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Representative Sandoval lays over proposal to create Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council to advise lawmakers
Summary
Representative Alonzo Sandoval presented House Bill 1909 to create an Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council (OYAC). The committee did not vote on the bill and asked the students and sponsors to develop representative membership, committees and an interim study to refine the concept.
Representative Alonzo Sandoval asked the Human Services Subcommittee to consider the concept of an Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council, a body that would gather student input statewide and make actionable recommendations to the Legislature.
Sandoval and two students — Chris Patel (Cassidy School) and Lakshmi Durasam (Deer Creek High School) — described OYAC as a platform for youth to examine education, mental health, extracurricular access, and other issues affecting young people. Students described mock-legislative successes and said the council would broaden participation beyond metro-area youth programs, including tribal and rural communities.
Committee members and sponsors said they would not vote on the proposal that day but asked students and representatives to return with a more developed plan. The chair and members asked Sandoval and participating lawmakers to draft representative membership, committee structures and to consider partnering with existing programs such as YMCA Youth and Government. The chair said he expected an interim study and offered committee staff and member advisers to help refine details, fundraising and logistics.
Ending: The committee laid the bill over for further development and scheduled follow-up work with student leaders and committee members.
