# 56th Oklahoma Legislature

The Fifty-sixth Oklahoma Legislature was the most recent meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It met in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from January 3, 2017, to January 3, 2019, during the final two years of the second administration of Governor Mary Fallin. The November 2016 elections maintained Republican control of both the House and Senate.

## Dates of sessions

* Organizational day: January 3, 2017
* First session: February 2-May 22, 2017
* First extraordinary session: September 25, 2017
* Second extraordinary session: December 18, 2017
* Second session: February 5-May 25, 2018
Previous: 55th Legislature • Next: 57th Legislature

## Major legislation
### 2017 Legislative Session

* Criminal Justice - SB603 mandates the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to create individualized case plans for each offender
* Education - HB1693 revised Oklahoma's A-F school grading system to comply with federal law
* Education - SB301 expands the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program
* Public Health - HB1703 expands pregnancy resource centers
* Public Health - HB2039 authorizes prescriptions of Naloxone to combat state's opioid crisis
* Taxation - SB845 raises the state tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack to $2.53 per pack
* Taxation - HB2433 raises the state tax on motor vehicle by extending a portion of state sales tax to include motor vehicle purchases
* Drivers License - HB1845 brings Oklahoma into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act
* Drivers License - SB643 eliminates Oklahoma's administrative hearing procedure for revocation of drivers licenses
* Crime and Punishment - HB1468 expands time limits for prosecution of sex crimes against children
* Taxation - HB2298 eliminates tax credits for wind industry
* Energy - SB867 expand ability for oil companies to conduct horizontal drilling
* Tourism - SB872 transfer ownership of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum from the state to the city of Oklahoma City
* Taxation - SB120 extends tax credits for aerospace industry

### 2017 First Special Session

Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling the tax increases found in SB845 unconstitutional, Governor Mary Fallin issued Executive Order 2017-29, later amended by subsequent order, to convene a special meeting of the Oklahoma Legislature. Pursuant to Section 7 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor recommended the legislature adopt the following matters:
* Address the budget shortfall associated with the loss of revenue from the unconstitutionality of SB845
* Increase pay for public teachers
* Increase pay for public employees
* Provide supplemental funding for the Oklahoma State Department of Health

### 2017 Second Special Session

Following her veto of the amended fiscal year 2018 Oklahoma state budget, Governor Mary Fallin issued Executive Order 2017-43, later amended by subsequent order and again by an additional subsequent order, to convene a special meeting of the Oklahoma Legislature. Pursuant to Section 7 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor recommended the Legislature:
* Provided supplemental funding for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority
* Adopt wide-ranging tax increases and elimination of tax deductions and credits
* Authorize expanded gambling by Native American tribes
* Grant the Governor greater appointment powers over Executive agencies
* Increase pay for public teachers

### Subsequent Events

* On August 10, 2017, the Oklahoma Supreme Court, in the case of Naifeh v. Oklahoma ex rel Oklahoma Tax Commission, ruled 7-2 that SB845 violated the Oklahoma Constitution's tax raising clause by failing to obtain the super-majority of votes in the legislature needed to raise taxes. SB845 had sought to raise the tax on cigarettes in an attempt to balance the fiscal year 2018 Oklahoma state budget. The legislature had classified the measure as a "fee" as opposed to a "tax" but the Court disagreed with such classified. Without the revenues from the bill, the state budget lost over $200 million in anticipated revenue, forcing Governor Mary Fallin to convene an extraordinary session of the legislature to revise the budget.
* On August 31, 2017, the Oklahoma Supreme Court, in the case of Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association v. Oklahoma ex rel Oklahoma Tax Commission, ruled 5-4 that HB2433 did not violate the Oklahoma Constitution's tax raising clause. HB2433 eliminated an exemption under the current state sales tax code which excluded motor vehicle purchases from the tax. By removing the exemption, the legislature did not raise a tax for the purposes of the Constitution's tax raising clause and therefore was not required to obtain the super-majority of votes in the legislature needed to raise taxes.
* On December 19, 2017, the Oklahoma Supreme Court, in the case of Hunsucher v. Fallin, ruled 5-4 that SB643 unconstitutional under the Oklahoma Constitution's single-subject clause and Due Process Clause. SB643 eliminated Oklahoma's administrative hearings procedures for revocation of drivers licenses and allowed the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to revoke the license without granting the affected driver a hearing before the Department or an administrative opportunity to object.

