Law enforcement canines; creating the Canine Cooperative Grant Program. Effective date.
Summary
SB750 creates the Canine Cooperative Grant Program within the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to provide financial assistance to state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies and fire departments. The program is intended to help pay for the acquisition and training of law enforcement canines, search, rescue, and recovery canines, and for medical expenses when those animals are injured in the line of service.
The bill establishes a revolving fund in the State Treasury to support the program, funded by legislative appropriations, private donations, and federal grant money. The department may retain up to 5% annually for administration, and the bill sets annual grant caps of up to $10,000 each for county sheriffs, municipal police departments, and fire departments. The measure is effective November 1, 2025.
Impact
SB750 adds a new statutory program to Oklahoma law by codifying Section 2-122.4 of Title 47 and creating a dedicated revolving fund for canine-related grants. It authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to administer grants and reimbursements for canine purchases, training, and medical care, thereby providing a new funding mechanism for local public-safety agencies that use working dogs.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Senate 8-0 on February 25, 2025, and the committee report recommended do pass as amended. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous vote indicates generally favorable sentiment toward assisting law enforcement and fire departments with canine program costs.
Contention
No major opposition is reflected in the available materials. The main policy considerations appear to be funding and administration: the bill relies on available monies in the revolving fund, allows the department to keep 5% for administration, and sets per-agency annual grant limits. Any potential concern would likely center on the source and sufficiency of funding rather than the concept of the program itself.