Administrative Rules Bills Aimed at Reducing Regulations and Restoring Legislative Oversight Sent to Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, the Senate’s Administrative Rules Committee Chair, and Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, the House Administrative Rules Chair, secured final legislative approval for a slate of bills aimed at reducing regulations and restoring legislative oversight of Oklahoma’s administrative rules process.

“Through these measures, we are reaffirming the Legislature’s constitutional authority and rebalancing the power between unelected bureaucrats and the people’s elected representatives,” Bergstrom, R-Adair, said. “Oklahomans deserve a government that is transparent and accountable, and one that does not impose unnecessary or excessive regulations. By restoring legislative oversight of the administrative rules process, we are ensuring that regulations reflect the will of the people—not just the preferences of state agencies. I’m proud to have worked with Representative Kendrix and our colleagues to return control of policymaking to where it belongs: the Legislature.”

Among the bills advancing are:

• SB 995, which modifies the Administrative Procedures Act by providing that any rules not acted upon by the adoption of a joint resolution are deemed to be disapproved.
• SB 1024, a measure that prohibits the adoption of a proposed rule by an agency unless the agency receives approval from the Governor or the appropriate cabinet secretary.
• HB 2728, to create the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025, and establish new statutory requirements for state agencies adopting major administrative rules. Under the measure, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) would be tasked with conducting rule impact analyses for major rules promulgated by the various agencies that could result in a change in revenue for counties, municipalities, or school boards.
• HB 2729, which brings an end to the Chevron deference, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine in June 2024. The measure establishes that state courts, hearing examiners, or administrative officers must independently interpret state statutes, regulations, and sub-regulatory documents without deferring to a state agency’s interpretation.

Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, is the House author of the measures.

“Oklahoma's administrative rules process is a critical, but often overlooked, component of our state government. Agency regulations carry the force of law and, without proper legislative scrutiny, rules can take effect that unwittingly impede the personal freedoms of Oklahomans. 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. These measures keep rulemaking accountable to the people of Oklahoma through their elected representatives, and we owe it to our constituents to continue improving this process. I appreciate the work of my Senate counterpart, Senator Micheal Bergstrom, to help get these bills across the finish line,” Kendrix said.

Senate Bills 995 and 1024, as well as House Bills 2728 and 2729, now move to the governor’s desk.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. Micheal Bergstrom at 405-521-5561, or email Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov.