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Oklahoma Senate
Senate committee advances government accountability measures
President Pro Tem Greg Treat presents accountability bills in Senate Rules Committee.
The Senate Rules Committee on Thursday sent through three bills granting the governor the ability to hire and fire the heads of three of the largest state agencies.
The bills are a part of a larger agreement announced this week by the governor, Senate and House leadership that would bring more accountability to state government by giving the governor the ability to hire leaders at five of the largest state agencies.
The Rules Committee approved House Bill 2479 relating to the Office of Juvenile Affairs director on a 10-2 vote, House Bill 2480 relating to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections director on a 10-2 vote, and House Bill 2483 relating to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services director on a 10-2 vote.
President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, is the Senate author of the measures. The bills next head to the floor of the Senate and are eligible to be heard as early as Wednesday.
“The outdated and antiquated system now protects the status quo. Agency directors are only accountable to a board of unelected bureaucrats. It’s time for that to change. Our government accountability measures are a huge accomplishment and will help us reshape state government for the better. I appreciate the members of the Senate Rules Committee who supported these important bills and look forward to moving them soon of the Senate floor,” Treat said.
Key parts of government accountability bills:
The governor would have the authority to hire and fire the agency leader with Senate confirmation.
State agencies would maintain governing boards, but board members will serve at will and a conflict of interest provision is included in legislation.
The governor would appoint a majority of the board members, and the House and Senate would gain appointment seats on the boards.
The House and Senate would be able to remove agency leaders with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
On Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 456 (Oklahoma Health Care Authority) and Senate Bill 457 (Oklahoma Department of Transportation) and sent both bills to the House of Representatives.