## Leadership

Since the Republican Party holds the majority of seats in both the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives, they hold the top leadership positions in both chambers.
In Oklahoma, the lieutenant governor serves as President of the Oklahoma Senate, meaning that he serves as the presiding officer in ceremonial instances and can provide a tie-breaking vote. Todd Lamb serves as the current Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma. The current President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, who presides over the state senate on the majority of session days is Mike Schulz of Altus. He is aided by Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat of Oklahoma City. The Democratic minority leader of the state senate is John Sparks of Norman. Paul Ziriax serves as the Secretary of the Oklahoma Senate.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is led by Speaker Charles McCall of Atoka. He is aided by Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols of Oklahoma City. The Democratic minority leader is Steve Kouplen of Beggs. Joel Kintsel serves as Chief Clerk of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

## Membership
### Senate

| 40 | 8 |
| Republican | Democrat |

#### Summary

| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total |
| Affiliation | Republican | Democratic | Total |
| End of previous legislature | 38 | 10 | 48 |
| Begin | 40 | 8 | 48 |
| Latest voting share | 83% | 17% |

#### Changes in Membership

* March 27, 2017— Ralph Shortey (R) resigned from representing SD-44 after being charged with three felonies relating to soliciting prostitution from a male minor.
* April 27, 2017— Kyle Loveless (R) resigns from representing SD-45 following a embezzlement investigation into his campaigns.
* July 11, 2017— Michael Brooks-Jimenez (D) takes office representing SD-44 filling the vacant seat left by Ralph Shortey's resignation. (Democratic gain)
* September 12, 2017 — Bryce Marlatt (R) resigned from representing SD-27 after being charged with felony sexual battery.
* November 22, 2017— Paul Rosino (R) takes office representing SD-45 filling the vacant seat left by Kyle Loveless's resignation.
* January 31, 2018- Dan Newberry (R) resigned from representing SD-37 in order to accept a position with Tulsa Teacher's Credit Union.
* February 2018- Allison Ikley-Freeman (D) takes office representing SD-37 filing the vacant seat left by Dan Newberry.
* February 26, 2018— Casey Murdock (R) takes office representing SD-27 filing the vacant seat left by Bryce Marlatt's resignation.

