Oklahoma Public Welfare Department Amendment, State Question 765 (2012)

State Question 765
Quick stats
Type:	Constitutional amendment
Constitution:	Oklahoma Constitution
Referred by:	Oklahoma State Legislature
Topic:	Admin. of gov't.
Status:	a

The Oklahoma Public Welfare Department Amendment, also known as State Question 765, was on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Oklahoma as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, where it was approved. The measure abolished the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Commission of Human Services and the position of Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. According to the measure, instead of having this department, commission and position be responsible for adopting rules and regulations regarding the state's elderly, that power would fall to the Oklahoma Legislature and also if a citizen-initiative is placed on the ballot proposing a law regarding the elderly.

Election results

See also: 2012 ballot measure election results

The following are official election results

Oklahoma State Question 765
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		751,909	59.9%
No		502,949	40.1%

These results are from the Oklahoma State Elections Board.

Text of the measures

Ballot language

The following is the ballot language that appeared on the ballot:

“

The measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It abolishes the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Commission of Human Services and the position of Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. These entities were created under different names by Sections 2, 3 and 4 of Article 25 of the Oklahoma Constitution and given duties and responsibilities related to the care of the aged and needy. The measure repeals these sections of the Constitution and consequently, removes the power of the Commission of Human Services to establish policy and adopt rules and regulations. Under the measure, the Legislature and the people by initiative petition retain the power to adopt legislation for these purposes. The measure adds a provision to the Constitution authorizing the Legislature to create a department or departments to administer and carry out laws to provide for the care of the aged and the needy. The measure also authorizes the Legislature to enact laws requiring the newly-created department or departments to perform other duties. Shall the proposal be approved? For the proposal - Yes Against the proposal - No

”

Support

No formal campaign in favor of the measure was identified by Ballotpedia.

Opposition

No formal campaign in opposition of the measure was identified by Ballotpedia.

Path to the ballot

The Oklahoma State Legislature can approve a proposed amendment by a majority vote. However, if the state legislature wants the proposed amendment to go on a special election ballot, it has to approve the amendment by a 2/3rds vote.

See also

• 2012 ballot measures
• Oklahoma 2012 ballot measures
• Oklahoma Treasurer