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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, is the author of two new laws that take effect Nov. 1, both designed to improve public safety. House Bill 3244 strengthens punishments for organized retail crime and identity theft and closes loopholes to protect the vulnerable. House Bill 2941 requires first responders to notify law enforcement when treating a drug overdose and establishes that in cases of fatal overdoses involving fentanyl, that will be the presumed cause of death. "Both measures are designed to protect the public," Bashore said. "Whether it's cracking down harder on criminals who are stealing personal information and defrauding citizens and businesses, or getting people faster help during a drug overdose, the emphasis is on making sure Oklahomans are safe." HB3244 expands the definition and pattern of retail and identity theft crimes, and it closes a loophole where criminals exploit vulnerable populations, including the elderly and minors. It is reported that fraud cases have risen sharply in recent years. In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission received 3.5 million fraud reports. By 2025, that number had jumped to 6.5 million, with an estimated $12.5 billion in losses. HB3244 also strengthens identity theft laws by expanding the list of personal information someone can illegally possess or use with fraudulent intent to include fingerprints, PIN numbers, DNA, usernames, passwords and more. The bill strengthens penalties for repeat offenders and improves coordination between law enforcement and financial institutions investigating suspected fraud. Punishment ranges from 10 to 20 years in prison, fines of between $20,000 and $100,000, or both. HB2941 requires first responders to notify law enforcement as soon as practicable after attending to the medical needs of the person they are treating when a drug overdose is suspected. Legal immunity will be granted to those who make the notification in good faith. The measure also establishes that in cases of fatal overdoses involving fentanyl, that will be the presumed cause of death. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports fentanyl was involved in 86% of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2024, compared to approximately 10% to 20% annually prior to 2020.  "Fentanyl is a growing problem in our state and across the nation, Bashore said. "Having more detailed data on the spread of this deadly drug in Oklahoma will help law enforcement identify problem areas, direct resources where they are needed most and better target those responsible for distributing this deadly drug." Bashore also authored House Bill 2959 , which took effect in May. The bill requires allegations of abuse or neglect by a school employee to be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours, prior of any formal investigation by the school or school board or the questioning of the subject of the accusation. "Too often, schools were interpreting the law to mean they had to notify law enforcement only after the school had finished its investigation into an allegation of abuse," Bashore said. "This clarifies the definition of immediately to mean within 24 hours. It gets quicker help for those traumatized by abuse and stops others from being victimized."

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Terry Peach Water Restoration Act, updated through House Bill 2988 , goes into effect statewide Nov. 1. Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, is the principal author of the bill.  The legislation creates a statewide program to remove or eradicate harmful woody species, such as eastern red cedars and other trees and brush that consume massive amounts of water and present a fire danger in watershed areas throughout the state. The program previously was approved as a pilot, tested in the North Canadian Watershed. "We made great progress after previous passage of bills to establish and fund the pilot program," Dobrinski said. "With lingering drought and persistent wildfire conditions throughout Oklahoma, the Legislature wisely chose to establish a consistent statewide plan to reverse the threat of these invasive species. I'm excited to have this law going into effect soon so other areas can benefit as we have in Western Oklahoma. Conservation of our resources and public protection from wildfires is of extreme importance." HB2988 specifies the program is to be administered by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Trey Lam, executive director of the commission, provided the following information about the program's implementation to date and plans moving forward:  2,450 acres, or 69 miles, of wildfire mitigation zones have been completed near 48 communities, lowering the risk of loss to life and property. The commission implemented 22,541 acres of prescribed fire through cost-share funds for landowners in Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026; 29,155 acres have been planned since July 1 for implementation in FY27. The commission completed seven Fighting Fire with Fire trainings for rural fire departments under the directives of the act since FY24. Five trainings are planned for FY27 with the first on Nov. 12 in Dewey. 