What Does the State Chamber Do Each Year? 

The State Chamber of Oklahoma has a big mission: to be the voice of business at the Oklahoma State Capitol and to make Oklahoma the best state for business. Working on behalf of thousands of businesses statewide, affecting legislative change, and encouraging a pro-growth climate requires coordination and varied efforts. 

If someone hasn’t been around The State Chamber long, it is common to be unaware of our organization’s efforts and frequent activities. This article provides an overview of The State Chamber’s annual activities. 

Our Annual Agenda 

Annually, The State Chamber’s Board of Directors, Executive Team, and Council of Advisors collaborate to set an agenda. The annual agenda directs our priorities each year, particularly during the legislative session. Setting the agenda is essential for unifying all efforts to make the greatest impact at the State Capitol.   

Throughout the year, our team travels across the state to meet with business owners. The conversations and needs of our members influence our actions. In 2024, our annual agenda is focused on the following four areas: 

1. Creating Pathways for the Future Workforce – aligning education programs and graduation requirements with clear pathways for work in Oklahoma.  
2. Getting Oklahomans off the Sidelines and Into Work – solutions for affordable childcare and support for Oklahomans transitioning out of state programs.
3. Investing in Oklahoma – creating a system for effective business recruitment strategies that also serves businesses already in Oklahoma.
4. Promoting a Competitive Tax Environment – fine-tuning Oklahoma’s tax code to make it the best state for businesses and workers.

Work at the Oklahoma State Capitol 

Our policy work is an ongoing, year-round effort. The State Chamber is committed to engaging with and monitoring policies that have the potential to impact our members’ businesses and Oklahoma’s economy. 

The State Chamber’s positions on various legislative issues are reviewed annually by policy committees, our Council of Advisors, and the Board of Directors. Our policy positions are all informed by research, too. You can find more about our specific policy positions on each of the pages linked below: 

• Economic Development 
• Energy and Natural Resources 
• Human Resources and Labor Laws 
• Infrastructure 
• Legal Reform 
• Workforce Development   

However, throughout the winter and spring, The State Chamber’s engagement with Oklahoma legislators at the State Capitol ramps up. The legislative session brings lawmakers from across the state to Oklahoma City, and this provides opportunities for The State Chamber to serve as a resource for lawmakers, provide insightful research, and ultimately influence policy. 

The State Chamber’s staff includes a team of professional lobbyists who advocate for legislative and regulatory issues that affect Oklahoma companies. Our team and chamber members aim to serve as a trusted resource for policymakers on issues related to Oklahoma businesses and economic development throughout the legislative session.     

The State Chamber also seeks ways to build connections with prospective and current lawmakers through educational events outside the legislative season. We’ve previously co-hosted a candidate school with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Association of REALTORs to educate and prepare legislative candidates on campaign basics.  

Keeping Members Informed and Engaged 

We also have a strong commitment to keep our members informed and engaged with relevant legislation and other work of The State Chamber. The State Chamber continually shares valuable political insights and intelligence throughout the year. We also communicate relevant findings from the State Chamber Research Foundation. Our team often travels to different parts of the state to meet with business leaders, and we keep our website updated with The State Chamber’s latest news. It is particularly active during the legislative session each year. 

Policy committees are another way our members stay engaged and influence the priorities of The State Chamber. Policy committees are a driving force behind our specific policy positions and a direct way our members engage with The State Chamber’s work and our political advocacy. Policy committee members can access Community – our members-only platform – with information related to meetings, research, policy, and more. 

The State Chamber supports members throughout the year through our Employers in Action program and our Chamber Action Network. Employers in Action is a program designed to grow a coalition of HR professionals throughout the state. Rising healthcare costs, compensation, and workplace policies profoundly impact every business. This coalition creates an opportunity to interact with elected officials and utilize real-world experience to ensure policies introduced at the State Capitol help instead of harm Oklahoma businesses. 

The Chamber Action Network is the community engagement arm of The State Chamber. We provide resources to help local chambers, economic developers, and business advocates easily engage with what is happening at the Oklahoma Capitol. Local chambers aren’t often able to simultaneously advocate at the state level while staying focused on the economic needs and opportunities in their own communities, and the Chamber Action Network is a way we support our members and their local chambers. 

Connecting Business Leaders and Creating Visibility for Businesses 

The most visible, and often most memorable, work we do each year is hosting several events that create opportunities for connection. Business leaders can connect with each other and lawmakers at our annual meeting, golf tournament, legislative reception, end-of-session sine-die celebration, and educational events. Our team also hosts an annual Washington, D.C. fly-in event. Members are invited to travel to Washington, D.C. to discuss issues impacting Oklahoma’s business. Our events include sponsorship opportunities and promote visibility for our members’ businesses. 

In 2023-2024, The State Chamber of Oklahoma partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and three chambers of commerce across Oklahoma to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition. The National Civics Bee is for middle school students, and we look forward to promoting greater civic knowledge throughout Oklahoma and celebrating our civic pride.

Research 

Finally, the State Chamber Research Foundation is the think tank that fuels the State Chamber’s policy opinions and underpins our advocacy work. Our State Chamber Research Foundation (SCRF) team works year-round to provide high-quality research and analysis to educate our state’s policymakers and the public. The SCRF publishes the RIED Report each year, which includes data and analysis of thousands of pieces of legislation that impact economic growth. 

Promoting Economic Growth and Supporting Oklahoma Businesses Year-Round 

The work of the State Chamber is essential for businesses across the state. Whether you are in Guymon, Bartlesville, Edmond, or Oklahoma City, the growth of your business is impacted by the legislation created at the State Capitol.  

If you are an Oklahoma business owner or leader, we encourage you to become a State Chamber member. Membership provides access to powerful insights and events. Even more importantly, membership provides a voice and knowledgeable advocate at the State Capitol. Learn more about State Chamber membership today.