OKLAHOMA CITY – A bipartisan package of reforms aimed at strengthening oversight of taxpayer dollars and reinforcing ethical standards in state and local government passed the House floor today and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
The initiative is led by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, who worked with members of both parties after concerns surfaced about gaps in government spending oversight. Lawmakers also collaborated with State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd following an audit that identified $93.4 million in questionable expenditures over the past year.
“I appreciate the House’s support and recognition of the need for these bills,” Strom said. “Ultimately, the responsibility to act falls on us as lawmakers, and as chair of the General Government Committee, I take that responsibility seriously. These measures are about identifying inaccuracies, addressing them directly and eliminating fraud, waste and abuse within our agencies. When we approve funding, we must ensure those dollars are going exactly where they are intended. I look forward to advancing these measures to the Senate and working with Senate authors to get them across the finish line and signed into law.”
Lawmakers who worked alongside Strom on the bills include Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus; Rep. Denise Crosswhite-Hader, R-Piedmont; Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene; Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond; and Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City.
The reform package includes the following measures:
House Bill 3413 would expand transparency in state agency contracting by requiring agencies to publicly list contractors, contract values and project status. It would also mandate posting consultant reports and disclosing whether contracts are for outside services or to supplement staffing. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville.
House Bill 3414 would direct the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to improve accounting systems to distinguish between service contracts and staff augmentation clearly. It also requires permanent documentation for digital and intangible assets purchased by agencies. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City.
House Bill 3415 would require vendors to disclose subcontractors, set stronger documentation standards and mandate post-project reviews to confirm work was completed on time and within budget. The bill also creates a publicly accessible database of state contracts. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.
House Bill 3418 would update the Public Competitive Bidding Act by refining procedures for public construction projects, clarifying definitions and ensuring consistent bidding practices, including for school district contracts. The Senate author of the measure is also Sen. Daniels.
House Bill 3416 would allow counties to seek quotes for certain smaller purchases instead of always using a lengthy bidding process, while maintaining safeguards and documentation requirements to prevent misuse. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson.
House Bill 3417 would clarify that cities and towns must follow state competitive bidding laws and may not adopt local rules that weaken or bypass those standards. The Senate author of the measure is also Sen. Alvord.
House Bill 3419 would strengthen state ethics laws by making it a felony for current or former state or local officials, employees or contractors to use confidential government information for personal financial gain. Convictions could include prison time, fines and a prohibition on holding public office or entering into state contracts. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Jack Stewart, R-Yukon.
House Bill 3420 would amend the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act to strengthen oversight when contracts are negotiated rather than competitively bid. It would require stronger justification, clearer documentation and public reporting of procurement activity, and directs OMES to publish purchasing reports online for public review. The Senate author of the measure is Sen. Carrie Hicks, D-Oklahoma City.
A video of Strom presenting the bills on the House floor is available here.
