2025 OK Legislative Scorecard

SB269 gives the Oklahoma Corporation Commission exclusive jurisdiction over Class VI CO2 injection wells and related storage units.

The House passed SB269 on May 1, 2025, by a vote of 73 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the recent and dangerous expansion of carbon-capture storage systems in the United States is closely connected to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for “sustainable development,” which seeks to codify extreme “environmental justice” measures into state law. Its push for a “green” or “decarbonized” economy on behalf of “vulnerable populations” is nothing other than a fanatical attempt by globalist elites to increase their taxing power and authority. The abuse of eminent domain for these carbon-capture pipelines encroaches upon the constitutionally protected property rights of Oklahomans. If America is to truly remain the “land of the free,” then the States and the people must reject the hoax of “climate change” and put an end to the global war on farmers and ranchers.

HB2299 would set forth guidelines to regulate the conduct of delegates to a “convention for proposing amendments” held under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

The House passed HB2299 on March 25, 2025, by a vote of 51 to 37. We have assigned pluses to the nays because efforts to call an Article V convention must be resisted. A constitutional convention (Con-Con) would have the power to make major changes to the U.S. Constitution, or even completely rewrite it. Instead of risking the danger of a “runaway convention,” which could act as a “Trojan horse” to destroy many of the Constitution’s limitations on government power, state legislators should uphold their oath of office. In other words, the problem is not the Constitution, but lawmakers’ failure to follow it. Article VI requires that all state legislators “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution.” Article V, however, was designed to correct potential errors or defects in the Constitution, not to “misconstrue or abuse its powers.” State legislators use Article VI to enforce the Constitution, rather than use Article V to alter or abolish it.

HB1197 would enable Oklahoma residents to use a transaction card to make purchases with gold and silver from a state-approved bullion depository.

The House passed HB1197 on March 24, 2025, by a vote of 77 to 15. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because this bill brings Oklahoma closer to restoring sound money and adhering to the U.S. Constitution’s monetary provisions. Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution says that “No State shall … make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts.” States can and need to act now to protect Americans’ financial freedom and privacy by both ending the Federal Reserve’s unconstitutional monopoly on money and thwarting government plans to impose a Central Bank Digital Currency.

HB1082 creates a rebuttable presumption in child-custody cases that “joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interest of the child.”

The House passed HB1082 on March 24, 2025, by a vote of 92 to 1. We have assigned minuses to the yeas because “equal shared parenting,” also known as the 50/50 custody regime, is detrimental to both children and families. It is the rotten fruit of “no-fault divorce," which only incentivizes the breaking of the marital covenant by allowing persons to commit serious acts of injury against their spouses and children (e.g., adultery or abandonment) with impunity. “Equal shared parenting,” another deceptive misnomer, proceeds from the same false premise that innocent parties have no right to their day in court, further denying victims due process of law. In addition, it is part of the “best interest of the child” legislation that seeks to rewrite U.S. family law based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nevertheless, no child should have to suffer the mental, emotional, and physical effects of being forced to live two separate lives in two separate homes. Marriage is—and will always be—the God-ordained arrangement for “co-parenting.” Indeed, the Judgment of Solomon testifies to the wisdom and precedent of awarding sole custody to the true parent who justly refuses to “divide” the child.

HB1689 would make it unlawful to remove a shopping cart from a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner of its use, and punish offenders with a fine and/or imprisonment.

The House passed HB1689 on March 12, 2025, by a vote of 54 to 33. We have assigned pluses to the yeas because retail theft (i.e., shoplifting) needs to be illegal and punished as a crime. No one has the right to the property of someone else, regardless of value or price tag. Stealing less does not make one less a thief. As justice is the overall purpose of government, civil society necessitates enforcing the basic moral principle that “You shall not steal.” Prohibiting acts of petty theft deters higher crimes, such as felony theft, and, most importantly, results in safer, more trustworthy, and cleaner communities.