OPINION/COLUMN
The House spent this past week doing exactly what Oklahomans elected us to do, debating legislation, casting votes and moving bills through the process. On Wednesday night, House members stayed late into the evening to finish action on legislation and make sure every measure received consideration before constitutional deadlines arrived.
The Oklahoma Legislature officially adopted a resolution to Sine Die on Thursday, May 14. We adjourned to the call of the chair on Thursday, May 7, after completing action on all remaining legislation before that deadline. There is still a possibility we could return next week to consider legislation from the Senate, as the clerk’s desk will remain open. If there are no additional measures the Legislature chooses to act on, the Legislature will automatically Sine Die on May 14.
While the House continued working late into the night to move bills forward, it was disappointing to see the Senate end its work early while many good measures remained waiting to be heard. Several bills that passed the House deserved final consideration and never received it.
Two measures in particular stand out to me. Senate Bill 640, which would require all licensed medical marijuana businesses to remove or lawfully dispose of all surface trash, debris, waste and substances occasioned by their operations from the vicinity of the operations and the businesses must keep premises free and clear of such waste.
This bill did not make it across the finish line after portions of the legislation were not heard in the Senate. While that is frustrating, I remain committed to continuing this work next session because transparency and accountability in this area matter to Oklahoma families.
Another important measure still waiting is Senate Bill 740 by Sen. Chris Kannady, which would remove the statute of limitations on child sex crimes.
This bill passed unanimously and represents a major step toward justice for victims of horrific abuse. Crimes against children should never be protected by the passage of time, and I strongly believe victims deserve the opportunity to seek justice whenever they are ready to come forward.
Even with some disappointments, there are several measures I am proud to say successfully made it through the process and are now awaiting action from the Governor.
House Bill 1687 updates Oklahoma’s advance directive laws for the first time since the 1990s. This has been a lengthy process that began during the 2025 legislative session, and we continued working closely with Oklahoma for Life and many other stakeholders to make sure the language was thoughtful, compassionate and clear for families making difficult medical decisions.
Senate Bill 904 would prohibit state funds from being used for gender reassignment surgeries. I believe taxpayer dollars should be used responsibly and reflect the values of Oklahoma families.
Senate Bill 1794 addresses important mental health matters in our state, while Senate Bill 1562 focuses on hospice care and improving support for patients and families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Senate Bill 2110 would allow the sale of ungraded eggs in certain locations, helping support local agriculture and giving consumers more direct access to farm products.
House Bill 1675 strengthens emergency management planning by requiring facilities such as youth camps to conduct hazard assessments and maintain emergency plans. Recent tragedies around the country have shown how important preparation can be when emergencies strike.
Please know how proud I am to represent our great District 42. I enjoy meeting with you all and hearing the concerns you have. If you ever need me, I am only an email or phone call away.
You can email me at cynthia.roe@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7365.
Rep. Cynthia Roe, a Republican, represents House District 42 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes portions of Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties.
