During the first week of the legislative session each year, hundreds of supporters of sanctify-of-life and anti-abortion legislation gather at the State Capitol to deliver roses to elected officials. Each rose symbolizes the life of an unborn child. It’s a reminder to us to treasure such life and to pass meaningful legislation to protect this most amazing gift from God.
This year, the House adopted House Resolution 1031, which stated, in part, that the Oklahoma House of Representatives has “led the nation in adopting legislation to defend unborn children” and that “Oklahoma will continue to lead the nation in the introduction and enactment of legislation to protect unborn children.”
We also heard a presentation from keynote speaker Mia Armstrong, an actress, voiceover artist, author and advocate. Mia, who has Down syndrome, was joined by her mother, Cara. She recently told reporters she wanted to be a voice for babies like her who often don’t get the opportunity to be born. Her story is touching and a stark reminder that all life is precious and valuable.
Also, during the first week of session, I hosted a page in my Capitol office. Maddie Mueller is a senior at Colbert High School and the daughter of Micah Mueller and Crystal Bourque. Her academic achievements include securing an Oklahoma State University Partner’s Board Scholarship as well as being a Kiwanis Scholarship nominee. She serves as vice president of membership for Oklahoma Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She’s also a member of Student Council and on the newspaper staff at her school.
After high school, Maddie plans to attend OSU to study family and consumer science education with a minor in political science. She hopes to one day teach family and consumer sciences and become an advocate for career and technical education.
Maddie is an exceptional student and a great example of what hard work, determination and courage can accomplish. One of the best parts of serving at the Capitol is working with pages like her. Sometimes I am not sure who learns more from the Page Program, the students who come to experience state government, or me, as I get the opportunity to meet and learn from such impressive young leaders from our area.
Maddie’s involvement in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America has clearly played an important role in her growth It’s a terrific organization that helps prepare the next generation of leaders in Oklahoma. Programs like this, along with the Page Program, give students a firsthand look at how government works while building the confidence and leadership skills they will carry into their future careers and communities.
FFA students from across the state visited the State Capitol recently as did students involved in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the House also adopted a resolution recognizing the day as Scout Day at the State Capitol.
I was pleased to be able to meet with a group of students from Calera FFA who stopped by my Capitol office.
These organizations do a lot to offer young people leadership opportunities as they learn agriculture and consumer science education. They also give youth the ability to participate in many hands-on activities such as showing livestock or participating in outdoor and public service projects. Learning the value of hard work and getting to express one’s creativity are valuable life skills.
I’m thankful for the many educators and volunteers who take part in leading local chapters. These opportunities are particularly valuable in places like rural Oklahoma.
In the House this past week, we met our first major committee deadline. All bills had to advance from a policy committee or an Appropriations and Budget subcommittee in order to stay active this session.
I was able to pass two of my major policy bills in advance of the deadline.
House Bill 3544 would protect children when interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots that are designed to simulate emotional or human-like relationships.
There have been multiple incidences reported across the country where children have committed self-harm after these chatbots have encouraged it. I am asking that the Oklahoma Legislature be proactive in putting some common-sense policies in place. These include ensuring chatbots that exhibit human-like features are inaccessible to minors by using an age-verification system.
House Bill 3548 would create the Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act of 2026. The measure would exempt sales tax for businesses owned and operated primarily by individuals who are under the age of 18. The exemption would extend only if the business receives limited assistance from adults and if it generates gross revenue of less than $1,000 during the calendar year.
I heard of an instance in 2016, in which a young person’s lemonade stand was shut down by Okmulgee police until the city’s permitting process was updated.
This legislation would allow a child to run a lemonade stand for a week without having to purchase city permits.
This would encourage real-world learning by allowing young people to operate small businesses without being buried in taxes and unnecessary red tape. I’m asking my fellow lawmakers that we teach our kids entrepreneurship before we regulate them.
Now that bills have passed initial policy committees, they face an oversight hearing. Only then are the eligible to be scheduled for consideration by the full membership of the House.
There’s a long way to go in the process, but it’s good to have the first step behind us.
Cody Maynard serves District 21 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of Bryan and Marshall counties.
