Kevin Stitt

Stitt launched Operation SAFE, an initiative in which the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Emergency Response Team cleared an encampment near Food and Shelter in Norman on May 22, 2026. The operation involved the removal of individuals and belongings from the encampment location. Clean-up crews subsequently gathered and disposed of items left at the site.

Stitt launched Operation SAFE, an initiative that deployed the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Emergency Response Team to clear an encampment near Food and Shelter in Norman, Oklahoma on May 22, 2026. The operation involved the removal of items from the encampment site by cleanup crews working in coordination with state law enforcement. The action represented an executive effort to address encampments within the state.

Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2153, which opened certain portions of Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association meetings to the public and eliminated the state statute requiring transfer students to sit out one year from competition after changing schools. The law took effect immediately upon Stitt's signature. The legislation addressed concerns about OSSAA transfer eligibility enforcement by increasing transparency and removing the sitting-out requirement from state law.

Governor Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 1461, which would have extended funding for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority for five years, citing his position that advertisers and viewers rather than taxpayers should support the public broadcaster. The Oklahoma Senate failed to achieve the 32 votes necessary to override Stitt's veto on May 15, 2026, the final day of the legislative session, with 18 Republicans voting against the override. Without Senate passage, the House did not hold a vote on the override, and OETA proceeded toward closure as its state funding authorization expired.

Governor Stitt signed House Bill 3985, the Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act of 2026, into law in May 2026. The legislation permits property owners to seek compensation from local governments if they experience property damage or decreased property values resulting from a pattern or practice of declining to enforce existing laws regarding public camping, panhandling, loitering, and drug use. The act applies only to municipalities with populations of 150,000 or more, with eligibility determined by the most recent Federal Decennial Census, and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Senate Bill 504, which requires all individuals seeking marriage in Oklahoma to be at least 18 years old with no exceptions, became law on May 14, 2026, without Governor Stitt's signature. The legislation repeals existing state law that permitted minors to marry with parental or guardian consent and allowed children 16 or younger to marry with court authorization. The measure takes effect November 1, 2026, making Oklahoma the 17th state to implement a complete ban on child marriage.

Stitt signed House Bill 1168 into law, legislation that makes it a felony to distribute abortion-inducing drugs such as misoprostol and methotrexate to women with knowledge they intend to terminate a pregnancy. The law carries penalties of a fine not exceeding $100,000 and up to ten years in prison, or both, and does not apply to drugs used to treat ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous miscarriage. The measure takes effect 90 days after lawmakers conclude the legislative session.

Senate Bill 504, which passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives in a narrow vote on May 7, 2026, has been sent to Governor Kevin Stitt for consideration. The legislation would establish 18 as the minimum age for marriage in Oklahoma and eliminate existing exceptions that permit minors to marry with parental or judicial consent. Current Oklahoma law allows children 16 and under to be married with court authorization and permits minors to marry with parental consent.

Governor Stitt signed House Bill 1168 into law, which criminalizes the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs such as misoprostol and methotrexate to women seeking to terminate a pregnancy. The measure establishes a felony offense with penalties up to a $100,000 fine and ten years in prison, or both, and becomes effective ninety days after the legislative session ends. The law excludes drugs used to treat ectopic pregnancies or spontaneous miscarriages.

Stitt signed legislation establishing stricter early childhood reading intervention requirements for Oklahoma public schools beginning in the next academic year. The law requires third-graders who score below basic level on state reading tests and fail a second state-approved literacy assessment to be held back from advancing to fourth grade, unless granted an exemption. The legislation creates three tiers of reading instruction support starting in kindergarten, including core lessons, small-group interventions, and transitional classrooms for students who have fallen behind in reading.

Stitt signed House Bill 1276 into law, making Oklahoma's previously temporary school cellphone ban permanent beginning the 2026-2027 school year. The legislation prohibits students from using cellphones and non-school-issued electronic devices such as smart watches and tablets during the school day. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 3075 and sent it to Governor Stitt for approval in May 2026, establishing procedures for cash transactions as penny production was phased out following the federal decision to cease minting pennies. The bill requires cash payments to Oklahoma's state and local governments to be rounded to the nearest nickel, with transactions of 1 to 2 cents rounded down to zero and transactions of 3 cents and higher rounded up accordingly. Stitt's action on the legislation determined whether Oklahoma would adopt this rounding mechanism to address penny shortages created by the cessation of federal penny production.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 3705, sponsored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, which would increase the cap on the state's Parental Choice Tax Credit program from $250 million to $275 million. The bill, which provides tax credits of $5,000 to $7,000 for parents whose children attend eligible private schools, awaits Governor Stitt's approval. The vote proceeded largely along party lines, with Senator Darcy Jech casting the sole Republican opposition.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 1481 into law on Thursday, which doubles Oklahoma's minimum recess requirement for elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade from 20 minutes to 40 minutes daily, with the option to divide the time into two 20-minute periods. The legislation, authored by Sen. Ally Seifried and Rep. Chad Caldwell, also prohibits schools from withholding recess as a disciplinary measure. The bill takes effect in the 2026 school year.

The Oklahoma legislature passed Senate Bill 1439, the Energy Security and Independence Act, which would prohibit residents from filing lawsuits against fossil fuel companies for damages related to climate change effects or greenhouse gas emissions. The bill was authored by Senator Julie Daniels and Representative Anthony Moore and was sent to Governor Stitt for signature in April 2026. The legislation would bar claims for losses stemming from severe weather, infrastructure damage, and other harms attributed to greenhouse gas pollution.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778, known as Oklahoma's 2026 Strong Readers Act, on April 21, 2026, during a ceremony at John Rex Charter Elementary School in Oklahoma City. The legislation allocates $26 million in tax dollars to overhaul Oklahoma's literacy policies and establishes a third-grade retention system. The bill was signed ahead of the Thursday deadline for legislation to pass committee and proceed to floor votes.

Senate Bill 1778, an overhaul of early childhood reading laws, passed the Oklahoma Senate 43-2 on Monday after clearing the House on April 13. The legislation requires third-grade students who score below basic levels on state reading assessments and fail a second state-approved literacy assessment to repeat third grade, with certain good-cause exemptions available, beginning in the 2027-28 school year. Stitt is expected to sign the bill into law at a ceremony in an Oklahoma City elementary school on Tuesday.

Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1177, the state's $12.8 billion budget package for fiscal year 2027, on Thursday following passage by the House on a 76-18 vote and the Senate on a 28-17 vote. The 40-page budget bill was transferred to the Senate at 6 p.m. on April 16 and signed by Stitt a couple of hours later. According to Stitt, the budget agreement established a TaxPayer Endowment Trust Fund and addressed key state priorities including building and protecting Oklahoma's savings.

Stitt, as chairman of the newly created Invest in Oklahoma board, voted on February 17, 2026, to award an investment advisory contract to 311 Capital Management LLC, a firm owned by Bond Payne. Payne previously served as Stitt's chief of staff from 2020 to 2022 and had been a business partner of Stitt. The contract grants the firm advisory authority over more than $2 billion in state pension, endowment, and sovereign wealth fund money.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a $12.82 billion general appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027 on April 9, 2026, by a vote of 76-18 and sent it to Governor Stitt. The budget included a 1.52 percent increase over the previous year's spending, along with $8 million for public education funding, a $2,000 raise to teachers' minimum salaries, and $30 million for rising Medicaid costs. The budget had previously narrowly passed the Senate after being unveiled by Stitt and legislative leaders.

Governor Stitt appointed Tulsa energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill the Oklahoma U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Markwayne Mullin, who was approved to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Armstrong previously served as CEO of Williams Companies and on its board of directors. Stitt stated that Armstrong was selected based on his business experience and knowledge of Oklahoma's energy industry.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 392 into law on March 20, 2026, which extended the sunset date of the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission and restored the commission's operations. The commission had inadvertently been allowed to lapse with a sunset date at the end of 2025 before Stitt noticed the situation during the February 2026 legislative session. The OSMPC, created following the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, works to protect the state's military installations and has participated in several projects that improved Vance Air Force Base.

A federal judge denied Governor Stitt's request to intervene in a lawsuit between the city of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation during a hearing in Tulsa federal court. The case involves a dispute over how the city will handle traffic citations involving tribal members, which the Muscogee Nation sued to address in November 2025. Under a settlement agreement reached between Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation, traffic citations issued by Tulsa Police against tribal members will be handled in tribal court rather than municipal court.

Stitt and Oklahoma lawmakers removed state agency administrative rules that allowed individuals to change sex markers on state driver's licenses through Service Oklahoma. The rules previously permitted sex marker changes upon submission of documentation including court orders for name changes related to physical or psychological sex change due to gender dysphoria. The removal of these administrative rules took effect on Tuesday evening in March 2026.

During the 2026 legislative session, two measures moved through the Oklahoma Senate seeking to reduce gubernatorial authority over state agencies. Senate Bill 1327 would restore to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission the power to hire, fire, and set the salary of the agency's director, while Senate Bill 1430 would grant the board governing the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services the authority to appoint and remove the commissioner rather than the governor. Both bills, if enacted, would reverse powers granted to the governor in previous legislation.

Mustang Public Schools suspended 122 students for participating in a February 5 walkout during the school day protesting ICE, citing unexcused absences after students were instructed to remain in class. Governor Stitt posted on social media stating that the district had properly enforced discipline, writing that while free speech is protected, truancy negatively affects students' futures. The district stated that no students were disciplined based on the content of their speech or viewpoint, and that student safety was the primary consideration in its disciplinary decisions.

The Oklahoma Board of Equalization certified a total authorized budget of $12.1 billion for state agencies in Fiscal Year 2027, slightly exceeding the board's December estimate but representing a decrease of approximately $650 million from the previous fiscal year. Stitt expressed optimism regarding the budget figure available to lawmakers, despite concerns about potential budget shortfalls. The certification occurred at a Board of Equalization meeting on February 13, 2026, establishing the spending limit for the legislature's 2026 legislative session.

Stitt joined Oklahoma to the federal "A Home for Every Child" initiative announced by the Administration for Children and Families, making Oklahoma the first state to participate in the program. The initiative aims to achieve a foster home-to-child ratio greater than 1:1 in every state and was launched following an executive order from President Donald Trump requesting modernization of the child welfare system. The effort includes objectives to recruit and retain safe foster homes, provide new supports for older foster youth, and increase partnerships with faith-based organizations.

Stitt, chair of the National Governors Association, sent a letter to all 55 governors on Wednesday informing them that President Trump was inviting all governors to the NGA Business Breakfast scheduled for February 20 at the White House, stating that Trump had clarified his intention to host a bipartisan event. Trump subsequently posted on Truth Social that Stitt had "incorrectly stated" his position, clarifying that he had excluded Democratic governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado from the invitation. The dispute centered on whether the White House meeting would include all Democratic governors or only a select group deemed acceptable by Trump.

Stitt, who chairs the National Governors' Association, sent a letter to fellow governors on Monday informing them that President Donald Trump planned to invite only Republican governors to the NGA's annual business meeting in Washington, D.C. and a subsequent White House dinner. Stitt announced that the governors' group would withdraw from the White House summit in response to the planned exclusion of Democratic governors. The letter was sent before formal invitations for the NGA's annual meeting had been distributed.

