April 18, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 • 9 Lawmakers Advance Accountability Package to Protect Taxpayer Dollars OKLAHOMA CITY — After months of them. Chairman Strom, our colleagues and study and collaboration, a bipartisan group I worked closely with her to turn those Representatives Working on the Bills of lawmakers led by Rep. Judd Strom, recommendations into meaningful reforms R-Copan, advanced a package of govern- that strengthen oversight and restore public ment accountability bills aimed at protect- FRQÀGHQFH2NODKRPDKDVPDQ\GHGLFDW ing taxpayers and strengthening ethical ed public servants, but good government standards in state and local government. requires more than good intentions. It The lawmakers, focused on spending requires strong structures. This biparti- accountability, partnered with State Au- san package ensures we learn from these ditor Cindy Byrd in a taxpayer watchdog failures and prevent them from happening role to review state purchasing practices, again.” contract oversight and public accountabil- State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd Rep. Judd Strom, Rep. Denise Rep. Mike Rep. Preston Rep. Andy R-Copan Crosswhite-Hader, Dobrinski, Stinson, Fugate, ity laws. After the state auditor released praised the lawmakers working on the R-Piedmont R-Okeene R-Edmond D-Oklahoma City DUHSRUWÀQGLQJPLOOLRQLQTXHV bills. tionable spending last year, Strom said he knew action was needed to make sure taxpayer funds were properly tracked and “The lawmakers who are working on these bills are doing a great service for the taxpayers of Oklahoma. If the bills are ‘public As a group, we took a hard look at how dollars move through the system and spent as intended. signed into law, it would be a great step “When that report came out, I was upset,” Strom said. “As chair of the forward in accountability,” Byrd said. “I have spent the last seven years blow- where transparency could be strengthened.’ General Government Committee, I felt a ing the whistle on government mismanage- responsibility to act. We met with the State ment but our current laws are not designed Auditor to identify weaknesses in contracts to hold bad actors accountable. Even our greatest problems can be solved bills are about closing gaps and making and purchasing and focused on reforms “I highly commend each of these when our leaders unite behind a singular sure accountability is built into every step that protect taxpayers, save money and ODZPDNHUVIRUGHPDQGLQJWKHÀQDQFLDO purpose,” Byrd said. of the process. They also establish clear close gaps that allow funds to be misused. guardrails Oklahoma desperately needs. Representatives who met regularly after guardrails so that once lawmakers appro- Oklahomans should never have to question the report was released included Strom priate funds, agencies are not simply free where their tax dollars are going.” and Fugate along with Rep. Denise Cross- to spend that money however they choose. Strom brought members from both ‘ white-Hader, R-Piedmont; Rep. Mike Taxpayers deserve nothing less.” sides of the aisle to the table to ensure the If the bills are Dobrinski, R-Okeene; and Rep. Preston Senators sponsoring the House bills legislation was carefully vetted and crafted to serve all Oklahomans. signed into law, Stinson, R-Edmond. include Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson; Sen. “The people of Oklahoma expect their Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City; Sen. Julie “Transparency and accountability for it would be a government to operate in the open and Daniels R-Bartlesville; Sen. Carri Hicks taxpayer dollars are responsibilities we all share, regardless of party,” said Rep. Andy great step within clear guardrails,” the lawmakers D-Oklahoma City; Sen. Jack Stewart Fugate, D-Oklahoma City. “Our State Auditor did more than uncover serious failures in state purchasing processes. She forward in accountability. ’ CINDY BYRD said in a joint statement. “As a group, we took a hard look at how public dol- lars move through the system and where R-Yukon; and Sen. Tom Woods R-West- ville Below is a summary of the measures SURYLGHGDFOHDUURDGPDSIRUKRZWRÀ[ State Auditor and Inspector transparency could be strengthened. These included in the package. Bills Aimed at Ethics and Transparency HOUSE BILL 3413 HOUSE BILL 3414 HOUSE BILL 3415 HOUSE BILL 3419 Expands transparency in Directs the Office of Man- Requires vendors to dis- Strengthens state ethics state agency contracting by agement and Enterprise close subcontractors, sets laws by making it a felony for requiring agencies to pub- Services to improve ac- stronger documentation current or former state or lo- licly list contractors, contract values and counting systems to clearly distinguish standards and mandates post-project cal officials, employees or contractors to project status. It also mandates posting between service contracts and staff reviews to confirm work was completed use confidential government information consultant reports and disclosing wheth- augmentation. It also requires perma- on time and within budget. The bill also for personal financial gain. Convictions er contracts are for outside services or nent documentation for digital and intan- creates a publicly accessible database could include prison time, fines and a to supplement staffing. gible assets purchased by agencies. of state contracts. prohibition on holding public office or The group said taxpayers are the ones The group said contract labor can The group said billions of taxpayer entering into state contracts. who fund every state contract. sometimes blur the true size and cost of dollars flow through state contracts and The lawmakers said public officials often “Oklahomans deserve to know who is government. that Oklahomans have a right to know have access to information before it being paid, how much they are being “Clear reporting helps ensure agencies what is being spent and where. becomes public, such as land deals or paid and whether the work is com- are not quietly expanding staff through “Oklahomans should be able to see contract awards. pleted. House Bill 3413 would provide contracts. Permanent documentation who is doing the work, how much it “If someone profits from insider knowl- clearer insight into how public money is for software and digital assets protects costs and whether it was delivered as edge, it erodes trust and creates unfair being spent.” against waste and lost records.” promised. This bill promotes transpar- advantages. House Bill 3419 would rein- ency and accountability in government force that public service is about serving contracting.” the public, not enriching oneself.” Bills Aimed at Strengthening Bidding, Purchasing Standards HOUSE BILL 3416 HOUSE BILL 3417 HOUSE BILL 3418 HOUSE BILL 3420 Allows counties to seek Clarifies that cities and Updates the Public Compet- Amends the Oklahoma quotes for certain smaller towns must follow state itive Bidding Act by refining Central Purchasing Act to purchases instead of always competitive bidding laws and procedures for public con- strengthen oversight when using a lengthy bidding process, while may not adopt local rules that weaken struction projects, clarifying definitions contracts are negotiated rather than maintaining safeguards and documenta- or bypass those standards. and ensuring consistent bidding practic- competitively bid. It requires stronger tion requirements to prevent misuse. “Competitive bidding protects taxpayers es, including for school district contracts. justification, clearer documentation and The group noted that county purchasing by promoting fairness and preventing “Fair bidding rules help prevent cost public reporting of procurement activity, directly impacts everyday services and favoritism. The bill ensures local gov- overruns and favoritism, ensuring public and directs OMES to publish purchas- said counties need practical flexibility ernments follow the same standards construction projects like, schools, ing reports online for public review. for smaller purchases instead of being designed to secure the best value for roads and public buildings are awarded The measure would also direct OMES delayed by lengthy processes for minor public funds.” competitively and transparently,” the to publish procurement reports on its items. lawmakers said. website so the public can see state purchasing activity and how decisions “More flexible rules can help counties are made. secure better prices and respond more quickly to local needs while protecting “Competitive bidding helps secure fair taxpayers,” the lawmakers said. prices and when exceptions are made, taxpayers deserve clear explanations. House Bill 3420 increases transparency around those decisions and provides better tools for oversight.”