Oklahoma Senate Bill SB417

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

State employees; allowing for Hazardous Duty Pay for certain state employees. Effective date.

Impact

The enactment of SB417 will create a new section in the Oklahoma Statutes, specifically codified as Section 840-2.15C of Title 74. By establishing guidelines for hazardous duty pay, the bill aims to enhance employee welfare among state workers who perform high-risk tasks. This initiative not only serves to financially support these employees but also can potentially improve morale and job satisfaction, thereby contributing to better overall performance in state services.

Summary

Senate Bill 417 introduces provisions for 'Hazardous Duty Pay' aimed at certain state employees whose job roles are categorized as high-risk. The bill mandates that the Director of the Human Capital Management Division under the Office of Management and Enterprise Services must develop and promulgate rules surrounding this specific pay. The inclusion of hazardous duty pay acknowledges the additional risks that some state employees face in their work environments and seeks to offer them compensation that reflects these challenges.

Contention

While the bill appears straightforward, discussions surrounding its implementation may bring up notable points of contention. Critics may question how the definition of 'high-risk' will be established and which specific job roles will qualify for the additional pay. There may also be financial implications for state budgets, especially if a considerable number of positions are deemed eligible for this form of compensation. Stakeholders will need to ensure that the rules created are equitable and transparent to avoid disparities in pay among state employees.