In a move sought to recalibrate the balance of power within Oklahoma's legislative structure, a series of bills have cleared their final legislative hurdle, setting the stage for potential changes in the state's administrative rules process. The measures, which are designed to reduce regulations and enhance legislative oversight, are now awaiting the governor's signature. This legislative push, championed by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, the Senate's Administrative Rules Committee Chair, and Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, the House Administrative Rules Chair, received final approval from both the state Senate and House, as reported by the Oklahoma Senate.
With sentiments aligned with reducing governmental overreach, Sen. Bergstrom commented, "Oklahomans deserve a government that is transparent and accountable, and one that does not impose unnecessary or excessive regulations." He emphasized the importance of reflecting the will of the people through legislation, not just through the preferences of state agencies. Rep. Kendrix paralleled these thoughts, stressing the need for legislative scrutiny to prevent regulations from infringing on personal freedoms "unwittingly," as stated by the Oklahoma Senate. Both representatives assert that their spearheaded reforms are in the interest of maintaining accountability to Oklahoma citizens.
Among the advancing bills is SB 995, which would deem any unacted upon rules by the adoption of a joint resolution as disapproved. SB 1024 seeks to curb agencies' rulemaking powers by requiring approval from either the Governor or the appropriate cabinet secretary before a proposed rule can be adopted. House Bill 2728 proposes the creation of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, assigning the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) the duty of conducting impact analyses for major rules that could affect the financial landscape of various local governmental entities. Additionally, HB 2729 brings an end to the Chevron deference in state interpretation of statutes, a response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in June 2024 to overturn the longstanding doctrine, according to the Oklahoma Senate.
These legislative efforts are situated at a crossroads of power dynamics, where the Legislature seeks to reclaim its constitutional authority over policymaking. As Rep. Kendrix told the Oklahoma Senate, "Now is the time to bring meaningful reform to Oklahoma’s administrative rules process, and any such reform must begin with restoring the Legislature’s rightful role as the primary policymaking body." With SB 995, SB 1024, HB 2728, and HB 2729 now before the governor, their potential enactment could significantly alter the landscape of regulatory authority within the state of Oklahoma.
