https://www.okhouse.gov/members/District.aspx?District=36

Rep. John George, 2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK (2026)

09/04/2026

The House Insurance Committee considers legislation that affects property, auto, healthcare and other types of insurance. The committee passed the following bills this year that are now signed into law.
House Bill 3781 requires insurance companies to submit proposed rate increases to the Oklahoma Insurance Department for review prior to taking effect, rather than just raising rates without notifying customers. Rate increases will have to be publicly posted so Oklahomans can see exactly what changes are being proposed and when they would take effect. The author of the bill said this will bring transparency to the rate-filing system in Oklahoma. This also gives the commissioner a way to potentially challenge rates that are unreasonably high, discriminatory or unfair.

Senate Bill 1443 provides that all health benefit plans must consider the patient’s physical status and the complexity and urgency of care when determining the necessity of services and calculation of benefit payment amounts for anesthesia services. This just ensures anesthesiologists are paid for the actual work they perform, reflected by the acuity level of the patients they are treating.

Senate Bill 1447 better regulates contracts between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and state employee health plans. The goal is to safeguard the Oklahoma Employee Insurance Plan. This clarifies that the state maintains ownership of all plan-specific data, complete authority over formularies and utilization management, broad audit rights and the option to choose transparent drug-pricing models. PBMs are prohibited from modifying formularies without state authorization, steering patients to their affiliated pharmacies, implementing less favorable terms for non-affiliated pharmacies, establishing gag clauses limiting the state's ability to share records and unjustifiably excluding certain pharmacies from the network. The measure requires PBMs to disclose any affiliates or subcontractors before the contract is finalized, pass through all rebates, maintain System and Organization Controls (SOC) Type 2 certification and quickly provide claim-level data without added fees beyond fixed administrative charges. PBMs also must submit a report detailing each itemized drug claim and provide impact analyses for each change to the plan design before the change can be approved. Additionally, any non-compliant contract term is voidable by the state, and requests for proposals for PBM services must include proof of compliance with sample contract language.
Senate Bill 1920 increases the salvage rate, or the percentage of cost to repair a vehicle as it relates to returning title to Service Oklahoma, from 60% to 70% of the fair market value of the vehicle. The bill's author says this is good for consumers as most would prefer not to have their vehicle salvaged. It also puts us in better alignment with practices of surrounding states, and it reduces the occurrence of premature salvage.
Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

08/28/2026

Here's a look at legislation passed in the House General Government Committee this past session that is now signed into law.
House Bill 4486 authorizes the placement of a Gold Star Family Monument on the State Capitol grounds.

Gold Star families are those that have experienced the loss of an immediate family member who died as a result of active-duty military service.

The House author of the bill explains this monument will give Oklahomans a permanent place at our State Capitol to honor the memory and sacrifice of these service members who gave their lives for our country and the families who continue to carry their legacy. This is hoped to serve as a reminder for generations to come of the tremendous cost of the freedoms we enjoy and of the Oklahoma families who have borne that cost.

The bill authorizes the State Capitol Preservation Commission or its designee to work with private entities to design, construct and place the monument in the northwest corner behind the State Capitol Arch. It will be constructed at no expense to the state.

Senate Bill 1810 will help survivors of human trafficking. The bill provides that in any action in an Oklahoma court, if a party offers evidence of human trafficking, the testimony of an expert witness is to be admissible as evidence. The measure directs the Victims Services Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to provide services for survivors of human trafficking and directs the attorney general to enter into agreements or contracts for shelter of victims.

Senate Bill 1877 requires the Office of the Secretary of State to create and maintain a
centralized filing system to house statutorily required reports and directs all such reports to be
electronically filed within that system. The measure requires the Office of the Secretary of State to notify agencies of any new report requirement. Additionally, the office must notify the governor and legislative leadership of any agency that has not submitted a statutorily required report. The measure also repeals several sections of law, which relate to obsolete reports.

Various pieces of legislation are passed each year that require agencies to report back to the Legislature and often the governor. This just gives us and the public a centralized way to view the reports or see when they are missing.

