One of our most important responsibilities at the Capitol is ensuring that state agencies follow the proper process when crafting their rules. This session, we’re taking a hard look at more than 5,600 pages of administrative rules. That’s a mountain of red tape that impacts everything from how agencies operate to how Oklahomans live and work.
Reviewing these rules isn’t about playing policymaker all over again, it’s about asking a simple question: does this rule align with the law? If it does, it moves forward. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s that straightforward.
This year, the House and Senate are splitting the workload, with each chamber handling three categories of rules. We’ve been working together with our Senate counterparts to file the resolutions that encompass both bodies concerns. That kind of cooperation is critical, especially when we’re talking about oversight that affects every corner of Oklahoma.
Unlike in previous years, this session, each set of rules will be filed in its own resolution, six in total. This is to ensure that if the governor has an issue with one agency’s rules and chooses to disapprove them, we don’t want to lose good rules from other agencies in the process. It’s a smart safeguard, and I applaud Rep. Kendrix for ensuring that each agency’s rules stand, or fall, on their own merits.
If the Legislature takes no action, the governor can approve the rules himself. But the Legislature has been down that road before. This year, we’re holding ourselves accountable to do the job the people elected us to do, review, approve or disapprove, and make sure the rules reflect the law, not agency overreach.
Meanwhile, we’re also hitting legislative deadlines. Just this week, Senate bills and resolutions had to clear their respective oversight, rules and appropriations committees. The next important deadline is May 8, for those bills to make it off the floor in the opposite chamber.
The Legislature also continues to move forward with steady, meaningful progress. Lawmakers are working to advance legislation rooted in Oklahoma values while also developing a responsible, conservative state budget that puts taxpayers first. As part of our commitment to transparency, the Senate’s current budget position is now available through the House Budget Transparency Portal on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website. I encourage every Oklahoman to visit the portal and see exactly where we are in the process.
In other news, we recently had the privilege of celebrating Agriculture Day at the Capitol. As a rancher myself, these events hold a special place in my heart. Agriculture isn’t just a part of our heritage, it’s the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy and a way of life for countless families across our state.
It was an honor to recognize and celebrate the hardworking men and women who keep our agricultural traditions alive, feeding our communities and fueling our local economy. From cattle ranches to wheat fields, agriculture remains one of the most vital and enduring industries in Oklahoma.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you at the Capitol. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. My email address is [email protected], or you can call my office at (405) 557-7304.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, a Republican, represents House District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Logan and Payne counties.
