Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; making an appropriation; providing purpose. Emergency.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Trey Caldwell

Apportions 15 million from the Statewide Recovery Fund to replace Griffin Memorial Hospital capacity, per pandemic relief guidance, effective July 1, 2026.

Second Reading referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Overview

Jurisdiction: Oklahoma

Session: 2026, 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature

Title: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; making an appropriation; providing purpose. Emergency.

Committee Substitute: Yes (Committee substitute for Senate Bill No. 1133)

Primary purpose: Make a targeted appropriation to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to address capacity replacement for Griffin Memorial Hospital, in line with pandemic relief funding guidance.

Purpose and Intent

The bill appropriates additional funds to support the replacement of capacity at Griffin Memorial Hospital.

The funds are intended to address gaps in the project to replace capacity and align with recommendations adopted by the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding on April 15, 2026.

The overall aim is to bolster mental health infrastructure capacity and ensure continuity of care at a key state facility.

Key Provisions

Appropriation:

Source: Statewide Recovery Fund (Fund 497) in the State Treasury, monies not otherwise appropriated.
Amount: $15,000,000 (fifteen million dollars), or as much as necessary to complete/address gaps in the Griffin Memorial Hospital capacity replacement project.

Use of Funds:

Funds must be utilized in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding adopted on April 15, 2026.

Effective Date:

The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Emergency Provision:

The bill declares an emergency for immediate effect, allowing the act to take effect upon passage and approval to preserve public peace, health, and safety.

Who/What Is Affected

State Agency: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS)

Project: Replacement of capacity at Griffin Memorial Hospital (a major state mental health facility)

Broader impact: Uses funds designated for pandemic relief guidance, suggesting alignment with broader recovery and resilience efforts.

Procedural and Timing Details

Legislative History:

Authored in the Senate by Senator Hall; coauthored by Senator Haste.
House co-authors include Representative Caldwell (Trey) and Representative Kane.
Introduced and referred for consideration in 2025; Committee substitute approved.

Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (subject to emergency provision taking effect immediately upon passage and approval).

Emergency Declaration: Explicitly states the act is an emergency measure to ensure timely implementation.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Financial: $15 million appropriation earmarked from the Statewide Recovery Fund to support capital replacement for Griffin Memorial Hospital.

Implementation: Requires adherence to Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding recommendations, which may influence project scope, procurement, and reporting.

Public Health/Hospital Capacity: Aims to improve mental health capacity at a key state facility, potentially reducing capacity shortfalls and improving access to services.

Oversight: As an emergency and appropriations bill, it may undergo focused legislative and executive oversight for project progress and compliance with emergency funding conditions.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to related prior appropriations or provide a timeline checklist for project milestones related to Griffin Memorial Hospital.

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