Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1156

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/23
• Refer: 2/22/23

Caption

Appropriations; making an appropriation to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Emergency.

Impact

One of the significant impacts of SB1156 is its structured funding process that defines the usage of appropriated funds. The bill mandates that any unspent funds from the 2024 fiscal year must be expended by November 15, 2024, or they shall lapse back into the state treasury. This provision is designed to ensure that allocated resources are utilized effectively within a specified time frame, thereby improving financial accountability within state agencies.

Summary

Senate Bill 1156, introduced in the Oklahoma Legislature, aims to make an appropriation of $100,000 to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. This appropriation is intended to support the department's operations as dictated by existing laws. The bill outlines specific guidelines regarding budgeting, stating that allocated funds may also be used for the subsequent fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, under certain conditions, including an approved budget work program revision by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

Contention

While the bill appears straightforward in nature, it raises points of contention regarding the prioritization of funding within the state's budget. Critics may argue that allocating funding specifically to the Department of Agriculture may divert resources from other essential services. Additionally, the emergency declaration attached to this bill suggests urgency in passing the measure, which could trigger debates on the necessity and implications of such an emergency status for budgetary appropriations, particularly in the context of broader legislative priorities.