Energy Briefing 2022 Recap

On January 26, 2022, OEPA hosted their annual Energy Briefing for Legislators at the Oklahoma Capitol. This provided us a chance to present the latest issues to senators and representatives before the legislative session. Over 75 legislators and members joined us. It was a great time to interact before the session began. During this time, legislators were informed on the McGirt Decision by Solicitor General Mithun Manginshani, updated on the national and state rig count and briefed on the upcoming OEPA Legislative Agenda.

Solicitor General Mithun Mansinghani gave a quick history on the McGirt decision (read more here) and spoke on the effects it has had on the oil and gas industry. Immediately after the Supreme Court ruled for the McGirt Decision, a law enacted in 2005 known as “SAFETEA” was put into motion. Under this law, Oklahoma can be granted the authority for environmental regulation. At the time, the EPA agreed to grant Oklahoma this authority. Oklahoma Tribes did not agree with this, and the Pawnee tribe sued the EPA. In December, the EPA under the Biden Administration reconsidered this decision and removed the authority from Oklahoma and gave 45 days to submit comments (learn more here).

OEPA President David Little then gave a quick update on the state’s oil and gas industry. As of January 21, the national rig count is 604 drilling, up from only 226 last year. In Oklahoma, 50 are drilling, up from 17 rigs running last year. Little said the industry is doing better. He then introduced Senator Taylor, Vice Chair of Energy, and Representative Moore, Vice Chair of Energy and Natural Resources.  They gave an overview of upcoming bills they have been working on that will come up in the session, including bills stemming from an investigation brought on by last year’s energy crisis, several bills regarding hydrogen energy, a bill regarding Production Revenue Standards Act (PRSA) and a bill dealing with the Corporation Commission regarding field inspector pay.

David Guest, OEPA Legislative Committee Chairman, reviewed the upcoming OEPA Legislative Agenda. There are two main focuses this year – PRSA (production revenue standards act) and the restoration of historical economic incentives. Regarding the PRSA, which was enacted in 1992, OEPA has been working with other industry organizations to develop language changes to update and modernize this statute. They have worked hard to develop the best updated statute that is fair to all owners. OEPA will work with both chambers to make sure all owners are fairly represented.

The restoration of historical economic incentives will simply bring back tax incentives, not create new ones. These tax incentives allow operators to extend the life of production from older oil and gas wells thereby extending the tax revenue from gross production taxes paid to the state of Oklahoma.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all the OEPA members and Oklahoma Legislators that took time to hear from OEPA and other energy organizations.

 

Watch the full Energy Briefing here.

 

Legislative Update 5-21-21

Legislative Update 
Legislative Committee Chairman David Guest

SB 632: Added additional oil and gas interests to be protected in bankruptcy under the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Lien Act. Passed and signed by Governor Stitt. This bill was a request from an OEPA member. This represents the first piece of legislation proposed AND passed on the behalf of OEPA.

SB 1034: The SOER bill. Essentially dead for this session. Discussions were held between OEPA and the Petroleum Alliance but late in session the Petroleum Alliance opposed the bill.

HB 2029: Will allow WI owners to vote their mineral ownership percentage in unitization plans. Bill pushed by CLR, not directly by the Petroleum Alliance. Passed both the House and Senate. Sent to the Governor’s desk on 05-20-21 for signature. OEPA board voted to not oppose the bill.

PRSA: Changes to the Production Revenue Standards Act have been requested by the Petroleum Alliance. Discussions have been held between OEPA, the Alliance and various royalty owner groups during session. However, no consensus was reached. We anticipate a working group to be formed following Sine Die of this session.

