Government of Oklahoma

The government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial. Through a system of separation of powers or "checks and balances," each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, some authority to regulate the other two branches, and has some of its own authority, in turn, regulated by the other branches.Article IV, Section 1, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 20, 2013)

The state government is based in Oklahoma City and the head of the executive branch is the Governor of Oklahoma. The legislative branch is called the Legislature and consists of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals are the state's highest courts.Article VII, Section 4, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 20, 2013)

General principles The state government of Oklahoma is divided into an executive, a legislative and a judicial branch. The governor, the state's chief executive, has a degree of direct executive power but must share executive power with other statewide elected officers. The lieutenant governor serves as the first-in-line successor to the governorship should a vacancy occur.Article VI, Section 4, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 20, 2013)

The state legislature comprises the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate. It passes statutes, votes on the budget, and controls the action of the executive through oversight and the power of impeachment.Okla Const. art. V, § 1-4Okla Const. art VIII § 3 The President pro tempore of the Senate presides over the state senate and the Speaker of the House presides over the Oklahoma House of Representatives.Okla Const. art. V, § 28-29 Both officers are in line to succeed to the governorship in the event of a vacancy, behind the lieutenant governor.Okla Const. art. VI, § 15

The independent judiciary is based on the common law system which evolved from use in the British Empire. It is divided into the two courts of last resort, one (the Supreme Court) dealing with civil law and the other (the Court of Criminal Appeals) dealing with criminal law.Okla Const. art. VII, § 1 The Court on the Judiciary is responsible for monitoring the activities of judges, except those of the Supreme Court.Okla Const. art. VII-A, § 2 The Court of Impeachment monitors the activities of all statewide elected officials, including the justices of the Supreme Court.

Constitution

A popular referendum approved the constitution of the Oklahoma on September 17, 1907, which came into effect upon Oklahoma's ratification of the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907. The ratification of both documents marked Oklahoma as the 46th US State.

The constitution contains a bill of rights in itself, but its preamble mentions the principles the government of Oklahoma is to uphold. The constitution's preamble states that the state government is to:

... secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; [and] to promote our mutual welfare and happiness ...

Among these foundational principles protected by the Oklahoma bill of rights are: political power derives from the consent of the people; the people have the inherent rights to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; the right to peaceful assembly; a ban on the interference with suffrage; the definition of treason; the right to trial by jury; and that marriage in the State of Oklahoma is defined as being between a man and a woman.

Legislative branch

The legislative branch is the branch of the Oklahoma state government that creates the laws of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Legislature, which makes up the legislative branch, consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The state legislature has the power to levy and collect taxes, borrow money, and raise and maintain the militia of the state. The constitution grants the state legislature the authority to legislate on "rightful subjects" of legislation.

The Oklahoma Legislature meets for four months in regular session each year from February to May.Article V, Section 25, Oklahoma Constitution (accessed August 22, 2013) However, under special circumstances, the governor or two-thirds of the state legislature's membership can call special sessions.Article V, Section 27, Oklahoma Constitution (accessed August 22, 2013) The governor has a strong influence in shaping the agenda of the legislature. Legislation must be approved by a majority in both houses and signed by the governor to be enacted into law.Okla Const. art. V, § 34 However, should the governor veto the bill, the legislature, by a two-thirds vote in both houses, may overturn the governor's veto, and the bill be enacted into law without the governor's signature.Okla Const. art. VI, § 11 On appropriations bills, however, the governor has a line-item veto.Coffee v. Henry, 2010 OK 4

Under the Oklahoma Constitution, members of both houses enjoy the privilege of being free from arrest, except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace. This immunity applies to members during sessions and when traveling to and from sessions. The constitution also guarantees absolute freedom of debate in both houses, providing, "for any speech or debate in either House, shall not be questioned in any other place." Members of the legislature are limited to a combined total of 12 years of service in the Oklahoma Legislature, regardless of house.Okla Const. art. V, § 17A

The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the state legislature with its 48 seats divided equally among the state's 48 senatorial districts. The state senators serve a four-year staggered term, with half of the Senate up for reelection every even-numbered year.Article V, Section 9A, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Legal Research System (accessed August 21, 2013) The presiding officer in the state senate is the lieutenant governor in their role as President of the Senate. By tradition, the lieutenant governor presides in ceremonial occasions, leaving in charge the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, who is third in line to succeed the governor in the event of his removal from office.