Senate Bill 743, sponsored by State Senator Todd Gollihare, passed the Oklahoma Senate on a 31-15 vote and was sent to Governor Stitt for consideration. The measure is designed to protect places of worship from disruption during religious services. The bill was introduced following incidents of service disruptions at churches in Minnesota and Oklahoma.

In his State of the State address on February 3, 2026, Stitt called for Oklahoma voters to reconsider the medical marijuana industry through a ballot measure designed to shut down the program. Stitt characterized the cannabis market as a threat to public safety during his address. Oklahoma's medical marijuana program, approved by voters in 2018 with 57 percent support, had grown to approximately 4,800 active commercial licenses and generated $47.5 million in tax revenue in fiscal year 2025.

Governor Stitt unveiled his executive budget proposal on February 3, 2026, appropriating nearly $11.4 billion for fiscal year 2027, a decrease from the nearly $12.5 billion appropriated for fiscal year 2026. The budget proposal maintains flat appropriations for most state agencies while allocating $16 million to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to implement a consent decree related to competency restoration services, and $40 million in supplemental and one-time appropriations to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to address federal Medicaid funding reductions. Additional allocations in the proposal include $6.54 million for an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper academy and $1.36 million to replenish the State Emergency Fund.

Stitt, chair of the National Governors Association, issued a joint statement on January 25, 2026, with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calling on the federal government to reassess its immigration enforcement policies. The statement followed the death of a second Minnesotan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and called for federal and state governments to work together to reset strategy on immigration enforcement. Stitt and Moore stated in their joint statement that scenes of violence and chaos resulting from enforcement actions were unacceptable and that the situation demanded thoughtful leadership, coordination, and clarity.

Stitt revised and reissued an executive order on abortion that had been issued in July, following concerns raised by Oklahoma Health Care Authority board members regarding requirements for Medicaid providers to submit signed attestations about abortion-related activities. The initial executive order had directed the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to update its credentialing and contracting procedures to exclude providers or entities that perform, refer for, or are affiliated with the performance of abortions from new or renewed participation in Oklahoma's Medicaid program. The amended executive order was announced by OHCA CEO Clay Bullard during the agency board's January meeting.

Gov. Stitt is expected to advocate during the 2026 legislative session, which begins February 2, for eliminating the $250 million spending cap on the Parental Choice Tax Credit program, according to his press secretary Tevis Hillis. The tax credit program provides $5,000 to $7,500 to families to help offset private school tuition and fees. The Oklahoma Tax Commission confirmed that the program has not yet reached its current spending limit for the 2025-2026 school year.

Stitt declined to grant clemency to Kendrick A. Simpson, a death row inmate convicted of killing two young men in a drive-by shooting in Oklahoma County. The Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 against recommending clemency prior to Stitt's decision. Simpson is scheduled for execution by lethal injection on February 12 at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

Stitt filed a lawsuit in 2022 through then-Attorney General John O'Connor against Kleo, the parent company of ClassWallet, alleging the company failed to prevent mismanagement of $1.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds designated for educational expenses through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton dismissed the allegations against ClassWallet in a ruling issued in January 2026. The lawsuit addressed alleged improper use of federal education relief dollars during the pandemic.

Governor Stitt is expected to advocate during the 2026 legislative session, which begins February 2, for eliminating the $250 million spending cap on Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit program, according to his press secretary Tevis Hillis. The tax credit program provides between $5,000 and $7,500 to families to help offset private school tuition and fees. As of the most recent reporting, the state had not yet reached its current spending cap for the program.

House Bill 1792, the Sentencing Modernization Act of 2024, took effect on January 1, 2026, establishing a uniform classification system for felony offenses in Oklahoma. The legislation organizes more than 2,000 felonies into 14 classes based on severity and sets standard sentencing ranges for certain felonies, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders. The measure was designed to create consistency in sentencing practices across all Oklahoma counties.

The Board of Equalization, which Stitt chairs, approved figures showing Oklahoma's available budget would decrease by approximately 5.6 percent, or $692 million, for the next fiscal year, resulting in approximately $12 billion in available spending. Stitt attributed the reduction to a smaller amount of available cash. The figures approved by the board serve as the basis for Stitt's executive budget proposal, which lawmakers will then use as a starting point for crafting the state's budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Stitt appointed Oklahoma Tax Commissioner Mark Wood to serve as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the agency responsible for managing core state government resources. The appointment marked the third leadership change at OMES in as many months, following David Ostrowe's September appointment to the position and the departure of former director Rick Rose. Dan LaFortune, a longtime Internal Revenue Service official, was designated to replace Wood at the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Stitt made public comments criticizing Trump's efforts to halt wind energy projects, specifically referencing a Rhode Island wind project that was nearly complete. Stitt stated that canceling such projects "looks like politics" and called for allowing businesses to innovate in energy development. Oklahoma ranks third nationally in wind energy production, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1027 during the previous legislative session, which imposed additional requirements on the initiative petition process by mandating that signature collectors visit multiple Oklahoma counties rather than concentrate efforts in high-population areas. The law was challenged in court, with the Oklahoma Supreme Court hearing arguments in November 2025 regarding whether the new restrictions constitute an undue burden on the ballot initiative process. Justice Noma Gurich questioned whether the accumulated procedural requirements would effectively discourage citizens from attempting to place issues on the ballot.

Governor Kevin Stitt granted clemency to death row inmate Tremane Wood in November 2025, commuting Wood's death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Wood had been sentenced to death in 2003 for his involvement in a 2002 botched robbery that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf at an Oklahoma City motel. Wood is the second person in the United States to have a death sentence commuted by a state governor in 2025.

Governor Stitt granted clemency to death row inmate Tremane Wood on November 13, 2025, commuting Wood's sentence to life without parole. The decision came shortly before Wood's scheduled execution and followed a review of the case and consideration of a recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board. This marked the second clemency grant by Stitt during his tenure as governor.

The family of Tremane Wood, a man on Oklahoma's death row scheduled for execution on November 13, 2025, requested clemency from Stitt following a recommendation for clemency from the Pardon and Parole Board. Wood remained under 24-hour surveillance at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester while awaiting Stitt's decision on the clemency request. Stitt held final authority over whether Wood would proceed to execution.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 on November 5, 2025 to recommend clemency for Tremane Wood, who was sentenced to death for the 2002 stabbing of Ronnie Wipf during a robbery at an Oklahoma City motel. The recommendation now requires a decision by Governor Stitt regarding Wood's scheduled execution. Stitt holds authority to grant or deny the clemency recommendation.

Stitt participated in an Oklahoma Contingency Board meeting in November 2025 where the board declared a state of emergency and approved $7 million in state emergency funds for food banks. The allocation was made in response to Oklahomans losing access to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to a federal government shutdown. The contingency board, composed of Stitt, Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, authorized the emergency spending to address the immediate food assistance gap.

The Contingency Review Board, with voting members including Stitt, unanimously approved allocating $1 million per week from a state emergency fund to Oklahoma food banks during a federal government shutdown that disrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding. The funding was approved for up to seven weeks, drawing from the state's $7.8 million emergency fund balance, and would be distributed through the state Department of Human Services to regional and eastern food banks serving the state. The expenditure was contingent on the continued absence of federal food assistance program funding.

Governor Stitt responded to a potential federal shutdown that threatened to cut off over 680,000 Oklahomans from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by calling on nonprofits, food banks, and religious groups to provide assistance. Stitt stated that the state would not use its savings to replace federal program funding at that time. Some Oklahoma legislative leaders subsequently requested that Stitt call a special legislative session to provide emergency state funding for food assistance programs.

Governor Stitt celebrated Senate Bill 889 at a press conference on October 28, 2025, which requires Oklahoma hospitals to post prices for procedures and services online beginning November 1, 2025. The law, authored by Rep. Mark Lepak and Sen. Casey Murdock, mandates that all Oklahoma hospitals publish prices for at least 300 services on their websites and authorizes the Oklahoma State Department of Health to oversee compliance and enforcement. Hospitals that fail to comply with the price transparency requirement are subject to written notice and corrective action plans, with administrative penalties and public disclosure of noncompliance on the department's website if violations persist.

Stitt celebrated Senate Bill 889, legislation authored by Senator Casey Murdock and Representative Mark Lepak that requires Oklahoma hospitals to publish pricing lists for hospital items and services. The law went into effect on Saturday following the Tuesday press conference where Stitt spoke about the measure. The legislation mandates that patients have access to upfront cost information for hospital services, enabling them to compare prices across facilities.

Stitt championed income tax cuts during the 2025 legislative session as a priority for his administration and the Republican supermajority. House Bill 2764, which was signed into law, establishes a top income tax rate of 4.5% for individuals earning more than $2,300 monthly and married couples earning above that threshold. The tax cut legislation took effect on November 1, 2025, as part of a slate of 276 new laws implemented that day.

Stitt announced the expansion of Operation SAFE, a homeless encampment clearance initiative that began in Tulsa, to Oklahoma City on Monday. The operation involves the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation working in partnership with Key to Home, Oklahoma City's public-private partnership addressing homelessness. Stitt stated the expansion followed requests from business leaders and stakeholders based on the operation's results in Tulsa.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority appointed Melissa Miller as state Medicaid director and deputy chief of staff. Miller previously served as chief of policy and provider regulation at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, where she had worked for nearly six years in roles including director of Medicaid behavioral health policy and planning. The appointment followed the transition of her predecessor, Christina Foss, from the position.

State Superintendent Lindel Fields, appointed to the position in October 2025, stated he has no plans to distribute Bibles or implement a biblical curriculum in Oklahoma public schools. Fields indicated he will not defend in court the previous superintendent Ryan Walters' order requiring Oklahoma public schools to teach from the Bible and maintain a copy in every classroom. The reversal comes as a lawsuit filed by 32 Oklahomans with the state Supreme Court challenged Walters' mandate and his attempt to purchase Bibles for schools.

Stitt, chair of the National Governors Association, stated that he opposes the deployment of National Guard troops across state borders without the consent of the receiving state's governor. His position directly contradicted the Trump administration's push to send National Guard units from Texas and other states into cities governed by Democrats, including Chicago and Portland. Stitt distinguished his stance by suggesting that federalizing the National Guard, rather than deploying one state's troops into another, would be an appropriate alternative for federal law enforcement operations.

Stitt declared an environmental emergency in Caddo County following a saltwater purge at Five Mile Creek near Colony and Eakly in September 2025. The declaration authorized the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to use emergency funds for remediation efforts at the contaminated site. The emergency response included digging trenches and pits to collect and divert the fluid away from water bodies, with tanker trucks subsequently hauling away the diverted material to prevent further water contamination.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to propose rules authorizing state and local correctional facilities to utilize cell phone signal jamming technology. Governor Stitt and interim Department of Corrections director Justin Farris endorsed the proposal, stating that cell phone jammers would allow the state to address criminal activity within correctional facilities. The Commission proceeded to accept public input on the proposed rule change.

Stitt appointed Clay Bullard as director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which administers Oklahoma's Medicaid program known as SoonerCare. Bullard's previous positions included service on the Oklahoma Medical Board and as a consulting advisor to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Stitt simultaneously appointed Bullard as chief advisor for health and mental health.

