Constitutional amendment; Medicaid funding; federal Medicaid funding.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Micheal Bergstrom and 1 co-sponsor

The bill formally recognizes specific OHCA permanent rules as major rules, granting them legislative status and requiring public notice.

HAs read

Overview

Type: Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 50)

Session: Oklahoma 2nd Session, 60th Legislature (2026)

Author/Sponsor: Senator Micheal Bergstrom (sponsored; co-sponsor listed as Bergstrom)

Purpose: Approves certain proposed permanent rules of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) as major rules under Oklahoma law. Directs distribution of the resolution.

Main Purpose and Intent

The resolution exercises a formal approval process for specific proposed permanent OHCA rules identified as “major rules” under Section 250.3 of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

By approving these rules via a joint resolution, the Legislature acknowledges their status as major rules that require legislative recognition.

Key Provisions

Approved Rules: The following proposed OHCA permanent rules are approved:

OAC 317:30-5-354
OAC 317:30-5-355.2
OAC 317:30-5-356
OAC 317:30-5-359.2
OAC 317:30-5-659
OAC 317:30-5-661.1
OAC 317:30-5-661.5
OAC 317:30-5-664.3
OAC 317:30-5-664.5

Nature of Rules: These are permanent rules proposed by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). The resolution specifically notes that these rules meet the statutory definition of “major rule.”

Procedure: Section 1 formally approves the listed rules as major rules.

Distribution/Notification: Section 2 requires the Secretary of State to distribute copies of the resolution to the Governor and the editor of The Oklahoma Register, ensuring public notice and official record.

Affected Parties and Impact

OHCA and Governed Entities: The OHCA (the state agency administering health care programs) is directly affected, as the rules concern OHCA policies, procedures, and program administration.

Public/Stakeholders: Providers, insurers, and beneficiaries participating in OHCA programs may experience changes in administration, eligibility, coverage, or compliance related to the approved major rules. Specific impacts depend on the content of each proposed rule (not detailed in the resolution itself).

State Legislature: The Legislature’s formal process for major rules is satisfied, ensuring legislative acknowledgment of OHCA’s major rules.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Approval Method: This is a joint resolution (no new law enacted; formal approval of rules deemed major).

Effective Action: Upon Senate/House approval and signature, the rules listed become recognized as major rules by the legislature and are subject to applicable statutory requirements for major rules (if not otherwise already effective).

Publication/Notice: The resolution directs dissemination to the Governor and The Oklahoma Register to ensure public notice.

Notes

The bill’s text indicates that the primary aim is procedural recognition rather than substantive modification of OHCA rules themselves.

The bill is introduced and currently in its first reading; it requires standard legislative procedures to become law (in this case, to validate the major-rule status of the specified OHCA rules).

Bill