Representative Townley’s bill would exempt tourism purchases from state purchasing rules

Representative Townley urged the Government Oversight Committee to advance Senate Bill 1365, saying the measure "updates and modernizes our statutory language for our promotional fund in tourism" and would exempt tourism and recreation purchases from the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act, with expenditures "not to exceed $75,000." Townley said the change is intended to let venues such as golf courses and lodges stock merchandise quickly for events.

Townley moved adoption and opened the bill for questions. The committee clerk called the roll for the committee vote; named votes recorded in the transcript included Crosswhite Hader (nay), Bergamiller (aye), Fugate (aye) and Willie (nay). The clerk reported the final tally as 7 aye, 4 nay, and the chair said the bill would be reported out "due pass."

The measure’s sponsor framed the change as a procedural modernization to help local tourism vendors manage inventory around events. The transcript does not record additional debate or amendments. The committee took no further action beyond reporting the bill out of committee.

The bill will move next in the legislative process as a reported committee measure; the transcript does not specify subsequent scheduling or floor action.