It has already been a strong start to the legislative season. Feb. 2 marked the start of the Second Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature. The opening day included a joint session of the Oklahoma House and Oklahoma Senate, as well as the governor’s State of the State address.

This year’s address carried added significance for the Gov. Kevin Stitt, as it was his final State of the State. Serving eight years as governor is no small task, and I commend him for his service to Oklahoma. The governor touched on many issues the Legislature has worked hard on in recent years, and I am proud of the progress we have made so far.

As we move forward this session, one of our top priorities remains literacy and improving reading outcomes for Oklahoma students. Speaker Kyle Hilbert put it: up until third grade, students learn to read. From third grade on, they read to learn. If children do not develop strong reading skills early, every subject becomes more difficult.

Only 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders are currently reading at or above grade level and that is simply not acceptable. Research shows students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school. When a child struggles to read, subjects like science, math, history and even art become harder to access.

That is why the Legislature is working toward making 2026 the Year of Reading with legislation that aligns instruction with proven research, bans ineffective three-cueing methods, requires regular reading screenings in kindergarten through third grade, and ensures students who fall behind receive intensive, individualized support until they reach proficiency. Strong literacy instruction, grounded in the science of reading, gives children a foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Another priority this session involves protecting Oklahomans as technology continues to advance. Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, and the government has a responsibility to address its misuse. In recent sessions, the Legislature passed laws requiring disclosure when AI is used and created penalties for AIgenerated child sexual abuse material and re-venge pornography.

I am also working on legislation this year to stop bad actors from misusing technology to harm others. The measure would make it a misdemeanor offense for anyone to knowingly disseminate or publish a digital depiction of another person’s name, image, voice or likeness without written consent when done with the intent to deceive or cause emotional, financial or physical harm.

This session, we expect to revisit legislation that would penalize the use of AI and deepfake technology without consent when it is used to harm individuals or mislead the public. Every Oklahoman deserves to know that what they are seeing is authentic and that their name, image, voice or likeness cannot be manipulated without permission.

This session is off to an impactful start, and I look forward to continuing the work ahead while upholding the conservative values Oklahoma has always stood for.

I am always here to listen. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to my office. I work for you.

You can email me at neil.hays@okhouse. gov or call my office at (405) 557-7302. I’d love to hear from you!