is the upper chamber of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Alongside the Oklahoma House of Representatives, 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 State Senate 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 State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Twenty-four of the state Senate's 48 seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican supermajority remained 40-8.

Twenty-four of the state Senate's 48 seats were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Republican supermajority increased from 39-9 to 40-8.

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 State Senate.

• 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 State Senate as of December 2024:

Party		As of December 2024
	Democratic Party	8
	Republican Party	39
	Other	0
	Vacancies	1
Total		48

Members[edit]

Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate, but does not typically preside over the senate. The president pro tempore is chosen by the members of the Senate and acts as chief executive officer of the Senate. The majority and minority caucuses choose their leaders.^[1]

Leadership and members[edit]

• Senate president: Matt Pinnell (R)
• Senate president pro tempore: Greg Treat (R)
• Majority leader: Greg McCortney (R)
• Minority leader: Julia Kirt (D)

Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024[2]
Salary	Per diem
$47,500/year	$174/day

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."^[5]

Historical party control[edit]

Republicans won control of the Oklahoma State Senate in 2008. In 2022, they won a 40-8 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Oklahoma Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. 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 State Senate election results: 1992-2022

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22
Democrats	37	35	33	33	30	28	26	24	22	16	12	8	6	9	9	8
Republicans	11	13	15	15	18	20	22	24	26	32	36	40	42	39	39	40

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 2023, Oklahoma was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-1994, 2003-2004
• Republican trifecta: 2011-2023
• Divided government: 1995-2002, 2005-2010

Oklahoma Party Control: 1992-2024
Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  Fourteen 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	22	23	24
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	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	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	R	R	R

Elections[edit]

Elections by year[edit]

Oklahoma state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Oklahoma holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 18, 2024, and a primary runoff was August 27, 2024. The filing deadline was April 5, 2024.

2022[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for August 23, 2022. The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Oklahoma State Senate from 39-9 to 40-8.

Oklahoma State Senate
Party		As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	9	8
	Republican Party	39	40
Total		48	48

2020[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate 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 State Senate but did not gain any seats.

Oklahoma State Senate
Party		As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	9	9
	Republican Party	39	39
Total		48	48

2018[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate took place in 2018. A primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and a primary runoff took place on August 28, 2018.^[6] 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.^[7]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Oklahoma State Senate from 38-8 to 39-9.

Oklahoma State Senate
Party		As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	8	9
	Republican Party	38	39
	Vacancy	2	0
Total		48	48

2016[edit]

See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate 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. A total of 25 seats out of the 48 seats in the Oklahoma State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 39-9 majority. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 42-6 majority.

Oklahoma State Senate
Party		As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	9	6
	Republican Party	39	42
Total		48	48

