The State Chamber has honored House Speaker Kyle Hilbert as a 2026 “Legislator of the Year” award winner for his leadership on education, workforce development, and policies that strengthen Oklahoma’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Hilbert was recognized during The State Chamber’s recent Annual Meeting for helping advance major education and workforce priorities during the 2026 legislative session, including Senate Bill 1778, the Strong Readers Act.
The Strong Readers Act, signed into law in April, focuses on early literacy intervention, teacher training, professional development, science of reading instruction, and stronger support for students who are falling behind.
“The State Chamber’s 2026 agenda was focused on the issues that matter most to Oklahoma’s business community, and literacy was at the top of that list,” said Chad Warmington, president and CEO of The State Chamber. “Speaker Hilbert understood that reading is a workforce issue, an education issue, and an economic competitiveness issue. His leadership helped Oklahoma take a major step toward giving students and teachers the tools they need to succeed.”
The State Chamber’s 2026 agenda was driven by Oklahoma Competes, a data-focused framework centered on workforce, education outcomes, innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term competitiveness.
The Strong Readers Act was modeled on reforms that helped improve reading outcomes in other states, including Mississippi. The legislation received support from eadership on both sides of the rotunda and both sides of the aisle.
“This was my top priority this session,” Speaker Hilbert said at the signing of SB1778.
“We have to follow the data and pursue policies that produce better outcomes for our students. The status quo has not been good enough, and this legislation is about ensuring every Oklahoma child has the strong foundation they need to succeed.”
The State Chamber said Hilbert’s leadership made early literacy one of the defining issues of the 2026 session. “Speaker Hilbert’s leaderAship turned our majoAr priority into law,” Warmington said. “That will make a meaningful difference for Oklahoma students, employers, and the long-term strength of our economy.”