Concurrent resolution; removing the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Resolution
ENROLLED SENATE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 12 By: Rosino of the Senate

and

West (Josh) and Moore of
the House

A Concurrent Resolution removing the Commissioner of
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
specifying management and budget issues within the
agency; citing authority and method of removal; and
providing for delivery.

WHEREAS, in January of 2024, Governor J. Kevin Stitt made the
appointment of Victoria (Allie) Friesen as the new Commissioner of
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Friesen has the duty to oversee the
delivery of all prevention, treatment, and education of mental
health and substance abuse in the state and to ensure that the
agency performs those services while having a budgetary and
expenditure methodology that serves not only those Oklahoma citizens
in need, but the employees and providers that deliver them; and

WHEREAS, after almost one and a half years in service as
Commissioner, Commissioner Friesen and the Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services are now facing a budgetary
shortfall of approximately Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00);
and

WHEREAS, the Senate and the House of Representatives both formed
a “Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances” to determine
the totality of the financial mismanagement, address issues of
accountability, and assess what amount of funds will be required to
meet the needs of the agency employee pay and citizen services in
the legislative appropriations process.

ENR. S. C. R. NO. 12 Page 2

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION
OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Senate and the House of Representatives have lost
confidence in Commissioner Friesen to identify, oversee, and manage
the critical services delivered by the Department of Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services.

THAT pursuant to Section 2-101 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma
Statutes, the Legislature reserves the authority to remove the
Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services by a two-
thirds vote of the members elected to and constituting each chamber
of the Legislature.

THAT this resolution hereby constitutes legislative approval for
the immediate removal of Commissioner Friesen pursuant to Section 2-
101 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

THAT a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor and
the Secretary of State.

ENR. S. C. R. NO. 12 Page 3
Adopted by the Senate the 29th day of May, 2025.

Presiding Officer of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 29th day of May,
2025.

Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________