The three join nearly a dozen other states with similar initiatives in varying stages — including Texas and Iowa, where groups have been formed; and North Dakota, where lawmakers have advanced legislation to create a task force dedicated to making state government more efficient.
In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt noted in his Feb. 3 State of the State address that government efficiency was on the way. On Feb. 14, he named lawyer and economist Marc Nuttle as senior adviser to its Division of Government Efficiency, according to a news release. The division is tasked with submitting a report by March 31 detailing “agency budget findings, recommendations for fiscal reforms, and strategies for efficiencies,” per the release.
“My mission is simple: to ensure every tax dollar is spent strategically with purpose and accountability. Time is of the essence,” Nuttle said in a statement.
In New Hampshire, its chief executive has already produced an efficiency organization. In January, Gov. Kelly A. Ayotte issued an executive order standing up the Commission on Government Efficiency and named former Gov. Craig Benson and state Lottery Commissioner Andy Crews as co-chairs.
“I look forward to working alongside our volunteer members to streamline government, cut spending and ensure we're doing everything we can to create value for taxpayers while honoring our unbreakable commitment to provide for our most vulnerable citizens,” she said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Kentucky, in the southeast, may stand up its own iteration of DOGE, if either of two proposals from lawmakers are approved. State Senate Bill 257 would create the Kentucky Office of Government Efficiency (KOGE), under the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts. The bill was referred this week to the state Senate Committee on Rules. If passed, it would take effect July 1, 2026, compelling KOGE to evaluate and recommend improvements across state agencies, programs and operations.
Lawmakers are also considering a resolution directing the Legislative Research Commission to establish the Kentucky Discipline of Government Efficiency (KY DOGE) Task Force to “study Executive Branch expenditures and provide recommendations for efficiency in government operations.” The 10-member task force would meet monthly this year and turn in findings and recommendations to the commission by Dec. 1.
A few of the efforts point to technology as a way to provide efficiencies. For instance, Texas’ Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee is being chaired by state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, the state’s IT Caucus leader; here, the state is looking to streamline its government operations by reducing redundant services and implementing new technologies. In North Dakota, the state chief information officer would serve on its task force; and Iowa will look to AI and automation for cost cutting.
The growing list of states with newly minted government efficiency organizations, or exploring their creation now includes Illinois, where House Bill 1266 would create a Department of Government Efficiency to collaborate with the state’s auditor general and make quarterly reports to the governor and General Assembly. It was referred to the House Committee on Rules Jan. 28.
In Kansas, its new Senate Committee on Government Efficiency (COGE) has meetings scheduled for Feb. 27 and 28. An agenda was not available Thursday, but the COGE portal states it “welcomes serious input on how to make government work on behalf of the people of Kansas.” Proposed legislation already referred to the committee touches on workforce and social services.
State Senate Bill 2272 in Mississippi proposes a health and welfare efficiency task force, mainly focused on social services such as Medicaid, child protective services, health and mental health. If approved, the task force would have until Oct. 1 to produce a legislative report on how the state could streamline constituent services. SB 2272 has been referred to the House Committee on Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency.
In Missouri, state Rep. Louis Riggs introduced House Bill 1083 in January, to create a joint committee on government efficiency, but it has not yet moved to committee. The bill language touches on social services, budget and workforce. It proposes that any cost savings be put into a special economic development fund.
Lawmakers in New Jersey have put forward a joint resolution to create a Delegation on Government Efficiency chaired by the state auditor or the auditor’s representative. If implemented, AJR 213 would require the delegation to look at state government to ascertain “how to better save public funds and how to implement greater efficiencies in government functions,” including potentially eliminating an agency or government function. The group would have to deliver its findings within 20 months of its first meeting.
And in South Carolina, a state Senate joint resolution to create a Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee cleared the Senate Committee on Finance this week. SJR 318 would form a committee chaired by the director of the Department of Administration, charged with looking at possible appropriations reductions and reporting findings by Oct. 1, 2026.
