by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist
State Updates
Senate Interim Studies
- SSP1072 | Senator Pugh: School Nutrition (not yet scheduled)
- SSP1076 | Senator Reinhardt: Healthy Meals for Kids (not yet scheduled)
All Senate interim studies must be completed before November 1, 2025.
House Interim Studies
- HSP1036 | Rep. Gise, Rep. Pae, Rep. Turner, Rep. Ford: SNAP in Oklahoma: 10/21/2025 at 10:00am.
- Bailey Ashbaker and Jessica Dietrich from HFO presented at this interim study on the positive benefits of SNAP and outreach in helping to fight food insecurity in Oklahoma. They also shared information on Double Up Oklahoma and insights on SNAP payment error rates following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- HSP1055 | Rep. Menz, Rep. Waldron, Rep. Pogemiller: Childhood Hunger: 10/7/2025 at 1:30pm
- Jessica Dietrich from HFO presented at this study on policy options to expand access to school meals and the Community Eligibility Provision.
- HSP1054 | Rep. Pae, Rep. Gise: HB1575 Implementation: 10/8/2025 at 1:30pm
- Bruce Gros testified at this study on his experience with public benefits programs, struggles with access, and the importance of streamlining public assistance programs so users can more easily get the assistance they need.
Upcoming State Legislative Dates & Deadlines
- Deadline for Requesting the Drafting of House and Senate Bills and Joint Resolutions: December 5, 2025
- Deadline for Senate Fiscal Bill Filing: December 19, 2025
- Deadline for Filing of Bills and Joint Resolutions: January 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Federal Updates
The government remains in a shutdown, and Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse on budget negotiations. The President has planned to use funds from tariff revenue to ensure that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can function through the end of October.
The USDA released an October 10 letter to regional SNAP directors directing them to stop work on November benefits, suggesting that if the government remains shutdown, federal funds to administer SNAP will run out. During government shutdowns, the USDA can use a SNAP contingency fund to help bridge the gap. However, Helena Bottemiller Evich reports in her newsletter, FoodFix, that there is conflicting information on how much is available in contingency funds. The USDA is projected to need around $8 billion in funds to distribute November benefits.
Keep an eye on this page to stay up to date on how the shutdown impacts nutrition programs in Oklahoma.
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