Senate Bill 1525 authorizes the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to contract for up to $75,000 to organize and promote the one statewide tourism conference that's held every year. The department may charge admission or licensing fees from vendors to cover these costs, so the state would have no direct fiscal impact.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

08/14/2026

The House Elections and Ethics Committee considers legislation related to state elections, voting procedures and political ethics. Below is a look at some of the legislation that passed through this committee this year that has now been signed into law.
Senate Bill 1286 requires political subdivisions for which a county election board conducts elections to furnish a room or rooms in a suitable facility for use as a polling place at no cost upon request of the county election board secretary. This is in the case where a precinct is without a suitable polling place and if the political subdivision held an election conducted by a county election board on or after Jan. 1, 2023. The measure shifts responsibility for providing polling locations to local entities without creating new state-administered programs.

Senate Bill 1451 requires voter registration applications to have a previous voter registration section for the applicant to indicate if they have previously been registered to vote in another county or state and to provide prior registration information. The measure establishes that submission of a voter registration application with prior registration information indicated, is deemed as the applicant's request for the cancellation of any prior voter registration in another county or state. The secretary of the State Election Board must notify the chief election official of the state where the voter was previously registered. Additionally, the secretary of State Election Board is required to issue an annual report with the total number of notices sent and received from chief election officials of other states regarding out-of-state voters, notices sent and received from each state, and voter registrations cancelled due to the voter being registered in another state. The provisions of this measure will be effective for applications created or printed on or after Jan. 1, 2027, or earlier where practicable. This is to help clean up state voter rolls and eliminates the possibility that someone could vote in multiple counties or states for the same election.

Senate Bill 1491 clarifies that if a presidential elector needs to be replaced, the replacement must take the same oath as all the other electors, stating they will cast a ballot for the persons nominated for the offices of president and vice president by the appointee’s political party. The oath must be witnessed by the governor or designee and filed with the Secretary of State.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

08/07/2026

The House Criminal Judiciary Committee reviews legislation related to penal, crimes and punishment codes as well as criminal and court procedural acts. Below is a look at some of the legislation that passed through this committee this year that has now been signed into law.
House Bill 3244 strengthens punishments for organized retail crime and identity theft. The measure expands the definition and pattern of these crimes to better encapsulate fraud techniques used by criminals. It closes a loophole where criminals exploit vulnerable populations, including the elderly and minors. Third, it greatly enhances Oklahoma identity theft laws by expanding the scope of which items or modes are utilized by criminals. The author of the bill points out that retail, identity theft and overall fraud cases are a growing crisis here in Oklahoma and the nation, and the perpetrators of these crimes are ruthless and unfortunately creative when it comes to stealing personal information and using it to defraud victims of their assets. They also often prey upon the vulnerable to get their participation in their crimes. This law will enhance punishment for these criminals and give law enforcement greater tools to stop their activity.

House Bill 3269 is one of my own. This bill allows arrest warrants to be issued by phone or electronic communication in addition to being issued in person by a judge. This mirrors what already is allowed for search warrants. It will help law enforcement get criminals off the street faster.

House Bill 3586 creates the Right to Raise Act, which ensures individuals can't be denied the opportunity to become adoptive or foster parents based solely on their desire to raise or reference a child by their biological s*x. This specifies that such actions alone can't be considered child abuse or neglect.

House Bill 3742, known as the Due Process Protection Act of 2026, updates Oklahoma’s criminal procedure statutes by modifying timelines and requirements related to discovery in criminal cases. These changes will ensure both prosecutors and defense attorneys have adequate time to review evidence prior to trial. This strengthens Oklahomans' constitutional rights and enhances transparency within Oklahoma’s criminal justice system by providing clearer guidelines for courts and attorneys, reducing delays and improving the overall integrity of criminal proceedings across the state. The author of the bill said at its core, this law reinforces the fundamental principle that every Oklahoman deserves a fair and transparent legal process, which is required by the constitution. By improving how discovery is handled before trial, justice can be served efficiently while protecting the due process rights of all parties involved.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

