The Oklahoma Senate Committee on Health and Human Services voted 11-0 to advance Zachary Taylor’s nomination to the Oklahoma Tax Commission after a short hearing in which senators questioned him about agency transparency and recent problems with the parent choice tax credit rollout.

Taylor, introduced by a sponsoring senator as a neighbor and former colleague, told the committee he has served in the state House and ran a family business before seeking the appointment. "Every taxpaying citizen in the state of Oklahoma should be able to get an answer from their state government," Taylor told the panel, saying that improving the agency’s customer service is a priority if he is confirmed.

The committee’s action followed brief questioning on enforcement and program administration. Senator Kurt pressed Taylor on enforcing tax law fairly while remaining business-friendly and on the commission’s role in implementing the parent choice tax credit. Kurt noted the commission recently sought $5,000,000 in clawbacks related to that program and said that disclosure only came to light after a reporter’s open-records request. Taylor acknowledged the parent choice rollout had been "challenging" and that an independent firm hired to help the rollout "didn't go quite as smooth as planned," but he said he believed subsequent years would be better.

Taylor described his background to the committee, saying he "grew up" working in the family oil-and-gas business, ran successfully in a 2017 special election to the state House and served until 2020. He told senators he had sold part of his business interests to free up time and told the committee he had told the governor's office in December he was open to serve if a role was available.

On legislative fiscal estimates, another senator asked how the commission should approach producing fiscal impacts for bills. Taylor said it is "very important for us to have real numbers" and to provide "actual impacts" even when they may be uncomfortable for lawmakers.

The committee approved a "due pass" recommendation on a motion by Senator Jett, seconded by Senator Howard. The clerk called the roll; Senators Gillespie, Gallagher, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Jett, Kurt, Mann, Saccheri, Devers and Chairman Raider recorded aye votes. The clerk announced "11 ayes and 0 nays." The committee chair declared the nominee passed out of committee.

Chairman Raider, in urging members to support Taylor, described him as "a man of integrity and a man of intelligence" and said the committee should give him a high vote. Taylor said he would be available to answer additional questions and to be a resource to senators as the commission handles program and policy issues.

At the hearing’s close, the chair reminded senators the committee expects a large number of bills from the House—about 440—and warned there could be a short turnaround for committee assignments and reviews next week.

Votes at a glance: Nomination of Zachary Taylor to the Oklahoma Tax Commission — motion: due pass; mover: Senator Jett; second: Senator Howard; outcome: advanced by committee, 11–0 (ayes: Gillespie; Gallagher; Hall; Hamilton; Howard; Jett; Kurt; Mann; Saccheri; Devers; Raider).