Governor Stitt appointed Clay Bullard as the new director of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority on Friday, replacing Ellen Buettner. Bullard, who will also serve as chief advisor for health and mental health, brings more than 22 years of experience as a healthcare executive to the role. According to a statement from Stitt, Bullard's background in challenging the status quo in healthcare and his policy expertise will guide the state's health and mental health policy direction.

Governor Stitt appointed Donelle Harder to serve as his chief of staff after she was determined ineligible for the position of Oklahoma secretary of state. Harder did not meet a constitutional eligibility requirement for secretary of state that mandates ten years of voter registration in Oklahoma. Stitt subsequently reassigned Harder to the chief of staff role following the discovery of this constitutional constraint.

Stitt appointed Lindel Fields, a retired CareerTech administrator from Tulsa, to the position of state superintendent of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Fields replaced Ryan Walters, who resigned from the position on Tuesday. Stitt announced the appointment alongside the formation of a "turnaround team" composed of officials from across the state to lead changes at the Education Department.

Governor Stitt issued an executive order directing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to implement restrictions on abortion-related activities among Medicaid providers. The OHCA Board voted to table approval of an emergency rule that would have required all SoonerCare providers to submit attestations disclosing engagement in abortion-related activities, including referrals and affiliations. Board members delayed the vote citing concerns about undefined terminology within the proposed rule.

Governor Stitt announced on Monday that undocumented immigrants from at least nine nations were apprehended during a targeted enforcement action involving commercial truck operators on Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted the operation, which focused on identifying commercial truck drivers without valid licenses to operate in Oklahoma. The enforcement effort, conducted as part of Operation Guardian, resulted in the apprehension of more than 140 individuals whose countries of origin included India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania.

Stitt sent a letter alongside ten Republican governors to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration requesting revocation of Planned Parenthood's eligibility in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. The 340B program permits qualifying entities to purchase medications at discounted rates to expand patient services. Stitt's letter cited concerns about program costs and their effect on providers' capacity to deliver consistent care.

Governor Stitt joined ten other Republican governors in submitting a request to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to revoke Planned Parenthood's eligibility for the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. The 340B program allows certain healthcare providers to purchase prescription drugs at reduced rates from manufacturers. In their letter to HRSA, Stitt and the other governors alleged that drug discounts obtained through the program indirectly subsidize abortion services.

The Oklahoma Land Commission voted down two renewable energy leases on state-owned land over the past year, rejecting an ESD Renewables solar project in Payne County in December and a Daily Mill wind project in Woodward County in August, with the votes going against staff recommendations. These rejections resulted in foregone revenue that would have benefited the state's education system, as the Land Office manages a 2.8 billion dollar investment portfolio directed by statute to maximize leases for public education. Governor Kevin Stitt was outvoted 2-1 when commissioners rejected the Woodward County wind lease.

Governor Stitt withdrew Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and Oklahoma Department of Transportation personnel from Tulsa after completing Operation SAFE, a two-week initiative that cleared 64 homeless encampments located on state-owned property. The operation removed approximately 1.86 million pounds of debris during its duration. Stitt stated that the responsibility for addressing homelessness in Tulsa had shifted to local leadership following the completion of the state-led effort.

Governor Kevin Stitt ordered Operation Safe, an initiative to remove homeless encampments along state rights of way in Tulsa, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lieutenant Mark Southall. The operation, which Southall characterized as successful in its first week, involves relocating people living in encampments near highways and interstate systems. Stitt's office stated the operation was intended to move homeless individuals away from dangerous highway locations rather than to address homelessness itself.

Governor Stitt appointed Donelle Harder as secretary of state, David Ostrowe as the state's chief operating officer, and Dustin Hilliary as senior advisor in September 2025. All three appointees brought extensive backgrounds in business and government to their respective positions, with Harder and Ostrowe having served in roles during Stitt's first term and Hilliary having previously served on the Board of State Regents for Higher Education. Stitt stated in a release that the appointments would strengthen leadership and reinforce governance across his administration as he concluded his final year as Oklahoma's governor.

Governor Stitt appointed Oklahoma businessman Dustin Hilliary as senior advisor and chief negotiator with state legislators and elected officials, effective immediately, as part of what Stitt described as three strategic appointments designed to strengthen leadership and operational excellence. Hilliary, co-owner of Hilliary Communications, also serves on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital Trust Authority and the Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority boards, and previously chaired the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Stitt simultaneously named Donelle Harder as secretary of state beginning October 1 and David Ostrowe as chief operating officer and secretary, both effective immediately.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an 8-1 ruling dismissing a lawsuit filed by state Rep. Andy Fugate challenging Stitt's executive order requiring state employees to end remote work and return to in-person work. The court found that Fugate lacked standing to sue because he was not directly impacted by the order. Stitt's directive mandated that all state employees return to office-based work rather than continuing remote arrangements.

Governor Stitt issued an executive order in February 2024 calling for most state employees to end remote work and return to offices or field work sites by February 1. The executive order was challenged in a lawsuit filed by state Representative Andy Fugate, who argued that the legislature should have had input on the decision. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in September 2025 that Stitt's executive order should stand.

Stitt initiated Operation SAFE, a program to remove homeless encampments from state property in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As of mid-September 2025, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol had removed approximately 30 encampments and identified a dozen more for removal, with some camps spanning up to a mile in length and having existed for multiple years. State officials indicated the removal effort would continue on an ongoing basis and could expand to other areas of Oklahoma.

Governor Stitt announced that Operation SAFE, a state initiative launched to clear homeless encampments from highway underpasses, rights of way, and other state-owned properties, will continue with ongoing involvement of Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers in Tulsa. Stitt stated that additional sites would be cleared during the week following his statement and that enforcement actions would be repeated to prevent individuals from returning to cleared locations. Stitt indicated that if individuals do not establish alternative housing, they will be directed away from the targeted areas or move to other cities.

Stitt directed state troopers to clear homeless encampments on state land in Tulsa on Friday morning, with individuals transported to treatment or housing facilities or taken to jail if they refused assistance. The operation, designated Operation SAFE, involved subsequent cleanup of encampment sites by the state. Stitt publicized the enforcement effort across social media platforms beginning Thursday with announcements of his intentions to conduct forced clearances.

Governor Stitt announced the launch of Operation SAFE on Thursday, an initiative directed by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to clear homeless encampments, trash, and criminal activity from state-owned properties within Tulsa city limits. Stitt stated in a press release that the operation was necessary to restore order and safety to the city, noting that homelessness and associated conditions had increased visibly throughout Tulsa. The Governor indicated that if city leadership refused to address the situation, the state would take further action to protect Tulsa residents.

Stitt launched a law enforcement operation in Tulsa to clear homeless encampments, including tent structures and temporary shelters located along highways and throughout the city. The governor instructed the state's Department of Transportation to issue notices to individuals in encampments to vacate the areas. Stitt stated the operation was undertaken due to conditions in the city, citing homeless individuals, accumulated trash, and public safety concerns.

Governor Stitt's office engaged in discussions with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and other state agencies regarding the removal of homeless individuals from bridge underpasses, rights of way, and other state-owned properties in Tulsa. According to multiple sources, the operation was expected to commence within one week of the reporting date in early September 2025. Stitt stated that conversations with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols addressed public safety concerns and indicated that state intervention on state-owned property was a possibility.

Governor Stitt issued a December executive order mandating that Oklahoma state employees return to working in offices rather than remotely. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services compiled data showing that more than 8,500 state employees continued working remotely at least part-time following the order, with agencies citing lack of physical office space as the primary reason for the continued remote arrangements. Different state agencies reported varying compliance levels, with some agencies such as the Oklahoma Corporation Commission increasing remote work percentages between the first and second quarters.

Governor Stitt stated at a FEMA Review Council meeting in Oklahoma City that Oklahoma supports transferring disaster response authority from the federal government to states through block grants with increased flexibility. Stitt criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency's administrative costs and bureaucratic processes, arguing that states have superior knowledge of their own land and people. The governor's statement came as the Trump administration was evaluating potential reforms to FEMA's structure and operations.

Governor Kevin Stitt stated that Oklahoma supports transferring disaster response authority from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to state control, as discussed by the Trump administration. Speaking at an Oklahoma City council meeting in August 2025, Stitt argued that states should receive block grants with flexibility to manage disaster response rather than relying on federal coordination. Stitt characterized state-level disaster management as faster and more efficient than federal responses, citing Oklahoma's local knowledge and resources.

Gov. Kevin Stitt called for the resignation of Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, after Burns pleaded guilty on August 28, 2025, to domestic abuse and assault involving his wife and teenage daughter. Burns received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to complete a 52-week batterer's intervention program, and stepped down from his committee leadership position but remained in elected office. Stitt stated that Burns should resign from the legislature, characterizing domestic violence as a serious crime that demands full-time attention to rehabilitation and reconciliation.

State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd released an audit report questioning millions of dollars spent by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and identified pandemic relief funds designated for housing assistance that were not used as intended. The audit marked the second consecutive year in which Byrd issued critical findings regarding state agency heads appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt, with questioned costs continuing to accumulate across multiple audits of federal grant spending. Byrd stated that the accumulation of questioned costs suggests Oklahoma may be required to repay tens of millions of dollars to the federal government if the identified spending issues are not resolved.

Oklahoma Department of Corrections Executive Director Steven Harpe announced his resignation effective September 30, 2025, to pursue employment in the private sector. Governor Stitt, who appointed Harpe to the corrections director position in October 2022, named an interim director to lead the Oklahoma Department of Corrections during the transition. Harpe had previously served as the state's chief operating officer before his appointment to lead the corrections agency.

Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of Matthew Todd Chesbro as an associate district judge for Tulsa County on Thursday. Chesbro is an Oklahoma native from Stillwater with a career in public service primarily focused on prosecuting violent offenders. Stitt stated that Chesbro would bring experience in criminal prosecution and victim advocacy to the Tulsa County judicial position.

State Superintendent Walters announced an intention to require teachers relocating from progressive states such as California and New York to take an "America First" assessment. The leader of the state agency responsible for teacher assessments stated that implementing such an ideological test would likely contradict Oklahoma state law. The specific assessment and its legal implications remained under review as of August 2025.

Stitt requested that the Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidate an agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation under which Tulsa would decline to prosecute municipal violations against tribal citizens in municipal court, with such prosecutions instead occurring in tribal court. The agreement was established as part of a resolution to a federal court case. Stitt characterized the arrangement as creating two separate systems of justice within the city based on tribal membership status.

Governor Stitt filed a request with the Oklahoma Supreme Court in August 2025 to invalidate an agreement between the city of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation that directs misdemeanor cases involving tribal citizens to tribal court. In his written statement, Stitt stated that no mayor has the authority to determine which Oklahomans are subject to state law and asserted that the agreement created a sanctuary city with two separate justice systems. The Tulsa-Muscogee agreement had been signed in June 2025 to resolve a 2023 federal lawsuit filed by the tribe against the city.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 796 in August 2025, legislation passed by the Oklahoma Legislature that prohibits state higher education institutions from using state funds, property, or resources to support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, programs, hiring practices, or activities. The measure was ceremonially signed with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in attendance. The law eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion policies previously implemented at Oklahoma's public college campuses.

