OklahomaOklahoma assigns Task Force 1 to rescue and disaster missions
Starting November 1, 2026, Task Force 1 will serve as Oklahoma’s official team for certain missions, and a state fund may reimburse its participating agencies.
What it does
Task Force 1 serves as Oklahoma’s official team for urban search and rescue, floods, and disasters, but it may not fight wildland fires. It is the first team deployed for out-of-state requests tied to declared disasters.
A state fund divides its money equally between the Oklahoma City and Tulsa teams and may reimburse participating agencies directly. The department may spend the money after required claims are approved.
Argument forSending Task Force 1 first for out-of-state disaster requests could help Oklahoma provide aid through a shared emergency response system.
Argument againstThe wildland firefighting limit could keep Oklahoma from using Task Force 1 for some emergencies involving fires.
More detail
Oklahoma recognizes Task Force 1 as its official team for certain rescue and disaster missions. The team covers urban search and rescue missions, floods, and disasters in Oklahoma. For requests related to declared disasters outside Oklahoma under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, it is the first team deployed. Task Force 1 may not be sent to fight wildland fires. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management may spend money from the revolving fund to reimburse Task Force 1 participating agencies directly. The fund is for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and reimburses agencies that participate in Task Force 1. Money in the fund is divided equally between the Oklahoma City and Tulsa teams. The department may make payments after claims are filed as required by law and approved for payment by the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The department may make rules about the fund’s administration, allowed uses, and oversight. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Fourth Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 6Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 79 Nays: 10Major
- May 6SA's read, adoptedMajor
- Apr 23SA's received
- Apr 23Engrossed to HouseMajor
- Apr 22Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22Measure passed: Ayes: 37 Nays: 10Major
- Apr 22Enacting clause restored
- Apr 22Title restored
- Apr 22General Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
- Apr 22Coauthored by Senator Hicks
- Apr 13Placed on General Order
- Apr 13Withdrawn from Appropriations committee
- Apr 7Referred to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Public Safety. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 7Enacting clause stricken
- Apr 7Reported Do Pass as amended Public Safety committee; CR filedMinor
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to Public Safety Committee then to Appropriations CommitteeMinor
- Mar 12First ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 11Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 77 Nays: 14Passed House
- Mar 11General Order
- Mar 5Emergency removed
- Mar 5Title stricken
- Mar 5Authored by Senator Haste (principal Senate author)
- Mar 5Coauthored by Representative(s) Miller, Stewart
- Mar 5CR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget CommitteeMinor
- Mar 3
- Vote recorded Appropriations And Budget Committee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 18Recommendation to the full committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Appropriations and Budget General Government SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 16
- Vote recorded Appropriations And Budget General Government Subcommittee: Do Pass As Amended By Cs. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Referred to Appropriations and Budget General Government SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Appropriations and BudgetMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative May
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Emergency ManagementPublic Safety