State Department of Health; modifying appointing authority of State Commissioner of Health; restoring certain powers to the State Board of Health. Effective date.

SB 1505 restores authority to Oklahoma's State Board of Health, which previously had all its powers transferred to the State Commissioner of Health in 2019. The bill modifies the appointment process, requiring the Governor to appoint the Commissioner with Senate confirmation (instead of the Board appointing the Commissioner), and clarifies the Board's composition with specific medical licensing requirements for physician members and executive experience for other members. It also specifies that the Board must include members representing all 77 Oklahoma counties through designated geographic districts. This change directly affects the Board of Health members, the Commissioner, and the governance structure of the State Department of Health.