Mulready to Hold Hearing on Noncompetitive Homeowners Insurance Environment

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready will hold a hearing September 14 at 9am at the state Capitol regarding whether the homeowners insurance environment in Oklahoma is noncompetitive. The hearing will be held before a professional hearing examiner. The hearing will take place in the First Floor (Room 100) Multipurpose Room located on the east hallway.  

Governor Appoints Interim OHCA Director 

Governor Kevin Stitt has named State Chief Financial Officer Aaron Morris as interim director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority following the resignation of Clay Bullard. Bullard is leaving the agency to return to the private sector and will assist with the leadership transition over the coming weeks, according to the governor’s office. Morris has served as Oklahoma’s chief financial officer since 2024. Before that, he was the Health Care Authority’s chief financial officer, overseeing the agency’s finances, technology and program integrity efforts. 
Stitt said Morris’ experience managing the state’s finances and his previous work at the agency make him well qualified to lead OHCA through the remainder of the governor’s term. “It is a privilege to continue serving my state, and I am grateful for the Governor’s confidence in me,” Morris said. “I look forward to returning to OHCA and to working to address the budgetary and regulatory issues that face the agency.” 

Senate Announces Interim Studies

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton (SD 23) has approved the interim study requests that will be considered during the 2026 legislative interim. The studies have been assigned to Senate committees and will be scheduled by committee chairs. All interim studies must be completed by October 30 ahead of the 2027 legislative session. Paxton said interim studies allow lawmakers to examine issues in greater detail before legislation is considered during the regular session.
Committee chairs will announce hearing dates as they are finalized. Meeting schedules and livestreams will be posted on the Oklahoma Senate website at https://www.oksenate.gov/. A complete list of approved interim studies is available at: https://oksenate.gov/interim-studies.
Paxton also announced changes to the Senate Public Safety Committee following the resignation of former Senator Darrell Weaver, who was recently appointed Cleveland County sheriff. Senator Warren Hamilton has been named committee chairman, and Senator Spencer Kern will serve as vice chairman.

CLO Distributes Record FY-26 Funds

The Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office distributed a record $160 million to support public education during the fiscal year that ended June 30, marking the third consecutive year the agency has set a new distribution record.
The funding will be distributed to all 507 Oklahoma K-12 public school districts and 13 higher education institutions across the state. The agency’s annual distributions have increased steadily over the past three fiscal years, rising from $145 million to $156 million and now $160 million.
Agency Secretary Dan Whitmarsh said the latest record reflects the Commissioners of the Land Office’s continued commitment to supporting public education through its management of state trust lands and investments.
The Commissioners of the Land Office is a constitutionally established state agency that manages assets held in trust to benefit Oklahoma education. In addition to overseeing financial investments, the agency manages and leases about 726,000 surface acres and 1.1 million acres of mineral rights, generating revenue through agricultural, recreational and commercial leases, as well as oil and gas royalties.

Primary Election Produces Seven New State Legislators

One new state senator and six new state representatives were elected upon completion of the June 16 primary election due to having no primary runoff or general election opponents.  They are Republican Rick Vernon (SD 38) of Altus, Republican Spencer Grace (HD 37) of Ponca City, Republican Kinsley Jordan (HD 40) of Enid, Republican Cole Stevens (HD 51) of Blanchard, Republican Sam Mitchell (HD 65) of Fletcher, Democrat Kristina Gabriel (HD 77) of Tulsa and Democrat Sam Grimaldo (HD 92) of Oklahoma City. 

In addition, one Senate incumbent, Republican Chuck Hall (SD 20) of Perry was reelected upon his primary victory. One Senate seat (SD 34) will be determined after the August 25 primary runoff election and 15 Senate seats will be determined after the November 3 general election. Seven Senate incumbents are unopposed including one Republican and six Democrats. 

In the House, 43 incumbents are considered fully elected with 27 members (19 Republican, 8 Democrat) not drawing primary or general election opponents. Sixteen seats were decided outright by the primary election (12 Republican, 4 Democrat) with 10 being incumbents and six new members. Three seats will be determined after the August 25 primary runoff and 55 will be determined after the November 3 general election.  

