House Media

The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) recently released a long-awaited forensic audit of its OKBred account. The audit, which Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, received and reviewed after an Open Records Request, found inadequate internal controls, noncompliance with statutory purpose and deficient documentation and record-keeping. It also revealed a lack of formal policies and procedures, lack of transparency to relevant stakeholders and inadequate reconciliation and independent review of finances. A comprehensive reconciliation of the Oklahoma Breeding and Development Fund Special Account (OKBred) began in May 2025. The objective of the audit was to determine the accurate balance of the OKBred fund as of June 30, 2025, and to evaluate the internal controls and processes associated with the management of the account. The account consists of restricted funds established by statute for the specific purpose of supporting and promoting Oklahoma breeders and the state’s breeding industry.  "As fiduciaries of these public funds, the OHRC has a legal, moral and ethical obligation to ensure proper governance, transparency and compliance," Harris said. "The independent audit demonstrates that the Commission has failed to meet these obligations."  The audit noted that OKBred's operational structure lacked sufficient financial controls, system support and interdepartmental oversight. These weaknesses directly contributed to reporting inconsistencies and increased the opportunity for error and potential fraud.  "This audit uncovers a serious lack of financial controls of the OKBred account, which calls into question past and ongoing funds that have been and are being distributed by the OHRC to horse breeders across our state," Harris said. "I urge the State Auditor and the Attorney General to immediately get involved to determine if these public funds have been misspent, whether any crimes were committed and what new procedures must be put in place immediately to ensure accountability and transparency with these funds." 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Freshman lawmaker Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, has filed legislation to create the 988 Trust Fund to help ensure Oklahoma’s mental health crisis hotline remains available to those in need as federal funding is set to expire later this year. “Oklahomans need to know that when they make that call, someone will answer,” Norwood said. “With more than 30 years of experience in mental health presentations, I understand how powerful one conversation can be. It can change the direction of someone’s life for the better. This bill is about making sure help is always there when someone needs it most.” House Bill 4092 would create the 988 Trust Fund and establish the sources of money that may be deposited into the fund, including legislative appropriations, federal funds, grants, gifts and other sources. Money in the fund could only be used for 988 Mental Health Lifeline and related behavioral health crisis services. Any actual funding levels would be decided later through the state budget process or separate legislation. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has confirmed that a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that partially funds 988 in Oklahoma is scheduled to end Sept. 30. Norwood said the pending loss of federal support makes it critical for the state to plan ahead. “We cannot let 988 come to an end,” Norwood said. “No one should ever make a permanent decision based on temporary problems. This bill helps make sure there is a fund in place, so someone is always there to answer the call for Oklahomans who are struggling.” The 988 hotline replaced the Suicide Prevention Lifeline to better serve Oklahomans experiencing mental health crises. Calls or texts to 988 connect individuals with trained mental health professionals who can provide immediate support, link callers to local resources and deploy mobile crisis teams when needed. According to recent data from Solari Crisis & Human Services , which partners with ODMHSAS to operate the 988 Mental Health Lifeline in Oklahoma, the most common reasons people contact 988 include coordination of care, self-harm or suicide concerns, anxiety and depression. While call volume spiked last fall due in part to SNAP-related stressors, 7,166 calls have been made to the hotline in the past 30 days alone. HB4092 is eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, has filed two bills for the upcoming legislative session aimed at stopping foreign terrorist activity and illegal foreign land ownership in the state. "Oklahoma welcomes those who have come to our country legally and who are willing to abide by the laws of our land," Turner said. "But those who are here to further a terrorist cause, to harm our citizens through drug or human trafficking or in any other manner, or who illegally purchase our land with an eye to siphon our resources and profits, should know that we will punish them to the full extent of the law." House Bill 3764 would enhance penalties for anyone convicted of a felony offense while acting on behalf of or supporting a known foreign terrorist organization as defined by the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. Enhanced punishment would include twice the maximum prison sentence and twice the maximum fine that could have been imposed for a first conviction for the underlying felony offense. These would apply in addition to, not in place of, any mandatory minimum sentence applicable to the underlying offense. The state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, at the time of the offense, was a member of, acting at the direction of, knowingly provided material support to or knowingly associated with in furtherance of the objectives of the designated foreign terrorist organization. Just last week, the U.S. Justice Departmen t reported it took into custody 37 foreign fugitives facing a range of criminal charges including human smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, money laundering and other offenses. One of the fugitives was charged in the Western District of Oklahoma. Turner said this is just one small case of many. House Bill 3765 would create felony punishments for any alien or person who is not a citizen of the United States who has unlawfully acquired title to or owns land in this state either directly or indirectly through a business entity, trust or foreign government enterprise, and who uses such land to commit a felony offense in violation of state law. Upon conviction, the felony would be punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed two years, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. In addition, all property seized would be subject to forfeiture. Turner acknowledges the state already has laws in place to limit the ownership of land in Oklahoma by non-U.S. citizens. This would create a separate felony offense for those unlawfully acquiring titles or deeds. Both bills carry an emergency clause, which if approved, would mean they take effect immediately after being signed into law.  Both measures will be eligible for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.