Overview of the Oklahoma Legislature

Abstract

The Oklahoma Constitution intentionally restricts the executive branch, making the Oklahoma Governor a weak participant in the policymaking process. Collectively the members of the Oklahoma Legislature hold most of the policymaking authority in the state. When the legislature is controlled by strong leadership, these leaders become very powerful figures in Oklahoma politics. The legislature is perhaps the most important branch of Oklahoma government. The 1997-98 legislature is the 46th Oklahoma Legislature. Sessions in odd numbered years are referred to as the First Session and those in even numbered years are described as the Second Session. The Constitution limits regular legislative sessions to 90 working days which must occur between the first Monday in February and the last Friday in May. The governor has the power to call special sessions if necessary. Members of the House serve two year terms and are elected in November of even numbered years. Members of the Senate serve four year terms. These terms are staggered such that one half of the Senate is elected in each statewide general election. Current senators in even numbered districts were elected in 1994, and those in odd numbered districts were elected in 1996.