Read the full stored bill text
Req. No. 14328 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION 1037 By: Woolley
AS INTRODUCED
A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State
to refer to the people for their approval or
rejection a proposed new Section 5 to Article XIII-A
of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma;
authorizing the Legislature to adopt a joint
resolution to freeze, suspend, or withhold funds to
institutions within the State System of Higher
Education; providing for procedure of enacting joint
resolution to freeze, suspend, or withhold funds;
limiting freeze, suspension, or withholding of funds
to maximum of two years; requiring funding to
automatically resume at conclusion of timeframe
provided in resolution; authorizing extension, early
termination, or modification of freeze, suspension,
or withholding of funds; clarifying application to
only state-appropriated funds; providing ballot
title; and directing filing.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE
2ND SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for
their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law,
Req. No. 14328 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
the following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Oklahoma by adding a new Section 5 to Article XIII-A thereof, to
read as follows:
A. The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is hereby granted
the authority to freeze, suspend, or withhold up to one hundred
percent (100%) of state-appropriated funds recommended for
allocation to an institution within The Oklahoma State System of
Higher Education by the State Regents of Higher Education pursuant
to Section 2 of Article XIII-A.
B. A freeze, suspension, or withholding of funds authorized
under subsection A of this section shall be adopted by a joint
resolution upon a vote of a majority of both the Oklahoma State
Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
C. A joint resolution to freeze, suspend, or withhold funds
authorized pursuant to subsection A of this section shall identify:
1. The state educational institution subject to the freeze,
suspension, or withholding of funds;
2. The percentage of state-appropriated funds, up to one
hundred percent (100%), to be frozen, suspended, or withheld; and
3. The duration of the freeze, suspension, or withholding of
funds.
D. The joint resolution shall be subject to gubernatorial
approval procedures as provided for in Section 11 of Article VI of
the Oklahoma Constitution. Upon enactment of the resolution, the
Req. No. 14328 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Legislature shall notify the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for
implementation of the freeze, suspension, or withholding of funds as
provided for in the joint resolution.
E. A freeze, suspension, or withholding of funds enacted
pursuant to this section shall not exceed a period of two (2)
calendar years or seven hundred thirty (730) calendar days.
F. State-appropriated funding shall automatically resume at the
conclusion of the specified timeframe provided in the resolution
unless extended or modified by a subsequent joint resolution
consistent with this section.
G. The Legislature may, at any time and by a majority vote of
both the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of
Representatives, enact a joint resolution to lift, terminate, or
modify a previously enacted resolution provided for under this
section. Upon enactment of such subsequent resolution, state-
appropriated funding shall be restored or adjusted in accordance
with the resolution.
H. A freeze, suspension, or withholding of funds enacted
pursuant to this section shall apply only to state-appropriated
funds and shall not affect the institution's receipt of federal
funds, private donations, tuition or fees, or other nonstate-
appropriated revenue.
Req. No. 14328 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 2. The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional
amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in
the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____ State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This proposition would add a new section to Article 13-A of the
Oklahoma Constitution allowing the Legislature, by a majority
vote of both the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of
Representatives, and with gubernatorial approval or a
legislative veto override, to freeze, suspend, or withhold up to
one hundred percent (100%) of state-appropriated funding to any
taxpayer-funded university, college, or institution of higher
education within the State of Oklahoma for up to two (2) years.
This new section would also allow the Legislature to vote at any
time to lift, terminate, or modify the freeze, suspension, or
withholding of funds using the same procedures. The freeze,
suspension, or withholding of funds would only apply to state
funding and would not affect federal or private funds.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES _____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO _____________
Req. No. 14328 Page 5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 3. The Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives,
immediately after the passage of this resolution, shall prepare and
file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in
SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the
Attorney General.
60-2-14328 AQH 12/23/25