OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — New Republican Gov. Mary Fallin's plan to consolidate several Oklahoma agencies and the information technology services of state government has cleared a legislative hurdle.

A House committee on Friday approved a bill that would merge the Department of Central Services, Office of Personnel Management, State Employees Benefits Council and State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board into the Office of State Finance.

The director of the Office of State Finance, an appointee of the governor, would oversee all of the agencies.

The committee also approved a plan to consolidate all information technology, or IT, services of state agencies under the Office of State Finance.

State Rep. Jason Murphey sponsored both bills in committee and says the IT consolidation alone could save the state about $80 million a year.