Rep. Rusty Cornwell

05/21/2026

Oklahoma House of Representatives
Communications & Public Affairs
May 20, 2026


Session Wrap Up
By Rep. Rusty Cornwell
(405) 557 – 7319

As another legislative session comes to a close, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments of the second session of the 60th Legislature. Every year brings its own hurdles, but this session certainly had more than most. Too often, politics can get in the way of good policy, and that’s frustrating for Oklahomans who simply want government focused on solving problems and serving their communities. I have said many times the real battles here are not the traditional party line divisions. Instead, it's those jockeying for another political position.

Even with those challenges, we still delivered several important wins for rural Oklahoma and House District 6.

One of the biggest accomplishments this year was getting House Bill 3143 signed into law. This measure extends the moratorium on new medical ma*****na grow licenses for another two years, giving law enforcement and regulators more time to crack down on cartels and bad actors that have caused serious problems in many rural communities across our state.

I also authored House Bill 3144, which would have capped the number of grow licenses issued once the moratorium expires. Late in the process, concerns were raised that the legislation could unintentionally impact the current moratorium, so we made the decision to pause that effort for now. I fully expect this issue to return next session because we still need safeguards in place to prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed and to ensure proper oversight of license holders and operations.

Another bill I authored, Senate Bill 1613, was also signed into law this year. The measure updates and modernizes portions of Oklahoma’s LP gas statutes to help the industry keep pace with changing regulations and operational practices. Propane remains critically important to Oklahoma families, agriculture and businesses, especially in rural parts of the state and our nation.

This session, we also approved another historic investment in public education, including additional funding for classrooms and teachers. We passed a permanent statewide ban on cell phones during the school day to help reduce distractions and improve classroom learning environments. We also approved legislation requiring large energy consumers to cover the upfront cost of major infrastructure upgrades instead of shifting those costs onto everyday Oklahoma ratepayers. I was proud to co-author that measure.

While not every bill crossed the finish line, I remain committed to fighting for the values and priorities of the people I represent in House District 6.

It continues to be an honor serving our district at the Capitol. If you ever have questions, concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at [email protected]

05/08/2026

It was wonderful to be back home in District today. Thank you to Vinita Superintendent Gabe Schmitt for taking me around to the schools to present the Teacher of the Year citations to each site teacher. Shae Roper & Terri Bowzer. Unfortunately Tony Nash and Matt Young were out today but hope to catch them next week. Thank you to all our Vinita teachers for their hard work and dedication to our students! We greatly appreciate all your hard work!

04/08/2026

Cornwell Honors Army Veteran as Veteran of the Week

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita, recognized Staff Sergeant Bobby Joe “BJ” Floyd in the House Chamber as Veteran of the Week, honoring his service to the United States Army and Oklahoma law enforcement.

Floyd served in the United States Army from 1973 to 1976. After completion of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was stationed in Germany, where he worked for three years as a demolition specialist and mechanic. Floyd was then honorably discharged and received a National Defense Service Medal for his service.

"Bobby Joe Floyd has committed his life to serving his country, community and his family," Cornwell said. "It was a privilege to honor him at the Capitol and recognize his hard work and dedication in serving both our nation and our state."

In addition to his service for our country, Floyd came home to Oklahoma and worked for over 40 years in Law Enforcement. He retired from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol after 23 years and went on to serve another 16 years as the Craig County Undersheriff. Floyd then continued his service by working for another 2 years for the Vinita Police Department.

Many members of Floyd’s family have also worked in law enforcement, including his wife, who is an Army veteran. Floyd was joined by his family at the State Capitol to be formally recognized by the Oklahoma Legislature as the Veteran of the Week.

04/07/2026

04/06/2026

It was a privilege to acknowledge the Veteran of the Week at the Capitol today from my District. Congratulations, BJ Floyd. His surprise was evident, as his family and friends had maintained secrecy for a couple of months.

04/02/2026

I was delighted to have Lillian Grossman and Curtis Britt, both from Vinita, serve as pages for me at the Capitol this week. They both represented Vinita and Vinita High School with remarkable excellence.

04/02/2026

I always appreciate it when people from my district visit the Capitol. Yesterday, I had the privilege of recognizing the Adair Warrior football team for their State Championship win. The team demonstrated remarkable pride as they conducted themselves with excellence on the House floor and at the Capitol. They were also thrilled to display their championship rings.

03/20/2026

House of Representatives
Communications & Public Affairs
March 19, 2026


Capitol Work and OYE
By Rep. Rusty Cornwell
(405) 557 – 7319

Over the past couple of weeks at the Capitol, much of our focus has been on floor work as we hear House bills. Measures that pass the House are sent to the Senate for consideration, and we will soon begin hearing Senate bills in our respective subcommittees as the legislative process continues moving forward.

We also celebrated Capitol Kids Week, which is always a highlight of session. It is a special time when we invite our children and family members to the Capitol to see firsthand what we do. I was especially glad to have my granddaughter, Tatum, join me. Getting to share that experience with her made the week even more meaningful.

That same day, we continued one of Oklahoma’s greatest traditions with the Oklahoma Youth Expo, known as the world’s largest junior livestock show. Events like this are a showcase of the dedication and hard work of our state’s agricultural youth.

I had the opportunity to attend this year’s event and was paired with Sterling Gillette of Fairland FFA. It was a privilege to spend time in the show ring and see firsthand the effort and discipline that goes into preparing for competition at this level. Sterling represented our area well, and I appreciate the hard work and commitment it takes to be part of a program like FFA.

Events like OYE are a reminder of the strong agricultural roots that continue to shape our state. The values these students learn, responsibility, perseverance and a strong work ethic, will serve them well long after they leave the show ring.

Oklahoma’s future is bright because of young people like Sterling, and I will continue supporting opportunities that invest in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

I will continue working to support our district and the people who make it strong. If you have questions, comments or input, please reach out to my office.

-END-

Rep. Rusty Cornwell, a Republican, represents House District 6 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes portions of Craig, Mayes, Nowata and Rogers counties.

03/17/2026

The annual OYE Legislative show offers a distinctive opportunity for me to partner with an FFA or 4-H participant from my district. These young individuals exhibit remarkable commitment in caring for their animals, including feeding, training, and all necessary needs for showcasing. This evening provides an ideal opportunity for them to share their knowledge and showcase their award-winning animals. This year, I was paired with "Fancy" and her owner Sterling Gillette. It was clear that he spends a significant amount of time with her, as she made the showing process extremely easy. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the OYE Legislative show with you this year.

02/24/2026

We appreciated having Home of Hope exhibit a booth in the rotunda, showcasing their facilities.