Oklahoma Senate interim study season to include review of SNAP

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Senate lawmakers will return to the Capitol later this summer for the annual interim study season that will include looks at SNAP benefits, private school tax credits, maternal and infant health outcomes and Memorandum of Agreement regulations.

Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, has approved 73 interim studies submitted by his colleagues.

The studies aim to address emerging or multifaceted issues that require more time and attention than the regular legislative session allows. Last week, Paxton called them “a vital part” of the legislative process.

“These studies allow us to engage with subject matter experts, agency officials, industry leaders and everyday Oklahomans to gather a full range of perspectives,” Paxton said in a statement last week. “They also give us the opportunity to identify policy gaps, evaluate program effectiveness and explore innovative solutions that can lead to meaningful, informed legislation. Ultimately, this in-depth work helps ensure we are crafting smarter, more efficient policies that better serve the people of Oklahoma.”

The House has not announced approval of the 154 study requests submitted.

Senate to host two studies focused on SNAP benefits

Two GOP Senators will review SNAP food options and discuss federal mandates on the program.

SNAP helps low-income families buy nutritious food with Electronic Benefits Transfer cards. Program recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores and farmers’ markets.

State Sen. Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair, said SNAP serves as “the first line of defense against hunger,” but he’s concerned about waste, including allowing taxpayer dollars to fund the purchase of junk food, soda and energy drinks.

His study will consider federal and state regulations to improve SNAP and the possibility of limiting choices to more healthy options.

State Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, also submitted a study request to address the nutritional value in choices available on the SNAP program in Oklahoma.

At least 10 GOP-led states, including Texas and Louisiana, have considered legislation excluding the purchase of high-sugar drinks and foods some believe to harm the health of lower-income people.

Oklahoma is among states that have shown support for policies aligned with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.

Kennedy was in Oklahoma last month for a press conference with Gov Kevin Stitt, who signed an executive order directing the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to restrict the purchase of soda and candy using SNAP benefits and announced “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” to show solidarity with Kennedy’s effort.

Maternal and infant health outcomes

Oklahoma faces significantly higher maternal and infant mortality rates than the national average, and a democratic senator wants to consider solutions.

State Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, will conduct a study on improving maternal and infant health outcomes through “proven, cost-effective” models of care.

Oklahoma’s infant mortality rate has consistently remained above the national average since 1992.

According to national IMR rankings, for the years 2018-2020, Oklahoma ranked 38th in the United States with an IMR of 6.7 per 1,000 live births. Hicks said there’s also a rise in substance use disorder diagnoses during pregnancy, as well as persistently high rates of female incarceration, and these factors contribute to long-term impacts on families and the state.

Hicks said the interim study will explore fiscally responsible, evidence-based models of care that improve health outcomes for pregnant women and infants while reducing reliance on the criminal justice system.

“The study will include expert testimony on early intervention strategies, successful alternatives to punitive responses, and approaches that have been implemented effectively in other states, particularly in rural areas,” Hicks said. “The goal is to identify data-driven solutions that strengthen families, reduce taxpayer burden, and improve long-term public health outcomes.”

How effective is school choice?

Another study led by Hicks will examine the effectiveness, fiscal impact and implementation of Oklahoma’s school choice initiatives, including voucher programming.

Oklahoma passed its school choice program in 2023. Families of students attending accredited private schools can receive an annual credit ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 per child, tiered based on household income.

The state approved 27,719 applications for credits from families making at least $75,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, according to a recent Parental Choice Tax Credit Report. The highest income level, $250,000+, accounts for 9,553 of those approved.

Hicks said the study will assess whether current policies are meeting their intended goals.

“The study will include data-driven analysis of outcomes, access across geographic and socioeconomic lines, and safeguards for public funds,” Hicks said in the study description. “The goal is to ensure school choice options are transparent, accountable, and delivering value to Oklahoma families and communities.”

Memorandum of Agreement regulations

No existing regulations in Oklahoma prevent what state Sen. Jack Stewart, R-Yukon, calls “frivolous MOA filings,” and he looks to find ways to address that in an upcoming study.

“Anyone can currently file an MOA without providing proof of a legitimate land contract, thereby freezing a rightful landowner’s ability to sell their property,” Stewart said.

The study will look at the possibility of the County Clerks’ office being able to verify or notify a landowner if something was filed on the property they were listed owners of.