Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session Status: Passed House 2 R cosponsors

HB 1491 — Education; meetings of the State Board of Education; authorizing members to add items to agendas; procedure for adding; emergency.

Last action — Remove as author Senator Reinhardt; authored by Senator Paxton

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 03, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt (Republican) on March 27, 2025.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 50% · moderate confidence
  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

142 added · 40 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 1491 clarifies that any member of the State Board of Education can add an item to the agenda upon written request from at least two members. It also specifies that the timing of when items are placed on the agenda will be determined by the requesting members, following the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. This change is significant because it enhances the ability of board members to influence meeting agendas and ensures that more voices can contribute to the discussions, potentially leading to more inclusive decision-making in education.

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO.
Johns of the House and Reinhardt of the Senate 9 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to education;
Johns, Moore, Provenzano, Munson, and Waldron of the House and Reinhardt of the Senate 6 An Act relating to education;
providing procedure for adding requested item to agenda;
providing procedure for adding requested item to an agenda;
and providing an effective date.
amending 70 O.S.
2021, Sections 5- 107B and 5-118, which relate to school district boards of education;
authorizing members to add items to agendas;
providing procedure for adding requested item to an agenda;
and declaring an emergency.
The item shall be placed on the agenda for the next HB1491 HFLR Page 1 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.
The item shall be placed on the agenda for the next meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by the requesting members, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by the requesting members, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
ENGR.
SECTION 2.
H.
This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
B.
5 COMMITTEE REPORT BY:
NO.
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OVERSIGHT, dated 03/05/2025 - DO PASS, As Amended and Coauthored.
1491 Page 1 SECTION 2.
7 9 HB1491 HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.
AMENDATORY 70 O.S.
2021, Section 5-107B, is amended to read as follows:
Section 5-107B.
A.
The board of education of a district with an average daily membership (ADM) of more than thirty thousand (30,000) students may be expanded to add a member who shall be elected at large for a term of four (4) years and who shall serve as chair of the board.
The chair of the board position may be added upon a majority vote of the district board of education to add the position.
If the board opts to add the chair of the board position, the chair of the board shall be elected at the next regular election of board members, held pursuant to Section 13A-103 of Title 26 of the Oklahoma Statutes, following the decision of the board.
B.
The chair of the board of education shall possess the same qualifications as required for other board members, shall assume office as provided for other members of the board of education, shall be a full, voting member of the board, and shall count for purposes of a quorum or a majority, or other requirements based on number of members on the board.
The chair shall preside at all meetings of the board of education in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure which have been adopted by a majority vote of the board, provided that, in the absence of rules adopted by the board, the chair shall determine and set forth the rules of parliamentary procedure that shall apply at board meetings;
assemble and control the agenda for board meetings, provided that, upon ENGR.
H.
B.
NO.
1491 Page 2 approval of a majority of the members of the board, an item shall be placed on the agenda for the same or a subsequent meeting, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act except as provided by subsection B of Section 5-118 of this title;
appoint all committees whose appointment is not otherwise provided for by law;
and shall sign all warrants ordered by the board of education to be drawn upon the treasurer for school money.
