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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1505 By: Hicks
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the State Department of Health;
amending 63 O.S. 2021, Sections 1-103, 1-104, and 1-
105, which relate to governance of the Department;
restoring certain powers and duties to the State
Board of Health; modifying appointing authority of
the State Commissioner of Health; modifying powers
and duties of the Board; conforming language;
updating statutory language; and providing an
effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1-103, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1-103. A. 1. There is hereby created the State Board
of Health, which shall be an advisory body to the State Commissioner
of Health and shall consist of nine (9) members appointed by the
Governor and confirmed by the Senate for regular terms of nine (9)
years, except as hereinafter otherwise indicated. Effective January
14, 2019, all duties and powers of the Board shall be transferred to
the Commissioner. Any provision in statute that provides to the
Board authority that is not advisory in nature shall be deemed to
grant the duty or power to the Commissioner.
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2. Not less than four members shall hold a current license to
practice medicine in this state pursuant to the Oklahoma Allopathic
Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act and the Oklahoma
Osteopathic Medicine Act. At least one physician member shall be a
person licensed to practice medicine in this state by the State
Board of Osteopathic Examiners. Physician members licensed by the
State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision shall be members of
the Oklahoma State Medical Association. One physician member shall
be a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or
be similarly qualified.
3. Not less than two members shall possess at least five (5)
years of executive leadership experience in a health-related
business or industry, and whose education and experience includes,
but is not limited to, fiduciary, legal, business planning, or
operational decision-making authority.
B. 1. The term of office of one member shall expire on June
30, 1964, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall
be a resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Creek,
Lincoln, Okfuskee, Seminole, Pottawatomie, Pontotoc, Hughes,
Johnston, and Coal.
2. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1965, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
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resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Blaine,
Kingfisher, Canadian, Caddo, Grady, Comanche, Stephens, Jefferson,
and Cotton.
3. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1966, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Le Flore,
Latimer, Pittsburg, Atoka, Pushmataha, McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan,
Marshall, Carter, and Love.
4. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1967, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Cimarron,
Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woodward, Woods, Major, Alfalfa, Grant,
Garfield, Kay, and Noble.
5. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1968, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Adair,
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Sequoyah, Cherokee, Wagoner, Muskogee, Haskell, McIntosh, and
Okmulgee.
6. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1969, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Ottawa,
Delaware, Craig, Mayes, Nowata, Rogers, Washington, Tulsa, Pawnee,
and Osage.
7. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1970, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Logan,
Oklahoma, Cleveland, McClain, Garvin, Murray, and Payne.
8. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1971, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be a
resident of one of the following counties and shall have been a
resident of one or more of such counties for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding such member’s appointment: Ellis,
Dewey, Roger Mills, Custer, Beckham, Washita, Kiowa, Greer, Jackson,
Harmon, and Tillman.
9. The term of office of one member shall expire on June 30,
1972, and each nine (9) years thereafter, and such member shall be
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appointed from the State of Oklahoma this state at large, and shall
have been a resident of the state for not less than five (5) years
immediately preceding such member’s appointment.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1-104, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1-104. A. The State Commissioner Board of Health may
adopt an official seal for the State Department of Health. The
State Commissioner of Health Board shall hold such meetings as he or
she it deems necessary.
B. The Commissioner Board shall have the following powers and
duties:
1. Appoint and fix the compensation of the State Commissioner
of Health;
2. Adopt such rules and standards as he or she the Board deems
necessary to carry out any of the provisions of the Oklahoma Public
Health Code;
2. 3. Accept and disburse grants, allotments, gifts, devises,
bequests, funds, appropriations, and other property made or offered
to the Department; and
3. 4. Establish such divisions, sections, bureaus, offices, and
positions in the State Department of Health as the Commissioner
Board deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code.
C. The State Commissioner of Health shall be appointed by the
Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The
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Commissioner shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor Board and
may be removed or replaced without cause. Compensation for the
Commissioner shall be determined pursuant to Section 3601.2 of Title
74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1-105, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1-105. There is hereby created a State Department of
Health, which shall consist of the State Commissioner of Health, and
such divisions, sections, bureaus, offices, and positions as may be
established by the Commissioner State Board of Health, or by law.
SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
60-2-2645 DC 1/9/2026 11:20:03 PM