Senate Reviews Veterans Department’s Aging Systems
- mike33692
- Oct 14
- 1 min read
Senate Holds Interim Study
Oklahoma senators are exploring ways to modernize the state’s veterans-affairs technology systems. The Senate Interim Study on Wednesday focused on replacing an obsolete case-management platform and upgrading the department’s phone system.
Shawn Kirkland, deputy director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, said the outdated systems hinder service delivery. “It’s possible the old software could fail anytime,” he warned.
No Cost Estimate Yet
Kirkland admitted the department still lacks an official cost estimate. A request for proposals is being drafted to determine total expenses and vendor options.
The technology overhaul would improve case tracking, benefits processing, and communication with veterans.
Critical Need
The department manages records for thousands of Oklahoma veterans and their families. Aging infrastructure, some of it decades old, slows service and limits accessibility for rural clients.
Lawmakers signaled bipartisan support for modernizing the system, but funding will depend on next year’s legislative session.
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