Oklahoma House seats Dylan Travis, passes package of bills on veterans, militia, mental health and child-care communications
February 18, 2026 | 2026 Legislature OK, Oklahoma
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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House of Representatives convened Feb. 17, 2026, seated Dylan Travis as the member for House District 35 and approved a group of bills addressing veterans' services, National Guard administration, mental-health workforce flexibility and how agencies publish guidance and child-care rule changes.
Leader West moved and the chamber voted to seat Dylan Travis after the clerk noted a communication from the secretary of state and the results of a special election. The motion to declare Travis duly elected carried on a recorded vote reported as 88-0; members welcomed the new representative to the chamber.
The House then advanced and passed multiple bills on third reading. Leader West described House Bill 3043 as "a request bill from ODBA" that would "allow them to hire seasonal employees during peak times" so current employees would not be required to cover short windows. The measure passed on final passage with a recorded vote of 97-0.
Representative Hall presented a veterans bill, House Bill 3257, aimed at making veterans who are 100% disabled due to negligent care at a VA facility eligible for full state-level 100% disabled veteran benefits. "This came from a constituent issue," Hall said; the House passed the bill 96-0.
Leader West summarized House Bill 3940 as cleanup and substantive changes to prior law affecting the Oklahoma National Guard and state guard, including an undedicated retention fund, rules for donor contributions, and provisions mirroring military justice practice for certain proceedings. He noted the bill has "no funding" in its current form and that funding would affect the implementation date. The House passed the bill 90-5.
Representative Miller described House Bill 4275 as a measure to "allow case managers and peer support specialists to be employed by cities and counties while maintaining their certifications," a change intended to support county sheriffs, first responders and local mental-health services. The measure passed 91-5.
Representative Tammy West said House Bill 4117 adopts the federal definition of family resource centers and adds faith-based organizations and workforce development so more community organizations can access grant funding. The bill passed 94-2.
Representative Pae explained House Bill 4298, a Department of Human Services request to allow changes in child-care rules to be communicated by mail or electronically; the House approved the bill 95-0.
Votes at a glance: HB 3043 (soldiers and sailors) passed, 97-0; HB 3078 (donation mechanism for ODBA) passed, 97-0 (emergency declared and passed); HB 3940 (militia/retention fund updates) passed, 90-5; HB 3257 (veterans benefits for negligent VA care) passed, 96-0; HB 3281 (agency guidance publication) passed, 96-0; HB 4117 (family resource center definitions) passed, 94-2; HB 4275 (mental-health workforce certification flexibility) passed, 91-5; HB 4298 (DHS childcare communications) passed, 95-0.
The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1033 recognizing Feb. 18, 2026 as Scout Day at the Capitol and heard remarks from scouts and championship sports teams in the galleries, including the Sand Springs Charles Page football team and the Mustang Lady Broncos cheer team.
The House recessed to meet again Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
(Reporting in this summary uses on-the-floor remarks and recorded roll-call tallies from the Feb. 17, 2026 House session.)
Leader West moved and the chamber voted to seat Dylan Travis after the clerk noted a communication from the secretary of state and the results of a special election. The motion to declare Travis duly elected carried on a recorded vote reported as 88-0; members welcomed the new representative to the chamber.
The House then advanced and passed multiple bills on third reading. Leader West described House Bill 3043 as "a request bill from ODBA" that would "allow them to hire seasonal employees during peak times" so current employees would not be required to cover short windows. The measure passed on final passage with a recorded vote of 97-0.
Representative Hall presented a veterans bill, House Bill 3257, aimed at making veterans who are 100% disabled due to negligent care at a VA facility eligible for full state-level 100% disabled veteran benefits. "This came from a constituent issue," Hall said; the House passed the bill 96-0.
Leader West summarized House Bill 3940 as cleanup and substantive changes to prior law affecting the Oklahoma National Guard and state guard, including an undedicated retention fund, rules for donor contributions, and provisions mirroring military justice practice for certain proceedings. He noted the bill has "no funding" in its current form and that funding would affect the implementation date. The House passed the bill 90-5.
Representative Miller described House Bill 4275 as a measure to "allow case managers and peer support specialists to be employed by cities and counties while maintaining their certifications," a change intended to support county sheriffs, first responders and local mental-health services. The measure passed 91-5.
Representative Tammy West said House Bill 4117 adopts the federal definition of family resource centers and adds faith-based organizations and workforce development so more community organizations can access grant funding. The bill passed 94-2.
Representative Pae explained House Bill 4298, a Department of Human Services request to allow changes in child-care rules to be communicated by mail or electronically; the House approved the bill 95-0.
Votes at a glance: HB 3043 (soldiers and sailors) passed, 97-0; HB 3078 (donation mechanism for ODBA) passed, 97-0 (emergency declared and passed); HB 3940 (militia/retention fund updates) passed, 90-5; HB 3257 (veterans benefits for negligent VA care) passed, 96-0; HB 3281 (agency guidance publication) passed, 96-0; HB 4117 (family resource center definitions) passed, 94-2; HB 4275 (mental-health workforce certification flexibility) passed, 91-5; HB 4298 (DHS childcare communications) passed, 95-0.
The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1033 recognizing Feb. 18, 2026 as Scout Day at the Capitol and heard remarks from scouts and championship sports teams in the galleries, including the Sand Springs Charles Page football team and the Mustang Lady Broncos cheer team.
The House recessed to meet again Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
(Reporting in this summary uses on-the-floor remarks and recorded roll-call tallies from the Feb. 17, 2026 House session.)
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