07/30/2026

Even though I serve in the state Legislature, which is separate from county or municipal government, the Legislature still has a role in regulating the administrative powers of county and municipal government structures. At the county level this can include boards of commissioners, county assessors and sheriffs' offices. Municipalities are often governed by city or town councils or mayors.
The House County and Municipal Government Committee is the body that considers most changes to state statute in this area. Here's a look at some of the legislation passed in this committee during our past session. These have now been signed into law.
House Bill 3919 will allow county commissioners to take free fair boards from a membership of nine down to five members if needed to help them get a quorum for board meetings. These boards select who judges county fair entries, so they are important to those competing for best in show.
House Bill 4303 extends the notification window for publishing municipal ordinances from 15 days to 30 days after passage. This just gives cities and towns a little more time to get required notifications out to residents.
Senate Bill 1775 establishes that municipalities can impose penalties less than or equal to the penalty established by statute for certain traffic-related and drug-related or alcohol-related offenses. Municipalities cannot impose a penalty greater than the penalty established by statute for the same offense. For all other offenses with penalties not established by statute, the measure sets the maximum fine or deferral fee at $750. If any fine or deferral fee set by a municipality exceeds the amount set by this measure or statute, it is deemed void and unenforceable to the extent of the excess amount.
Senate Bill 2139 requires municipalities to remove discriminatory language from existing plats. The municipalities must provide county clerks with an Affidavit Regarding Correction of Plats once an ordinance amending a recorded plat to redact, remove or strike discriminatory language from an existing plat is passed. The county clerk must reflect the amendment in the electronic version of the plat on their website.
Senate Bill 2118 will allow county sheriffs to use surplus funds from unspent commissary accounts for jail operations, inmate care or other jail-related expenditures. This will help sheriffs.
Senate Bill 2135 allows county purchasing agents to authorize county purchasing officers to use purchase cards without limit, for purchases under countywide or multicounty contracts, utilities, intergovernmental payments, emergency acquisitions, and professional services as defined in the Professional Entity Act. All other transactions cannot exceed $5,000 or the limit set by the county. All acquisitions made with purchase cards are subject to competitive bidding, emergency declaration and purchase order procedures.
Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

07/24/2026

Common education, preK through 12th grade, gets the largest share of the state appropriated budget each year, and it is one of the top areas of concern for most constituents. Consequently, education policy is incredibly important to most lawmakers. Following is a look at some of the bills passed in the House Common Education Committee this past session that have now been signed into law.
House Bill 4427 strengthens Oklahoma’s adjunct teacher policy while prioritizing student success in early grades. We recognize that some schools struggle to find traditionally certified teachers, and many quality educators come through alternative pathways. We still must ensure students are learning from the best qualified, particularly in young grades where the foundation for all other learning is being laid.
This measure updates existing statute to ensure adjunct teachers are within two years of completing a degree program or have at least 20 years of distinguished, verifiable experience in the subject area they are hired to teach. Beginning with the upcoming school year, adjunct teachers are not permitted to teach core curriculum subjects, specifically math, English, language arts, science or social studies, in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. School districts may apply for a waiver for adjunct teachers who were previously employed in those roles, provided the teacher has completed professional development in the science of reading and receives approval from the State Board of Education.
The speaker of the House, the principal author of the bill, said this about the bill, "We value the professionals who step into our schools with real-world experience and subject-matter expertise. We also have a responsibility to protect the quality of instruction our youngest students receive. This bill ensures we do both."
Senate Bill 1410 was a request from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to place into state statute the Ag in the Classroom program for all public schools to continue the program into the future. Program employees will cooperate with the State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State University Extension to develop curriculum and provide teacher training. The measure allows ODAFF to incentivize teacher participation, if funding is available. These ag programs provide a lot of hand-on training for our kids in a state where agriculture is a major contributor to the economy.
Senate Bill 1734 creates the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, establishing guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence in public schools. The measure requires teachers to review anything AI produces before using it in the classroom. Further, AI tools may not be the primary basis for grading or student promotion or retention. AI tools must also be age-appropriate and comply with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

07/17/2026

The House Civil Judiciary Committee passed several bills during the past legislative session that will now become law.

