Advocacy
OFDA-PAC
The OFDA-PAC serves as the political fundraising arm of the OKFDA and plays a vital role in the success of the Association’s advocacy efforts. The OFDA-PAC is crucial to the Association’s ability to build and maintain a strong, unified voice in the Sooner State and ensures that our industry is recognized. The OFDA-PAC allows members and staff to engage state legislators on a regular basis and keep them informed about important funeral service issues.
OKFDA is the ONLY state association advocating for funeral service and your business. We have full-time lobbyists working every day at the capitol lobbying, building relationships, and educating legislators on all issues involving funeral service. OKFDA feels the biggest issues facing funeral service is legislative and regulation issues. Your association has retained the lobbying firms Don Armes & Associates and Creative Capitol Strategies
The OFDA-PAC is supported by contributions from OKFDA members at every level and contributes to the campaigns of State legislators that are funeral service advocates, regardless of party affiliation. OFDA-PAC funds are not used to pay lobbyists or fund general operations or other Association initiatives.
Policy – Not politics, partisanship, or personality.
OFDA-PAC supports candidates in the House & Senate who support funeral service.
Not Politics~The PAC ONLY focuses on funeral service related issues. Not Partisanship~We support any candidate who supports funeral service without regard to party affiliation. Not Personality~Only a candidate's views on funeral service matters-other issues are not considered.
Contact Dustin B. Pierce, Executive Director to make a contribution to our PAC today!
CURRENT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
SB 356-Authored by Senator Julie Daniels (Bartlesville)-OKFDA Adamantly Opposes (Failed)
“A funeral establishment shall provide notice to the consumer specifying any subcontractors or agents routinely engaged for transporting, embalming, or cremating human remains. To comply, the notice shall be given when the consumer first inquiries about the goods or services the funeral establishment provides, whether by telephone, electronically, or in person, and shall include the business names and addresses of the subcontractors, agents, or other providers Written notice shall be provided to the customer upon finalizing the arrangements for goods or services with the funeral establishment specifically stating, or otherwise indicating, whether or not subcontractor was used for any part of the transporting, embalming, or cremating process of the deceased. The written notice shall include business names and addresses of the subcontractors, agents, or other providers.”
HB 2240-Authored by Representative Mike Dobrinski (Okeene)-OKFDA Supports (Past and Governor has signed into law)
"An applicant for a license to practice funeral directing and embalming shall be at least 18 years of age"
This would allow anyone who was able to graduate mortuary school, pass the board exam by the age of 18 to become licensed without waiting until their 20th birthday. This will only affect a few graduates every few years.
HB 1074-Authored by Representative David Smith (McAlester)-OKFDA Opposes (Failed)
This bill amends the Funeral Service Licensing Act.
"Any person, organization, or business that sells funeral service merchandise to the public without providing any other funeral services shall not be subject to the Funeral Service Licensing Act"
This would allow caskets to be should by anyone in the state.
SB 161-Authored by Senator Julie Daniels (Bartlesville)-OKFDA Supports
This bill amends the Funeral Service Licensing Act.
"Extends the sunset date from July 2023 to July 2024
SB 599- Authored by Senator John Montgomery (Lawton)-OKFDA supports the spirit of this bill but the language needs to be equitable for both the funeral director and the medical certifier. (Failed)
"Requires the medical portion of the death certificate be signed by the Physician, Physician Assistant, or ARNP"
OKFDA is currently meeting with the OSDH and all the stake holders regarding the process of death certificates. We believe this will be a fruitful endeavor and we are very happy to have a seat at the table. Look for more information about this issue in your email and The Oklahoma Director.
SB 707-Authored by Senator Paul Rosino and Representative Cynthia Roe-OKFDA Supports the medical examiner making the notification, but do not support the funeral director being required to handle the notification. (Failed)
"Requires the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to make certain disclosure: requiring certain notice to contain specified information; imposing certain duty on licensed funeral directors."
SB 957-Shane Jett (Shawnee)-OKFDA Opposes. (Failed)
"Removes requirement that funeral director applicants complete a course of study accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, prohibiting reciprocal licenses from being based upon said accredited courses."