The state senate is required to give their advice and consent to many executive branch appointments made by the governor.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the state legislature with its 101 seats divided equally among the state's 101 house districts. Each member serves for a two-year term with the entire House up for reelection every even-numbered year.Article V, Section 10-A, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 20, 2013) The presiding officer in the chamber is the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, who is fourth in line to succeed the governor after the lieutenant governor and president pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.

Bills for raising revenue may only originate in the House of Representatives, though the state senate may alter and amend them as the body sees fit.Article V, Section 33, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Public Legal Research System (accessed August 20, 2013)

Current composition In the 60th Legislature, the Republicans control both houses with an 81-20 majority in the House and a 40-8 majority in the Senate.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives Affiliation Members Republican Party81 Democratic Party 20 Seat Vacant 0 Total 101

The Oklahoma Senate Affiliation Members Republican Party 40 Democratic Party 8 Seat Vacant 0 Total 48

Current leadership The Oklahoma House of Representatives

The Oklahoma Senate

Executive branch The executive branch is the branch of the Oklahoma state government that executes the laws of Oklahoma. The branch, consisting of over 300 state agencies, boards, and commissions, is headed by the Governor of Oklahoma, who is assisted by eleven other statewide officials.

Current executive branch Office Current Officer Since PartyGovernor of OklahomaKevin StittJanuary 14, 2019RepublicanLieutenant GovernorMatt PinnellJanuary 14, 2019RepublicanSecretary of StateBenjamin LepakOctober 2, 2025RepublicanState Auditor and InspectorCindy ByrdJanuary 14, 2019RepublicanAttorney GeneralGentner DrummondJanuary 9, 2023RepublicanState TreasurerTodd RussJanuary 9, 2023RepublicanState School SuperintendentLindel FieldsOctober 2, 2025Republican Labor CommissionerLeslie OsbornJanuary 14, 2019RepublicanInsurance CommissionerGlen MulreadyJanuary 14, 2019RepublicanCorporation Commissioner (by length of tenure)Todd HiettJanuary 12, 2015RepublicanCorporation CommissionerKim DavidJanuary 12, 2023RepublicanCorporation CommissionerBrian BingmanJanuary 13, 2025Republican

Governor of Oklahoma

The governor is both head of state and head of government for Oklahoma. Under the constitution, the governor is elected to serve a four-year term. Originally, the governor was term-limited to only one term in office at a time but this has since been modified to allow up to two consecutive terms. The governor presides over the executive branch, commands the militia of the state, and makes sure that the laws of the state are enforced and that the peace is preserved. The governor is the state's chief representative and spokesperson to the other states within the United States, the United States federal government, and foreign nations. The governor must sign bills passed by the state legislature in order for those bills to become law. Should the governor veto a bill, the state legislature may override the veto with a two-thirds vote.Article VI, Section 6, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Legal Research System (accessed August 22, 2013)Article VI, Section 8, Oklahoma Constitution at Oklahoma Legal Research System (accessed August 22, 2013)

In certain emergencies, the governor may assume special, comprehensive powers. These powers involve greater police power and near-absolute control over the state, county, and local agencies and resources. During emergencies, the governor is also allowed a limited-form of rule by decree. State, county, and local officers and personnel become subject to the governor during the emergency and must obey the governor's directions. With the exception of the members of the state legislature, any official who fails to obey any order may be removed from office by the governor.

However, in normal times, the governor may not enact legislation or directly control the county and local agencies. The governor may issue executive orders (when empowered to do so by a specific provision of the Oklahoma Constitution or an act of the legislature) which are binding throughout the state. Such executive orders do not have the force of law and may only be issued when related directly to the governor's duties.

Government of Oklahoma

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