55 grants have been awarded to rural fire departments and prescribed burn associations through the Fighting Fire with Fire workshop. 133 contracts for invasive woody species removal through the watershed restoration program were awarded in FY26, totaling 15,588 acres. The application period for FY27 Invasive Woody Species removal opened Sept. 1 and remains through Nov. 1. Currently, 600 applications have been received. Focus conservation districts for FY7 include the following counties and municipalities: Cleveland, Coal, Creek, Dewey, Grady, Hughes, Konawa, Lincoln, Logan, Major, McClain, Noble, North Caddo, Okfuskee, Oklahoma County, Okmulgee, Payne, Pontotoc, Seminole, Shawnee, South Caddo, West Caddo and Woodward. Applications can be made at the local conservation district office within the program area.                                                 The legislation also created the Water Restoration Revolving Fund to be used by the Conservation Commission to manage and eradicate, where possible, harmful woody species that damage grazing lands, create significant wildfire risk, reduce wildlife habitat and reduce water flow into state waterways and water basins. The commission is directed to cooperate with landowners, state agencies and other political subdivisions for the removal of the harmful woody species specified in the bill. It also must measure the density of the harmful woody species and estimate water used by those species as well as create a study using a parallel watershed with no control of harmful woody species, among other directives. Dobrinski was recognized earlier this month as the 2026 Legislator of the Year by the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma (CCO), in part because of his work on this legislation. The award recognized Dobrinski's leadership on conservation legislation, commitment to responsible natural resource management and continued partnership in advancing practical, science-backed conservation policies across Oklahoma. The OCC specifically noted Dobrinski for his active involvement in addressing woody plant encroachment, the fuel behind many Oklahoma wildfires, and a growing concern for Oklahoma’s water resources, native grasslands, wildlife habitat and agricultural productivity. His legislative efforts include authoring HB2988 this year and serving as House author of Senate Bill 940 in 2025. Both address harmful woody species.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law designating the Oklahoma 211 Collaborative as the lead entity for all statewide 211 call centers and placing it under the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will take effect Nov. 1. House Bill 4095 , authored by Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, also reduces the collaborative's membership from 15 to nine members, including three public-sector representatives and six private-sector representatives. Members will serve staggered initial terms followed by three-year terms, with the option for reappointment. All members will serve without compensation. "The new structure to improve coordination and long-term sustainability of our state's 211 hotline which is vital for Oklahomans," Norwood said. "Behind every phone call is a real person or family facing hardship and searching for hope. This new governance structure for 211, paired with the creation of the revolving fund, will help secure critical services for Oklahomans when they need them most while promoting responsible use of taxpayer dollars." The 211 hotline provides 24/7 access through phone, text and web-based services. The hotline connects Oklahomans with local and statewide resources during times of need and plays an important role in emergency response. Senate Bill 1290 , a companion measure to HB4095 also carried in the House by Norwood, was signed into law in 2026. The measure established the 211 Hotline Revolving Fund and took effect July 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A law establishing the True Grit Trail in Southeast Oklahoma takes effect Nov. 1. House Bill 1411 is authored by Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. "'True Grit' is such a classic American story," Grego said. "It's a tale of determination, a fight for justice and to see wrong's righted, and it contains a fascinating cast of characters from the young and fiery