OklahomaHealth commissioner must study combining two state agencies
The State Commissioner of Health must study a possible merger with the state mental health agency and send state leaders a report by March 1, 2027.
What it does
Health officials must study whether Oklahoma’s health and mental health agencies could be combined and report findings, possible savings, service effects, and recommendations by March 1, 2027.
The Health Commissioner may also hold the mental health commissioner position, including temporarily, while the required agency-consolidation study is underway.
Argument forA detailed comparison could help state leaders identify duplicated services, possible savings, and gaps that affect people seeking care.
Argument againstCombining leadership roles could place added demands on one commissioner and may complicate oversight while two agencies continue operating.
More detail
The State Commissioner of Health must conduct a feasibility study with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The study covers a possible consolidation of the State Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The study must examine agency operations, finances, programs, services, people served, costs, outcomes, and consolidation efforts in other states. It must look for possible savings, duplicated or complementary services, ways to align programs, service gaps, and access and quality concerns. The Commissioner must send the findings and recommendations electronically to the Governor and legislative leaders. The final report must be submitted by March 1, 2027.
The State Commissioner of Health may also serve as Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services during the feasibility study. The exception applies when the Health Commissioner is appointed to the mental health commissioner position, including in an acting or interim role. This exception applies only for the duration of the feasibility study described in the act. It creates an exception to the general rule against holding two state offices at the same time. The act takes effect upon passage and approval, and the exception lasts only while the feasibility study continues.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/21/2026Became Law
- May 14Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Fourth Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Signed, returned to Senate
- May 14Enrolled, to House
- May 14Referred for enrollment
- May 14Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 47 Nays: 0Major
- May 14HAs adoptedMajor
- May 14HAs read
- May 7Engrossed, signed, to SenateMajor
- May 6Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 86 Nays: 5Major
- May 6Amended by floor substitute
- May 6Coauthored by Representative(s) Archer
- May 6General Order
- Apr 15CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Apr 13
- Vote recorded Health And Human Services Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public HealthMinor
- Vote recorded Public Health Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Referred to Public HealthMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services OversightMinor
- Mar 26First ReadingMinor
- Mar 26Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Mar 25Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 47 Nays: 0Passed Senate
- Mar 25Title restored
- Mar 25General Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
- Mar 25Coauthored by Representative Pae
- Mar 25Remove as principal author Representative Pae and substitute with Representative Stinson
- Mar 25Coauthored by Senator Prieto
- Mar 4Placed on General Order
- Mar 3Coauthored by Representative Pae (principal House author)
- Mar 2Title stricken
- Vote recorded Health & Human Services. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Reported Do Pass as amended Health and Human Services committee; CR filedMinor
- Mar 2Coauthored by Senator Gillespie
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Health and Human ServicesMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Rosino
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
HealthcareMental HealthGovernment & Ethics