Bill > HB4062

This bill, known as the Oklahoma Good Food Purchasing Act, requires state agencies that purchase food with public funds to prioritize Oklahoma-produced food, which means food grown, raised, harvested, or caught within the state, or processed in the state using mostly Oklahoma ingredients. "Agricultural products" are defined broadly to include various food items, and "good food purchasing" emphasizes strengthening local markets while considering food safety, nutrition, labor laws, responsible resource use, and supply chain stability. State agencies must give preference to Oklahoma-produced food if it meets quality and safety standards and is no more than ten percent more expensive than comparable out-of-state products, unless impractical. Agencies also have discretion to consider factors like freshness, delivery, seasonality, vendor reliability, and overall cost when selecting suppliers, and can purchase directly from farmers and local suppliers. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) will develop guidelines to help smaller producers participate in public procurement and will also promulgate rules to implement the act. OMES will also submit a report every two years to the Legislature detailing the amount of Oklahoma-produced food purchased, any challenges to local procurement, and recommendations for improvement, with the possibility of state agencies phasing in their participation to ensure stable supply and cost control.

Government Affairs

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb4062&Session=2600