Public Safety Committee advances three executive nominees to the Senate floor

The Senate Public Safety Committee on Monday advanced three executive nominations to the full Senate, moving a polygraph-board nominee, a reappointment to the state narcotics commission and a nominee for director of corrections to the floor.

Joel Franks, nominated to the Polygraph Examiner Board, told the committee he has “been in law enforcement for 35 years and a polygraph examiner for 20 of those years,” and said he would welcome another term. The committee voted 6-0 to advance Franks.

Julie Pittman, presented by Senator Reinhardt for a full seven-year term on the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission, said she appreciated last year’s confirmation and looks forward to continuing service; the committee also voted 6-0 to advance her nomination.

Justin Farris, the nominee to be director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, described more than two decades at the agency and outlined priorities including staffing, infrastructure planning and programs intended to reduce recidivism. “We’re launching a project where we’re trying to reinitiate second-chance Pell,” Farris said, noting education and trade efforts aimed at improving post-release employment. The committee voted 6-0 to advance his nomination to the floor.

Why it matters: Each nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration; the director of corrections appointment, in particular, positions an experienced internal candidate to lead an agency that committee members flagged for near-term staffing and infrastructure planning.

What’s next: Each nominee will appear on the Senate floor calendar where the full chamber may confirm or reject the appointments.