Legislative Update: March 26, 2021

David Guest, OEPA Legislative Chairman

OEPA requested bills continue to move forward. Approximately 450 Senate bills and 400 House bills remain active, although the House did not hold any committee meetings for the second week in a row, which is unusual.
Legislative Chairman David Guest, along with Greg Piatt and Sydney Hill, met with Sen. Zack Taylor on Thursday, March 25th to review the progress of OEPA bills. On Monday, March 29th, President David Little and David Guest along with our lobbyist team have a meeting with the House Energy Chairman Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) and the House Energy Co-Chair Rep. Anthony Moore (R-­Clinton) to discuss the OEPA bills which have passed from the Senate to the House and are now assigned to committee.
On Thursday, March 25th the Senate’s Energy Committee passed nine House bills without debate and minimal questions. Included was HB 1072 by Rep. Tom Gann (R-Inola) and Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow), which extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board until July 1, 2024.
Discussions and dialogue continue with other associations regarding the bill to make changes to the SOER Committee and the bill requesting changes to the Production Revenue Standards Act. The session is at the halfway point to Sine Die in May.

Legislative Update: March 11, 2021

David Guest, OEPA Legislative Chairman
OEPA requested bills include the following:
SB 632 Modify the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Lien Act to include oil & gas proceeds as priority claims in bankruptcy.
PASSED Senate floor on 03-10-21 with 44-0 vote.

SB 1034 SOER bill to rename the committee to Legacy Oil & Gas Well and Innovation Committee. Allow for the committee to select its own chairman and update appointments from organizations. The title has been stricken.
PASSED Senate floor on 03-10-21 with 43-1 vote.

OEPA continues to be engaged in discussion with other entities regarding bills that seek to make changes to division orders and also PRSA – the Production Revenue Standards Act.

Feb. 12, 2021 Legislative Update

Senator President Pro Tempore Greg Treat & Speaker of the House Charles McCall

On Wednesday February 10th, Legislative Chairman David Guest and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Parker Bowles along with OEPA’s lobby team of Greg Piatt and Sydney Hill participated in meetings with Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and staff and then met with Speaker of the House Charles McCall and his staff. These meetings with Legislative leadership allowed OEPA to outline and discuss the proposed legislation as requested by OEPA. These bills include SB 632, which would modify the Oil & Gas Lien Act of 2010 to include pooling bonuses, OGL bonuses and uncompleted mineral sales transactions to be included as first priority lien holders in bankruptcy filings, and SB 1034 which would remove the SOER Committee from the direct oversight of the OERB board. Both Pro Tem Treat and Speaker McCall were receptive to our reasons for the new legislation. The open ears and minds from both legislative leaders is very positive and we at OEPA appreciate their extended cooperation to work with our statewide organization.

Also on February 10th, at the request of House Energy Chair Brad Boles (R-Marlow), Parker Bowles, David Guest, Sydney Hill and Greg Piatt met with Chairman Boles in his office to review several bills as he wanted the input from OEPA.

SB 1034 known as the “SOER bill” Discussion

At the request and assistance of Senator Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) on February 16th, several legislative committee members including David House, David Little, David Guest along with Greg Piatt and Sydney Hill participated in a Zoom call with OERB Chairman Mike McDonald, Petroleum Alliance President Brook Simmons, Petroleum Alliance Legislative VP of Governmental Affairs Adria Berry to discuss the OEPA requested SB 1034 known as the “SOER bill”. The talking points from OEPA included the acute need to refocus on the needs and direct outreach to marginal well producers, especially to all four corners of the state. Additional concerns include the need for autonomy within the SOER committee and also the public knowledge, or the lack thereof, of the SOER committee and its mandated purpose to advance and preserve the marginally producing oil and gas wells within the State of Oklahoma. As expected both OERB Chairman McDonald and the Petroleum Alliance are against the efforts of our Senate bill. However, both David House and David Guest, who serve on the SOER committee, made strong arguments for the needed change to the autonomy and direction of the SOER committee. The Zoom meeting lasted over one hour in time, with OEPA leaders and OERB Chairman McDonald engaged in productive discussions. We ended the call with an agreement to meet again for further discussions on the change in the statute covering the SOER committee.