Mattie Ross to the onery and cantankerous but effective Marshall Rooster Cogburn. And much of the story was set right here in Oklahoma. This new trail will give us a way to show off the places made popular in the story and hopefully will draw new visitors to this area of the state. This could positively impact our local hotels, restaurants and other businesses." "True Grit," a novel written by Charles Portis, has since been turned into several movie adaptations. It follows the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross who hires U.S. Marshall Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn and a Texas Ranger to avenge the murder of her father. The trio trace the murderous gang into what was known as "Indian Territory" in 1878. The movie role of Rooster Cogburn was first played by John Wayne in 1969 and in a 2010 remake by Jeff Bridges. Kim Darby played the original Mattie Ross. Hailee Steinfeld played the character in the 2010 film. Towns and places of interest along the trail include: Sallisaw, Spiro, Bokoshe, McCurtain, Kinta, Quinton, Krebs, McAlester, Hartshorne, Wilburton, Red Oak, Bengal, Talihina, Robbers Cave State Park, and the Talimena National Scenic Byway. "I'm thankful to all those behind the scenes who have worked on establishing the trail so that when the law takes effect, we can get on our way to welcoming visitors" Grego said. Mike Cathey is one of those who has aggressively worked on the trail for the past three years, as the state designation was finding its way through the legislative process. Cathey, a constituent of Grego, provided much of the inspiration for HB1411. He writes a weekly newspaper column and an annual tourism column. This year, with the passage of the True Grit Trail bill, he encouraged readers to find their way to Dardanelle, AR, the fictional home of Mattie Ross, and then traverse the near 260 miles along Arkansas State Highway 22 to Fort Smith, were Mattie travels to engage Deputy Cogburn to help find the man who killed her father. Rooster and Texas Ranger LeBoeuf cross the Arkansas river into Indian Territory (now Oklahoma, traveling through what is now Sallisaw to Spiro and then Oklahoma State Highway 31 as they head toward McAlester, in search of the murderer Tom Chaney as he has been recently seen at J.J. McAlester’s Store. "This journey finds the traveler in the beautiful San Bois Mountains valley, in the now Lake Eufaula region, and following a visit to J.J. McAlester’s Olde Town stomping grounds, into the outlaws’ Robbers Cave and finally in the Winding Stair Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest of southeastern Oklahoma," Cathey writes. "And there is so much more as Charles Portis, I believe, purposely set his novel to parallel the Trail of Tears and the Butterfield Trail." HB1411 was ceremonially signed into law by the governor in August. Cathey and others from Southeast Oklahoma came in costume to the bill signing at the Capitol, each person representing a different character in the story of "True Grit." Cathey said since that time, some dialogue has occurred between the True Grit Trail in Oklahoma group, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department related to signage.  HB1411 requires ODOT to post signs along Oklahoma state highways directing visitors to sites along the new trail. ODOT and the Tourism Department are then required to collaborate to maintain information regarding the True Grit Trail on an online platform. "This is a work in progress," Cathey said.  Cathey and others also have been working on some local events highlighting the trail, such as taking part in the Haunted Homestead Treasure Hunt, which runs again from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, At the Edwards Store and Edwards-Hardaway Homestead, eight miles northeast of Red Oak, along the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail. The group also has worked with the Latimer County Tourism Authority to promote the trail both in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The group also hosts a monthly podcast: "Tales of the True Grit Trail." An additional exciting accomplishment for the group is the integration into the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System's Big Read program , which this year is honoring 250 years of the American story by coming together to read the novel "True Grit" by Charles Portis . The program kicked off Sept. 26 but features many events through the remainder of this year and into 2027. A current primary focus of the True Grit Trail is the population of data and information along the trail from all of the local communities, towns, and cities across Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Cathey said. More information about the trail can be found on the website, truegrittrail.com .

