Several new Oklahoma laws took effect on January 1, including a major sentencing reform that creates uniform felony classifications and standard sentencing ranges across the state. Supporters say the change will reduce disparities between counties and bring more consistency to criminal penalties, while imposing harsher consequences for repeat offenders. Other new laws raise adoption tax credits, increase requirements and fees for notaries, and change lighting rules for wind turbines. A separate policy restricting food stamp purchases of candy and soft drinks was delayed until mid-February to give retailers and recipients more time to adjust.
Oklahoma’s prison population has increased for the third straight year, rising 1.7% from 2024 to 2025 to more than 23,000 inmates.The growth is largely tied to tougher sentencing laws, even as property and violent crime rates decline and arrest numbers stay about the same. Longer sentences and slower release rates are adding strain to state resources and prison costs. Lawmakers are now looking to reduce inmate numbers through a new sentencing reform bill aimed at low-level offenses.
U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin traveled to the Middle East to encourage foreign leaders and investors to consider Oklahoma for major energy and manufacturing projects. He highlighted the state’s strengths, including affordable and reliable energy, a central location, and established transportation infrastructure. Mullin said conversations focused on partnerships in areas like oil, fracking, and large-scale manufacturing investments. He described the trip as an effort to proactively market Oklahoma and bring long-term economic growth to the state.
The Choctaw Nation has been selected as one of two new federal testing sites for drone and unmanned aircraft technology, marking the first such designations in nearly a decade. The site will help evaluate the safety, operations, and navigation of drones before wider use in U.S. airspace. Tribal leaders say the designation comes as federal officials move toward allowing drones to fly beyond an operator’s line of sight, which could greatly expand commercial and public safety uses. The testing is expected to generate data and best practices to support broader, large-scale drone deployment.
Weekly Wrap Up
Upcoming Deadlines
Senate
01/13:
Deadline for information to Analysts, 12:00pm
Closes All requests “Pending Further Information,” 4:00pm
01/14:
Final draft revisions due to Analysts by Senators, 4:00pm
01/15:
Final approval due to Analysts for filing, 1:00pm
Bill Introduction Deadline, 4:00pm
House
01/15:
Deadline for Minor Redraft Requests, 10:00am
Deadline for Filing of Bills and Joint Resolution, 4:00pm
To see the full legislative calendar, click the link to view the House Calendar and Senate Calendar.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“When we’re out there talking, we’re representing Oklahoma. I mean, I’m a senator from Oklahoma, right? So, we’re going to constantly be looking at Oklahoma,” Senator Markwayne Mullin said regarding his recent trip to Bahrain, Qatar and Azerbaijan. “When we talk about armed services, the armed services go there, but relationship building is what it’s all about. And so it’s more than just arms sales, you know. When we’re talking about a $1.4 trillion investment from the Qataris, it’s not…it’s not just buying F-35s, it’s–that investment means we’re going to invest back into the United States. And almost every time they talked about that, that’s talking about manufacturing.”