Governor Stitt held a ceremonial bill-signing event at the Oklahoma Capitol on Tuesday to highlight seven measures enacted during the legislative session. Among the bills signed was House Bill 2764, which reduces the state income tax rate from 4.75 percent to 4.5 percent beginning with tax returns filed in 2026 and establishes a "path to zero" income tax collection mechanism. Stitt characterized the legislation as designed to position Oklahoma as a business-friendly state and to provide economic benefits to Oklahoma residents.

Governor Stitt announced Oklahoma's request for a federal waiver to exclude certain junk foods from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as part of the Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Campaign. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Oklahoma's waiver request, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signing the approval alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday. The waiver affects approximately 700,000 Oklahomans who participate in SNAP.

Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 2185, legislation that established the position of public access counselor within the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office to resolve Open Records Act disputes. The bill passed both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature with more than three-fourths majorities, which was sufficient to override Stitt's veto. Under the new law, individuals and public officials denied access to public records now have an alternative dispute resolution process through the public access counselor rather than proceeding directly to court.

Senate Bill 998, passed during the 2024 legislative session, took effect on August 28, 2025, authorizing utility companies to charge consumers in advance for multimillion-dollar power generation projects. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission publicly stated the law contradicted established ratemaking principles and infringed on the Commission's constitutional authority to ensure rates remain fair and reasonable. Governor Kevin Stitt did not sign the bill, instead allowing it to become law without his signature through the legislative process.

Stitt issued an executive order directing state agencies to cease public funding for any individual or organization affiliated with abortion providers. The executive order requires all agencies to immediately stop providing state or local funds to entities affiliated with physicians, medical practices, or organizations providing abortion services or facilitating abortion procurement. A reproductive health advocate characterized the action as affecting Planned Parenthood's participation in Oklahoma Medicaid.

Stitt was elected to serve as chair of the National Governors Association, a bipartisan nonprofit organization that provides policy advocacy and research support to state leaders. In the role, Stitt stated he would focus on what he characterized as "reigniting" the American Dream, citing survey data indicating that approximately 50 percent of Americans believe the American Dream is unattainable. The National Governors Association functions as a policy research and advocacy organization for governors across the United States.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections took ownership of the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility on Friday, July 25, 2025, ending the state's use of private prison contracts. Stitt purchased the facility, now designated Red Rock Correctional Center, from The GEO Group for $312 million, which included 560 acres of property. This marked the third private prison closed during Stitt's governorship.

Stitt and Republican leaders in the Oklahoma Legislature announced a plan to purchase the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, Oklahoma's last remaining privately operated prison, for $312 million as part of a $12.8 billion fiscal year 2025 state budget deal reached in May 2025. The facility, previously operated by GEO Group, has a capacity to house more than 2,500 medium- and maximum-security male inmates and was the largest prison in Oklahoma. The state officially took ownership of the facility on Friday, July 25, 2025.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court placed a temporary hold on Senate Bill 632, which would have established the state's first business court system in Tulsa and Oklahoma City with an effective date of September 1. Governor Stitt had advocated for the legislation, which included a $1,500 filing fee for cases. The court's action followed oral arguments in which justices expressed concerns about the measure's constitutional validity, particularly regarding provisions for judicial retention elections and potential access barriers related to the filing fee.

Governor Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 128, which sought to expand minimum wait times in eviction proceedings in Oklahoma. In his veto message, Stitt stated that the existing eviction procedures were adequate and that the bill would make the eviction process more burdensome. Oklahoma has the sixth-highest eviction rate in the United States, with eviction timelines among the fastest in the nation.

Governor Stitt allowed House Bill 2783 to become law without his signature in 2025, legislation that permits the appointing authorities of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust board to remove members at will and limits board members to seven-year terms. The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, a constitutionally created board overseeing approximately $2 billion in public dollars, filed suit in the Oklahoma Supreme Court on July 1, 2025, seeking to have the law declared unconstitutional and invalid, claiming it threatens the board's independence. The law was scheduled to take effect on August 26, 2025.

Pharmaceutical companies AbbVie and Novartis filed separate lawsuits in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City to prevent implementation of House Bill 2089, which Stitt signed into law in May 2025 after the Legislature passed it over his veto. HB 2089 conditions Oklahoma's participation in the federal 340B prescription drug program on the provision of discounts on certain outpatient drugs to qualifying health care providers serving low-income populations, primarily hospitals and clinics. The pharmaceutical companies contend the state law conflicts with federal requirements governing the 340B program, which has expanded significantly over the past 15 years as a revenue source for hospital systems.

Governor Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 128, legislation that sought to expand minimum wait times in eviction proceedings in Oklahoma. In his veto message, Stitt stated that existing eviction procedures were adequate and that the bill would make the already burdensome process more difficult. Oklahoma currently has one of the shortest eviction timelines in the nation, with the state ranking sixth-highest in eviction rates.

Attorney General Drummond defended Oklahoma's policy that prohibits altering birth certificates to reflect changes in sex assignment, arguing that the state should not be required to change documents that reflect biological facts. The defense was made in response to a case originating in the Tulsa region where transgender plaintiffs sought a court ruling that Oklahoma's policy violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Drummond cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a Tennessee case as potentially instructive for how an Oklahoma case, Fowler v. Stitt, may be resolved.

Governor Stitt signed House Bill 1087 on June 10, 2025, extending Oklahoma's teacher salary schedule to allow annual incremental pay raises for up to 35 years instead of 25 years, and adding one instructional day to the school year for a total of 181 days. The same bill opens the Oklahoma Promise scholarship program to children of classroom teachers with at least 10 years of experience, making them eligible for tuition assistance at public colleges and universities. Stitt also signed Senate Bill 582, which provides matching grants to school districts that have established "Grow Your Own Educator" programs offering undergraduate tuition assistance and loan repayment to aspiring teachers.

University of Oklahoma regents approved a 3% increase in tuition and mandatory fees on Thursday. The decision came one week after Governor Kevin Stitt stated he saw no reason for the state's public colleges and universities to implement tuition increases. OU President Joe Harroz told reporters that the increase was necessary for the university to meet its goals and that some students could see lower net costs despite the higher sticker price.

Governor Stitt signed legislation on Wednesday that increases the Oklahoma school year from 180 to 181 days or by six hours and adds annual step increases to the teacher salary schedule, allowing educators with 22 years of service to earn raises for an additional 10 years. The measure, House Bill 1086, was among several education-related bills passed by the Legislature that Stitt signed. Lawmakers stated the legislation was intended to improve academic outcomes and encourage veteran teachers to remain in the classroom.

Governor Stitt was reviewing two teacher retention bills awaiting his signature before a pocket veto deadline on Saturday. House Bill 1727 would expand eligibility for Oklahoma's OHLAP tuition scholarship program to teachers with at least 10 years of service in Oklahoma schools, allowing teacher families to qualify at income levels up to 700 percent of the federal poverty level. House Bill 1087 would extend step raises for teachers to cover 10 additional years of service beyond the current eligibility period.

Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, which would have expanded insurance coverage for breast cancer imaging and advanced diagnostic tests. The bill, authored by Sen. Brenda Stanley and Rep. Melissa Provenzano, passed with bipartisan support and aimed to promote early detection of breast cancer. The legislature subsequently overrode Stitt's veto, allowing the measure to become law despite the governor's objections.

Stitt signed House Bill 1178, legislation enacted in 2025 that creates penalties for individuals who misrepresent pets as service animals. The law responds to instances in which fraudulently presented animals have interfered with legitimately trained service dogs, with survey data indicating 80 percent of service dog handlers reported encountering poorly trained animals that snapped at or bit their own service dogs. The measure was supported by service dog handlers including Lee Parker, whose service dog Farley assists him with mobility challenges resulting from a 2012 car accident.

Senate Bill 176 passed the Oklahoma Legislature and became law on November 1 without Governor Stitt's signature. The legislation grants insurers authority to cover contraception with the ability to refill six-month prescriptions, expanding access beyond the previous three-month limit for initial prescriptions. The measure allows women to reduce the frequency of pharmacy visits for routine contraceptive refills.

Stitt signed House Bill 2764, legislation that reduces Oklahoma's top income tax bracket from 4.75 percent to 4.5 percent with the stated intention of eventually eliminating the income tax entirely. Stitt described the tax cut as part of what he characterized as one of his most successful legislative sessions during his seven years in office. The governor stated that the measure places Oklahoma on a path toward zero income tax, modeling an approach similar to Tennessee's tax structure.

Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 1137, legislation that would have provided state funding for the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, stating that creating a separate office to prioritize missing persons based on race sends the message that some lives are more worthy of government attention than others. The Oklahoma Legislature subsequently overrode Stitt's veto, allowing the bill to become law and enabling the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to fund the liaison office without waiting for federal appropriations. The office had previously been established under Ida's Law, passed by the Legislature in 2021.

Governor Stitt appointed Gregory Slavonic as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on June 3, 2025. Slavonic, a retired Navy rear admiral, replaced former Commissioner Allie Friesen, whose employment was terminated by lawmakers following investigations into a reported multimillion dollar budget shortfall and allegations of mishandling and misappropriation of funds. Stitt stated that the Department of Mental Health had "long been" in need of reform.

Stitt appointed retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on Tuesday, following the Legislature's vote to remove the previous commissioner. Slavonic previously served as leader of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. The appointment came after former Commissioner Allie Friesen, who had held the position since January 2024, faced investigations and audits related to financial management issues within the agency.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1178, legislation that clarifies service animal definitions under Oklahoma law by specifying that only animals trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities qualify as service animals. The Oklahoma Legislature subsequently overrode Stitt's veto, allowing the bill to become law effective November 1. The legislation establishes penalties for misrepresenting pets as service animals and requires public places that ban service animals to post clear signage and follow federal guidelines.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, legislation that would require health insurance plans to cover contrast-enhanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging. The Oklahoma legislature subsequently voted to override Stitt's veto of the bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano and Sen. Brenda Stanley. Female lawmakers in the legislature issued a statement denouncing Stitt's veto decision.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1137, legislation that would have provided state funding for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's Office of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons. The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted 91-1 to override the veto, while the Oklahoma Senate voted 40-4 to reject it, resulting in an override of Stitt's veto. The bill was authored by State Representative Ronald Stewart, D-Tulsa.

The 2025 Oklahoma Legislature concluded its session on Friday with lawmakers overriding numerous vetoes issued by Governor Stitt, including at least 47 bills that received veto override votes. The final legislative days were marked by acrimonious debate and procedural activity that extended into late evening hours. The overrides addressed various policy areas, including actions related to Stitt's appointed state commissioner of mental health.

Oklahoma legislators voted on May 30, 2025, to remove Allie Friesen from her position as Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services through a resolution forcing her termination. During the same legislative sessions, lawmakers voted to override dozens of vetoes issued by Governor Stitt on bills passed by both the House and the Senate. The override votes proceeded despite public comments from Stitt defending his vetoes and his commissioner.

