The 2025 legislative session is now in the books, and I want to take a moment to share what we accomp lished, how it impacts you, and why it matters to the future of Oklahoma.
This year, the Legislature focused on putting taxpayers first, improving education and strengthening government accountability, priorities I’ve heard directly from constituents across our district.
Over 1,900 House bills were filed this session, but in the end, only about 500 total bills, from both the House and the Senate combined, made it to the governor’s desk. That tells you just how selective the process became which was by design.
That’s because we restructured how committees work, making the process more deliberative. It should be harder, not easier, to pass laws. We ensured that the process reflects this.
We also launched a new tool through the state transparency portal where you can report government waste and inefficiency. This gives you a direct role in holding agencies accountable, modeled after a successful federal program.
One of our biggest wins was a quarterpercent income tax cut and a simplification of the bottom three tax brackets. That puts more money back in your pocket and lays the groundwork to eventually phase out the income tax while still funding essential services.
We passed a $12.59 billion state budget while keeping $3.5 billion in reserves. This allows us to invest in what matters without overspending.
To strengthen oversight, we passed the REINS Act, which requires legislative approval for any agency rule that would cost taxpayers over $1 million. We also created an economic analysis unit to verify the cost of proposed rules. And instead of approving administrative rules as one blanket resolution, we split them into six, allowing us to approve or reject them individually.
Education saw several key improvements. Senate Bill 139 will make classrooms phone-free during instructional hours, helping students stay focused. We extended the teacher salary schedule from 25 to 35 years and increased public school funding by 3 percent, adding $26 million to the school funding formula and $9.3 million to expand CareerTech programs.
To address rural health care shortages, we passed a $25,000 income tax credit for doctors who serve in rural communities.
Small businesses gained a win through the creation of a statewide food truck licensing system, cutting through the patchwork of local rules and making it easier to operate across Oklahoma.
Locally, I was proud to present the Senate amendments to House Bill 2794, which directs $4 million to relocate the USS Batfish at Muskogee War Memorial Park. The new location near Highways 165 and 62 will protect the vessel from flooding and improve visitor access.
You may have also seen that the governor issued a record number of vetoes this year. In response and speaking in jest, the Legislature delivered a record number of veto overrides. While this may not be the highest number of overrides in our state’s history, we did override a significant number this year in response to the unusually high volume of vetoes from the governor. This sends a clear message, we’re listening to Oklahomans, and we’re taking action. We’re here to work for you.
I ran for office to make government work better for the people of Oklahoma. This year, we made real progress.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. God bless you, your family, and the great state of Oklahoma.
I’m always here to listen. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to share your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at neil.hays@okhouse. gov or call my office at (405) 557-7302. I’d love to hear from you!
Neil Hays serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner counties.
