Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1514

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Schools; allowing a district board of education to adopt a policy allowing certain charge for use of certain facilities. Effective date. Emergency.

Impact

By allowing school districts to implement a facility use fee, SB1514 changes the financial landscape for public schools and athletic associations in Oklahoma. School districts will now have a mechanism to offset operational costs related to maintaining athletic facilities. However, this may lead to increased costs for athletic associations that previously used such facilities at no charge, potentially impacting their financial planning and overall operation.

Summary

Senate Bill 1514, introduced by Senator Murdock, aims to grant school district boards of education the authority to adopt policies that allow for a reasonable charge to be assessed on school athletic associations for the usage of athletic facilities such as gymnasiums and football fields. This law is intended to provide a means for school districts to recover costs associated with the use of these facilities, which may otherwise be a financial burden on the districts.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding SB1514 is the balance between financial recovery for school districts and access for athletic associations. Critics may argue that charging fees could limit access to sports activities, particularly for smaller or less financially stable athletic programs. Proponents, however, assert that the charges will ensure the sustainability of facilities and enable schools to maintain quality infrastructure necessary for athletic events.