Oklahoma lawmakers passed a concurrent resolution to remove Commissioner Allie Friesen from her position as head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in May 2025. Stitt had appointed Friesen to the role in January 2024, but the legislature determined that her leadership had become untenable following the disclosure of a $30 million budget shortfall and other financial difficulties within the department. The resolution stated that the Senate and House of Representatives had lost confidence in Friesen's ability to identify, oversee, and manage the department's critical services.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 638, legislation amending the Unfair Sales Act that removes a required 6% markup on groceries, gasoline, medicines, cleaning products, and other merchandise. The law, authored by Sen. Julie Daniels and Rep. Steve Bashore, takes effect November 1 and eliminates state sales tax requirements on groceries and related products for all Oklahoma retailers. The bill passed both chambers of the legislature with nearly unanimous approval.

Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 284, authored by Senator Julie Daniels and Representative Steve Bashore, which amends the Unfair Sales Act by eliminating a state-mandated 6% markup requirement on products sold by retailers. The law takes effect November 1 and applies to purchases of groceries, gasoline, some medicines, cleaning products, and other merchandise. The legislation also creates a misdemeanor crime for selling motor fuel below the cost to the wholesaler, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

Governor Stitt signed House Bill 2563 to reduce Oklahoma's top marginal personal income tax rate from 4.75 percent to 4.5 percent, effective the following year. The legislation also eliminates three tax brackets that previously applied to the state's lowest-income earners and establishes a pathway toward zero income taxes in Oklahoma. Stitt stated the measure would position the state on an economic trajectory to support continued development and increased income growth.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 601, which authorizes the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to approve proposals made by colleges to expand their undergraduate and graduate course offerings and degree programs. The legislation enables college students in the Tulsa area to access a broader range of courses at their institutions. The bill became effective following Stitt's signature in May 2025.

Governor Stitt appointed Mike Tinney of Norman, Chris Van Denhende of Tulsa, Becky Carson of Edmond, and Ryan Deatherage of Kinfisher to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The Senate confirmed these four appointments on Tuesday. The new members replace former board members Katie Quebedaux, Kendra Wesson, Donald Burdick, and Jennifer Monies.

Legislation establishing specialized business courts in Tulsa and Oklahoma City was sent to Governor Stitt's desk in May 2025. Under Senate Bill 254, business court judges would preside over complex cases involving disputes of $500,000 or more, including matters related to business ownership, insurance coverage, securities claims, antitrust regulation, and intellectual property. The legislation represents the first creation of such courts in Oklahoma.

Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1087 in May 2025, legislation drafted by Republican lawmakers that establishes new restrictions on the initiative petition process in Oklahoma. The law limits the number of signatures that can be collected in any single county toward a statewide ballot measure to 11.5 percent of the total votes cast in that county during the last gubernatorial election, and shifts the geographic distribution of petition-gathering away from urban centers toward rural areas. The measure applies to petitions seeking to amend state statutes and those proposing questions for statewide ballot votes.

In December, Governor Stitt issued an executive order directing Oklahoma state agency employees to return to in-office work. According to a first-quarter report, more than one-fourth of the state's approximately 31,000 covered employees continued working remotely despite the order, with most of these employees working at agencies that lacked sufficient office space to accommodate a full return. Stitt directed the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to compile agency responses to the executive order.

Oklahoma lawmakers sent Senate Bill 684 to Governor Stitt in May 2025, legislation that would prevent the names of Oklahomans receiving the state's private school tax credit from being included on a publicly available list of recipients. The bill would also remove individual names already published to the state database of tax credit recipients. The measure had not been signed into law as of the article's publication date.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives rejected a State Department of Education administrative rule on May 21, 2025, that would have required school districts to verify the citizenship status of every student. The rule was defeated alongside Senate Joint Resolution 22, which also rejected five other OSDE administrative rules, in a 90-0 vote. Representative Molly Jenkins, who attempted to restore the citizenship verification provision through amendment, stated the data collection was necessary for school planning purposes including testing, language services, and staffing.

The Oklahoma Senate sent Governor Stitt House Bill 2766, the state's general appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026, on May 22, 2025, establishing a budget framework of nearly $12.6 billion in spending. The measure, which passed by a vote of 26-19, keeps most agencies at flat funding levels while providing targeted increases for education, roads, voting system upgrades, a trooper academy, and rapid DNA testing. Stitt was expected to sign the bill, which also includes a plan to reduce the state's top income tax bracket by 0.25 percentage points and leaves $3.4 billion in budgetary savings.

Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 1029, which effectively dissolved the Oklahoma Funeral Board, the state agency responsible for regulating funeral homes, crematories, funeral directors, and embalmers. The veto left the state's funeral industry without a designated regulatory body unless subsequent legislation established oversight elsewhere. According to the Funeral Board's executive director, no contingency plan was in place to transfer the board's regulatory functions to another agency.

The Oklahoma Senate Education Committee advanced three nominations to the state Board of Education on Tuesday, approving Michael Tinney, Ryan Deatherage, and Becky Carson for two-year terms through April 2027. These three individuals were appointed by Stitt to replace board members that Stitt ousted in February. The confirmations follow legislative debate over the composition of the state education board.

Senate Bill 1047 passed the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday with support only from Republican members and no Democratic votes, establishing new restrictions on the initiative petition process in Oklahoma. The bill would impose limits on the number of signatures that could be gathered in each county to count toward meeting the minimum threshold required for state ballot measures. Stitt received the legislation for consideration following its passage through the legislative chamber.

Stitt appointed Jeffrey Cartmell to head the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and during Cartmell's confirmation hearing before the state Senate's Health and Human Services Committee on May 19, 2025, the potential fiscal impact of proposed federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was discussed. Cartmell stated that if Congress implements a cost-sharing plan requiring states to match federal SNAP funding at a 25 percent rate, Oklahoma could face between $230 million to $480 million in additional annual costs depending on the specific federal approach adopted. The committee approved Cartmell's appointment, which would now proceed to the full Senate for consideration.

Stitt announced a $4 billion aluminum smelting facility to be constructed at the Port of Inola in Northeast Oklahoma through a memorandum of understanding signed with Emirates Global Aluminium in April. The project was part of a broader slate of deals between the Trump Administration and the United Arab Emirates announced in May 2025. The state committed more than $275 million in incentives along with approximately $735 million in projected tax exemptions and offsets to support the facility.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives narrowly passed House Bill 2248, which Stitt received on Thursday, that would increase compensation for individuals exonerated of wrongful convictions. The bill replaces the current $165,000 cap on compensation with a sliding scale of $30,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment or $100,000 per year for death-row inmates. The legislation also provides health insurance and education benefits to exonerees and removes the requirement that claimants not have pleaded guilty to the original or any lesser offense.

During the 2025 legislative session, Stitt vetoed 39 bills, establishing a record for his six years in office. The vetoed legislation included bills that would exempt religious schools from accreditation, remove federal funding requirements for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, and classify aggravated DUI as a felony. Of 253 bills sent to his desk, the 39 vetoes represented 14 percent of the total, doubling the percentage from his previous highest veto rate in any prior legislative session.

Governor Kevin Stitt nominated Chris Van Denhende to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The Senate Education Committee voted to confirm Van Denhende's nomination following a hearing in which senators objected to an email campaign and blog posts targeting the nominee and his family. The committee's three Republican members publicly stated their disapproval of the personal attacks directed at Van Denhende during the confirmation process.

Governor Stitt and legislative leaders reached a budget agreement that allocated an additional $25 million to Oklahoma public schools for the 2026 fiscal year, following a similar increase provided in the previous year. House Bill 1087, which accompanied the funding increase, also extended the minimum school year from 165 to 166 instructional days. The legislation extended the teacher salary schedule by 14 years, allowing public school teachers to receive annual step raises for up to 30 years instead of reaching their maximum salary at 26 years of service.

Stitt announced agreement with legislative leaders on a $12.6 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026 on May 14, 2025. The budget proposal includes a tax cut that reduces the state's top income tax bracket, increased education spending, and funding to purchase a prison. Republican legislative leaders characterized the budget negotiations as successful, while Democratic lawmakers questioned whether the proposal adequately benefits Oklahoma residents.

Governor Stitt announced an agreement with Republican legislative leaders on May 15, 2025, regarding a $12.59 billion state budget for fiscal year 2026 and an income tax reduction. The agreement includes a quarter-point income tax cut to reduce the rate to 4.75 percent and eliminates three tax brackets that previously applied to lower-income Oklahomans. Stitt stated the plan also establishes a pathway toward zero income tax in Oklahoma to maintain the state's competitiveness with surrounding states.

Stitt announced a $12.6 billion state budget agreement with the Oklahoma Legislature that maintains flat agency appropriations and implements income tax reductions. The budget eliminates the bottom three income tax brackets and reduces the income tax rate by one-quarter percent for remaining taxpayers. Stitt characterized the budget as addressing infrastructure needs while supporting business conditions in the state.

On May 14, 2025, Stitt and legislative leaders announced agreement on a $12.6 billion state budget for the 2026 fiscal year that included a tax cut reducing the top income tax bracket from 5.85 percent to 5.25 percent, increased public school funding to $4.86 billion, and funding for a new prison facility. The budget also reduced the number of tax brackets from six to three and included strategic investments for special projects across state agencies. Stitt stated the tax cut was necessary to keep Oklahoma competitive with other states.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 1056 on May 13, 2025, which establishes new training and education requirements for physicians who recommend medical marijuana. Under the law, doctors must comply with initial education and continuing education requirements to be included in the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's registry of approved recommending physicians. Stitt also vetoed legislation related to a task force on the same date.

Stitt vetoed a bill designed to facilitate enforcement of the Oklahoma Open Records Act in May 2025. The veto was among more than two dozen bills rejected by Stitt, many of which became law without his signature. In his veto message, Stitt stated the Legislature should dedicate time to passing income tax cuts rather than creating novelty license plates.

Governor Stitt vetoed legislation introduced by Representative Ronald Stewart in 2025 that would have modified Ida's Law, a 2021 state law requiring the creation of an Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The bill would have removed references to federal funding requirements from the statute, effectively allowing state appropriations to support the office after federal funding failed to materialize over three years. Stitt stated in his veto message that investigative resources should be deployed based on case needs rather than victim identity, and argued the measure would have shifted funding responsibility from the federal government to the state.

Stitt signed legislation banning corporal punishment of disabled students in Oklahoma schools. The law prohibits teachers, principals, and other school employees from using spanking or paddling to discipline students with disabilities. The measure clarifies and expands upon a previous State Department of Education rule that had restricted but not entirely eliminated physical discipline for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

On May 12, 2025, Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 686, which would have created a special license plate benefitting the Oklahoma City Zoo. In his veto message, Stitt stated that the legislature should prioritize passing tax cuts rather than creating novelty license plates, writing that lawmakers needed to "stop monkeying around" and address income tax reduction. Stitt has been actively calling for lawmakers to reduce the state's 3.75 percent income tax rate and find a pathway toward elimination.