#### Members

| District | Name | Party | Hometown | Occupation | First Elected | Seat Up |
| Lt. Gov | Todd Lamb | Rep | Enid | | 2011 | 2018 |
| 1 | Micheal Bergstrom | Rep | Adair | Teacher | 2016 | 2020 |
| 2 | Marty Quinn | Rep | Claremore | Insurance Agent | 2014 | 2018 |
| 3 | Wayne Shaw | Rep | Grove | Pastor | 2012 | 2020 |
| 4 | Mark Allen | Rep | Spiro | Businessman | 2010 | 2018 |
| 5 | Joseph Silk | Rep | Broken Bow | Real Estate | 2014 | 2018 |
| 6 | Josh Brecheen | Rep | Coalgate | motivational speaker | 2010 | 2018 |
| 7 | Larry Boggs | Rep | Wilburton | Rancher | 2012 | 2020 |
| 8 | Roger Thompson | Rep | Okemah | Journalist | 2014 | 2018 |
| 9 | Dewayne Pemberton | Rep | Muskogee | Teacher | 2016 | 2020 |
| 10 | Eddie Fields | Rep | | | 2010 | 2018 |
| 11 | Kevin Matthews | Dem | Tulsa | Firefighter | 2014† | 2018 |
| 12 | James Leewright | Rep | Bristow | Businessman | 2015† | 2020 |
| 13 | Greg McCortney | Rep | Ada | Businessman | 2016 | 2020 |
| 14 | Frank Simpson | Rep | Springer | Pastor | 2010 | 2018 |
| 15 | Rob Standridge | Rep | Norman | Pharmacist | 2012 | 2020 |
| 16 | John Sparks | Dem | | | 2006 | 2018 |
| 17 | Ron Sharp | Rep | Shawnee | Teacher | 2012 | 2020 |
| 18 | Kim David | Rep | Porter | Real Estate | 2010 | 2018 |
| 19 | Roland Pederson | Rep | Burlington | Rancher | 2016 | 2020 |
| 20 | Ann "AJ" Griffin | Rep | | | 2012 | 2018 |
| 21 | Tom J. Dugger | Rep | Stillwater | Accountant | 2016 | 2020 |
| 22 | Stephanie Bice | Rep | Oklahoma City | Businessman | 2014 | 2018 |
| 23 | Lonnie Paxton | Rep | Tuttle | Insurance Agent | 2016 | 2020 |
| 24 | Anthony Sykes | Rep | Moore | attorney | 2006 | 2018 |
| 25 | Joe Newhouse | Rep | Broken Arrow | Real Estate | 2016 | 2020 |
| 26 | Darcy Jech | Rep | Kingfisher | Insurance Agent | 2014 | 2018 |
| 27 | Bryce Marlatt (until September 12, 2017) Casey Murdock (after February 26, 2018) | | | | 2009/2018† | 2018 |
| 28 | Jason Smalley | Rep | Stroud | Businessman | 2014 | 2018 |
| 29 | Julie Daniels | Rep | Bartlesville | Attorney | 2016 | 2020 |
| 30 | David Holt | Rep | Oklahoma City | | 2010 | 2018 |
| 31 | Chris Kidd | Rep | Waurika | Rancher | 2016 | 2020 |
| 32 | Randy Bass | Rep | | Baseball | 2005 | 2018 |
| 33 | Nathan Dahm | Rep | Broken Arrow | Software Developer | 2012 | 2020 |
| 34 | J.J. Dossett | Dem | Owasso | Teacher | 2016† | 2020 |
| 35 | Gary Stanislawski | Rep | Tulsa | Financial Advisor | 2008 | 2020 (term limited) |
| 36 | Bill Brown | Rep | | Insurance Industry | 2006 | 2018 |
| 37 | Dan Newberry (R) (Until September 12, 2017) Allison Ikley-Freeman (After January 31, 2018) | Dem | Tulsa | Therapist | 2008/2017† | 2020 |
| 38 | Mike Schulz | Rep | | | 2006 | 2018 |
| 39 | Dave Rader | Rep | Tulsa | Businessman | 2016 | 2020 |
| 40 | Ervin Yen | Rep | Oklahoma City | Doctor | 2014 | 2018 |
| 41 | Adam Pugh | Rep | Edmond | Businessman | 2016 | 2020 |
| 42 | Jack Fry | Rep | | | 2014 | 2018 |
| 43 | Paul Scott | Rep | Duncan | Businessman | 2016 | 2020 |
| 44 | Ralph Shortey (R) (Until March 27, 2017) Michael Brooks-Jimenez (After July 11, 2017) | Dem | Oklahoma City | Attorney | 2010/2017† | 2020 |
| 45 | Kyle Loveless (before April 27, 2017) Paul Rosino (after November 22, 2017) | Rep | Oklahoma City | Real Estate | 2012/2017† | 2020 |
| 46 | Kay Floyd | Dem | Oklahoma City | Attorney | 2014 | 2018 |
| 47 | Greg Treat | Rep | Oklahoma City | Campaign Strategist | 2011 | 2018 |
| 48 | Anastasia Pittman | Dem | Oklahoma City | | 2014 | 2018 |
    †Elected in a special election

### House

| 75 | 26 |
| Republican | Democrat |
| Affiliation | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total |
| Affiliation | Republican | Democratic | Total |
| End of previous legislature | 71 | 30 | 101 |
| Begin | 75 | 26 | 101 |
| Latest voting share | 74% | 26% |

