Education Oversight

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed legislation aiming to increase transparency and oversight of federal funds received by state agencies. House Bill 1221 , also known as the State Accounts for Federal Expenditures (SAFE) Act, would create accounts to be used by agencies for federal funds received under competitive grant awards, direct monetary payments to the agency not associated with an established federal program the agency operates, and block grants. The bill would mandate that any state agency receiving federal funds through these mechanisms must place those funds into separate SAFE accounts, which would be subject to rigorous reporting to the legislative and executive branches. Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, authored the SAFE Act, which would subject expenditures from these federal accounts to legislative approval through a concurrent resolution. If the Legislature disapproves any proposed expenditure, the agency would be required to notify the federal government and withdraw its application for the corresponding funding. "The SAFE Act ensures federal funds are spent in alignment with Oklahoma's priorities through a transparent process," West said. "This gives elected lawmakers a stronger voice on how our state agencies are spending federal funds and ensures Oklahoma taxpayers can trust how their state government is spending these dollars. I appreciate the strong support for this bill in the House and hope to see it move quickly in the Senate." HB1221 outlines specific exemptions, including temporary funding increases in existing federal programs already managed by state agencies, federal unemployment dollars managed by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC), and certain competitive grants received by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the 8-year Construction Work Plan or grants from the Federal Railroad Administration. Additionally, agencies would be required to present their grant-seeking activities and federal funding reports during legislative hearings or budget performance reviews.  "We know the Trump administration has promised and is already delivering on sending more federal dollars down to the states where we can best determine how to use those funds to best benefit Oklahomans. This legislation ensures federal funds being redirected to the state have full legislative review and control to ensure state agencies are aligning expenditures with legislative intent," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We are excited about the opportunities flexibility with these federal funds will bring to our state and this legislation will maintain accountability at the state level for those funds." Having passed the House 78-18, the SAFE Act now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it is authored by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives approved legislation that would provide public school districts with the opportunity to be heard by the State Board of Education (SBE) before any changes are made to their accreditation status. House Bill 1466 , authored by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, would allow for due process procedures for public school districts to be heard by the SBE prior to the issuance of an accreditation deficiency or accreditation status downgrade. The bill adds requirements for accreditation standards to address deficiencies, warnings, probation, or nonaccredited status for non-compliance. "This is a win for transparency in education," West said. "House Bill 1466 will bring more accountability to the process and help schools navigate the accreditation system with greater clarity and fairness. Every school district deserves a fair chance to be heard before major changes are made to their accreditation status, and this measure ensures that their voices are not only heard but considered in the decision-making process." Currently, Oklahoma school districts are not entitled to a hearing or notice before the SBE prior to their accreditation status is downgraded. HB1466 would give school districts the chance to appear before the SBE if the State Department of Education (SDE) recommends downgrading a school's accreditation from "Accredited with Warning" to "Accredited with Probation" or from "Accredited with Probation" to "Non-Accredited." Under HB1466, school districts would have ten days to request a hearing after receiving notice of a recommendation to downgrade their accreditation status. If the district does not request a hearing within this timeframe, they waive their right to one. Additionally, districts that fail to address accreditation issues within 90 days of receiving notice risk having their accreditation status withdrawn. HB1466 passed 89-0 and now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it is carried by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.

House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert, with  the  support  of  Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Governor Kevin Stitt, filed an amendment to legislation that would allow two members  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place items on  the  board agenda. House Bill 1491 allows any member  of   the  State Board  of  Education to place an item on  the  board agenda if requested in writing by at least two members  of   the  board.  The  item shall be placed on  the  agenda for  the  next meeting or a subsequent meeting, as decided by  the  requesting members, in accordance with  the  Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. "We have volunteer boards and commissions that play an important oversight function for state agencies for a reason, and  the  duly-appointed members  of   the  State Board  of  Education should have a say in  the  agenda before  the m. This has been a longstanding issue that needs to be fixed," said  Speaker  Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We have checks and balances on government intentionally built into our system and this legislation will help ensure  the  State Board  of  Education – no matter who is appointed or who is  the  chair – will be able to move  the  needle for Oklahoma kids." " The  State Board  of  Education plays a crucial role in shaping  the  future  of  our schools, and its members should have a clear and fair process for addressing key issues,” Pro Tem Paxton, R-Tuttle, said. “This legislation ensures that every board member has a voice in setting  the  agenda, reinforcing transparency and accountability in our education system. With  the  current structure,  the  board is neutralized and has no say in shaping policy. Allowing this will provide a fair and more effective structure.” “No one member should unilaterally control a board, especially one that directly impacts  the  outcomes  of  our students," said Gov. Kevin Stitt. "It’s time to give a voice on  the  Board  of  Education to parents and students all across Oklahoma. Thank you to  Speaker  Hilbert and Pro Tem Paxton for spearheading this important legislation.” House Bill 1491, originally authored by Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, will be heard in  the  House Education Oversight Committee today. -END-