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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1898 By: Pugh
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to higher education; directing the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to select
certain institutions of higher education to establish
Centers for Civic Engagement; providing purpose of
center; providing center activities, at the
discretion of certain governing board; requiring
electronic submission of certain report by certain
date; providing for contents of report; providing for
promulgation of rules; providing for codification;
providing an effective date; and declaring an
emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3350 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. To promote and provide programming related to civic
education, engagement, and discourse, the Oklahoma State Regents for
Higher Education shall select three institutions of higher education
within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to establish a
Center for Civic Engagement. The State Regents shall select:
1. A comprehensive institution of higher education;
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2. A regional institution of higher education; and
3. A two-year institution of higher education.
B. The purpose of each Center for Civic Engagement established
pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be to:
1. Enhance education in the fields of politics, economics,
philosophy, American history and government, and other related
fields as appropriate, with a focus on the rights and
responsibilities of American citizenship, fundamental democratic
principles, and the ways in which those principles are expressed in
federal, state, and local institutions;
2. Provide viewpoints and ideologically diverse resources to
students, faculty, state government agencies, educators, and the
general public regarding civic affairs;
3. Foster civic engagement through full and fair discussions
that promote civil dialogue among those holding conflicting points
of view; and
4. Assist in ensuring that institutions of higher education in
this state serve as robust marketplaces of ideas for all students
and faculty.
C. At the discretion of the governing board of each institution
of higher education chosen pursuant to subsection A of this section,
a Center for Civic Engagement created pursuant to this section may:
1. Establish an advisory board comprised of faculty and
students to guide the activities of the center;
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2. Provide and facilitate internships and other relevant
experiences for students and the general public;
3. Hold events including, but not limited to, guest speakers
and nonpartisan public forums; and
4. Offer supplemental instruction to students in political
science, economics, philosophy, American history and government, and
any other field of study as appropriate.
D. By July 1, 2029, the State Regents shall electronically
submit a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report
shall include:
1. The number of students, faculty, and members of the general
public who engaged with each Center for Civic Engagement since its
establishment;
2. The types of activities held by each Center for Civic
Engagement; and
3. Recommendations for improvement and expansion of Centers for
Civic Engagement.
E. The State Regents may promulgate rules to implement the
provisions of this section.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
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declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-2-3044 EB 1/15/2026 8:34:35 AM