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Sen. Kelly Hines, R-Oklahoma City, recently hosted an interim study examining the growth of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility in Oklahoma and what the state can do to remain competitive as the technology continues to develop. Aerospace and defense currently contributes $52.5 billion in economic impact to Oklahoma and supports more than 250,000 jobs. As the advanced air mobility environment becomes increasingly significant and evolves rapidly, the study examined how Oklahoma can build on that foundation while protecting critical infrastructure, supporting emerging technologies and positioning the state for continued growth. "The advanced mobilities environment in Oklahoma is changing quickly, and there is a real opportunity for us to be intentional about how we grow with it," Miller said. "This study gave us a chance to look more closely at where Oklahoma is positioned today and what we should be paying attention to as these technologies continue to develop. I want us to be thoughtful about the decisions we make now so we are ready to support the opportunities ahead." "Advanced air mobility has the potential to open new doors for Oklahoma’s aerospace industry, particularly when it comes to manufacturing and job creation," Hines said. "We want to see more of these technologies developed, tested and built right here in our state. Growing that kind of industry means more opportunities for Oklahoma businesses and workers, while strengthening an industry that is already a major part of our economy." The study highlighted investments already underway in western Oklahoma, at Camp Gruber and in the Tulsa area to support testing, radar systems and other infrastructure needed for emerging aviation technologies. The discussion also focused on the role of research, testing and infrastructure in attracting additional development and manufacturing to Oklahoma. Presenters said those efforts can help position the state for long-term growth in aircraft and component manufacturing. Federal regulations were another major part of the discussion. Participants discussed anticipated Federal Aviation Administration rules that could expand commercial drone operations and the importance of having infrastructure and policies in place so Oklahoma is prepared as those opportunities become available. Public safety and airspace protection were also addressed, including how increased unmanned aircraft activity could affect critical infrastructure and other sensitive locations. Hines said at the beginning of the study that he and Rep. Miller wanted to better understand how Oklahoma can continue expanding its presence in the industry and whether ideas from the discussion could help shape policy in the upcoming legislative session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Representatives Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, and Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, along with Senators Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Julie McIntosh, R-Porter, held a joint interim study in the House Public Health Committee on Thursday. The study looked at ways to circumvent delays in chain of custody and the testing of sexual assault kits, identify cracks in the testing system, possible timeline changes, and the best way to store non-reported kits, or kits in which the victims do not wish to press charges. “Today, we heard from law enforcement professionals and experts that identified areas of improvement and solutions the legislature can take to reduce the turnaround time for forensic testing of sexual assault kits and to more quickly work toward the justice all Oklahomans deserve,” Provenzano said. “Oklahoma is 3rd in the nation for reported rape cases. Two-thirds of assaults go unreported to law enforcement. We can and must take the next step in our efforts to expedite the journey towards justice for the victims. They deserve it.” Danielle Tudor, Special Designee of the Office of the Attorney General, gave a presentation showing the need for reforms in sexual assault kit collection and turn around time. Oklahoma currently ranks third in the nation for rates of sexual assault. “Too many Oklahomans have waited far too long for justice, yet for years more than 9,000 sexual assault kits sat untested across Oklahoma. That failure cannot happen again,” said Hicks, who is an appointed member of the state’s SAFE Board. “As we near the end of clearing this backlog, we must turn lessons learned into bold action by establishing clear timelines, strengthening accountability, and ensuring every survivor has a path to swift justice.” Mistie Burris, Criminalistics Administrator of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says OSBI is  currently tracking over two thousand kits . Burris suggested a shorter timeline for sexual assault kit collection. Currently, it takes an average of 7.47 days to collect a sexual assault kit. Burris proposed shortening that timeline to two days.  