Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1181

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

Public finance. Specifying certain duty of Director of Office of Management and Enterprise Services. Emergency.

Impact

The bill reinforces the accountability and standardized procedures for payroll and claims across state agencies. By giving the Director the authority to approve claims filed against multiple items of the current allotments within funds, the Bill seeks to streamline financial operations and enhance oversight. The establishment of specified systems and forms could also optimize the processing time for payroll, which is essential for maintaining the financial stability and proper functioning of government entities.

Summary

Senate Bill 1181, introduced by Senator Roger Thompson and co-sponsored by others, primarily addresses the procedures surrounding claims and payroll processing within state agencies. It amends Section 34.67 of Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which pertains to the responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). This amendment specifies the Director's authority to prescribe forms and electronic systems needed for state agencies to process payroll and claims efficiently.

Contention

Although specific points of contention are not detailed in the provided documents, typical discussions around such bills can revolve around the implications of centralized financial decision-making. Some stakeholders might raise concerns about the potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies or loss of local control over financial practices within individual agencies. Additionally, the emergency declaration attached to the bill signals the urgency perceived by lawmakers, indicating that immediate changes are deemed necessary to preserve public peace, health, or safety.