House Bill 2941 requires first responders to notify law enforcement when treating someone experiencing a drug overdose. First responders can, of course, attend to the medical needs of the person first. Legal immunity will be granted to those who make the notification in good faith. It's hoped that by bringing first responders, health care workers and law enforcement together we can save lives, better educate our population, design prevention strategies and target resources to communities that need them most. In addition, the measure establishes that in cases of fatal overdoses involving fentanyl, that will be the presumed cause of death. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports fentanyl was involved in 86% of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2024, compared to approximately 10-20% annually prior to 2020.

House Bill 2959 requires allegations of abuse or neglect by a school employee to be reported to independent law enforcement within 24 hours and prior of any formal investigation by the school or school board or the questioning of the subject of the accusation. Protecting youth is the priority. This will keep students and the larger community safe from any potential abusers.

Senate Bill 504 prohibits marriage in the state of Oklahoma before the age of 18. The measure removes existing exceptions that allowed minors to marry with parental consent or court authorization. I've heard arguments on the other side of this issue, but this protects minors from unwanted or forceful marriage and will assist efforts to prevent child trafficking and exploitation. The House author of the bill also makes the compelling argument that marriage carries lifelong legal, financial and emotional responsibilities, and children are simply not equipped to shoulder that kind of commitment. She says that Oklahoma has a responsibility to protect children and make sure they have the opportunity to reach adulthood before making decisions that will shape the rest of their lives.
Senate Bill 1679, the "Preserving Oklahoma Values Act of 2026," specifies that it shall be the policy of this state to protect its citizens from the application of laws that are contrary to the provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution, the United States Constitution or the shared values of Judeo-Christian Western civilization. The law spells out what these Judeo-Christian Western rights and values are, such as the right to due process, the right to equal protection under the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, the right to privacy and the right to marry as marriage is defined by the Oklahoma Constitution, to the extent this does not conflict with federal law or a holding by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

07/10/2026

This week, we'll examine a few pieces of legislation that passed in the House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee during the past legislative session. These will now become law.

House Bill 3849 updates and clarifies some aspects of the Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program. It also broadens the scope of work provided by the mentoring program and updates credentials for providers.

The purpose of this program is to provide effective intervention services through mentoring relationships to children of incarcerated parents and to children at risk of becoming justice involved. Selected providers for the program must have served children of incarcerated parents for three or more years and have three or more years of performance outcomes data. Both are reduced from five years required previously. Applicants also can have a regional presence and the requirement for one-on-one mentoring is removed. The measure removes applicant requirements of an established working relationship with the Office of Juvenile Affairs and removes the cap of $1,500 per mentor-mentee match. The measure removes language that requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to forward applications to meet requirements to the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. Rather, every third year, the commission will award a grant or grants for the purpose of providing mentoring services to children of incarcerated parents and to children at risk of becoming justice involved.

Some past parameters of the program were too restrictive. These changes will make sure there are more providers for these children with the hope that intervention will keep them out of the justice system going forward.

House Bill 4095 names the Oklahoma 211 Collaborative as the lead entity for 211 call centers across the state that connect Oklahomans with critical services, including food, housing, clothing, transportation and medical assistance. The 211 hotline provides 24/7 access through phone, text and web-based services. The hotline connects residents with local and statewide resources during times of need and plays an important role in emergency response and recovery efforts.

House Bill 4302 allows the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to share complaint information with law enforcement when a complainant makes a serious threat of violence against a person or organization. This protects the safety of others after a complainant communicates a threat. The information otherwise remains confidential unless ordered released by a court of competent jurisdiction. Before the new law, complaint information was generally kept confidential unless a court ordered it released. This bill creates a specific exception for safety threats.

On a separate note, Cleveland and Oklahoma County sheriffs this week were notified that their offices will receive $300,000 in grant funding to support their efforts in keeping the public safe. This funding was determined through House Bill 2914, enacted in 2024. The purpose is to support professional law enforcement throughout the state by providing funding for sheriffs' office operations, including training, technology, equipment or capital improvements.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

07/02/2026

The House Business Committee considers legislation that regulates how businesses operate in the state of Oklahoma. For the general population, some of the changes go unnoticed. For business owners, however, the changes in law are hopefully welcome as we work to reduce or streamline regulations or clarify areas of existing law. Here's a look at some of the bills passed in this committee during this past legislative session that have now been signed into law.

