MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Human Rights Commission is to remove friction, eliminate discrimination, and promote unity and understanding by improving inter-group relations and enforcing state anti-discrimination laws.
THE COMMISSION
The Oklahoma Human Rights Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Consideration is given to making the membership broadly representative of the geographic areas of the state, the two major political parties in the state, and the several racial, religious, and ethnic groups residing in the state. Appointments to the Commission are for three years.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
The Commission establishes policy, philosophy, and goals; creates, and approves programs and projects related to eliminating discrimination and improving inter-group relations; and conducts investigations and hearings on complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or handicap.
STATUTORY REFERENCES Statutory Reference: Title 25, Section 1101 et seq, and Title 74, Section 951 et seq, of the Oklahoma Statutes.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA / SERVICES PROVIDED
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Criteria/Service: Actual Actual Budgeted Discrimination complaint filings 497 452 475 Complaint resolutions 390 381 400 Complaint investigations 497 452 475 Technical assistance requests 1,448 820 1,250 Public hearings 0 0 3 Conciliation negotiations 17 12 15 Handicap case investigations 51 50 60
The agency currently has ten investigative positions, two senior level positions and eight entry level positions. Each senior investigator is required to complete seven cases per month; each entry level is required to complete three cases per month. If each investigator completes the required number of cases, the agency will meet its goal of completing 450 cases.
EXPENDITURES BY FUND
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Type of Fund: Actual Actual Budgeted State Appropriated Funds: General Revenue $701,159 $695,550 $676,634 State Continuing/Revolving Funds: Federal Funds: 440 Federal Funds 252,597 197,503 309,200 Total Expenditures by Fund: $953,756 $893,053 $985,834
EXPENDITURES BY OBJECT
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Object of Expenditure Actual Actual Budgeted Salaries and Benefits $831,180 $791,883 $842,555 Professional Services 9,965 978 19,000 Travel 15,377 28,105 26,000 Lease-Purchase Expenditures 5,392 5,488 15,000 Equipment 2,323 3,193 12,000 Other Operating Expenses 89,519 63,406 71,279 Total Expenditures by Object $953,756 $893,053 $985,834
EXPENDITURES BY BUDGET ACTIVITY / SUB-ACTIVITY
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted 01 General Administration $953,756 $893,053 $985,834 Total Expenditures by Activity $953,756 $893,053 $985,834
FULL-TIME-EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES (FTE) and VEHICLES
FY-93 FY-94 FY-95 Activity No. and Name Actual Actual Budgeted 01 General Administration 24.2 22.3 24.0 Total FTE 24.2 22.3 24.0 Number of Vehicles 0 0 0
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE / REVIEW
The Oklahoma Human Rights Commission was created in 1963 to "work toward removing friction, eliminating discrimination, and promoting unity and understanding among all the people of Oklahoma."
The Commission received additional funding in FY'92 to increase the Director's salary by $4,500 a year and to hire a new attorney. However, the agency was not given statutory authority to hire an attorney and was unable to fill the position in FY'92. The Governor recommended that the agency use the funding for the attorney position to contract with the Attorney General for additional services. House Bill 1973 gave the agency authorization to hire an additional unclassified administrative assistant. This position was to replace the attorney position.
Although the Commission's appropriation was reduced by $73,000 for FY'94, they were allowed to carryover $35,000 in savings from FY'93 for one-time expenditures in FY'94. In FY'95, the Commission's appropriation was reduced by one percent or $18,916. However, its Housing & Urban Development case contract was increased by $19,200 and its total federal funds increased by $111,697.