Governor Stitt appointed special counsel on Monday to conduct an independent investigation of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services regarding potential abuse, waste, mismanagement, and fraud. The appointment was announced at the same time lawmakers held a hearing at the Capitol regarding financial issues at the department under Commissioner Allie Friesen. The department is also being investigated by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency and State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, legislation that would have required insurance coverage of advanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging tests without additional patient costs. In his veto message, Stitt stated the bill would raise insurance premiums for Oklahomans. Democratic State Rep. Melissa Provenzano announced plans to initiate a veto override of the measure, which had passed with wide legislative support.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, bipartisan legislation authored by Representative Melissa Provenzano and Senator Brenda Stanley that would have required insurance companies to cover contrast-enhanced mammograms and other advanced breast cancer diagnostic tests without patient cost-sharing. The bill would have added these imaging and diagnostic examinations to the list of screenings that insurers must cover at no out-of-pocket cost to patients. Stitt's veto prevented the expansion of insurance coverage requirements for these breast cancer screening methods.

Governor Stitt sought passage of legislation to establish new business courts in Oklahoma, which the House of Representatives advanced before the deadline for third reading of Senate bills. The measure was among several bills that passed the House on Thursday before the 5 p.m. deadline for processing third readings of Senate legislation. The business courts bill, along with enhancements to a Tulsa Race Massacre scholarship program and other measures, proceeded to subsequent legislative stages.

Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, legislation designed to improve access to diagnostic screening for breast cancer by adding contrast-enhanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging to coverage requirements. State Representative Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, announced plans to attempt an override of Stitt's veto. The bill had been introduced in response to breast cancer incidence rates in Oklahoma that exceed the national average.

On May 7, 2025, Governor Stitt vetoed House Bill 1137, legislation that would have provided state funding to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Department within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The bill was designed to amend Ida's Law, which Stitt had signed in 2021 to create the department but had relied on federal funding that did not materialize. In his veto message, Stitt stated that the legislation singled out victims based on race and that investigative resources should be deployed based on case needs rather than the identity of victims.

Stitt vetoed House Bill 1137, legislation authored by Choctaw Freedmen Ronald Stewart that would have amended Ida's Law to allow state funding of a tribal liaison office within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to support investigative efforts for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. The bill received nearly unanimous support from the Oklahoma legislature and was vetoed on MMIP Awareness Day as people gathered at the Capitol to commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous relatives. The measure was intended to address resource limitations in law enforcement coordination on cases involving missing Indigenous persons in a state that ranks second nationally in such cases.

Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1346, legislation authored by Senator Ally Seifried of Claremore, which prohibits students from using cellphones while in school beginning the following academic year. According to Seifried, the cellphone ban is intended to reduce classroom distractions and make learning easier for students. The measure was among numerous bills signed by Stitt during the legislative session.

The Oklahoma Board of Pardon and Parole voted 3-2 on Wednesday against recommending that Governor Kevin Stitt commute the death sentence of John Hanson, who was convicted in the 1999 fatal shooting of Tulsa resident Mary Bowles. Hanson, 61, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on June 14. The board's denial of the clemency recommendation removes a procedural step that could have led to Stitt reducing Hanson's sentence to life imprisonment.

Governor Stitt vetoed HB 1137 on May 6, 2025, a measure that would have amended Ida's Law by allowing the state to fund a liaison position within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to coordinate agency efforts on missing and murdered Indigenous people cases. The bill had passed both legislative chambers by a combined vote of 134-1. Ida's Law, originally enacted in 2021, established the framework for a liaison role contingent upon the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's ability to secure federal funding for the position.

Governor Stitt expressed opposition to a proposed rule by the Oklahoma State Department of Education that would require public schools to ask for proof of U.S. citizenship during student enrollment. The rule would have mandated schools to report to the state the number of students unable to verify U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Republican lawmakers, including State Superintendent Ryan Walters, subsequently filed Senate Joint Resolution 22 to reject the administrative rule, which prevented its implementation.

Stitt vetoed a bill to bolster the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation office dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples cases. The bill sought to modify Ida's Law, which Stitt signed in 2021 to coordinate investigations between state, federal, and tribal authorities on MMIP cases. The OSBI had been unable to secure the federal funding mandated by the original law to establish and staff the dedicated office.

Senate Bill 998 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a 51 to 39 vote and was sent to Governor Stitt for consideration. The legislation, authored by Senators Todd Gollihare and Grant Green with Representative Trey Caldwell, would allow companies to recover construction expenses from consumers before new or expanded natural gas facilities become operational. The bill would also direct the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to accelerate its review process and establish special rates for construction recovery expenses.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 796, authored by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, and sent the legislation to Governor Stitt for consideration in May 2025. The bill would prohibit Oklahoma colleges and universities from using state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion jobs, activities, or programs, and would prevent institutions from requiring DEI statements on applications, disclosure of pronouns, or diversity-related training. Schools would have until July 1, 2026, to comply with the requirements if the bill is signed into law.

Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 128, which would have extended the timeline between eviction trial notice and court date from a minimum of five days to ten days and a maximum of ten days to 15 days. In his veto message, Stitt stated that the bill would make it more difficult for landlords to obtain evictions and that existing state law already provides adequate due process and notice for tenants. The bill had passed both chambers with bipartisan support, receiving 26 to 19 votes in the Senate and 51 to 35 votes in the House.

Stitt signed Senate Bill 139 into law on Monday, implementing a mandatory one-year cellphone ban in all Oklahoma public schools beginning in the 2025-26 school year under a "bell to bell" policy. The restriction applies statewide to all public school districts and becomes optional for individual districts starting in the 2026-27 school year. Oklahoma joins eleven other states that have enacted similar statewide cellphone restrictions in schools.

Governor Stitt called for an outside expert to assume control of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' finances following a financial crisis at the agency. The department faced potential inability to meet its May payroll, prompting Stitt's directive in response to what he described as systemic mismanagement. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert stated in a concurrent statement that the House had taken steps to understand the agency's fiscal needs but acknowledged that the department's financial outlook remained unstable.

Stitt signed the Jail Standards Act, a new state law that mandates yearly inspections and minimum safety standards for county detention centers. The law requires all detention centers to meet minimum health and safety requirements and remain subject to annual inspection by the Department of Health. The legislation permits jails to request temporary waivers from health department visits in cases of hardship such as natural disasters or other emergencies, and took effect immediately upon signing.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 364, which prohibits school personnel from administering corporal punishment—including hitting, paddling, spanking, and slapping—on students with federally recognized and protected disabilities. The bill, which faced debate among House lawmakers, was sent to Governor Stitt for consideration. The legislation modifies existing state law, which previously limited corporal punishment restrictions to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.

A bill named Lauria and Ashley's Law advanced to Governor Stitt's desk in April 2025. The legislation, also known as House Bill 1001, was inspired by the 1999 disappearance of two teenage girls from a murder scene near Welch, Oklahoma. The bill contains provisions requiring individuals convicted of being accessories to murder to serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentences before becoming eligible for parole and preventing them from earning credits to reduce their time served.

Governor Stitt supported the approval of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a proposed publicly funded religious charter school, framing the issue as one of religious liberty and parental choice. Stitt argued that denying the charter based on its religious affiliation would violate the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause. The case, Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, reached the U.S. Supreme Court and exposed divisions within Oklahoma's Republican leadership regarding the role of religion in public education.

Governor Stitt appointed retired special education teacher Becky Carson to fill a vacant seat on the Oklahoma State Board of Education representing the 5th Congressional District. Carson, a resident of Edmond and graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, taught for 30 years, with public records indicating her teaching certificates lapsed in 2023. The seat had remained vacant for more than 16 months following the resignation of the previous board member in May 2022.

The Oklahoma Republican-controlled legislature did not hold a floor hearing on a resolution to reject proposed social studies standards, allowing a deadline to pass on April 29, 2025. The social studies standards had generated controversy over several months, with three State Board of Education members appointed by Stitt—Mike Tinney, Ryan Deatherage, and Chris Van Dehende—raising concerns about the process by which the standards were adopted, including items added hours before the vote. The legislature's inaction allowed the standards, which included a requirement that students recognize "discrepancies in 2020 election results," to remain in place without legislative rejection.

Stitt appointed Rainey Williams of Oklahoma City to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents on April 24, 2025, subject to confirmation by state senators. The Board of Regents oversees the University of Oklahoma, Rogers State University, and Cameron University. Williams brings experience in business, investment, and civic leadership to the position.

Oklahoma lawmakers passed Senate Bill 672 and sent it to Governor Stitt's desk in April 2025 following House floor debate. The bill, authored by Senator Julie McIntosh and Representative Kevin West, would require a governor to provide scientific evidence that a business contributes to disease spread before ordering it closed during a declared pandemic. The legislation would also mandate that the governor provide notice and an opportunity for a hearing before closing businesses classified as nonessential.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 564, sponsored by Senator Julie McIntosh, which limits the governor's authority to close businesses during a pandemic emergency declaration. The bill advanced through the final legislative process on Monday with a 64-14 vote in the House of Representatives. Stitt's signature on the legislation was pending as of April 2025.

Stitt approved parole for a man who served more than 40 years in prison following multiple unsuccessful prior parole requests. The decision came after the prisoner had spent decades incarcerated in Oklahoma's correctional system. Stitt's action resulted in the prisoner's release from custody.

Governor Stitt indicated a preference for a federal-style judicial appointment system over Oklahoma's current tiered appointment process. Stitt made this statement following his appointment of Travis Jett, a private-practice lawyer from Woodward, to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in April 2025, marking his fourth such appointment. The governor's comments occurred as legislative efforts were underway to reshape the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Governor Stitt announced support for Senate Bill 564, legislation that would restrict gubernatorial authority to order business closures during a pandemic. The bill would permit closures only when scientific evidence establishes a connection between specific businesses and disease transmission, and would require governors to allow appeals from businesses deemed nonessential or facing threats to public health. If passed by the House, the legislation would proceed to Stitt's desk for consideration.

Stitt made his fourth appointment to the Oklahoma Supreme Court through the state's Judicial Nominating Commission process. Stitt stated that while the 15-member commission has mostly functioned adequately, he expressed concerns about the system, specifically noting that candidates receive only approximately 20-minute interviews conducted in a single day. Stitt indicated a preference for the federal government's judicial appointment process, citing issues with the closed-door nature of interviews and the confidentiality of commissioner votes, which are kept secret to maintain the appearance of remaining apolitical.

Stitt appointed Travis Jett, a lawyer from northwest Oklahoma, to serve as Oklahoma's newest Supreme Court Justice. Jett's prior experience includes legal work in agricultural interests, religious liberty cases, and opposition to Medicaid expansion, though he has not previously served as a judge. The appointment occurred amid ongoing legislative efforts to reform Oklahoma's judicial selection process.

Governor Stitt announced on Monday that he would appoint a special investigator to examine the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services following concerns raised by Commissioner Allie Friesen. The announcement followed reports that three large Tulsa-area mental health service providers had their state contracts canceled and subsequent notices of errors from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. Stitt stated that Commissioner Friesen's review had identified problems at the department requiring special attention.

The Oklahoma Senate passed House Bill 1349, legislation designed to trigger incremental reductions to the state's personal income tax with the stated goal of reaching zero income tax over time. The bill proposes providing Oklahoma taxpayers with a 0.25 percentage point cut in income tax annually, but only in years when the state realizes an increase in revenues of at least $400 million. Stitt has previously advocated for a gradual reduction and eventual elimination of the state's income tax and the bill is now headed to his desk for final consideration.

