by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy
State Updates
Special Elections:
Amid holiday celebrations and work deadlines, we’re bringing you a last hurrah for Capitol Insider 2023. December brought a pair of special elections for the state legislature. In the Lawton area, Republican Dusty Deevers won the State Senate District 32 seat. In the Edmond area state House District 39 seat, Republican Erick Harris and Democrat Regan Raff advanced to the February 13 special general election.
Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol:
Save the Date! Oklahoma’s 2024 Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol is set for April 22, 2024. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.
Bill Deadlines:
The December 8 bill request deadline has passed and the January 18 filing deadline looms. The policy team at Hunger Free Oklahoma is looking forward to providing you with the latest updates on how filed legislation could affect food security and access in our state.
An important update for any of those still hoping to file legislation: Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced a new budget transparency measure for the 2024 session. On December 5, members of Senate appropriations subcommittees began analyzing agency budgets and program performance measures in open meetings. The appropriations subcommittee meetings are scheduled to continue through next month. This new plan also requires senators to file bills with fiscal impacts by December 15, so that staff can conduct fiscal analysis in time for session in February. You can read more about the new Senate budget process here.
Federal Updates
Federal Budget:
Congress has yet to finalize a budget for the 2024 federal fiscal year, which runs October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024. Most recently Congress passed a “stepped” continuing resolution funding some portions of the government through January 19, 2024, and the remaining portions of the government through February 2, 2024. The resolution did not include increased funding for WIC, which may put the program at risk of running out of funds in some states due to increased participation.
Farm Bill:
Congress included an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill through September 30, 2023, in their recent action on the continuing resolution. However, until the federal budget is finalized, Congress will not act on a new Farm Bill. We will continue to closely watch any action or discussion about the next update of the Farm Bill.
Summer EBT:
The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) Program was made into a permanent program in legislation in December 2022, with the first year of operation of the new program set to begin in 2024. Like the Pandemic EBT Program, Summer EBT provides funds on an EBT card for qualifying families to help purchase food during the summer break. States and Tribal Nations must notify the USDA of their intent to run the program in summer 2024 no later than January 1, 2024. As of the writing of this blog, the following states, territories, and tribal nations have announced their intent to run the Summer EBT program in 2024:
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Colorado
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Delaware
- Guam
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Jersey
- Ohio
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
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