OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma residents will soon get more information than they’re used to when voting on state questions.
A bill signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt ensures Oklahomans will receive ballot information that informs them of costs and funding sources associated with state questions.
Senate Bill 947, authored by state Rep. Tammy West (R-Oklahoma City) and Sen. Paul Rosino (R-Oklahoma City) was signed into law last week by the governor.
West said she wanted the state questions to reflect the same information she receives on bills introduced at the Capitol.
“Every bill has a statement of fiscal impact and voters should have that (information) on state questions,” she said. “This provides more transparency overall. Every decision they (voters) have made – from (State Questions) 780 and 781 to the medical marijuana bill and Medicaid expansion – needed the financial information. The fiscal information is one of the first things I look for on a bill.”
There were no specific state questions or financial irregularities that created the need for SB 947, she said.
The measure passed the House 70-18 and cleared the state Senate by a vote of 36-8.
Under SB 947, ballot titles would have to include information about whether a state question would have a fiscal impact, including the amount and where the funding could come from – such as federal funding, or a legislative appropriation – which may require a new tax, an increase of an existing tax, or elimination of existing services. The requirement would apply to state questions created by the initiative petition process as well as those submitted by the Legislature.
“Before Oklahomans vote on a question that could result in new state law, they should be aware if there will be a potential cost and possible sources of funding. This bill ensures they have that information,” West said.
Rosino acknowledged that lawmakers have worked to increase fiscal transparency and accountability in state government in recent years.
“This really is an extension of this effort,” he said. “This will simply make sure that if a state question has a cost, it has to say so on the ballot description as well as how it could be paid for. This is basic information citizens should have in order to make informed decisions when they cast their ballots.”
SB 947 will take effect Nov. 1, 2021.