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Bill

HB 3351

Pardon and Parole Board; increasing compensation for members of the Board; and providing an effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Williams

Oklahoma bill to increase compensation for Pardon and Parole Board members to improve recruitment and retention of qualified criminal justice decision-makers.

Referred to Appropriations and Budget
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Bill Summary · HB 3351

Legislative bill overview

HB 3351 proposes to increase the compensation for members of Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board. The bill was introduced in February 2026 and has progressed through initial readings before being referred to the Appropriations and Budget Committee. The specific compensation amounts are not detailed in the action summary provided.

Why is this important

Board member compensation directly affects recruitment and retention of qualified professionals overseeing critical criminal justice decisions that impact public safety and individual freedoms. Inadequate pay can lead to experienced members leaving for better-paying positions, potentially resulting in less experienced decision-makers reviewing pardon and parole cases. This affects thousands of Oklahomans annually, both incarcerated individuals and crime victims.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Any salary increase requires state budget allocation; lawmakers may debate whether this is the best use of limited resources during competing budget priorities
  • Justification for increase: Questions about whether current compensation is actually insufficient to attract qualified candidates or if the increase is disproportionate to market rates
  • Precedent setting: Approval could trigger similar compensation increase requests from other state boards and agencies, compounding budget pressures

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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