New Oklahoma House committee to investigate mental health department finances

A newly formed committee in the Oklahoma House of Representatives will investigate the finances of the state’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), following a multimillion-dollar supplemental funding request and growing scrutiny from state leaders.

The bipartisan group was announced Tuesday by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, who said the committee’s goal is to clarify how the agency is managing state funds.

Why lawmakers launched the investigation

ODMHSAS has requested an additional $6.2 million in supplemental funding to continue services through the end of the fiscal year. The request raised red flags among lawmakers who say they still lack transparency on how the department has spent its current budget.

“We have just over a month left in this legislative session, and we still don't have a clear understanding of how much state funding ODMHSAS needs,” Hilbert said. “This public hearing will help us get to the bottom of what has happened and what needs to happen moving forward.”

Who is on the committee?

The 13-member select committee includes lawmakers from both parties:

1. Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
2. Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
3. Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa – chair
4. Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Tulsa
5. Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
6. Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
7. Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
8. Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
9. Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
10. Rep. Kevin West. R-Moore
11. Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City
12. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa
13. Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater

Hilbert emphasized the Legislature’s constitutional duty to provide oversight of state funding, calling the formation of the committee a serious and necessary step.

What the committee will investigate

One of the committee’s first actions will be to call ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen to address the issues. Lawmakers are expected to question Friesen about the department’s current financial status, recent contract cancellations, and future budget needs.

Additionally, Hilbert said the committee will seek answers regarding a $5 million appropriation for a new electronic medical records system, which Hilbert says was never implemented.

Other investigations already underway

The House committee is the fourth active investigation into ODMHSAS operations. Others include reviews by:

1. The State Auditor & Inspector’s Office
2. The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency
3. A special investigator appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt

When the committee will meet

The select committee’s first hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Related Story: Oklahoma Mental Health Department seeks emergency funds as governor orders new investigation