#### Changes in membership

* December 31, 2016- Tom Newell (R) resigned from representing HD-28 to accept a private sector job, leaving the seat vacant at the beginning of the session.
* February 4, 2017- Dan Kirby (R) resigned from representing HD-75 after sexual assault allegations by his former legislative assistant came to light and the legislature scheduled a vote on his expulsion. Kirby's resignation before the vote prevented him from potentially becoming the first member of the state legislature ever to be expelled.
* April 15, 2017- David Brumbaugh (R) died leaving HD-76's seat vacant.
* May 31, 2017- Scott Martin (R) resigned from representing HD-46 to lead the Norman Chamber of Commerce.
* July 20, 2017- Karen Gaddis (D) takes office representing HD-75 filling the vacancy left by Dan Kirby's resignation. (Democratic flip)
* September 20, 2017-Jacob Rosecrants (D) takes office representing HD-46 filling the vacancy left by Scott Martin's resignation. (Democratic flip)
* November 28, 2017- Ross Ford (R) takes office representing HD-76 filling the vacancy left by David Brumbaugh's death.
* 2017- Zack Taylor (R) takes office representing HD-28 filling the vacancy left by Tom Newell.

#### Members

| Name | District | Party | City | First elected |
| Johnny Tadlock | 1 | Dem | Idabel | 2014 |
| John R. Bennett | 2 | Rep | Sallisaw | 2010 |
| Rick West | 3 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Matt Meredith | 4 | Dem | | 2016 |
| Josh West | 5 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Chuck Hoskin | 6 | Dem | Vinita | 2006 |
| Ben Loring | 7 | Dem | Miami | 2014 |
| Tom Gann | 8 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Mark Lepak | 9 | Rep | Claremore | 2014 |
| Travis Dunlap | 10 | Rep | Bartlesville | 2014 |
| Earl Sears | 11 | Rep | Bartlesville | 2006 |
| Kevin McDugle | 12 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Avery Frix | 13 | Rep | | 2016 |
| George Faught | 14 | Rep | Muskogee | 2014 |
| Ed Cannaday | 15 | Dem | Porum | 2006 |
| Scott Fetgatter | 16 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Brian Renegar | 17 | Dem | McAlester | 2006 |
| Donnie Condit | 18 | Dem | McAlester | 2010 |
| Justin Humphrey | 19 | Rep | Lane | 2016 |
| Bobby Cleveland | 20 | Rep | | 2012 |
| Dustin Roberts | 21 | Rep | Durant | 2010 |
| Charles McCall | 22 | Rep | Atoka | 2012 |
| Terry O'Donnell | 23 | Rep | Tulsa | 2013 |
| Steve Kouplen | 24 | Dem | Holdenville | 2008 |
| Todd Thomsen | 25 | Rep | Ada | 2006 |
| Dell Kerbs | 26 | Rep | Shawnee | 2016 |
| Josh Cockroft | 27 | Rep | | 2010 |
| Zack Taylor (after May 2017) | 28 | Rep | Seminole | 2017 |
| Kyle Hilbert | 29 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Mark Lawson | 30 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Jason Murphey | 31 | Rep | Guthrie | 2006 |
| Kevin Wallace | 32 | Rep | Chandler | 2014 |
| Greg Babinec | 33 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Cory T. Williams | 34 | Dem | Stillwater | 2008 |
| Dennis Casey | 35 | Rep | Morrison | 2010 |
| Sean Roberts | 36 | Rep | Hominy | 2010 |
| Steve Vaughan | 37 | Rep | Ponca City | 2010 |
| John Pfeiffer | 38 | Rep | Mulhall | 2014 |
| Ryan Martinez | 39 | Rep | Edmond | 2016 |
| Chad Caldwell | 40 | Rep | Enid | 2014 |
| John Enns | 41 | Rep | Waukomis | 2006 |
| Timothy J. Downing | 42 | Rep | | 2016 |
