Elk City, OK – With the 2026 Regular Session set to begin Monday, February 2, members of the Oklahoma House are finalizing bill filings and committee agendas. Rep. Nick Archer (R-Elk City) recently shared insight into that process during an appearance on Exploring Energy on KECO 96.5 FM.
As Chair of the House Energy Committee, Archer said all energy related legislation must first move through his committee before advancing in the House. He noted, however, that not every issue people commonly label as “energy” is handled there.
“There is also a Utilities Committee,” Archer said. “Sometimes people will say, ‘that’s an energy bill,’ and the way the House views it, that’s actually a utility. There’s some nuance there.”
Archer also explained how bill limits work for House members. Outside of leadership positions like Speaker or Budget Chair, representatives are limited to eight bills per year, not per session. That means members of the 60th Legislature were allowed eight bills last year and eight more this year.
Certain measures do not count toward that limit. Bills carried over from the previous year remain active without using one of the eight slots, and repeal bills that simply remove existing law without adding new language are also excluded.
Because of those exceptions, Archer said he currently has 11 bills in play. Eight are newly introduced, three are repeal bills, and he is also carrying several “shell bills,” which act as placeholders in case unforeseen issues arise during the session.
“As chairman, it’s good practice,” Archer said. “If something big pops up, like an oil and gas issue nobody could have foreseen before the deadline, you’ve got a vehicle ready to go.”
While shell bills can impact a lawmaker’s statistics, Archer said that is not a concern for him.
“I don’t care about stats,” he said. “Good shooters keep shooting.”
As lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol, Archer said his priority is being ready to address both anticipated and unexpected energy issues once the session is underway.
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