HB 2029 Discussion

Additionally, at the request and assistance of Senator Zack Taylor (R-Seminole), on February 18th a Zoom call was held with OEPA members President David Little and David Guest along with our lobbyist team of Greg Piatt and Sydney Hill in conjunction with Petroleum Alliance Legislative VP Adria Berry and eight (8) Alliance members, including legislative and regulatory affairs employees from Continental Resources, Devon, Marathon, Ovintiv, Unit Petroleum and others. The Alliance discussed their requested HB 2029 filed by Rep. Terry O’Donnell (R-Catoosa). This bill will change certain provisions in the Production Revenue Standards Act, known as “PRSA”. Proposed changes include requiring a division order to be signed before the payment of oil & gas proceeds, a change in the starting date for statutory interest accrual, clarifying that interest is not due on accrued interest and payment of interest on escheated funds to the State of Oklahoma. OEPA representative’s Little and Guest listened to the proposal from the Petroleum Alliance members, then made courteous rebuttal on several points on the requested changes. Again, this Zoom lasted over an hour in length with very good discussions between the OEPA and Alliance personnel. Your OEPA representatives vocalized the idea of using escrow or trust accounts with third parties to protect monies in suspense from the effect of payor companies’ bankruptcy. OEPA and representatives of the Petroleum Alliance agreed to continue discussions on the House Bill in the upcoming week.

In summary, I want to sincerely thank Senator Zack Taylor (R-Seminole), who is a member of OEPA and a legacy vertical well producer, for facilitating the communication and meetings with members of the Petroleum Alliance. The fact that we are in discussions with other organizations regarding legislation is a positive moment for OEPA and validates the efforts of every one of our members.

In closing, I wish to thank both Sydney Hill and Greg Piatt for all their long hours of communication with staff members, Leadership staff and our State Representative and Senators to facilitate our efforts at the State Capital.

David A. Guest
OEPA Legislative Committee Chairman
Executive Committee Member

House committee assignments made 2021

Office of House Speaker Charles McCall

Note: Corrections were made to assignments to the Business and Commerce, Common Education, County and Municipal Government, Energy, General Government, and Transportation committees; the Insurance Committee was added to the committee schedule.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House of Representatives committee assignments and schedules for the 58th Oklahoma Legislature were made Friday.

The House will operate with 30 standing committees and 10 appropriations and budget subcommittees for the two-year session beginning Feb. 1. Committee schedules are available here.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, made the following committee assignments:

Administrative Rules

  • Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Chair
  • Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin
  • Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
  • Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville
  • Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman

Agriculture and Rural Development

  • Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee, Chair
  • Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee
  • Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene
  • Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton
  • Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell
  • Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
  • Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber
  • Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando
  • Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
  • Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener
  • Rep. Jose Cruz, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Tulsa

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

  • Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, Chair
  • Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
  • Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow
  • Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
  • Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
  • Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa

Appropriations and Budget

  • Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, Chair
  • Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
  • Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
  • Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
  • Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore
  • Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore
  • Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan
  • Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie
  • Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
  • Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
  • Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando
  • Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
  • Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan
  • Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
  • Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
  • Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell
  • Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
  • Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa
  • Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman
  • Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City

Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

  • Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, Chair
  • Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee
  • Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow
  • Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City

Business and Commerce

  • Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, Chair
  • Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami
  • Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita
  • Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
  • Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore
  • Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan
  • Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
  • Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa

Children, Youth and Family Services

  • Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, Chair
  • Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
  • Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
  • Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula
  • Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City

Common Education

  • Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, Chair
  • Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow
  • Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid
  • Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle
  • Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow
  • Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada
  • Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber
  • Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
  • Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell
  • Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman
  • Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa

County and Municipal Government

  • Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, Chair
  • Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow
  • Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah
  • Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola
  • Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
  • Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
  • Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa

Criminal Justice and Corrections

  • Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, Chair
  • Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
  • Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City