OSBI reports that since the statute changed in 2019 to require submission of all reported kits, submissions tripled. "As a health care professional, I know how important it is that survivors receive compassionate care and that the evidence collected is handled properly, and as a lawmaker, I also know how important it is that the system works as intended once a kit has been collected," Roe said. "No kit should be lost, left behind or delayed unnecessarily. This study helped my colleagues and I identify gaps in the chain of custody, discuss how to improve testing timelines and consider responsible procedures for storing kits when a survivor is not yet ready to report. Survivors deserve a system they can trust at every level of this process." The Tulsa Police Department also presented at the study and showed similar reports of a backlog in sexual assault kits since the statute change in 2019. In 2018, the department reports having 167 sexual assault DNA testing requests, whereas in 2025, that number rose to 365 sexual assaults. To help the backlog, TPD requested state funding for outsourcing sexual assault kits to a vendor laboratory with an estimated fiscal impact of $400K. The Oklahoma City Police Department recommended to members at the study that they establish a 180-day timeline for reported sexual assault kits, define the requirement around the kit, preserve forensic discretion by allowing experts to determine what additional tests, if any, are needed, and monitor capacity and outcomes so we can continue working toward the most effective and efficient methods of sexual assault kit testing. “Every sexual assault evidence kit left waiting on a shelf represents a person who is waiting for justice," said McIntosh. "This interim study allowed us to better understand where we are in dealing with the backlog in testing and how we can support the people working to solve these cases to get access to DNA evidence more quickly. Though our state has made progress, there is more to be done to help survivors and law enforcement get the answers they need to bring justice and closure. Oklahoma can lead the way in swift, effective, and accurate evidence collection and testing." The entire study can be viewed on the Oklahoma House of Representatives Website. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, and Tim Turner, R-Kinta, held an interim study before the House Public Safety Committee examining pay for correctional officers, support staff and administrators at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Hardin chairs the committee and had an almost 40-year career in law enforcement.  "Having a strong and dependable corrections workforce is an important part of maintaining public safety across our state," Hardin said. "We need to understand the challenges the Department of Corrections faces in recruiting and retaining employees, as well as what is working in Oklahoma and elsewhere. The information gathered through this study gives us a clearer understanding of those challenges and a stronger foundation for considering how we address them moving forward." Turner, a member of the committee, spent more than two decades in law enforcement. "Every day, our correctional officers walk into an environment that most Oklahomans will never experience," Turner said . "They face dangerous situations, unpredictable behaviors and tremendous responsibility. Yet far too often, their compensation does not reflect the risks they take or the sacrifices their families make. And we cannot forget our support staff. From medical personnel and administrative employees to maintenance workers, food service staff, and everyone who keeps these facilities operating, they are essential to our mission. Adequate pay is not simply about rewarding employees. It’s about recruitment, retention, safety and accountability." The lawmakers invited Justin Farris, director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC), to give an overview of the department, current pay and challenges to recruiting and retaining correctional officers, administrators and support staff. "Staffing levels at ODOC are critical," Farris said . "We have recognized this for a long time" Farris said when he began as a correctional officer in 1999, each prison had two to three correctional officers per housing unit. Now, there is one officer per unit, traditionally. "This is not at all how we want to operate, which is why I'm here today. I'm here not only to highlight our dedicated and hard-working staff but also to advocate for them. They are an integral part of public safety, and really the thankless part that often goes unnoticed. Yet they are no less dedicated to protecting public safety and building a stronger Oklahoma than any other law enforcement agency in our state." Farris said over the last several years the department has worked to improve the culture of the work environment, and they are seeing the result of that. "Retention rates are up, but we need a pay raise for all of our employees to keep up with this," he said. "We're not only losing our security staff to other states and entities that pay more, we're also losing experienced support and administrative staff to other state agencies that offer higher salaries for positions with less supervisory responsibility." Farris said a pay raise would help stabilize the workforce and undergird the improvement efforts the department has undertaken. Since 2023, the department hired over 3,300 employees agencywide. However, they lost more than 3,100 during the same period. That leaves the department with a gain of just 194 employees. Currently, agencywide, the department has 641 open positions. Jeannine Morton-Brown, director of Human Resources with the department, showed the