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SB854 • 2026

Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools. Effective date. Emergency.

Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools. Effective date. Emergency.

Education
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Bullard
Last action
2025-02-17
Official status
Coauthored by Representative Olsen (principal House author)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools. Effective date. Emergency.

Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools.

What This Bill Does

  • Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools.
  • Effective date.
  • Emergency.
  • Bill Summaries/Fiscal Impact for SB 854 (Senate): Introduced (1/29/2025)

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-17 Senate

    Coauthored by Representative Olsen (principal House author)

  2. 2025-02-04 Senate

    Second Reading referred to Education

  3. 2025-02-03 Senate

    First Reading

  4. 2025-02-03 Senate

    Authored by Senator Bullard

Official Summary Text

Schools; requiring display of the motto of the United States in certain locations in schools. Effective date. Emergency.
Bill Summaries/Fiscal Impact for SB 854 (Senate): Introduced (1/29/2025)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)

SENATE BILL 854 By: Bullard

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 24-106.1, which relates to display of the
national motto in schools; requiring rather than
allowing display of certain motto in certain places
in public schools; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 24-106.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 24-106.1. A. Principals and teachers in each public
school in this state may shall display in each classroom, school
auditorium, and school cafeteria under their supervision the
following motto of the United States of America: “E PLURIBUS UNUM
(Out of Many, One)” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”. For purposes of this
subsection, “classroom” means any room of a public school where
instruction takes place.
B. Each school district in the state shall permit a principal
or teacher to utilize in a public school building, classroom, or at
any public school event any grade-level-appropriate excerpts or

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portions of the documents, writings, speeches, proclamations, or
records relating to the history, heritage, or foundation of the
United States or the State of Oklahoma including, but not limited
to, the:
1. Mayflower Compact;
2. Declaration of Independence;
3. Constitutions of the United States and the State of
Oklahoma;
4. Federalist Papers;
5. Pledge of Allegiance;
6. National anthem;
7. Presidential records and speeches;
8. Acts and published records of Congress; and
9. United States Supreme Court decisions and records.
C. School districts shall not limit or restrain instruction in
American or Oklahoma state history or heritage based on religious
references in documents, writings, speeches, proclamations, or the
materials described in subsection B of this section. These and any
other materials shall be used for educational purposes only and not
to establish or promote any religion.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
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.

60-1-409 EB 1/19/2025 5:44:40 AM