Stitt created a working group to review the state's fire fighting strategies following a dispute with the Oklahoma Forestry Services regarding their response to a March 14 fire event. The governor removed agency leadership and stated that forestry officials did not deploy equipment and personnel correctly, with many resources remaining in the Forestry Services Protection Area in eastern Oklahoma. Stitt accused the Forestry Services of obfuscation and insubordination in a statement released on Tuesday.

Following destructive wildfires in Oklahoma in March 2025 that killed four people and damaged over 500 homes, Stitt called for the state Forestry Services division to be shut down and criticized the agency's response to the fire outbreak. State officials at the Forestry Services and other state agencies responded by pushing back against Stitt's calls for disbanding the division. The incident occurred after hurricane-force winds on March 14th sparked hundreds of fires across the state, including a fire that damaged a farmhouse owned by Stitt.

Governor Stitt proposed dissolving the Oklahoma Forestry Services division following the March 2025 wildfires that spread across the state. Stitt criticized the Oklahoma State Forester's response to the fires and stated he believed the agency had withheld resources during the emergency, though he did not identify specific resources when asked. The governor characterized the agency as a "deep-seated bureaucracy" and cited inability to obtain answers about the location of assets during the fires as justification for considering the dissolution.

Stitt issued an executive order directing state agencies to remove what he characterized as barriers between church and state in Oklahoma. The order was announced in April 2025 and cited three U.S. Supreme Court decisions—Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, Espinoza v. Montana, and Department of Revenue—as constitutional basis for the directive. The order came as oral arguments were scheduled regarding the constitutionality of Oklahoma's state-funded religious charter school.

Stitt praised the findings from DOGE-OK's first report, which identified nearly $160 million in what the report characterized as wasteful health grants from the federal government. The report identified waste in programs including infectious disease surveillance, wastewater testing, data modernization, and pathogen tracking, as well as programs addressing diabetes, newborn hearing identification, and sexual risk avoidance education. Stitt cited the report as evidence of state employee headcount reduction relative to Oklahoma's population increase during his tenure.

Governor Stitt removed Oklahoma Division of Forestry Director Mark Goeller following the March 14-16 wildfires that resulted in four deaths and destroyed more than 500 homes. Stitt stated that the Forestry Service did not perform to standards during the disaster response. Goeller subsequently denied the allegation, asserting through social media that nothing was withheld as events unfolded during and after the fires.

Governor Stitt issued an executive order on April 2, 2025, directing state agencies to cease enforcement of certain laws that he characterized as conflicting with religious freedom protections. The order was issued amid a dispute with Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond regarding state funding for religious schools, specifically a Catholic virtual charter school. Stitt's directive followed Drummond's U.S. Supreme Court case opposing taxpayer-funded religious school programs.

Governor Stitt forced out Oklahoma Division of Forestry Director Mark Goeller following the March 14-16 wildfires that killed four people and destroyed over 500 homes, stating the Forestry Service did not perform to standards during the disaster. Goeller subsequently denied the allegations, asserting that nothing was withheld as events unfolded and that he was falsely accused of not performing duties necessary to protect life and property in a timely manner. The termination occurred after Stitt attributed the agency's response to inadequate wildfire management during the emergency.

On March 26, 2025, Governor Stitt attributed the departure of Oklahoma State Forester Mark Goeller to inadequate wildfire response, stating during a press conference that he did not believe the forestry department performed adequately during a major wildfire event. Goeller's position was vacated following a period in which Oklahoma experienced more than 100 wildland fires earlier that month. The departure prompted reactions from local firefighters who had worked with Goeller during the wildfire response efforts.

Stitt accepted the resignation of Oklahoma State Forester Mark Goeller, who had served in the position since 2018 and with Oklahoma Forestry Services for nearly four decades. Stitt stated at a news conference that Goeller's departure was related to the state forestry department's response to wildfires that occurred earlier in March 2025. The resignation occurred amid criticism from Stitt regarding wildfire response efforts, though many current and former Oklahoma firefighters disagreed with the governor's assessment of the department's performance.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters distributed more than $600,000 in end-of-year bonuses to Department of Education staff in 2024, with most employees receiving an amount equal to 2.5 percent of their annual salary, averaging $1,600 per person. Several staff members received significantly higher bonuses, including Chief Policy Adviser Matt Langston, who received nearly $45,000 in January 2024. The bonuses were coded as regular pay on payroll records submitted to the state's transparency website.

Following devastating wildfires that burned more than 170,000 acres across Oklahoma in mid-March 2025, Governor Stitt announced the removal of State Forester Mark Goeller from his position. Goeller had served as Oklahoma's State Forester since 2018 and held approximately 40 years of forestry experience. Stitt stated that he was dissatisfied with the agency's response to the wildfires, which resulted in four deaths, hundreds of injuries, and destruction of more than 400 homes.

Sen. Dave Rader authored Senate Bill 305, which would establish a flat 4.75% income tax rate in Oklahoma beginning in tax year 2025. The bill passed the Oklahoma Senate and advanced to the House. The legislation would also double the standard deduction for individual filers and increase standard deductions for couples and heads of household.

Governor Stitt announced a ban on the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek from all state-owned devices, including laptops, desktops, mobile phones, and tablets. The ban was implemented based on security concerns, specifically that DeepSeek collects extensive user data including chat history, uploaded files, and IP address information that is stored in China. Stitt stated the action was taken to prevent foreign adversaries from accessing state information and to protect Oklahoma data.

Stitt signed House Bill 4156 into law, which established a state crime designated as "impermissible occupation" related to immigration enforcement. The Trump administration's Department of Justice withdrew its federal lawsuit challenging the legislation, allowing the measure to take full effect. The law enables Oklahoma to conduct broad state-level immigration enforcement actions.

Governor Stitt filed a motion seeking dismissal of a civil lawsuit between the Muscogee Nation and the City of Tulsa involving traffic citations. Stitt's attorneys argued the case should be dismissed because the state was not named as a defendant in the original filing. The state claimed it is entitled to sovereign immunity from prosecutorial decisions under existing legal doctrine.

The Trump Justice Department dropped a lawsuit that had been filed during the Biden administration challenging Oklahoma's House Bill 3194, a state law signed by Governor Stitt in April 2024 that authorizes state and local law enforcement officers to arrest individuals for being in the country illegally. The law defines the offense as "impermissible occupation," with violations punishable by fines of up to five hundred dollars, up to one year in jail, or both. The federal government's withdrawal of its legal challenge removes the primary obstacle to the law's implementation in Oklahoma.

State Representative Andy Fugate filed a lawsuit against Governor Stitt challenging a return-to-office order issued by the governor for state employees. Fugate argued that Stitt lacked authority to issue the order without legislative authorization, contending that only the legislature holds exclusive responsibility for determining state employee duties. After Oklahoma County District Judge Brent Dishman denied Fugate's request to block the executive order, Fugate announced plans to appeal the dismissal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Governor Stitt called for a state audit of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in March 2025, citing potential financial mismanagement that may have occurred over multiple years. Stitt stated that the mismanagement might have created a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall that could force lawmakers to address funding gaps in the current fiscal year. Stitt requested that State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct a comprehensive audit after the department's commissioner raised concerns about patterns of financial mismanagement dating back several years, which had already prompted some staff resignations including that of the department's chief financial officer.

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced a legislative response to Oklahoma State Board of Education members' concerns about their inability to influence meeting agendas, which are controlled by the state superintendent of public instruction. House Bill 1841, sponsored by Representative Ronnie Johns, would allow any two board members to place an item on the agenda for State Board of Education meetings. The measure passed the House Education Oversight Committee with a 9-0 vote.

Following complaints from the Oklahoma State Board of Education regarding the state superintendent's control over board operations, Governor Stitt endorsed House Bill 1491, which was amended to allow board members in addition to the state superintendent to place items on meeting agendas. Stitt stated on March 5, 2025, that no single board member should unilaterally control the board, particularly given its direct impact on student outcomes. The House Education Oversight Committee unanimously approved Johns' amended bill, advancing it toward a potential full House vote.

State Superintendent Walters made a second request to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond for a formal legal opinion regarding the potential impact of a February 19 presidential executive order prohibiting undocumented people from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits on federally funded school programs in Oklahoma. Walters sought clarification as to what steps the State Department of Education should take to achieve compliance with the order. Attorney General Drummond declined Walters' first request on the grounds that his office lacks jurisdiction to opine on federal executive actions.

Stitt requested a special audit of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on March 5, 2025, directing the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector's Office to examine the agency's spending over the preceding five years. The request followed disclosures by ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen regarding concerns about how taxpayer funds were being allocated within the state Medicaid program. Stitt stated the audit was initiated in response to what he characterized as troubling facts brought to light by the commissioner.

Stitt supported amendments to House Bill 1491 that would allow any two State Board of Education members to place items on board agendas through written request. The bill, originally written by Rep. Ronny Johns to address teacher license revocation, was substantially revised with new language addressing agenda-setting procedures. The measure passed through the House Education Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025.

Tulsa Community College indicated it would seek authorization for its first two bachelor's degree programs in nursing and early childhood education if House Bill 2854 becomes law. The legislation would repeal statutory geographic and course-level limitations on Oklahoma's public institutions of higher education, with most restrictions specific to Tulsa. Governor Kevin Stitt's signature would be required for the bill to become law.

Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order to end most remote work arrangements for state employees. A Democratic state lawmaker from Del City, Representative Andy Fugate, challenged the order in court with his attorney Richard Labarthe, arguing that Stitt had exceeded his authority and that any such order should originate from the Legislature. Oklahoma County District Judge Brent Dishman dismissed the lawsuit on Monday, allowing the executive order to remain in effect.

The Oklahoma Senate voted to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 100, a consent decree to resolve the class-action lawsuit Briggs v. Friesen filed in 2022 in Tulsa federal district court. The settlement addresses claims that the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services violated the due process rights of incarcerated individuals judged incompetent to stand trial who were held in custody for extended periods without receiving treatment. The consent decree was finalized following passage through both chambers of the legislature.

Stitt appointed John Budd as chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Budd previously served as the state's chief operating officer during Stitt's first administration and more recently worked as chief operating officer of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Stitt also announced the appointment of Deborah Moorad, an Oklahoma City businesswoman, as secretary of commerce.

Governor Stitt issued an executive order ending remote work for state employees. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton publicly stated their agreement with Stitt's decision. A lawsuit filed by a Democratic state lawmaker from Del City challenged the governor's authority to implement the remote work restriction through executive order rather than legislative action.

Stitt assigned Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton to implement state-level immigration enforcement in Oklahoma in November following the general election. The enforcement initiative, known as Operation Guardian, officially began operations in February 2025 through partnerships between state law enforcement agencies and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Tipton outlined the details of the state-federal immigration enforcement coordination at a press conference on February 25, 2025.

The Oklahoma Department of Education initiated a vendor search to purchase supplemental instructional materials containing Bible-infused character lessons for elementary students. The bid documents specify that materials must include age-appropriate biblical content demonstrating how biblical figures influenced the United States, along with instruction on virtues, significant historical events, and key figures in Oklahoma history. This procurement effort proceeded while a separate court case addressed the department's prior initiative to purchase Bibles for classroom use.

