Read the full stored bill text
ENGR. H. B. NO. 3975 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 3975 By: Caldwell (Trey), Hill, and
Staires of the House
and
Hall of the Senate
An Act relating to the State Department of Health;
creating the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation
Program; stating purpose; designating the State
Department of Health as lead agency; allowing for the
Department to partner with other agencies; creating
reporting requirements; creating the Oklahoma Rural
Health Transformation Revolving Fund; establishing
fund at the State Department of Health; deeming the
funds appropriated; providing expenditure and
budgeting requirements and limitations; allowing for
use of memoranda of understanding; limiting scope of
such memoranda; providing for codification; and
declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3321 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Rural
Health Transformation Program (ORHT)".
ENGR. H. B. NO. 3975 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3321.1 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
The purpose of this act is to ensure the oversight of federal
funds received by the State Department of Health, and other partner
agencies, through the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program,
created in Public Law No. 119-21.
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3321.2 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The State Department of Health shall act as the lead agency
for Oklahoma in handling the Rural Health Transformation (RHT)
Program. The Department shall interface with the federal government
on behalf of the State of Oklahoma, and other state agencies, in the
disbursement of funds, and reporting requirements to the federal
government.
B. As the lead agency, the State Department of Health shall
provide a yearly report on the progress of the expenditures,
programs, and outcomes that were listed in the application to the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as any
changes that have been adopted, along with the reasons for such
changes. Said report shall be submitted annually no later than
January 31 throughout the life of the program. Such reports shall
be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of
ENGR. H. B. NO. 3975 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State
Senate, the Appropriations and Budget Chair of the Oklahoma House of
Representatives, the Appropriations Chair of the Oklahoma State
Senate, and the relevant subcommittee chairs for each chamber.
Additionally, the Department shall publish such reports on its
website.
C. No less than quarterly the Department shall publish on its
website progress reports for all projects, including the expenditure
of funds for each project as of the latest completed calendar
quarter.
SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3321.3 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the State Department of Health to be designated the
"Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund (ORHT Revolving
Fund)". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal
year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the
State Department of Health for the benefit of the Rural Health
Transformation (RHT) Program overseen by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS). All monies accruing to the credit of
said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended
by the State Department of Health for the purpose of funding
programs and projects approved by CMS for the RHT Program.
ENGR. H. B. NO. 3975 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by
the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with
the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for
approval and payment.
B. The State Department of Health may enter into memoranda of
understanding with partner agencies for the expenditure of funds
from the ORHT Revolving Fund. Such expenditures are limited to
those necessary to complete projects and programs under the RHT
Program.
SECTION 5. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the House of Representatives the 11th day of March, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate