Bill > HB1046

This bill establishes the Oklahoma Spay and Neuter Grant Program, to be overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, with the primary goal of reducing animal shelter overpopulation and euthanasia rates for cats and dogs. The program will create an advisory board consisting of the Commissioner of Agriculture, a private animal shelter representative, a veterinarian, an animal control agency representative, and two animal welfare advocacy representatives, who will provide guidance on grant administration without receiving compensation but with travel expense reimbursement. Grants will be available to local governments and animal welfare organizations through competitive proposals that prioritize low-income communities and may include public education components, with a focus on efficiently facilitating spay and neuter services. The Department will evaluate grant proposals based on established standards and will require recipients to report detailed information about surgeries performed and outreach efforts. While the bill includes an appropriation section, it currently shows zero dollars allocated, suggesting future funding will be determined separately. The program is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, providing a framework for addressing animal population management in Oklahoma through strategic grant funding and targeted interventions.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1046&Session=2600