Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma House has approved legislation aimed at positioning the state to host a national research laboratory focused on natural gas and other advanced technologies.

House Bill 3176 passed the Oklahoma House on a 51 to 37 vote Tuesday. The measure was authored by State Rep. Nick Archer, a Republican from Elk City.

The bill creates the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial Intelligence and Space Research Hub, often called the “GAS Hub.” The hub would be housed within the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and would coordinate efforts between state agencies, universities and private industry to attract a federally designated national laboratory to Oklahoma.

Supporters say the initiative is designed to prepare Oklahoma to compete for major federal research investments tied to energy, advanced computing and aerospace technologies. The hub would also help identify potential research sites, align workforce development programs and pursue partnerships with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA and the Department of Defense.

If ultimately enacted, the legislation would take effect November 1, 2026.

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