disparity of pay between Oklahoma and surrounding states. Correctional officers between tiers two and four earn on average between 18% and 21.7% less than peers in surrounding states including Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas. Only in tier two is the state higher in pay than Arkansas. It is less in all the additional surrounding states. She also discussed the gap in DOC pay versus other state agencies. Donald Thurmond, who serves as the chief of security at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary and Jackie Brannon Minimum Security Unit in McAlester, asked study attendees to ask themselves what $21.48 an hour – the starting pay for most Oklahoma correctional officers – would purchase in today's economy. He then graphically explained what an officer is asked to do for that wage. "We ask them to supervise individuals convicted of violent crimes," he said . "We ask them to intervene in fights. We ask them to confront individuals armed with homemade weapons. We ask them to respond when an inmate attempts to take their own life. We ask them to remain professional when they're threatened, cursed at, spit on or assaulted, and we ask them to protect the lives of the very people who may have just attempted to hurt them for approximately twenty-one dollars and forty-eight cents an hour." Thurmond said he's watched good, experienced correctional officers walk away from careers they love because they could not afford to stay. Additional presenters included Mike Thompson, director of the nonprofit Safe Inside Project, who discussed improving life and work behind prison walls, and Mary Babcock, director of Human Resources for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She described efforts the department has pursued that has resulted in better compensation, better retention of staff and an overall safer environment for officers and inmates. Turner closed the study saying , "Respect must reflect in our actions, our budgets and ultimately in our paychecks of those that are serving behind those walls. These employees aren't asking to become wealthy. They're asking to earn a fair wage and provide for their families and know the state they serve values their sacrifices. As we move forward to the next legislative session, I hope we remember the testimony that we've heard today and we recognize that adequate compensation isn't just an employee issue, it's a public safety issue, it's a retention issue and a responsibility that we have as state leaders." The entire study can be viewed on the House website under News & Media, live proceedings, then search the calendar for Oct. 21 Public Safety starting at 1:02 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, was among a group of Oklahomans who traveled recently to the Louisiana State Penitentiary to view firsthand the Angola Prison Rodeo, the only remaining prison rodeo in the United States. "The purpose of this trip was to gain ideas about what they are doing and how we might apply some of this knowledge as we make an attempt to revive our own prison rodeo at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester," Grego said. "Angola really has their stuff together," he added. "This is so much more than just a rodeo. It is an event drawing 10,000 visitors to each sold-out rodeo." Grego said one estimate shows a total local impact of $1 million for each rodeo held at the prison. Traveling with Grego was his wife, Sandy; Braedon and Kristie Oquin, the latter serves as the chair of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo Restoration Committee; Kevin Beaty, committee vice chair; Willis Pettit, warden of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester; Michael Davis, CEO and president of Oklahoma Finance Authorities; and Josh Beaty. The group had the opportunity to visit with the commissioner and the first deputy of the Louisiana Department of Corrections, Grego said, as well as the warden at the state penitentiary, known as Angola. Grego said for many years, the Oklahoma State Penitentiary held a rodeo that was very popular with inmates and their families as well as staff. It drew visitors from across the nation to Southeast Oklahoma. "The rodeo was discontinued due to a lack of funding and deterioration of the grounds," Grego said. The last rodeo at the prison was held in 2009. Grego has authored legislation the last few years to create a revolving fund to restart the rodeo, but the bills have not made it through the full legislative process. Grego said the measures have support, including from the Department of Corrections, which previously committed to putting $1 million toward the project. Both the City of McAlester and the McAlester Chamber of Commerce are supportive as well, Grego said. The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and recreation also previously committed to promoting the rodeo if it were to again operate. Grego said many professional cowboys also have expressed an interest in holding events at the McAlester prison once the rodeo grounds are restored. He said the Oklahoma Department of Commerce agreed the event would have a positive economic impact on McAlester and surrounding areas of Southeast Oklahoma. "This could bring a return on investment to the Department of Corrections and the state and local economy, and we could all reap the economic reward it would bring," Grego said.

