As we recently commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma Legislature establishing the Oklahoma Forestry Service (OFS), we now find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. It’s important to know that the OFS is not a luxury. It is an essential, statewide force for wildfire prevention, emergency response and land management.
Right here in our district, we witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the wildfires that swept across our state, claiming four lives, injuring over 200 people and burning more than 150,000 acres. In moments like those, OFS personnel are the ones coordinating the statewide response, delivering specialized aid that local departments, already stretched thin, simply cannot handle alone. Undermining the need for the OFS would strain our local firefighters and put Oklahoma communities, homes and natural resources at greater risk.
The people of Oklahoma deserve transparency and collaboration when it comes to protecting their lives, property and environment.
This legislative session, the Oklahoma House and Senate have stepped up. House Bill 2162 expands efforts to eradicate invasive trees and shrubs statewide, strengthening the very ecosystems that fuel wildfires. House Bill 1728—the Salt Cedar Eradication Act—targets invasive salt cedar species threatening the Upper Red River Basin. These efforts, backed by a proposed $9 million in additional funding, reinforce our commitment to proactive land management and fire prevention.
The Oklahoma Forestry Service has earned its place as a cornerstone of public safety and environmental stewardship in our state. It deserves our full support— not just in words, but in policy and funding which is something that the Legislature can do.
In other news at the Capitol, the House of Representatives has begun hearing Senate bills, which are now making their way through the committee process, first through policy committees, then on to the Oversight Committees. This is a critical phase where we carefully evaluate each proposal to ensure it serves the best interests of Oklahomans.
I’m excited that Senate Bill 351, which I am sponsoring with Sen. Avery Frix has passed out of the policy committee and is now headed to oversight.
The bill requires sellers who impose a surcharge for using a credit or debit card to list it as a separate line on the receipt. The fee must reflect actual transaction costs, such as bank processing, security and bandwidth to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers.
As vice chair of the Government Oversight Committee, I’m pleased to see Senate Bill 1027, authored by Speaker Kyle Hilbert and Sen. David Bullard, move to our committee. The bill ensures voters get clear, honest information on initiative petitions by requiring plain language, banning biased wording, and adding reporting requirements. It also limits signatures from a single county, helping protect fairness and transparency in the process.
We will also begin addressing the budget. As always, the budget is a central focus during Session, and this year we’re working with tighter resources than last year. Please know that my colleagues and I are committed to working diligently to craft a budget that meets the state’s needs. We will prioritize essential services and ensure that every dollar is spent responsibly to support Oklahoma’s future growth and wellbeing.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to represent you at the Capitol. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. My email address is neil. hays@okhouse.gov, or you can call my office at (405) 557-7302. I am proud to represent you at the State Capitol!
Neil Hays serves District 13 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of McIntosh, Muskogee and Wagoner counties.