The chair of the board shall possess all powers otherwise provided by law for a member of a board of education, all powers provided by law for the president of a board of education, and such other lawful powers as may be conferred upon the chair by majority vote of the board.
The chair shall receive compensation and benefits as conferred upon other members of the district board of education.
C.
For a district in which a chair of the board has been elected, the district board of education, during the meeting at which the chair of the board assumes office, shall elect a vice- chair who shall serve a one-year term and until a successor is elected and qualified.
The vice-chair shall perform all duties of the chair of the board in case of the chair's absence or disability.
The board shall also elect clerks and deputies as provided in Section 5-119 of this title.
The board shall not elect a president or vice president.
D.
If a district board of education is expanded to include the chair of the board position, the chair of the board position shall ENGR.
Show all 83 changed rows (43 more)
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H.
B.
NO.
1491 Page 3 not be abolished except by a majority vote of the voters of the school district voting on such question at a special election called for that purpose.
The question may be presented only upon a resolution adopted by three-fourths (3/4) of the board membership or upon petition for an election on the question, that complies with the requirements for petition and election set forth in Section 7- 101 of this title.
If the question is approved, the chair of the board position shall be abolished at the end of the term of the chair who holds the office when the election is held or upon the chair's resignation or vacancy of the office following the election on the question.
SECTION 3.
AMENDATORY 70 O.S.
2021, Section 5-118, is amended to read as follows:
Section 5-118.
A.
Regular meetings of the board of education of each school district shall be held upon the first Monday of each month, or upon such day as may be fixed by the board.
Special meetings may be held from time to time as circumstances may demand.
B.
Upon written request by at least two members for boards of five or more members and one member of boards with four or fewer members, any member of the board shall be authorized to place an item on a board agenda.
The item shall be placed on the agenda for the next meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by the requesting member or members, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
For the purposes of this subsection, the calculation ENGR.
H.
B.
NO.
1491 Page 4 of the number of members of a board shall exclude any vacant positions.
C.
All meetings of the boards of education shall be public meetings, and in all such meetings the vote of each member must be publicly cast and recorded.
Executive sessions will be permitted only for the purpose of discussing the employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignations of any or all of the employees or volunteers of the school district, and for the purpose of discussing negotiations concerning employees and representatives of employee groups, and for the purpose of hearing evidence and discussing the expulsion or suspension of a student or students only when requested by the student involved or his or her parent, attorney, or legal guardian;
provided, however, that any vote or action thereon must be taken in a public meeting with the vote of each member publicly cast and recorded.
It is required that the board of education shall provide notice to the student, his or her parent, attorney or legal guardian that said student is entitled to an executive session regarding the discussion of expulsion or suspension of said student.
D.
Any action taken in violation of the provisions of this act shall be invalid.
E.
Each member of the board of education of a school district with an average daily attendance exceeding fifteen thousand (15,000) or a school district where boundaries encompass a total population ENGR.
H.
B.
NO.
1491 Page 5 exceeding one hundred thousand (100,000) persons according to the last preceding Federal Decennial Census may be paid from the district's general fund a stipend of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each regular, special or adjourned meeting of the board of education that he or she attends, but not for more than four meetings in any calendar month.
SECTION 4.
It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the House of Representatives the 26th day of March, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the Senate ENGR.
H.
B.
NO.
1491 Page 6
View plain text versions (6)

