HJR 1055: Joint resolution; Oklahoma Constitution; Article VI; appointment; removal; State Superintendent of Public Instruction; ballot title; filing. - Oklahoma

House Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and reorganized to reflect its status as the 'Floor Version' after committee review. The substantive policy changes involve establishing a new appointment and removal process for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, effective November 1, 2034. Under this new process, the State Board of Education creates a shortlist of candidates, the Governor makes a selection from that list, and the Senate must confirm the appointment by a two-thirds vote. If the Senate rejects the nominee, the Governor must select another candidate from the original list. The Superintendent can also be removed by a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers or by the Governor with a two-thirds vote of one chamber. Additionally, the constitutional amendment text was updated to include the new Section 36 regarding the Superintendent's appointment while retaining existing term limits for other executive officers.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a specific, new appointment and removal mechanism for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, which was previously not detailed in this manner. The effective date for this new process is set for November 1, 2034.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new Section 36 to the Oklahoma Constitution establishing a specific appointment process for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction involving the State Board of Education, Governor, and Senate.

Added a requirement that the Senate must confirm the Governor's appointee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction by a two-thirds vote; if rejected, the Governor must choose a new candidate from the original list.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new removal provisions allowing the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to be removed by a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers or by the Governor with a two-thirds vote of one chamber.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the new appointment and removal process as November 1, 2034.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Floor (House)' version and updated page numbering and formatting to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.

Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 → House Committee Substitute · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to remove the 'Proposed' label, indicating it is now the official committee substitute ready for legislative action. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a specific two-thirds (2/3) supermajority vote requirement to the Senate for confirming the Governor's appointment of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This change adds a higher threshold for confirmation compared to the original text, which did not specify a supermajority. Additionally, the page reference number was updated from 16565 to 17096.

Scope change

The scope of the confirmation process for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction was narrowed by requiring a higher legislative threshold (two-thirds vote) in the Senate to approve the Governor's selection.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the Senate must approve the Governor's selection of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction by a two-thirds (2/3) vote; if the Senate fails to do so, the Governor must make a new selection from the original list.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title from 'Proposed Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' and changed the reference number from 16565 to 17096.

Engrossed → Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the entire text of the original resolution with a new version that changes the appointment process for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The new version simplifies the confirmation process by removing the Senate's role in confirming the Governor's appointee and eliminates the requirement for the Legislature to establish a list of qualifications. It also clarifies the removal process and maintains the effective date of November 1, 2034.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a complex appointment system involving Senate confirmation and legislative qualification lists to a streamlined system where the Governor appoints a candidate from a list provided by the State Board of Education, with no Senate confirmation required.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Oklahoma State Senate to vote to confirm the Governor's appointee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Removed the mandate for the Legislature to establish a specific list of qualifications for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified the removal process to allow removal by a two-thirds vote of one legislative chamber plus the Governor's order, rather than requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

TECHNICAL

Changed the header and title of the document to reflect that it is a 'Proposed Committee Substitute' rather than the 'Engrossed' version.

Introduced → Engrossed · 3 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MINOR

The bill was updated from an introduced draft to its final engrossed version, incorporating specific formatting changes required for printing and official filing. Substantively, the text of the proposed constitutional amendment remains consistent, establishing a new appointment and removal process for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Scope change

The scope of the bill's effect on the State Superintendent of Public Instruction remains unchanged; the amendment still transitions the role from an elected to an appointed position effective November 1, 2034.

TECHNICAL

The header and title page were updated to reflect the bill's status as 'Engrossed' rather than 'Introduced,' and the page footers were changed to include the official engrossment number.

The summary ballot title text was slightly rephrased to clarify that the Oklahoma State Board of Education will gather applications and interview candidates, rather than just preparing a list of nominees.

Minor formatting adjustments were made throughout the document, such as changing the spacing in the header and adjusting line breaks in the constitutional text to meet state printing standards.

Joint resolution; Oklahoma Constitution; Article VI; appointment; removal; State Superintendent of Public Instruction; ballot title; filing.

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