The primary runoff election is Tuesday, August 25 with polls open from 7am-7pm. Early voting will take place August 20 and 21 from 8am-6pm and August 22 from 8am-2pm at all 77 county election boards. Some more populated counties may have alternative sites as well. Check with your county election board for details. 

The most hotly contested statewide runoff is the Republican nomination for governor between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei. The winner will face Democrat nominee Cyndi Munson, the outgoing state House Minority Leader. Other statewide runoffs on the GOP side are State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Robert Franklin and James Taylor), Insurance Commissioner (Bob Sullivan and Marty Quinn) and Labor Commissioner (John Pfeiffer and Kevin West).

Three GOP incumbent state legislators are also in runoffs. They are Senator Jack Stewart (SD 18), Senator Dana Prieto (SD 34) and Rep. David Smith (HD 18).  

In other election news, Governor Kevin Stitt has endorsed Mike Mazzei ahead of the August 25 Republican gubernatorial primary runoff and the Republican Party will appear first on the November 3 general election ballot after a public drawing was conducted by the State Election Board. The GOP will be followed by the Democratic Party and Libertarian Party. Independent candidates will appear after candidates representing recognized political parties. The ballot order was determined during a public drawing conducted by Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Ziriax, as required by Oklahoma law. The drawing establishes the order in which political parties and independent candidates will appear on the statewide general election ballot.

Until 1996, Oklahoma law placed the recognized political party with the largest number of registered voters first on the general election ballot, giving the state’s dominant party the top position in every election. Lawmakers changed the system that year, replacing the automatic placement with a random public drawing that gives each recognized political party an equal chance to appear first.

OK Tax Collections Rise in June

Oklahoma collected $1.6 billion in tax revenue during June, an increase of 5.8% compared to the same month last year, according to the latest monthly revenue report released by State Treasurer Todd Russ.
The report shows the state collected $17.91 billion over the past 12 months, up nearly $990 million, or 5.9%, from the previous year. June also marked the tenth consecutive month of positive growth in Oklahoma’s rolling 12-month revenue total.
“June’s report reflects a balanced economic environment, with continued revenue growth, steady consumer activity, and stable employment supporting Oklahoma’s outlook,” Russ said.
Sales and use tax collections totaled $617.4 million, a 6% increase from June 2025, while income tax collections reached $613.1 million, up 3.2%.
Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas rose 27.2% to $113.4 million, and motor vehicle taxes increased 9.9% to $89.4 million.
The Treasurer’s Office said Oklahoma’s economy continues to show stability despite ongoing inflation concerns. The state’s unemployment rate remained below the national average at 4.1%, while manufacturing activity showed signs of improvement heading into the summer.
“Oklahoma’s continued revenue growth reflects the strength of a diversified economy,” Russ said. “Steady consumer activity, a recovering manufacturing sector, and continued energy production provide a strong foundation as we look ahead through the remainder of the year.

Former Trooper Nominated as ICE Director

Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Lance Schroyer has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The president made the announcement recently using his Truth Social Account. Schroyer is currently serving as an advisor to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma’s former U.S. Senator and Second Congressional District Representative.

Taiwan Trade Office Opens at Oklahoma Capitol

A new Taiwan Regional Trade Office has officially opened at the Oklahoma State Capitol, creating a new hub to strengthen trade and economic ties between Oklahoma and Taiwan.
The office is housed within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and was officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Capitol.
Oklahoma Representative Daniel Pae (HD 62) and Oklahoma Senator Roland Pederson (SD 19), who authored Senate Bill 209 establishing the office, said it will help expand trade, encourage investment and create new opportunities for Oklahoma businesses.
“Taiwan has been a valued economic partner and friend for decades, and this office will help open new doors for investment, innovation and job creation,” Pae said. Pederson said the office builds on Oklahoma’s long standing relationship with Taiwan and is intended to strengthen economic partnerships between the two. Senate Bill 209 was approved by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2025. The measure became law without the governor’s signature and took effect last August.

Former Legislator Passes

Condolences to the family of former Democrat state Representative and Senator Richard Lerblance of McAlester who passed away recently at age 80.  Lerblance, an attorney, represented HD 17 from 2002 – 2003 followed by serving in the state Senate from 2003-2012 where he succeeded the legendary late Senator Gene Stipe.