Smalley elected Majority Caucus Chair

Appointed Chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Jason Smalley was tapped by his colleagues for one of the Senate’s highest leadership roles recently when he was elected Majority Caucus Chairman.  The Stroud Republican began serving his second term last month and previously served two years in the House. 

“I’m honored that my caucus has entrusted me with this great responsibility. I’m looking forward to helping put the ideas of our caucus into action this coming session by ensuring we stay focused and get strong, meaningful legislation passed,” said Smalley. “With a strengthening economy, increasing revenues, new leadership and the largest legislative freshman class in state history, it’s going to be an exciting legislative session. We’re anxious to get to work to move Oklahoma forward and build on the momentum from last session.” 

The Caucus Chair is tasked with helping set the agenda for the Republican Caucus and picking which issues they will focus on in the coming session.  His responsibilities will include chairing the Caucus’ weekly meetings and setting the agenda for those meetings. Sen. Smalley will also assist the presiding officers on the Senate floor who oversee parliamentary procedures.

The Senate President Pro Tempore-designate also named Sen. Smalley to serve as the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. A few of the agencies that go through the Health and Human Services Committee are the Department of Health, the Healthcare Authority, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Human Services. Some issues the departments may bring up during the committee process are medical marijuana, Medicaid work requirements, the opioid crisis, and continuing work on co-neutrals for the Pinnacle Plan.

Sen. Smalley has previously served as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education as well as being a member of the Senate Education, Judiciary, and Energy Committees. While in the House, he served as the Vice Chair of the A&B Transportation Committee.