At-Will Appointments Bill Fails
Oklahoma House denies bill to change power over appointments
BY RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Friday, March 08, 2013
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives knocked one item off Gov. Mary Fallin’s wish list Thursday, turning down a proposal to allow every statutory board and commission member appointed by the governor to be replaced at will.
The measure would also apply to statutory positions appointed by the president pro tem of the Senate and the speaker of the House.
House Bill 1466, by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, was one of several government reform measures requested by Fallin. Similar legislation has been defeated in the House the past two years.
In this version, each position appointed by the governor, pro tem or speaker under state law – as opposed to the state constitution – could be replaced once. Currently, those holding such positions may serve out their particular terms regardless of changes in administration or legislative leadership.