Oklahoma emergency management seeks $6.8 million as FEMA obligations stall

Annie MacVest, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, told the General Government Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee that the agency faces an uncertain federal funding outlook and is asking the Legislature for a one‑time $6.8 million appropriation to cover full operations and payroll.

MacVest said long delays and new federal constraints have disrupted the agency’s customary revenue streams. “Weare requesting a 1 time appropriation this year for $6,800,000 which would cover our full operations and payroll at the agency,” she said. She added that the request would prevent the office from worrying about a shutdown if federal reimbursements arrive late.

The presentation traced the cause to delayed FEMA obligations tied to recent disasters — including a November 2024 tornado in Oklahoma City and March wildfires — and to a broader federal uncertainty the director described as “the crux” of the agency’s problem. MacVest said the agency has paid out $83 million in federal disaster recovery dollars in the past year and is administering a $30 million state disaster recovery revolving fund to bridge gaps while FEMA processes reimbursements.

MacVest outlined other specific requests and exposures: a $1 million appropriation to update the State Hazard Mitigation Plan (cited as necessary because federal mitigation grant programs are currently unavailable), a $3.8 million emergency‑fund replenishment to cover recent response costs and local 12.5% cost‑share obligations, and anticipated $800,000 state cost shares tied to Individual Assistance programs from recent wildfires. She warned that several non‑disaster grants have been delayed and that, absent new awards, the agency could be unable to sustain operations beginning in 2026.

Committee members pressed for detail on the agency’s revolving funds and whether the office relies on disasters to finance operations. MacVest confirmed that roughly $2 million annually comes from non‑disaster grants, with the remainder largely tied to disaster‑related dollars and management costs retained from federal programs. She also confirmed vehicles used by staff are leased through OMES.

The subcommittee did not take a formal vote during the hearing; members thanked the director for the overview and said they would consider the request during budget deliberations.