Sen. Boren announces 2025 interim studies

OKLAHOMA CITY – Studies on protecting landowners’ rights in the face of eminent domain, improving the state’s A-F school report cards, and early voting in Oklahoma are among Sen. Mary Boren’s interim study proposals approved by Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton and assigned to committee for possible hearings later this year. Boren, D-Norman, said her studies are aimed at helping lawmakers better understand challenges and opportunities facing the state in a variety of areas as well as possible legislative solutions.

“During the session, we only have a few weeks to consider hundreds of bills, so there isn’t time to take a deep dive into complex topics, but during the interim, we have time for in-depth hearings,” Boren said. “From enhancing student success with a better school report card to exploring fair tax policy, protecting landowners, and ensuring reliable utilities, these studies reflect Oklahoma’s potential to lead with thoughtful, data-informed solutions. I’m encouraged that my interim studies have been assigned by Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton to committee, and I’m eager to work in a bipartisan way with the chairs to earn their approval for hearings this fall.”

Boren’s 10 proposed interim studies include:

• Putting Kids First in Oklahoma School Report Card, examining how the current A-F report card impacts student learning in Oklahoma and reforms to improve students’ achievement.
• Safe and Efficient Railroads, reviewing best practices to preserve the safety of railroads and reduce disruption to automobiles.
• Agriculture and Power, providing an overview of strategies and contractual language to preserve the use of land for farming and ranching while expanding use of land for renewable energy development.
• All of the Above Tax Revenue Reform, studying how energy generation is currently taxed and ways to improve revenue generation at the state and local level to advance Oklahoma’s “All of the Above” economy.
• Keeping Our Light and Water Bills Low, highlighting the impact of emerging industries, such as data centers, manufacturing, AI, and bitcoin, on electricity and water supplies. The study will provide an overview of the best practice policies to protect reliability and affordability of electricity and water.
• This Land is My Land: Eminent Domain, a study to promote transparency, accountability, and due process for landowners.
• Early Voting in Oklahoma, evaluating counties’ participation, wait times, security, and staffing needs during expanded early voting access.
• Parents Bill of Rights, examining best practices of schools in notifying parents of their statutory bill of rights and implementing the parental rights in board policy.
• Basics of Sovereignty, a study to improve understanding of treaties, compacts, and cross-deputization agreements, and their impact on public safety and the state’s economy.
• Future of Professional Women’s Sports in Oklahoma, examining the role of the Legislature to leverage emerging opportunities for professional women’s sports.

“Given the ongoing policy discussions regarding law enforcement, car tags, and health care that impact tribal sovereignty, I look forward to holding a study to build a better fundamental knowledge of treaties, compacts, and cross-deputization agreements,” Boren said. “I’m especially hopeful about discussions around early voting access, the future of women’s sports, and preserving both our agricultural heritage and our renewable energy future. I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues to empower all Oklahomans through building a more transparent, resilient, and prosperous Oklahoma for all.”

Boren said she encourages anyone in the state with information to share about these topics to reach out to her at Mary.Boren@oksenate.gov, or call at 405-521-5553.

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