Amendments

4 amendments

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Remove as author Senator Reinhardt; authored by Senator Paxton

  2. Second Reading referred to Education

  3. First Reading

  4. Engrossed, signed, to Senate

  5. Referred for engrossment

  6. Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 80 Nays: 16

  7. Emergency added

  8. Amended by floor substitute

  9. Coauthored by Representative(s) Moore, Provenzano, Munson, Waldron

  10. General Order

  11. House Rule suspended

  12. Emergency removed

  13. Authored by Senator Reinhardt (principal Senate author)

  14. CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Education Oversight Committee

  15. Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Common Education

  16. Referred to Common Education

  17. Referred to Education Oversight

  18. Withdrawn from Rules Committee

  19. Second Reading referred to Rules

  20. Authored by Representative Johns

  21. First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on · 16 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed 80 Yea · 16 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 5002
Republican 621601
Democrat 13001
Total 801604
% of votes cast 80%16%0%4%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Alonso-Sandoval — Yea
Bennett — Yea
Pittman — Yea
Mr. Speaker — Yea
Lowe (J) — Not Voting
VACANCY: — Not Voting
Crosswhite Hader — Yea
Andy Fugate Democrat Yea
Annie Menz Democrat Not Voting
Cyndi Munson Democrat Yea
Ellen Pogemiller Democrat Yea
Ellyn Hefner Democrat Yea
Jacob Rosecrants Democrat Yea
Jared Deck Democrat Yea
John Waldron Democrat Yea
Melissa Provenzano Democrat Yea
Meloyde Blancett Democrat Yea
Michelle McCane Democrat Yea
Mickey Dollens Democrat Yea
Suzanne Schreiber Democrat Yea
Trish Ranson Democrat Yea
Anthony Moore Republican Yea
Bob Ed Culver Republican Yea
Brad Boles Republican Yea
Brian Hill Republican Yea
Carl Newton Republican Yea
Chad Caldwell Republican Yea
Chris Banning Republican Yea
Chris Kannady Republican Yea
Chris Sneed Republican Yea
Chuck Hall Republican Yea
Clay Staires Republican Not Voting
Cody Maynard Republican Nay
Collin Duel Republican Yea
Cynthia Roe Republican Yea
Daniel Pae Republican Yea
Danny Sterling Republican Yea
Danny Williams Republican Yea
David Hardin Republican Yea
David Smith Republican Yea
Dell Kerbs Republican Yea
Derrick Hildebrant Republican Nay
Dick Lowe Republican Yea
Eddy Dempsey Republican Yea
Emily Gise Republican Yea
Eric Roberts Republican Yea
Erick Harris Republican Yea
Gabe Woolley Republican Nay
George Burns Republican Yea
Gerrid Kendrix Republican Yea
Jack Stewart Republican Yea
Jason Blair Republican Nay
Jay Steagall Republican Nay
Jim Grego Republican Nay
Jim Olsen Republican Nay
Jim Shaw Republican Nay
John George Republican Yea
John Kane Republican Yea
John Pfeiffer Republican Yea
Jonathan Wilk Republican Yea
Josh Cantrell Republican Yea
Josh West Republican Yea
Judd Strom Republican Yea
Justin Humphrey Republican Yea
Ken Luttrell Republican Yea
Kenton Patzkowsky Republican Yea
Kevin West Republican Nay
Marilyn Stark Republican Yea
Mark Chapman Republican Nay
Mark Lawson Republican Yea
Mark Lepak Republican Yea
Mark Tedford Republican Yea
Max Wolfley Republican Yea
Mike Dobrinski Republican Yea
Mike Kelley Republican Yea
Mike Lay Republican Yea
Mike Osburn Republican Yea
Molly Jenkins Republican Nay
Neil Hays Republican Yea
Nick Archer Republican Yea
Nicole Miller Republican Yea
Preston Stinson Republican Yea
Rande Worthen Republican Nay
Rick West Republican Nay
Robert Manger Republican Yea
Ronny Johns Republican Yea
Ross Ford Republican Yea
Rusty Cornwell Republican Yea
Ryan Eaves Republican Yea
Scott Fetgatter Republican Yea
Stacy Jo Adams Republican Nay
Stan May Republican Yea
Steve Bashore Republican Nay
T.J. Marti Republican Yea
Tammy Townley Republican Yea
Tammy West Republican Yea
Tim Turner Republican Yea
Tom Gann Republican Nay
Toni Hasenbeck Republican Yea
Trey Caldwell Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 9 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 8000
Democrat 1000
Total 9000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (9)
Member Party Vote
John Waldron Democrat Yea
Chad Caldwell Republican Yea
Dell Kerbs Republican Yea
Dick Lowe Republican Yea
John Kane Republican Yea
Kyle Hilbert Republican Yea
Max Wolfley Republican Yea
Tammy West Republican Yea
Toni Hasenbeck Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 10 Yea · 2 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 8200
Democrat 2000
Total 10200
% of votes cast 83%17%0%0%
How each member voted (12)
Member Party Vote
Ellen Pogemiller Democrat Yea
Jacob Rosecrants Democrat Yea
Anthony Moore Republican Yea
Chad Caldwell Republican Yea
Chris Banning Republican Yea
Chuck Hall Republican Yea
Cody Maynard Republican Nay
Danny Sterling Republican Yea
Dick Lowe Republican Yea
Mark Tedford Republican Yea
Molly Jenkins Republican Nay
Ronny Johns Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1491?
HB 1491 is sponsored by Ronny Johns (Republican) and Lonnie Paxton (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 1491?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 03, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 1491?
Track HB 1491 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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