Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
2
3 SENATE BILL 1898 By: Pugh
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to higher education; directing the
7 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to select
8 certain institutions of higher education to establish
8 Centers for Civic Engagement; providing purpose of
9 center; providing center activities, at the
9 discretion of certain governing board; requiring
10 electronic submission of certain report by certain
10 date; providing for contents of report; providing for
11 promulgation of rules; providing for codification;
11 providing an effective date; and declaring an
12 emergency.
12
13
13
14
14
15 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
15
16 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
16
17 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3350 of Title 70, unless there
17
18 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
18
19 A. To promote and provide programming related to civic
19
20 education, engagement, and discourse, the Oklahoma State Regents for
20
21 Higher Education shall select three institutions of higher education
21
22 within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to establish a
22
23 Center for Civic Engagement. The State Regents shall select:
23
24 1. A comprehensive institution of higher education;
24
Req. No. 3044 Page 1
1 2. A regional institution of higher education; and
1
2 3. A two-year institution of higher education.
2
3 B. The purpose of each Center for Civic Engagement established
3
4 pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be to:
4
5 1. Enhance education in the fields of politics, economics,
5
6 philosophy, American history and government, and other related
6
7 fields as appropriate, with a focus on the rights and
7
8 responsibilities of American citizenship, fundamental democratic
8
9 principles, and the ways in which those principles are expressed in
9
10 federal, state, and local institutions;
10
11 2. Provide viewpoints and ideologically diverse resources to
11
12 students, faculty, state government agencies, educators, and the
12
13 general public regarding civic affairs;
13
14 3. Foster civic engagement through full and fair discussions
14
15 that promote civil dialogue among those holding conflicting points
15
16 of view; and
16
17 4. Assist in ensuring that institutions of higher education in
17
18 this state serve as robust marketplaces of ideas for all students
18
19 and faculty.
19
20 C. At the discretion of the governing board of each institution
20
21 of higher education chosen pursuant to subsection A of this section,
21
22 a Center for Civic Engagement created pursuant to this section may:
22
23 1. Establish an advisory board comprised of faculty and
23
24 students to guide the activities of the center;
24
Req. No. 3044 Page 2
1 2. Provide and facilitate internships and other relevant
1
2 experiences for students and the general public;
2
3 3. Hold events including, but not limited to, guest speakers
3
4 and nonpartisan public forums; and
4
5 4. Offer supplemental instruction to students in political
5
6 science, economics, philosophy, American history and government, and
6
7 any other field of study as appropriate.
7
8 D. By July 1, 2029, the State Regents shall electronically
8
9 submit a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the
9
10 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report
10
11 shall include:
11
12 1. The number of students, faculty, and members of the general
12
13 public who engaged with each Center for Civic Engagement since its
13
14 establishment;
14
15 2. The types of activities held by each Center for Civic
15
16 Engagement; and
16
17 3. Recommendations for improvement and expansion of Centers for
17
18 Civic Engagement.
18
19 E. The State Regents may promulgate rules to implement the
19
20 provisions of this section.
20
21 SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
21
22 SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
22
23 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
23
24
24
Req. No. 3044 Page 3
1 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
1
2 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
2
3
3
4 60-2-3044 EB 1/15/2026 8:34:35 AM
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 3044 Page 4Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.