The Oklahoma Legislature
Legislature Overview
The Oklahoma Legislature is the bicameral legislative body of Oklahoma, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 101 members, each elected to serve a two-year term. The Senate consists of 48 members serving four-year terms.
Elections for the State Legislature occur every two years. Each election cycle, the entire House is up for election along with half of the Senate. Since the makeup of the legislative body changes every two years following elections, the legislative bodies are numbered in two-year blocks. For example, the 59th Oklahoma Legislature consisted of those legislators elected in November 2022. Oklahoma’s 60th Legislature will consist of those elected in November 2024.
The Oklahoma Senate
The Senate of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature:
- Total of 48 members
- 40 Republicans
- 8 Democrats
- Republicans hold a supermajority.
House of Representatives
The House of the 59th Oklahoma Legislature:
- Total of 101 members
- 81 Republicans
- 20 Democrats
- Republicans hold a supermajority
Oklahoma's Legislative Session
The Oklahoma Legislature assembles annually, convening on the first Monday of February and adjourning before the last Friday in May. This annual assembly of the Oklahoma Legislature is known as the “regular legislative session.”
Legislative Deadlines
A series of deadlines demarcate the regular legislative session. In fact, the deadlines start occurring before the regular session even begins. Once session starts, deadlines regulate the progression of bills: a bill must pass each successive deadline to continue advancing. Below is a timeline of the critical legislative deadlines.
*Some bills are excluded from deadlines. Generally, these are appropriation bills and bills responding to emergencies, like natural disasters.
Bill Request Deadline
All bill requests must be submitted by lawmakers. However, no substantial language is required, only a title.
EARLY DECEMBERBill Introduction Deadline
All bills must be introduced with at least some substantive language.
MID JANUARYSession Begins
The 60th Oklahoma Legislature convenes at noon to kick off the first regular session.
FEBRUARY 31st Committee Deadline
A bill must pass a standing committee in its chamber of origin to advance.
LATE FEBRUARY2nd Committee Deadline
A bill must pass a standing committee in the opposite chamber of origin to advance.
MID APRILThe Governor's Signature
At this point, any bill that has passed all deadlines is eligible to advance to the Governor's desk for final signature.
MAYSine Die
By declaration of the Oklahoma Constitution, the Legislature must adjourn sine die by 5 PM on the last Friday of May.
END OF MAY