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Oklahoma contingency board declares emergency, okays up to $7.8 million and weekly $1M food-assistance disbursements
Summary
The Contingency Review Board declared an emergency tied to a federal government shutdown and approved motions to make $7.8 million available and to allow up to $1 million per week from the state emergency fund for food assistance, allocating two-thirds to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and one-third to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.
The Contingency Review Board on Nov. 3 declared an emergency related to the ongoing federal government shutdown and approved a package of actions to channel state emergency funds to food-assistance providers.
Governor Kevin Stitt opened the meeting, called the funding “a federal problem that Congress has gotta fix,” and urged community groups and nonprofits to prepare for unmet needs. He directed Oklahomans to beaneighbor.org for resources and described state preparations for potential impacts around Dec. 1.
A board member supporting the motions described the measures as giving the state options in “unprecedented times,” noting the board planned $1,000,000 to food banks and a $72,000 software update intended to allow nonfederal deposits to SNAP recipients. That member also moved that an emergency exist under 62 O.S. § 139.48; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous roll call.
The board took multiple related actions: it certified documentation submitted by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services under 62 O.S. § 139.48; it authorized the governor to spend up to $1,000,000 per week from the state emergency fund until the emergency ends or the fund is depleted, with weekly disbursements made only after the previous week’s funds have been used; and it directed the Department of Human Services to administer disbursements, allocating up to two-thirds to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and one-third to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. The spending is restricted to buying or distributing food or other direct nutritional assistance to elderly, disabled and child SNAP recipients in Oklahoma who have lost access to benefits due to the federal shutdown.
A separate motion authorized the expenditure of an additional $72,000 from the emergency fund for costs incurred by DHS in providing relief; the board also authorized the chairman and staff to memorialize and execute documents necessary to implement the decisions. Each motion was seconded and approved in unanimous roll-call votes; the recorded votes show Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert, President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton and Governor Kevin Stitt voting “Aye.”
The board adjourned after completing the motions and noted time for up to three questions following the meeting.
