Legislature Completes Week 14
The second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature hit its last legislative deadline earlier the week when opposite chamber bills had to be advanced from the floor in each chamber. The Senate adjourned Wednesday to a Call of the Chair until the middle of next week without hearing many House bills while the House worked through Thursday to complete hearing its full slate of Senate bills and is scheduled to convene Monday at 1:30pm with the Senate reconvening undetermined, however both chambers are expected to Sine Die May 14 which will be two weeks and one day prior to the May 29 (5pm) mandatory adjournment.  
Due to the uncertainty of the Senate’s Agenda, we remain to be concerned about SB2185.  Here is a copy of the memo sent to the entire Senate last week.  We are hoping they adhere to the facts that have been presented to them.

Please Oppose SB2185

As a representative of BigIOK which is comprised of 377 Independent Insurance agencies across Oklahoma, I am writing to express strong opposition to SB 2185 and to urge you to vote against this measure.

The proposal appears to be based on a misunderstanding of CompSource Mutual’s (CSM) recent process to explore conversion to a Mutual Holding Company (MHC) structure. As outlined in existing Oklahoma Statutes, this conversion is not a demutualization and should not be treated as such. Oklahoma law already clearly distinguishes between these two processes, with demutualization governed separately under 36 O.S. §2130.

CSM’s transition to an MHC structure has been conducted in full compliance with Oklahoma statutes enacted in 2024 (unanimously passed by both chambers of the Legislature), and the Oklahoma Insurance Department approved the plan after determining it was fair and equitable to policyholders. This is not an experimental or unusual approach. Approximately 40 states allow for MHC structures.

More concerning, the bill risks setting a precedent of legislative interference in ongoing private litigation. This undermines regulatory certainty and could discourage companies from operating or restructuring within Oklahoma due to fear of retroactive policy changes.

SB 2185 appears to attempt to retroactively impose requirements associated with demutualization—despite no such action occurring. The proposed “lookback” period of nearly 26 years is far outside the norm, as even Oklahoma’s own statute contemplates a 3-year period.

For these reasons, SB 2185 does not protect policyholders. It introduces instability, contradicts existing law, and risks harming Oklahoma workers’ compensation marketplace.

I respectfully ask that you oppose SB 2185 and support maintaining a stable, predictable regulatory environment in Oklahoma.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Denise Johnson
President/CEO BigIOK

OSC Declines Hasenbeck’s Emergency Application
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declined to hear Republican Rep. Toni Hasenbeck’s (HD 56) emergency application to declare fellow Republican Senator Adam Pugh (SD 41) ineligible for the 2026 state superintendent of public instruction election in a 7-2 order last Monday that did not include the justices’ reasoning.
On April 20, Hasenbeck filed the application asking the court to declare Pugh ineligible for the year’s statewide elections because of his status as a mid-term senator and statewide offices having their salaries increased effective next year.
Chief Justice Dustin Rowe joined Vice Chief Justice Dana Kuehn as the two dissents and the case was scheduled for oral presentations in front of a court referee through Microsoft Teams for April 23, because of the timely nature of the situation related to ballot distribution deadlines. Hasenbeck had challenged the Senate Education Committee chairman’s candidacy in front of the State Election Board on April 16, but that body denied her challenge.
Hasenbeck had contended that Pugh is ineligible to hold the office because the Statewide Official Compensation Commission voted in November to raise the position’s pay from $124,373 to $175,000. Hasenbeck’s petition to the court argued that Article 5, Section 23 of the Oklahoma Constitution made Pugh ineligible for the office because “his legislative term overlaps with the office’s term and election.” The constitutional provision prohibits legislators becoming state officers in the middle of their legislative term if the compensation had increased. Until last year, legislators voted on statewide elected official compensation.

INSURCON Commissioner Candidate Forum Video Available
If you missed the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Candidate Forum at INSURCON 26, or would like to revisit the discussion, the forum video is now available for viewing. INSURCON 26 brought together insurance professionals from across Oklahoma for education, industry updates and important conversations affecting the future of the independent agency system.

The forum featured candidates for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner and provided an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to lead the Oklahoma Insurance Department. With Commissioner Glen Mulready term-limited, this race is an important one for Oklahoma’s insurance industry and consumers.

Members are encouraged to watch the recording and stay informed as the election season continues. WATCH VIDEO

For additional legislative updates and advocacy resources, visit BIGiOK’s Legislative section.

Route 66 License Plate Approved
Oklahomans will soon have the option to purchase a specialty license plate celebrating the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 66 under a new law approved by the Legislature. HBl 3147 authorizes the creation of a Route 66 Centennial license plate, developed in coordination with the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission. The measure became law without the governor’s signature after passing unanimously in both chambers.
The plate marks the centennial of Route 66, established November 11, 1926, with nationwide celebrations taking place throughout 2026. Representative Derrick Hildebrant (HD 23) said the highway remains a defining part of the state’s identity and economy. “Oklahoma has the longest drivable stretch of Route 66, and it is filled with the diners, motels, museums and small businesses that tell the story of our state and our country,” Hildebrant said. The law directs Service Oklahoma to work with the commission on the plate’s design. Up to $20 from each plate sold will go to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association to support promotion and preservation efforts.