Elections and Ethics

  • Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Sallisaw, Chair
  • Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton
  • Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
  • Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula
  • Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar
  • Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman
  • Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City

Energy and Natural Resources

  • Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, Chair
  • Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant
  • Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore
  • Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
  • Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore
  • Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
  • Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks
  • Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman
  • Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa

General Government

  • Rep. Kevin West, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
  • Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
  • Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
  • Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole
  • Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City

Government Modernization and Efficiency

  • Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, Chair
  • Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
  • Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
  • Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City

Health Services and Long-Term Care

  • Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, Chair
  • Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
  • Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
  • Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater

Higher Education and Career Tech

  • Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, Chair
  • Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin
  • Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber
  • Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
  • Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds
  • Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater
  • Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso
  • Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Norman
  • Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman

Insurance

  • Rep. Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson, Chair
  • Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
  • Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan
  • Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie
  • Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell
  • Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston
  • Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City

Judiciary – Criminal

  • Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton , Chair
  • Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
  • Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks
  • Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan
  • Rep. Jose Cruz, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City

Judiciary – Civil

  • Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
  • Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami
  • Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
  • Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
  • Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
  • Rep. Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson
  • Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond
  • Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman
  • Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City

Public Health

  • Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, Chair
  • Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle
  • Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
  • Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan
  • Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
  • Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
  • Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville
  • Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City

Public Safety

  • Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, Chair
  • Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola
  • Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell
  • Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
  • Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole
  • Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa

Rules

  • Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, Chair
  • Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orland
  • Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds
  • Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City
  • Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman

States’ Rights

  • Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, Chair
  • Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee
  • Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont
  • Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
  • Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa

Technology

  • Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, Chair
  • Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
  • Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton
  • Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar
  • Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City

Tourism

  • Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, Chair
  • Rep. Jim Grego, R-McAlester, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami
  • Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant
  • Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula
  • Rep. Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson
  • Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City

Transportation

  • Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, Chair
  • Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont
  • Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah
  • Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene
  • Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
  • Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko
  • Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
  • Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City

Utilities

  • Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, Chair
  • Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee
  • Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada
  • Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko
  • Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso
  • Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa

Veterans and Military Affairs

  • Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, Chair
  • Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
  • Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
  • Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City

Wildlife

  • Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, Chair
  • Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita
  • Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
  • Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater
  • Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener
  • Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman
  • Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa

 Appropriations Subcommittees

Education

  • Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, Chair
  • Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid
  • Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle
  • Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada
  • Rep. Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs
  • Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole
  • Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater

Finance – Revenue and Taxation

  • Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, Chair
  • Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow
  • Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita
  • Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore
  • Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
  • Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie
  • Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman
  • Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City

General Government

  • Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, Chair
  • Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont
  • Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola
  • Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
  • Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Kevin West, R-Heavener
  • Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City

Health

  • Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan, Chair
  • Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
  • Rep. Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson
  • Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa

Human Services

  • Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, Chair
  • Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill
  • Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
  • Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
  • Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa

Judiciary

  • Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, Chair
  • Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene
  • Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
  • Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso
  • Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Jose Cruz, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City

Natural Resources and Regulatory Services

  • Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, Chair
  • Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee
  • Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton
  • Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton
  • Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
  • Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko
  • Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman
  • Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman

Public Safety

  • Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, Chair
  • Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant, Vice Chair
  • Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell
  • Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
  • Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
  • Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks
  • Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener
  • Rep. Jose Cruz, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City

Select Agencies

  • Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, Chair
  • Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds
  • Rep. David Smith, R-Arpelar
  • Rep. Wendi Stearman, R-Collinsville
  • Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater
  • Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa

Transportation

  • Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, Chair
  • Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, Vice Chair
  • Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah
  • Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant
  • Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee
  • Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin
  • Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma

Oklahoma Election Results

Oklahoma’s record-breaking 69.25% voter turnout paved the way for Republicans to gain House seats, keep the Senate stable, and beat a Congressional incumbent.

Republicans picked up five seats in the House of Representatives, pushing their supermajority in the chamber to 82R-19D. Three incumbent Democrats (Reps. Albright, Branham, and Meredith) lost their races, while Republicans also picked up two open seats vacated by Democrats.