| John Paul Jordan | 43 | Rep | Yukon | 2014 |
| Emily Virgin | 44 | Dem | Norman | 2010 |
| Claudia Griffith | 45 | Dem | Norman | 2014 |
| Scott Martin (Until May 31, 2017) (R) Jacob Rosecrants (After September 20, 2017) | 46 | Rep then Dem (flipped during session) | Norman | 2017 |
| Leslie Osborn | 47 | Rep | Mustang | 2008 |
| Pat Ownbey | 48 | Rep | Ardmore | 2008 |
| Tommy Hardin | 49 | Rep | Madill | 2010 |
| Marcus McEntire | 50 | Rep | Duncan | 2006 |
| Scott Biggs | 51 | Rep | | 2012 |
| Charles Ortega | 52 | Rep | Altus | 2008 |
| Mark McBride | 53 | Rep | Moore | 2012 |
| Kevin West | 54 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Todd Russ | 55 | Rep | Cordell | 2009 |
| David Perryman | 56 | Dem | Grady County | 2012 |
| Harold Wright | 57 | Rep | Weatherford | 2008 |
| Carl Newton | 58 | Rep | Dacoma | 2016 |
| Mike Sanders | 59 | Rep | Kingfisher | 2008 |
| Rhonda Baker | 60 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Casey Murdock | 61 | Rep | Guymon | 2014 |
| John Montgomery | 62 | Rep | Lawton | 2014 |
| Jeff Coody | 63 | Rep | Faxon | 2014 |
| Rande Worthen | 64 | Rep | | 2016 |
| Scooter Park | 65 | Dem | Rush Springs | 2014 |
| Jadine Nollan | 66 | Rep | Sand Springs | 2010 |
| Scott McEachin | 67 | Rep | Tulsa | 2016 |
| Glen Mulready | 68 | Rep | Tulsa | 2010 |
| Chuck Strohm | 69 | Rep | Jenks | 2014 |
| Carol Bush | 70 | Rep | Tulsa | 2016 |
| Katie Henke | 71 | Rep | Tulsa | 2012 |
| Monroe Nichols | 72 | Dem | Tulsa | 2016 |
| Regina Goodwin | 73 | Dem | Tulsa | 2015 |
| Dale Derby | 74 | Rep | Owasso | 2016 |
| Dan Kirby (R) (until February 4, 2017) Karen Gaddis (after July 20, 2017) | 75 | Dem | Tulsa | 2017 |
| David Brumbaugh (until April 15, 2017) Ross Ford (after November 28, 2017) | 76 | Rep | Broken Arrow | 2017 |
| Eric Proctor | 77 | Dem | Tulsa | 2006 |
| Meloyde Blancett | 78 | Dem | Tulsa | 2016 |
| Weldon Watson | 79 | Rep | Tulsa | 2006 |
| Mike Ritze | 80 | Rep | Broken Arrow | 2008 |
| Mike Osburn | 81 | Rep | Edmond | 2016 |
| Kevin Calvey | 82 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2014 |
| Randy McDaniel | 83 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2006 |
| Tammy West | 84 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2016 |
| Cyndi Munson | 85 | Dem | | 2015 |
| William Fourkiller | 86 | Dem | Stilwell | 2010 |
| Collin Walke | 87 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2016 |
| Jason Dunnington | 88 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2014 |
| Shane Stone | 89 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2014 |
| Jon Echols | 90 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2012 |
| Chris Kannady | 91 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2014 |
| Forrest Bennett | 92 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2016 |
| Mickey Dollens | 93 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2016 |
| Scott Inman | 94 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2006 |
| Roger Ford | 95 | Rep | Midwest City | 2016 |
| Lewis H. Moore | 96 | Rep | Edmond | 2008 |
| Jason Lowe | 97 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2016 |
| Michael Rogers | 98 | Rep | Tulsa | 2014 |
| George Young | 99 | Dem | Oklahoma City | 2014 |
| Elise Hall | 100 | Rep | Oklahoma City | 2010 |
| Tess Teague | 101 | Rep | | 2016 |