Oklahoma lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 legislative session after sending about 500 bills to Gov. Kevin Stitt. Key measures passed this session focused on education, including increased public school funding, early literacy reforms, fentanyl education requirements, and classroom cellphone restrictions. Several high-profile efforts failed, including a Republican push to move Medicaid expansion language out of the state constitution and into statute. Lawmakers also remain divided over Stitt’s vetoes of sunset extensions for agencies and boards, including Oklahoma’s Educational Television Authority, raising concerns about the future of some state programs.
Oklahoma lawmakers failed to place proposed Medicaid expansion changes on the 2026 ballot before the legislative session ended, leaving current protections in place. Republican leaders had pushed for constitutional amendments that would allow the state to scale back Medicaid coverage if federal funding drops below 90%, while Democrats argued the proposals threatened voter-approved healthcare access. Medicaid expansion, approved by voters in 2020 through State Question 802, currently provides SoonerCare coverage to low-income adults, with the federal government covering 90% of the cost.
Oklahoma will launch a new task force on Nov. 1 to study how the state delivers early childhood care, health, and education services. The group, created through House Bill 1979 signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, will explore ways to streamline programs across multiple agencies and improve outcomes for children and families. Supporters say Oklahoma families currently navigate 19 different programs through six agencies, making services difficult to access. After two years, the task force may recommend creating a single agency focused entirely on early childhood services.
Oklahoma officials halted a weatherization assistance program in Oklahoma and Canadian counties after a forensic audit uncovered at least $663,000 in questionable or unallowable costs. Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered the suspension of the program run by the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and directed the Attorney General’s Office to investigate possible legal violations. State officials said whistleblowers first raised concerns about misuse of taxpayer and federal funds, prompting an internal review and third-party audit. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce said no agency employees were implicated and that additional safeguards are being reviewed.
Weekly Wrap Up
View Governor Stitt’s most recent vetoes here.
The House deadline to file interim studies by Friday, June 26, 2026 and the Speaker has until July 24, 2026 to approve or disapprove them. The Senate is still working on their study timeline.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s been eight years, eight sessions. Just got tons accomplished, but more than anything, just really proud of how we’ve protected Oklahoma, protected the taxpayer,” Gov Stitt said reflecting on this past legislative session. “I think it’s important that we protect Oklahoma’s future to make sure that we can do tax cuts in the future. I’ve already done — I’ve got us on a path to zero (income tax) since I’ve been governor. I’ve cut taxes, $1.6 billion. But we want to make sure that Oklahoma taxpayers are protected and some of the core services are protected in Oklahoma. So, we did that.”