In the Senate, incumbent Democratic Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman was defeated by Republican challenger Cody Rogers. In SD-35, previously Republican-held but vacant due to term limits, Democratic Candidate Jo Anna Dossett was able to claim victory. The Senate will remain a Republican supermajority at 38R-9D-1 Vacant.

State Senator Stephanie Bice narrowly defeated incumbent Congresswoman Kendra Horn to win Oklahoma’s CD-5. Bice’s State Senate seat will be filled via a special election. Oklahoma’s four other Congressional seats stayed Republican and U.S. Reps. Hern, Mullin, Lucas, and Cole will retain their seats. U.S. Senator Jim Inhoffe also won his race and the entire OK federal delegation has returned to all-Republican.

In the only statewide race on the ballot, Republican Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett handily beat a Libertarian challenger to his office.

Additionally, the two state questions on the ballot, SQ805 and SQ814, were both soundly defeated. SQ805 would have removed judges’ ability to use sentence enhancements for repeat offenders of nonviolent crimes. SQ814 would have changed the funding ratio for the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment and Trust (TSET) to allow the legislature to appropriate 75% of profits. Both SQs were defeated at a nearly 60%-40% margin.

The 58th Session of the Oklahoma Legislature will convene at noon on February 1st.

SCOTUS Decision

2020 Oklahoma Candidate Filings

Greg Piatt | OEPA Lobbyist

Fewer candidates filed this cycle

The number of candidates running this year is far fewer than the record-breaking number who filed in 2018.

A huge number of open seats in the Legislature and few incumbents in the statewide races allowed a flood of candidates to file for elected office in 2018. Dissatisfaction with how the state government was being run also factored into an unprecedented 794 candidates declaring for state and federal offices.

In 2018, the filing period coincided with a massive teacher walkout.

This year, 300 state and federal candidates filed to run for elected offices, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. In 2018, 791 candidates sought elected office. In 206, 417 candidates filed.

One-third of state legislators are re-elected

With 126 legislative seats up this year, 46 incumbents were reelected by default Friday when they didn’t draw an opponent.

Eight senators and 38 House legislators face no opponents:

  • Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow
  • Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville
  • Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Ringling
  • Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa
  • Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt
  • Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Broken Arrow
  • Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle
  • Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City
  • Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison
  • Rep. Trey Caldwell R-Lawton
  • Rep. Rusty Cornwell R-Vinita
  • Rep. Denise Crosswhite-Hader, R-Yukon
  • Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
  • Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee
  • Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola
  • Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell
  • Rep. Tommy Hardin R-Madill
  • Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
  • Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
  • Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore
  • House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka
  • Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa
  • Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond
  • Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow
  • Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan
  • Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore
  • Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
  • Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
  • Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando
  • Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy
  • Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Mead
  • Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan
  • Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
  • Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
  • Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman
  • Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa
  • Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston
  • Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
  • Rep. Tammy West, R-OKC
  • Rep. Josh West, R-Grove

Newcomer Steve Bashore, a Republican, was the lone candidate to file for House District 7, which is being vacated by Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami.

Get out while you can

Five legislators are not seeking re-election because of term limits. Legislators are allowed to serve for up to 12 years.

The lawmakers who are term-limited are:

  • Rep. Lewis Moore, R-Arcadia
  • Rep. Charles Ortega, R-Altus
  • Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher
  • Rep. Harold Wright, R-Weatherford
  • Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa

Coronavirus in Oklahoma: Reported talks boost crude prices, but Oklahoma producers want more done

Jack Money | The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance, a group that represents many operators of older, vertical wells across the state, issued its own call to action to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission this week, seeking for the state agency to use authority granted to it under state law to force operators to reduce their crude oil production, for now.

“Oklahoma oil is now selling below $20 per daily barrel, which is a price well below its ‘actual value,’” Dewey Bartlett Jr., the alliance’s chairman, stated as part of the announcement.

Read More.