Wingard Bill Would Stop Government Double-Billing

OKLAHOMA CITY — Legislation from Sen. Jonathan Wingard, R-Ada, would save taxpayers millions of dollars by preventing state agencies from double-charging taxpayers for the cost of state employees’ labor.

 Senate Bill 1454 prohibits state agencies from billing other state agencies for the cost of employee labor when one agency performs services for another. Only the state auditor and inspector’s office would be exempt under the bill.

“In some cases, taxpayers are paying twice for the same government employee,” Wingard said. “Agencies already request and receive funding to cover employee salaries. Allowing them to bill other agencies for that same work is nothing more than double-charging taxpayers, and it’s a practice that must stop.”

According to the bill’s fiscal impact statement, SB 1454 would save taxpayers more than $65 million by cracking down on agencies’ double-billing practices.

“The government shouldn’t be charging the government to work for itself,” Wingard said. “These questionable billing practices open the door to waste, fraud and abuse in state government. Senate Bill 1454 is just another way to ensure that state agencies are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

SB 1454 is eligible for consideration once the legislative session begins on Feb. 2.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Jonathan Wingard at (405) 521-5541 or Jonathan.Wingard@oksenate.gov