Committee advances bill directing DHS to seek single access point for six subsidy programs

Representative Lawson presented House Bill 1575 as a measure directing the Department of Human Services to issue a request-for-proposals (RFP) to create a single access point for multiple subsidy programs, including SNAP, TANF, childcare subsidy, LIHEAP, Medicaid and WIC. "What this bill does is it directs the Department of Human Services to put together an RFP, to make a single access point for 7. Right now we have our 6 subsidy programs," Representative Lawson said.

The sponsor emphasized the bill does not require the department to abandon existing IT services and said the stated fiscal impact in earlier materials was inaccurate. Lawson said the department would demonstrate initial work to the committee the next day and that the bill’s intent is to streamline enrollment for Oklahomans who often qualify for multiple programs: a single application, one eligibility interaction.

Committee members asked whether the proposal would repeat past efforts that produced an RFP but no follow-through. Representative Heffern asked whether data from previous efforts should be reviewed before issuing a new RFP. Lawson said he had requested information from DHS earlier that day and promised to share findings; he also said the department would present a demonstration.

Formal action: after questions and no extended debate, the committee voted 13-0 to report the bill as a do-pass recommendation.

What remains: committee members asked the sponsor and DHS to provide prior-project data and an explanation of any previous implementation gaps before the bill proceeds further. The sponsor said he would share the department’s responses and coordinate the demonstration arranged for the committee.