Senate public-safety committee advances five executive nominees to full Senate

The Oklahoma Senate Public Safety Committee on Friday advanced five executive nominations to the full Senate, voting unanimously on each nomination after brief presentations by sponsoring senators and short remarks from the nominees.

Committee members moved the nominations of Allison Carson to the Victims Compensation Board; Matt Ballard to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission (OBN); Jerry Kaysen to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) Commission; and Julie Pittman to the OBN commission. The committee recorded unanimous aye votes on each item and declared the nominees to go forward to the full Senate.

The nominees described their relevant experience during the committee hearing. Allison Carson, introduced by Sen. Paxton, said she has worked in victim services and has served “in this capacity for the last 12 years” and called it “a true honor and a pleasure” to continue serving. The committee recorded 7 ayes and 0 nays on her nomination to start a fourth four-year term and sent the nomination to the full Senate.

District Attorney Matt Ballard, carried by Sen. Seifert, emphasized his interest in supporting OBN’s work, including responding to a recent HIDTA report he said shows trends the agency is addressing. “I’m interested in supporting that work,” Ballard said. The committee voted 6 ayes and 0 nays on each of two separate term motions for Ballard and forwarded both to the full Senate, as required by the committee’s rules for multiple-term appointments.

Jerry Kaysen, presented by Sen. Boren, described a long law-enforcement career and said, “I still have a lot to give,” as he sought confirmation to the OSBI Commission. The record shows Kaysen’s term was listed as 08/05/2024 to 07/01/2029; the committee voted 6 ayes and 0 nays and advanced the nomination.

Julie Pittman, carried by Sen. Reinhardt and introduced as corporate counsel at Saint Francis Health System, told the committee she admires OBN’s investigative work and human-trafficking efforts. “It’s truly, truly, an honor,” Pittman said. The committee voted 6 ayes and 0 nays and sent her nomination to the full Senate.

Most discussion consisted of brief endorsements from sponsoring senators and colleagues noting each nominee’s public-service background; no substantive objections or opposing remarks were recorded. The committee’s clerk called the roll for each vote and the chair declared each nominee advanced to the full Senate.

Votes at a glance

- Allison Carson — Nomination to Victims Compensation Board (recommended for a fourth term). Motion: Do pass (mover: Sen. Paxton; second: Sen. Wingard). Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: Advanced to full Senate.

- Matt Ballard — Nomination to Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission. Two separate term motions considered per committee rules. Motion 1: Do pass (mover: Vice Chair Hamilton; second: Chair Weaver). Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: Advanced to full Senate. Motion 2: Do pass (same procedural second/vote). Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: Advanced to full Senate.

- Jerry Kaysen — Nomination to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission (term listed 08/05/2024–07/01/2029). Motion: Do pass (mover: Sen. Wingard; second: Vice Chair Hamilton). Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: Advanced to full Senate.

- Julie Pittman — Nomination to Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission. Motion: Do pass (mover: Sen. Wingard; second: Vice Chair Hamilton). Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: Advanced to full Senate.

Committee context and next steps

All five nominations were advanced without substantive debate or requests for additional information; several senators offered personal endorsements and recounted nominees’ public-service histories. The committee indicated it will forward the nominations to the Senate floor for confirmation votes. No statutory references or legal objections were raised during the hearing.