Senate approves creation of independent commission to conduct performance audits of state agencies

The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday in a bipartisan vote approved a bill creating an independent commission to conduct comprehensive performance audits of state agencies. House Bill 2311 is authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

The bill creates the Agency Performance and Accountability Commission which is directed to conduct a comprehensive performance audit of state agencies, as well as conduct a diagnostic analysis of the state’s budget to identify spending trends. The commission would then make recommendations to the Legislature on how to implement best practices from both the private and public sector to ensure state government services are run in the most cost-effective manner.

“This year’s budget shortfall highlights the need to ensure state government is operating efficiently, but during ‘bad’ or ‘good’ budgets our goal remains the same: to ensure the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars. This measure will provide lawmakers with independent data to help us make more well-informed decisions about the state’s spending priorities. Oklahoma taxpayers deserve a state government run efficiently and one that delivers service at a high level and this bill moves us one step closer to achieving those goals,” Schulz said.

The measure now returns to the House for consideration of Senate amendments to the bill.