Senate Bill 540 enacts the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact in Oklahoma. This multi-state agreement improves access to dental care by streamlining licensure portability for dental professionals. This bill was a request of the Department of War because of its benefit to military spouses and families. The author of the bill said military spouses working in dentistry and dental hygiene often see their careers and licensing disrupted by frequent relocations. This removes unnecessary licensing barriers so these qualified professionals can continue practicing across state lines, instead of starting over after each move. It also helps address Oklahoma’s shortage of dental hygienists by bringing experienced providers into our communities and keeping them in the workforce.

Senate Bill 1277 modifies the requirements for maintaining unemployment benefits by requiring recipients, in addition to searching for suitable employment at an appropriate pay rate, to complete three work search actions each week. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) may also require more search actions based on economic or geographic factors. Search actions include things like submitting a resume or a job application, attending an interview, participating in a work-related networking event or state-offered reemployment services, among others.

Senate Bill 1061 cleans up some language in the Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. It clarifies that the loans used to calculate the annual assessment fee for mortgage broker or lender licenses are limited to those closed in the broker's or lender's name, excluding brokered loans. This was a change supported by the industry and the Department of Consumer Credit.

Senate Bill 1217 modifies real estate brokerage agreement requirements by clarifying that brokers are not required to enter into agreements with buyers before simply showing them a property, while allowing managing or proprietor brokers to require such agreements from their associates. This was a request by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission.

House Bill 3800 streamlines language in the Roofing Contractor Registration Act to encompass residential roofing endorsements and regulations by clarifying compliance, modifying continuing education requirements and updating fines for violations.

Senate Bill 1873 updates effective dates for the residential roofing endorsement application process to clarify that all residential roofing contractors have until January 1, 2028, to obtain a valid endorsement.

On a separate note, I want to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July as we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

06/26/2026

This week, I'm writing about a few important bills that passed in the House Banking, Financial Services and Pension Committee during this past legislative session. They have now been signed into law.

House Bill 1739 updates provisions within the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System to strengthen benefits for those who serve in law enforcement throughout the state. The bill's House author says this reinstates an increased benefit to officers hired since 2012, fixing a divide among the members and ensuring successful recruitment and retention. The bill was shaped with input from law enforcement, including the Oklahoma State Troopers Association.

The measure also modifies contribution structures within the system and clarifies eligibility for certain retirement benefits, helping ensure long-term stability while maintaining support for active and retired members. This makes sure there is real support in place for the people who risk everything to protect public safety within Oklahoma communities.

Senate Bill 2067 creates stronger safeguards to help financial institutions identify, report and prevent suspected financial exploitation of protected adults.

Existing laws limit the ability of these institutions to give appropriate agencies the information needed to act quickly to protect these adults. This legislation removes these barriers and provides that financial institution employees shall report suspicious transactions internally and notify appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Human Services, local district attorneys or law enforcement.

The bill's author says this gives financial institutions clear processes to help protect vulnerable adults from increasingly common financial scams in which they are convinced by criminals to hand over their money that is needed to pay for necessities like medicine, food and rent. With this measure in law, financial institutions can act swiftly and responsibly to help prevent vulnerable Oklahomans from becoming victims of financial exploitation and losing their hard-earned savings.

This will allow banks or credit unions to place a temporary hold on the reported account or alert a trusted contact designated by the account holder. The measure provides immunity to criminal and civil liability to any employee or financial institution acting in good faith and in compliance with the provisions of this measure.

It is reported that Oklahomans aged 60 and older lost more than $50 million to fraud in 2024 alone, a 66% increase over 2023. Nationally, adults over 60 reported nearly $4.9 billion in fraud losses in 2024, with average losses exceeding $83,000 per victim. Financial exploitation is a devastating crime with people losing their life savings, their independence and their dignity to criminals. I'm happy this law will be in place to stop such fraud.

Please reach out with any thoughts or concerns on legislation. I can be reached at (405) 557-7322 or at [email protected].

It's an honor to serve the people of District 36.

Rep. John George

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

08/14/2026

08/07/2026

07/30/2026

07/24/2026

07/17/2026

07/10/2026

07/02/2026

06/26/2026

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