Senator Ally Seifried (SD 2) said the plate offers residents a way to celebrate the historic roadway. “Route 66 is one of Oklahoma’s greatest economic and cultural assets, bringing visitors from around the world and supporting jobs in cities and towns along the route,” Seifried said. According to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the highway runs through more than 40 Oklahoma communities and spans over 400 miles across the state. Before production can begin, at least 100 pre-orders are required. Organizers have already started collecting interest following Route 66 Day at the Capitol, and an online sign-up option is expected once the final design is complete.

AG Requests Health Department Audit
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling for an independent audit of the state agency that oversees Medicaid, citing ongoing concerns from providers and a lack of response to formal inquiries.
Drummond formally requested that State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct the audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, pointing to what he described as systemic issues within the state’s managed care program.
“Oklahoma’s second experiment with managed care Medicaid is failing to deliver on its promises,” Drummond wrote in a letter dated April 24.
The request outlines reported problems including payment delays, claims processing failures and denials of medically necessary services. The managed care program is administered through contracts with three organizations: Humana, Aetna and Oklahoma Complete Health.
Drummond said his office had previously contacted Oklahoma Health Care Authority Chief Executive Officer Clay Bullard multiple times seeking corrective action, but received limited responses.
“When an agency entrusted with Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens refuses to hold billion-dollar corporations accountable, it falls to this office to act,” Drummond said.
According to the letter, the agency responded April 10 by defending the managed care organizations and citing high claim approval rates, while acknowledging that issues remain.
Drummond said an independent audit is necessary to restore accountability and ensure patients receive the care they are entitled to under the law.

Regulate It: Republican Insurance Commissioner Candidates Take the Stage.
Regulate It: A Republican Insurance Commissioner Debate will bring Oklahoma voters an opportunity to hear directly from Republican candidates seeking the office of Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. The event is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2026, at Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd St. in Oklahoma City.

Hosted by NonDoc Media, News 9 and News on 6, the debate will feature candidates Chris Merideth, Marty Quinn, Greta Shuler and Bob Sullivan, all of whom have agreed to participate.

The discussion will give attendees insight into each candidate’s views on insurance regulation, consumer protection, market challenges and the future of the Oklahoma Insurance Department. NonDoc Media, an Oklahoma-based journalism organization focused on civic involvement, is helping present the event as part of its public affairs coverage.

The Oklahoma Association of Realtors will serve as the presenting sponsor.

Senator Reinhardt Comments on Measure to Help Ease Insurance Rates Goes to Governor for Consideration 
(press release May 7, 2026)
OKLAHOMA CITY – In response to growing frustrations from Oklahoma homeowners over rising insurance costs, legislation authored by Senator Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, to strengthen oversight and increase transparency in the property and casualty insurance market has advanced through the Oklahoma Legislature and to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 3781 modernizes Oklahoma’s insurance rate filing system by transitioning the state from a “use-and-file” model to a “file-and-use” system. Under the measure, insurance carriers must submit proposed rate changes to the Oklahoma Insurance Department before those rates can take effect, providing regulators additional time to review filings and challenge excessive increases.

“This legislation is about protecting Oklahoma consumers while bringing more accountability and transparency to the insurance rate-setting process,” Senator Reinhardt said. “Families across our state are struggling with rising insurance premiums, and this measure gives the Insurance Commissioner stronger tools to review, scrutinize and potentially disapprove excessive rates before they impact policyholders. This bill will modernize Oklahoma’s rate-regulation framework without overregulating the industry. I appreciate Representative Stacy Jo Adams for helping get this bill through the process.”

House Bill 3781 requires insurers in competitive markets to file rate changes and supporting information at least 30 days before rates take effect, while insurers in noncompetitive markets must file changes 60 days in advance. New rates may only take effect upon approval by the Insurance Commissioner or after the waiting period expires without objection.

The measure also strengthens provisions related to excessive rates by requiring the commissioner to formally notify insurers of objections and allow companies the opportunity to submit additional actuarial data before a final determination is made.

House Bill 3781 removes outdated distinctions between competitive and noncompetitive markets to ensure all rate filings receive equal scrutiny. The measure also enhances transparency by updating confidentiality provisions and allowing filed rates to be subject to greater public review.

Additionally, the bill requires the Insurance Department to publicly post notices of rate increases for private passenger automobile, homeowners’ multi-peril and dwelling fire policies on the department’s website, including the overall percentage increase.

April Tax Collections Show Strong Growth
Oklahoma tax collections showed strong growth in April, driven largely by income tax revenue during tax season. State Treasurer Todd Russ reported total monthly revenue of about $2.5 billion, up nearly $468 million, or 23.2%, compared to April of last year.
The state’s rolling 12-month revenue total reached $17.79 billion, an increase of $894.6 million, or 5.3%, over the previous year.
Individual income tax collections climbed 52% year-over-year for April, while combined sales and use tax revenue increased 6.2%. Gross production taxes were also up 24.1% compared to April 2025.
Corporate income tax collections declined compared to a year ago, and other revenue sources were slightly lower.
Russ said Oklahoma remains “well-positioned” heading into the second quarter of 2026 as revenue growth accelerated in April.