Oklahoma lawmakers examined the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), nutrition initiatives and home-delivered meal services during a combined interim study Thursday, exploring ways to improve program integrity, expand access to nutritious food and strengthen outcomes for Oklahoma families. The study combined three topics requested by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay. The lawmakers said the study provided an opportunity to examine both immediate challenges associated with federal SNAP changes and longer-term approaches to improving nutrition and food access. "Food assistance is about more than putting food on the table," Pae said. "We need to understand whether these programs are working as intended, whether taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and whether Oklahomans are getting the resources they need to build healthier, more independent lives. These conversations will help inform the work ahead as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session." "Home-delivered meals are just one example of how a targeted service can address multiple problems at a time," Gise said. "For some Oklahomans, access to nutritious meals can help them manage health conditions, remain independent and avoid costly institutional care. We should continue examining the outcomes of these programs and identify opportunities to make them work better for the people who truly need them." Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Jeffrey Cartmell said the agency prevented more than $5 million in erroneous benefit payments after tripling new employee training time, implementing additional quality-control checkpoints and reviewing more than 75,000 cases over the past year. The state’s most recently federally certified SNAP payment error rate was 11.04%. Cartmell said the agency anticipated a rate between 6.5% and 8.5%, though final figures remained subject to additional reviews . Cartmell explained that incomplete applications, additional verification requirements and repeated requests for documentation can increase the agency’s workload even as participation declines. However, he emphasized that program performance should be evaluated not only by processing metrics but also by whether families become more stable and move toward greater independence. "Our agency has four goals, four pillars that we hold near and dear to what we believe," Cartmell said . "The third one of those is that Oklahoma should have the strongest pathways to prosperity—not the strongest safety net, not the most benefits, the strongest pathways for prosperity. And once we really start measuring programs like SNAP, not on outputs, but on outcomes, we can get closer to that." Alexina Cather, director of policy and communications for Wellness in the Schools, discussed research on school nutrition and the relationship between healthier meals and public health outcomes. According to Hunger Free Oklahoma estimates, more than one in four Oklahoma children do not get the food they need and nearly seven in 10 public school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Cather said , "Meal quality isn't a side issue"—instead, she described it as a "public health lever." She highlighted research suggesting improved school nutrition standards helped reduce obesity rates among children living in poverty. Cather also discussed nutrition initiatives in California, Michigan and New York, along with opportunities for Oklahoma to build on existing school meal programs. The latter half of the study focused on home-delivered meals, highlighting the potential to improve health outcomes, support independent living and reduce the costs associated with institutional care. Tara Searles, director of business development for Mom’s Meals, described the company’s medically tailored meal services and their potential to help older adults, people with disabilities and individuals managing chronic health conditions. Searles also discussed a potential pathway for eligible SNAP participants to purchase medically tailored, home-delivered meals. Searles said Mom's Meals has delivered more than 630,000 meals to more than 8,500 clients in the state over the previous 12 months. Additionally, the organization employs around 180 people and purchased over 97,000 locally sourced ingredients in 2025 alone. Jeff Barteau, CEO of Homestyle Direct, described the company’s work providing meals to Oklahoma Medicaid beneficiaries through the Advantage Waiver Program. "For an older or disabled Oklahoman living alone, the inability to prepare reliable, appropriate meals is often the first thing that makes their home unsafe," Barteau told the committee. Barteau said home-delivered meals can help address food insecurity while supporting individuals who want to remain in their homes rather than entering institutional care. He pointed out that an annual cost of one home-delivered meal per day is about $2,200, less than 3% of the $82,000 cost to provide care for someone living in a nursing facility. Sara Marlow Fulks, advocacy and public policy officer for Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, discussed the role food banks play in addressing food insecurity. She said Oklahoma’s two food banks served more than 2 million summer meals in 2026, with most distributed through noncongregate options that allow families to take meals home. "SNAP truly is the first line of defense when it comes to serving food insecurity," Fulks said . "It's the most dignifiable way to serve our food insecure neighbors." Fulks also highlighted the proposed Farmers Against Hunger initiative, a $2 million pilot program developed with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Oklahoma Pork Council. If funded, the initiative is estimated to provide 3 million pounds of locally raised meat to families in need while supporting Oklahoma farmers and processors. "This is an innovative, common-sense approach to fighting hunger," Gise said. "It supports Oklahoma agriculture while putting nutritious food on the tables of families who need it most." Leslie Young, program director for Double Up Oklahoma, described how the program helps SNAP participants purchase fresh fruits and vegetables by providing incentives for eligible purchases. Young said the initiative has helped hundreds of thousands of SNAP customers purchase produce. She pointed to a three-month follow up where participants had increased their fruit and vegetable intake by almost one serving per day. "This study demonstrated that addressing food insecurity requires more than one program or one organization," Roe said. "By bringing together people working on different parts of that challenge, we can better understand what is working, where the gaps are and what improvements may be worth considering in the next legislative session."