"Oklahoma is going to be one of these states to be on the outside looking in," he said.

Benge rejected several interim study requests sought by Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, including one to study how emergency management funding for disasters is done in other states. But the speaker approved another request by Dorman to study the efficiency, effectiveness and cost of training rural firefighters.

"There has been a push to increase the amount of training required of volunteer firefighters," Dorman said. "I would like to look at these potential requirements officially and get the firefighters' perspective."

Benge also rejected several requests by Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, including a comprehensive look at domestic violence and child endangerment intervention by using court-ordered judicial danger assessment reviews.