Strong Readers Act - Removes Pilot Program and Requires Biennial Reporting
Summary
Oklahoma SB1338 (Strong Readers Act) passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support and an emergency clause. The bill removes language establishing a three-year pilot program and instead requires permanent biennial submission of program reports. The legislation was co-authored by Senators Pugh and Hicks along with Representatives Caldwell and Hasenbeck.
What changed
Oklahoma enacted the Strong Readers Act, which eliminates the three-year pilot program structure for the reading initiative and codifies permanent biennial reporting requirements. The bill passed the Senate 39-6 and the House Common Education Committee 10-1, with an emergency clause attached indicating immediate effectiveness upon gubernatorial signature.
Oklahoma educational institutions should review their reading program documentation and reporting procedures to align with the new biennial submission requirement. Program sponsors and administrators should monitor for the governor's signature to confirm the effective date, as the emergency clause allows the law to take effect immediately upon signing.
What to do next
- Review current reading program reporting procedures against new biennial requirement
- Update internal compliance calendars to align with new reporting cycle
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Oklahoma / SB1338 Passed SB1338 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-24
Strong Readers Act; removing language establishing three-year pilot program; requiring biennial submission of certain report. Effective date. Emergency.
Bill Details
State Oklahoma
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=s...
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Sponsors
Adam Pugh (Sen - R) Chad Caldwell (Rep - R) Toni Hasenbeck (Rep - R) Carri Hicks (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 H Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Common Education 2026-03-30 H Referred to Common Education 2026-03-30 H Second Reading referred to Education Oversight 2026-03-24 H First Reading 2026-03-24 S Engrossed to House 2026-03-23 S Referred for engrossment 2026-03-23 S Emergency passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 3 2026-03-23 S Measure passed: Ayes: 39 Nays: 6 2026-03-23 S Coauthored by Senator Hicks 2026-03-23 S Title restored 2026-03-23 S General Order, Amended 2026-03-16 S Coauthored by Representative Hasenbeck 2026-03-02 S Coauthored by Representative Caldwell (Chad) (principal House author) 2026-02-23 S Placed on General Order 2026-02-18 S Reported Do Pass Appropriations committee; CR filed 2026-02-10 S Referred to Appropriations 2026-02-10 S Title stricken 2026-02-10 S Reported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed 2026-02-03 S Second Reading referred to Education Committee then to Appropriations Committee 2026-02-02 S Authored by Senator Pugh 2026-02-02 S First Reading
Votes
2026-02-10 Senate: Education Committee: DO PASS AMENDED Yea: 10 Nay: 0 2026-02-18 Senate: Appropriations Committee: DO PASS Yea: 21 Nay: 0 2026-03-23 Senate: THIRD READING Yea: 39 Nay: 6 2026-04-01 House: Common Education Committee: DO PASS Yea: 10 Nay: 1
Committee Referrals
2026-02-03 S Education 2026-02-10 S Appropriations 2026-03-30 H Education Oversight 2026-03-30 H Common Education
Amendments
2026-03-09 Senate Floor SB1338 (3-09-26) (PUGH) RT FA1
Bill Text Versions
2025-12-30 Introduced 2026-02-19 Amended 2026-03-24 Engrossed Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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