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

2014[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for the Oklahoma State Senate 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 36-12 majority. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 40-8 majority. Oklahoma State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 12 8      Republican Party 36 40 Total 48 48 2012[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate 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. A total of 24 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 32-16 majority. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 36-12 majority. Oklahoma State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 16 12      Republican Party 32 36 Total 48 48 During the 2012 election, the total value of contributions to the 67 Senate candidates was $6,611,716. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2012 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Chickasaw Nation $91,300 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $55,000 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $50,350 Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists $49,500 Oklahoma Medical Association $47,500 Devon Energy $46,500 Center for Legislative Excellence $46,500 Chesapeake Energy $45,449 Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma $45,300 Oklahoma State AFL-CIO $44,000 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Oklahoma State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 7 Larry Boggs 7.7% 26,388 J. Paul Lane District 3 Wayne Shaw 8.5% 24,715 Jim Bynum District 39 Brian Crain 13.8% 33,416 Julie Hall District 15 Rob Standridge 23.1% 30,530 Claudia Griffith District 5 Jerry Ellis 33.1% 23,930 Howard Houchen District 31 Don Barrington 35.6% 23,313 Tony Terrill District 9 Earl Garrison 39.4% 24,667 Barney S Taylor District 43 Corey Brooks 41.4% 29,731 Mike Fullerton District 13 Susan Paddack 51.7% 26,161 Fred E Smith District 41 Clark Jolley 58.8% 34,529 Richard Prawdzienski 2010[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate 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. A total of 24 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 26-22 majority. Republicans gained six seats in the election, giving them a 32-16 majority. Oklahoma State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 22 16      Republican Party 26 32 Total 48 48 During the 2010 election, the total value of contributions to the 54 Senate candidates was $7,416,467. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2010 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Brinkley, Rick $114,000 Allen, Mark & Nikki $105,155 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $96,500 Allen, Mark Dean $92,186 Ivester, Thomas $90,000 Chickasaw Nation $83,250 Chesapeake Energy $67,500 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $66,500 Oklahoma Public Employees Association $66,000 Working Oklahomans Alliance $50,000 2008[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate consisted of a primary election on July 29, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. A total of 24 seats were up for election. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to the 49 Senate candidates was $7,985,576. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2008 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Adelson, Thomas (Tom) $286,800 Lerblance, Richard C $259,490 Sherrill, Kenneth Wayne $156,607 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $81,750 Chesapeake Energy $77,500 Mcclendon, Aubrey K $67,500 Chickasaw Nation $64,400 Cherokee Nation $62,000 Loveless, Kyle D $59,205 Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists $58,500 2006[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate consisted of a primary election on July 25, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. A total of 24 seats were up for election. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to the 59 Senate candidates was $8,228,353. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2006 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Adelson, Thomas (Tom) $288,700 Potts, Patricia J & Ray H $190,960 Ivester, Thomas S $170,000 Chesapeake Energy $113,000 Chickasaw Nation $95,650 Walters, Wayne Allen $92,200 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $90,500 Wilson, Jim $77,043 Cherokee Nation $69,500 Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association $66,000 2004[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate consisted of a primary election on July 27, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. A total of 24 seats were up for election. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to the 87 Senate candidates was $6,997,108. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2004 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Adelson, Thomas (Tom) $281,000 Wilkerson, Mike $188,316 Gilpin, Timothy S $100,900 Gilpin, Timothy S $100,500 Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association $98,350 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma $88,700 Center for Legislative Excellence $73,000 Wilson, Jim $67,584 Chesapeake Energy $64,500 Chickasaw Nation $63,550 2002[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 17, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. A total of 24 seats were up for election. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to the 52 Senate candidates was $4,170,343. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2002 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Harry, Steve $155,000 Walker, James E $63,796 Branan III, Clifford B $60,052 Boatner, Roy A $51,624 Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association $47,600 Coates Jr, Harry Edward $45,634 Chesapeake Energy $45,500 Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Cmte $40,870 Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association $38,250 Potts, Patricia J & Ray H $35,100 2000[edit] See also: Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Oklahoma State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 22, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. A total of 17 seats were up for election. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to the 52 Senate candidates was $2,934,646. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2000 Donors, Oklahoma State Senate Donor Amount Oklahoma Republican Senatorial Cmte $53,000 Democrats of the Oklahoma State Senate $41,025 Working Oklahomans Alliance $38,000 Oklahoma Republican Party $36,426 Oklahoma State AFL-CIO $33,200 Chickasaw Nation $31,700 House Republican Pac $30,000 Association of Oklahoma General Contractors $20,700 Meinders, Herman $20,000 Transport Workers Union $18,500

Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Oklahoma legislature is one of 16 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.^[15]

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.^[16]

If a senator announces his or her resignation before March 1 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]

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

District map[edit]

See also: Oklahoma state legislative districts

The state of Oklahoma has 48 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

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.^[17]

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:^[17]

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."^[17]

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.^[17]

2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Oklahoma after the 2020 census

Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed new legislative maps into law on November 22, 2021.^[18] The Senate approved the Senate map in a 46-1 vote on November 17, 2021, and the House approved the Senate map 95-1 on November 19, 2021.^[19] The House approved the House map 88-3 on November 17, 2021, and the Senate approved the House map 44-2 on November 19, 2021.^[20]These maps took effect for Oklahoma's 2022 legislative elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

This map took effect for Oklahoma's 2022 legislative elections.

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 State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House 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]

2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 5, 2024, and adjourn on May 30, 2024.

2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 6, 2023, and adjourn on May 26, 2023.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2022[edit] See also: 2022 Oklahoma legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on February 7, 2022, and adjourn on May 27, 2022. 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 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit 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. 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 Senate 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][44]

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 State Senate has 14 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 provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Oklahoma requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Initiative[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 15% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oklahoma State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Oklahoma State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 2 of Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years. Oklahoma is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question. However, the last time Oklahomans voted on such a question was in 1970.^[45] According to the State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse, "Since 1970, Oklahoma’s legislature has refused to follow its Constitution with regard to this provision. In 1994, it placed a referendum on the ballot to eliminate this requirement, but the people of Oklahoma defeated it. Since 1990, many bills have been introduced to implement this part of the Constitution but none has passed."^[46]

2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.

See also: Oklahoma 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

Oklahoma Public Infrastructure Districts Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 25	Yes votes: 38 (79.17%)	No votes: 7 (14.58%)	Yes: 6; No: 1	Yes: 32; No: 6
House:	Required: 51	Yes votes: 66 (65.35%)	No votes: 27 (26.73%)	Yes: 6; No: 11	Yes: 60; No: 16
Oklahoma Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment				Democrats	Republicans
Senate:	Required: 25	Yes votes: 37 (77.1%%)	No votes: 7 (14.6%%)	Yes: 0; No: 7	Yes: 37; No: 0
House:	Required: 51	Yes votes: 71 (70.3%%)	No votes: 11 (10.9%%)	Yes: 0; No: 11	Yes: 71; No: 0

See also[edit]

Elections	Oklahoma State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2024 Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2022 Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2020 Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2018	Oklahoma State Legislature Oklahoma House of Representatives Governor of Oklahoma Oklahoma Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 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 The State Legislative Decade

External links[edit]

• Oklahoma State Senate

Footnotes[edit]

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