OK
Oklahoma Senate Bill SB900

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB900

Introduced
2/6/23  
Refer
2/7/23  
Report Pass
2/7/23  

Caption

Contracts for professional services; authorizing Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into certain contracts. Effective date.

Impact

By allowing the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to contract with individuals who had previously worked for them, SB900 intends to address potential staffing shortages and improve the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants. This amendment to the law will streamline processes and enable the system to engage experienced professionals more readily, thereby potentially improving defense outcomes for those unable to afford private legal counsel. The bill establishes that it does not prevent agencies from rehiring individuals as state employees, which adds a layer of flexibility in workforce management.

Summary

Senate Bill 900 seeks to amend the existing law concerning contracts for professional services within the State of Oklahoma. Specifically, it permits the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into certain contracts that had previously been restricted under the provision that disallowed sole source contracts for individuals who had terminated employment with the state agency for a period of one year. This legislative change is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to fulfill its obligations effectively by allowing greater flexibility in hiring professionals for indigent defense representation.

Contention

Although SB900 presents several advantages, points of contention may arise around concerns of favoritism or conflicts of interest, especially regarding the rehire of former employees for contract positions. Critics of such legislative amendments may argue it could undermine the integrity of the contracting process and the impartiality of defense representation by creating the potential for perceived or actual bias. As this bill moves forward, scrutiny may be directed towards the monitoring of contracts to ensure that ethical standards are upheld and the system maintains a transparent hiring process.

Companion Bills

OK SB900

Carry Over Contracts for professional services; authorizing Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into certain contracts. Effective date.

Previously Filed As

OK SB900

Contracts for professional services; authorizing Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into certain contracts. Effective date.

OK SB858

State-owned motor vehicles; permitting employees of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to use state-owned or state-leased vehicles. Effective date.

OK HB1093

Contracts; Oklahoma Contracts Reform Act of 2023; effective date.

OK HB1094

Contracts; Oklahoma Contracts Reform Act of 2023; effective date.

OK HB1597

Contracts; Notice of Opportunity to Repair Act; subjecting requirements to certain contractual agreements; effective date.

OK HB1303

Contracts; Oklahoma Contract Law Act of 2023; effective date.

OK SB899

Indigent Defense Act; authorizing reassignment of certain cases for certain purposes; increasing limit on compensation for certain attorneys in capital cases. Effective date.

OK HB1796

State government; State Employee Assistance Program; authorizing the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to enter into certain agreements; effective date.

OK SB964

Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; authorizing certain retired members to return to employment for certain time period. Effective date.

OK SB261

Higher education; confidentiality; student athlete contracts; name, image or likeness. Effective date.

Similar Bills

OK HB2161

Insurance; Oklahoma Insurance Act; effective date.

OK HB2953

Central purchasing; removing and modifying various exemptions to the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act; effective date.

OK HB4042

State government; Central Purchasing Act; quarterly reports; authorizing Tourism and Recreation Department to promote state facilities; contracts; exemptions; effective date; emergency.

OK HB1774

Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act; acquisition initiation; adding exemption for certain contracts from competitive bidding requirements; requiring State Purchasing Director to review and audit all exceptions; effective date.

OK HB1774

Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act; acquisition initiation; adding exemption for certain contracts from competitive bidding requirements; requiring State Purchasing Director to review and audit all exceptions; effective date.

OK HB2710

State government; acquisitions; Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act; effective date.

OK SB382

Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act; excluding certain acquisitions made by the J.D. McCarty Center from provisions of the Central Purchasing Act. Effective date.

OK SB490

Oklahoma Home Service Contract Act; amending applicability to home warranties; specifying home service contracts and warranties are not insurance. Effective date.