The governing boards of state agencies can expect to see legislators show up for their meetings, including sitting in executive sessions. House Speaker Charles McCall has initiated a new policy asking lawmakers to play a greater role in agency oversight.
“The Legislature has been too deferential and hands-off with these governing boards for most of state history, and the House is going to change that,” said McCall.
The House will start with 40 boards that will be monitored. McCall has assigned them to certain committees for oversight. The list can be expanded as needed. Oklahoma has nearly 200 boards and commissions which oversee state agencies.
“Citizens want more oversight of government, and we are continuing to deliver it,” McCall said. “The House is continuing to build on the oversight efforts we have made in the past three years. This time, we are rolling up our sleeves, getting out of the Capitol and visiting agency governing boards ourselves to inform our policymaking. This work will occur year-round – regardless of whether the Legislature is in session.”
The initiative has five goals:
-Improve legislator understanding of agency governance and operations
-Assess each board’s oversight efforts and the effectiveness of the agency
-Monitor whether state appropriations are being used as intended and if adequate consideration is being given to potential liabilities attached to federal or other grants agencies may pursue
-Ensure enactment of new and existing laws, including rulemaking, is consistent with legislative intent and facilitates effective service delivery to the public
-Determine if executive sessions closed to the public are being used properly.
“Governor Kevin Stitt is doing a tremendous job providing stronger oversight of agency operations from the executive branch, and we are joining him in that effort from the legislative branch,” McCall said. “The direct hire and fire ability the Legislature recently granted the governor over some agency leaders, and the rebalancing of at-will board appointments, is already resulting in profound, positive culture change at state agencies. Oklahoma needs to build on this progress by placing additional agencies under similar structures.”
To view the initial list of 40 boards and commissions under the new initiative click here.
