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
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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3Passed House
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4Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
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 chanceBased 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
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Passed House
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
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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 removedPlain-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.
HOUSEENGROSSED OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.
JohnsJohns, Moore, Provenzano, Munson, and Waldron of the House and Reinhardt of the Senate 96 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to education;
providing procedure for adding requested item to an agenda;
andamending providing70 anO.S. effective date.
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 HB1491meeting HFLRor Pagea 1subsequent BOLDmeeting, FACEas denotesdecided Committeeby Amendments.the requesting members, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
meetingENGR. or a subsequent meeting, as decided by the requesting members, in accordance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
SECTIONH. 2.
ThisB. act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
5NO. COMMITTEE REPORT BY:
COMMITTEE1491 ONPage EDUCATION1 OVERSIGHT,SECTION dated2. 03/05/2025 - DO PASS, As Amended and Coauthored.
7AMENDATORY 970 HB1491O.S. HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments.
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 lines (43 more)
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
Show all 83 changed rows (43 more)
View plain text versions (6)
- Engrossed View text Current pdf
- Floor (House) View text pdf
- Policy Committee Recommendation View text pdf
- Committee Substitute House Committee Substitute pdf
- Committee Substitute Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
Amendments
4 amendments- 1 Floor Amendment by OLSEN (UNTIMELY FILED) Show changes
- 2 Floor Amendment by JOHNS (UNTIMELY FILED) Show changes
- 3 Floor Amendment by HILBERT (UNTIMELY FILED) Show changes
- Proposed Policy Committee Amendment 1 Show changes
Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Remove as author Senator Reinhardt; authored by Senator Paxton
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Second Reading referred to Education
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First Reading
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Engrossed, signed, to Senate
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Referred for engrossment
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Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 80 Nays: 16
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Emergency added
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Amended by floor substitute
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Coauthored by Representative(s) Moore, Provenzano, Munson, Waldron
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General Order
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House Rule suspended
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Emergency removed
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Authored by Senator Reinhardt (principal Senate author)
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CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Education Oversight Committee
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Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Common Education
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Referred to Common Education
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Referred to Education Oversight
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Withdrawn from Rules Committee
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Second Reading referred to Rules
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Authored by Representative Johns
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First Reading
Sponsors
- Ronny Johns · Primary
- Lonnie Paxton · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on · 16 voted No
Sponsors (2)
- Ronny Johns Republican
- Lonnie Paxton Republican
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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Republican | 62 | 16 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 80 | 16 | 0 | 4 |
| % 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
Subjects
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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