Governor Stitt announced that Oklahoma's three major law enforcement agencies—the Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control—signed memoranda of understanding with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the federal immigration code. The agreements authorize state law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws within the state. Stitt stated in a press release that the agencies would work directly with ICE to assist in keeping dangerous criminals off Oklahoma streets and enforcing the rule of law.

A Democratic state lawmaker from Del City filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging an executive order issued by Governor Stitt in December that directed state employees to end remote work arrangements and return to offices or field locations. The lawsuit asserts that Stitt exceeded his authority in issuing the order, which affected thousands of state workers whose remote work arrangements had been established during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. According to the lawsuit, the decision to implement or discontinue remote work across state agencies should have been left to the state legislature to determine.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission opened the application window for the second year of the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program on Tuesday, receiving more than 31,000 applications by that date. The tax credit provides families with $5,000 to $7,500 per student for private school expenses and up to $1,000 for homeschool expenses, with priority processing for applications from families with Federal Adjusted Gross Income of $150,000 or less through April 19. The state increased the program's funding cap from $150 million to $200 million for the current year.

Stitt appointed businessman and economist Marc Nuttle as senior adviser of the Oklahoma Division of Government Efficiency in February 2025. Nuttle began the position immediately with a directive to submit a report to Stitt by the end of March outlining agency budgets and recommending changes. Stitt stated his commitment to reducing the number of state employees and stated that the state had ceased agency contracting with lobbyists and outside public relations firms.

Stitt announced that the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services implemented a policy banning employees from using pronouns in their email signatures. According to Stitt's statement in a Newsmax interview, the policy resulted in five employees resigning from the agency. Stitt publicly commented on the resignations through social media and cable news appearances.

The Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Committee passed House Concurrent Resolution 1002, a consent decree addressing a class-action lawsuit brought by individuals found incompetent to stand trial against the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The committee's approval occurred without dissent on Thursday. The full House is expected to consider the measure as early as the following week.

Governor Stitt defended his proposed income tax cut during a Board of Equalization meeting on Friday, presenting the state's financial situation on a dry-erase board to explain his position on the plan's feasibility. The board approved revenue estimates of $12.36 billion for fiscal year 2026, representing a decrease of $118 million from the previous fiscal year's appropriations. Stitt continued to advocate for the tax cut despite the board's findings of declining revenues.

Stitt replaced the majority of the Oklahoma State Board of Education's appointed members, stating that "our education infrastructure has fallen prey to needless political drama." This action represented a direct response to tensions with State Superintendent Ryan Walters regarding the direction of the state's education system. The replacements altered the composition of the board that oversees education policy in Oklahoma.

Stitt announced he will not approve new administrative rules passed by the state education board requiring schools to count unauthorized immigrant students enrolling in Oklahoma schools. At a February 12 news conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Stitt stated the rules were "unbelievable" and criticized State Superintendent Ryan Walters for the policy. Stitt replaced three state education board members this week, citing the new administrative rules as one of the reasons for the personnel changes.

Governor Stitt announced on Tuesday the replacement of three of the Oklahoma State Board of Education's five appointed members, retaining board member Sarah Lepak while replacing Donald Burdick and Katie Quebedeaux. Stitt stated that the department had generated excessive headlines while failing to achieve adequate progress, citing disappointing NAEP reading scores released that month. State Superintendent Ryan Walters responded by characterizing the action as part of efforts to refocus the education infrastructure on core objectives rather than political controversy.

Stitt announced the removal of three members from the State Board of Education on Tuesday, citing Oklahoma's low national test scores and what he characterized as "needless political drama." The three removed members were Donald Burdick, Katie Quebedeaux, and Kendra Wesson, who were replaced by three nominees. The two remaining board members, Sarah Lepak and Zach Archer, had been absent from the board's previous meeting and had previously raised objections to State Superintendent Ryan Walters' initiatives including classroom Bible requirements and Tulsa Public Schools reporting mandates.

Governor Stitt proposed reducing Oklahoma's state income tax rate by half a percent, with calculations indicating the measure would cost the state $600 million annually. Legislative leaders from both parties expressed reluctance to advance the proposal, citing concerns about the fiscal impact given the state's $300 million budget shortfall and existing reserve constraints. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton stated he did not want to use state savings to fund a tax cut and preferred a recurring revenue source for any income tax reduction.

During his 2025 State of the State address, Stitt renewed his call to cut state income taxes and highlighted business-friendly policies he attributed to Oklahoma's economic strength. Stitt stated that entrepreneurs created over 31,000 new jobs in the state over the past year, though federal labor statistics indicated that 22,500 of those jobs were in the private sector, with the remainder in government employment. Stitt also cited a $20 billion data center investment announcement across eight central U.S. states including Oklahoma, and noted that neighboring states including Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, and Louisiana have reduced their income tax rates, positioning them lower than Oklahoma's rates.

Governor Kevin Stitt announced the rollout of Operation Guardian on Wednesday, a deportation program targeting individuals in Oklahoma's state prisons and local county jails who are in the country illegally. The initiative will be led by Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton and will employ multiple strategies to identify undocumented immigrants held for criminal violations. Identified individuals will be removed from local and state facilities and transferred to federal custody for eventual deportation proceedings.

Stitt outlined an executive budget proposal that calls for reducing state spending by more than one billion dollars to accommodate a half-point reduction in personal and corporate income taxes. The budget proposal maintains agency budgets at current levels while eliminating one-time spending authorized by the legislature and includes an amnesty program allowing Oklahomans to pay past-due taxes without penalty. Stitt indicated plans to reduce the state workforce and announced the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency, styled as DOGE-OK.

Stitt delivered his seventh state of the state address on February 3, 2025, proposing tax cuts and a government efficiency plan aligned with the Trump administration's priorities. Stitt stated that Oklahoma's economy had improved and budget reserves were growing, citing this as evidence that the state could reduce spending and lower taxes while maintaining fiscal discipline. The governor indicated his intention to coordinate Oklahoma's fiscal agenda with the incoming Trump administration in Washington.

Stitt proposed a substantial income tax cut featuring a 0.5-percentage-point reduction in individual and business income tax rates, projected to result in a $240 million revenue loss for the state in fiscal year 2026 beginning July 1. The proposal would be funded primarily through the state's cash reserves rather than new revenue sources. The executive budget outline presented these priorities to the legislature, which would determine final appropriations over the following two weeks.

Stitt announced during his State of the State Address that he plans to pursue a half percentage point cut to both individual and business income tax along with establishing a pathway to zero income tax. He labeled this agenda "A half and a path" as his focus heading into the 2026 legislative session. Stitt also launched an initiative called DOGE-OK intended to increase government efficiency in the state.

On January 30, 2025, the Governor's Office disputed an independent fiscal projection regarding a proposed half-percent personal income tax cut, claiming the Oklahoma Tax Commission estimated the fiscal impact at approximately $202 million for fiscal year 2026 rather than the $660 million projected by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Meyer Siegfried, a spokesman for Stitt, stated the independent think tank's projection did not account for key economic indicators such as population migration to Oklahoma. Stitt announced plans to urge lawmakers to further reduce Oklahoma's personal income tax rate from its current level and to eliminate the state's corporate income tax rate during the upcoming legislative session.

Governor Stitt proposed reductions to Oklahoma's state and corporate income taxes during the 2026 legislative session. The Oklahoma Tax Commission, under Stitt's administration, estimated that a half percent personal income tax cut would reduce state revenue by approximately $202 million for fiscal year 2026. This estimate differed significantly from a projection of $660 million in lost revenue provided by an independent think tank.

Governor Stitt announced that he will review cases of undocumented immigrants serving sentences in Oklahoma correctional facilities on an individual basis to determine whether to commute sentences to allow for deportation. Stitt stated that the review process would balance victim rights and public safety with the goal of reducing taxpayer costs associated with incarcerating undocumented individuals. The governor indicated that commuting sentences would not mean undocumented immigrants would escape serving their sentences or avoid accountability for their crimes.

On January 29, 2025, Governor Stitt announced plans to urge the Oklahoma legislature to reduce both personal income and corporate tax rates by half a percentage point during the upcoming session. Stitt stated his longer-term goal of eliminating the state's 4.75% personal income tax rate in future legislative sessions. The announcement came as legislators prepared to begin a session with reduced revenue availability, following the elimination of the grocery tax and other recent tax reductions.

In 2021, Stitt issued an executive order that prohibited the Oklahoma State Department of Health from amending sex designations on state-issued birth certificates, reversing a previous policy that had allowed an estimated 100 transgender individuals to obtain amended birth certificates between 2018 and 2021. A federal appeals court case challenging Stitt's policy was sent back to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma in Tulsa in June 2023, with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the state had no real interest in maintaining the policy. The case involving transgender plaintiffs from the Tulsa region may proceed to the U.S. Supreme Court for further review.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on January 22, 2025, that Attorney General Gentner Drummond could not assume control of a lawsuit filed by four Oklahoma tribes challenging gaming compacts that Stitt had negotiated with four other tribes. The court determined that Stitt, as governor, possessed statutory and constitutional authority to represent the state's interests in the underlying case and to select counsel for his position. The decision established that while the attorney general is authorized to represent the state in litigation, the attorney general does not possess complete dominion over all litigation involving state offices when the governor has already retained separate counsel.

Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters filed a lawsuit against three federal agencies responsible for immigration enforcement in Oklahoma City federal court, claiming that the federal government's border security practices have imposed financial burdens on Oklahoma schools. The lawsuit, filed by Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, seeks judicial ordering of federal reimbursement to the state for costs associated with educating immigrant children, though no specific dollar amount is specified in the complaint. Walters characterized the federal government's actions as a "repeated failure" to secure the nation's southern border.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt directed the state's Military Department to develop a plan for re-establishing the Oklahoma State Guard, a state-level civil defense force that would operate under the governor's exclusive authority and remain deployable only within Oklahoma's borders. Unlike the Oklahoma National Guard, which shares authority and funding with the federal government, the proposed Oklahoma State Guard would be funded and controlled entirely by the state. The effort seeks to revive a state guard law that has existed on the books but has not been funded or organized since the 1970s.

Stitt appointed Brian Bingman, his former secretary of state, to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the state's oil and gas, utility, and transportation industries. Bingman was sworn in on January 13, 2025, by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Dana Kuehn in a ceremony at the state capitol. The appointment filled a vacancy on the three-member commission responsible for regulatory oversight of Oklahoma's energy sector.

Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Brian Bingman to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, and Bingman was sworn into office on Monday in a ceremony at the Oklahoma Capitol's Supreme Court courtroom. Bingman, a former Sapulpa mayor and Republican, replaced Bob Anthony, who retired after serving 24 years on the commission and holding the position of chairman multiple times. The Corporation Commission is a three-member body responsible for setting utility rates for electricity and natural gas, regulating oil and gas resource development, and overseeing trucking, fuel station, and pipeline operations.

Governor Stitt posted on social media in January 2025 outlining a "Classrooms to Careers" initiative that would require Oklahoma high school graduates to be accepted to college, enroll at a CareerTech institution, or join the military in order to graduate. In a subsequent statement, Stitt elaborated that he was considering making such a requirement mandatory, stating that students would need to have "some kind of plan post-graduation" and be accepted into one of the three pathways. The proposal generated backlash on social media platforms.