An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 856 By: Weaver of the Senate
and
West (Josh) of the House
An Act relating to the State Travel Reimbursement
Act; amending 74 O.S. 2021, Section 500.18, as last
amended by Section 9 of Enrolled House Bill No. 4188
of the 2nd Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature ,
which relates to exemptions; and adding the Oklahoma
Military Department.
SUBJECT: State Travel Reimbursement Act exemptions
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STAT E OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 74 O.S. 2021, Section 500.18, as
last amended by Section 9 of Enrolled House Bill No. 4188 of the 2nd
Session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature , is amended to read as
follows:
Section 500.18 A. Except for members of the Legislature, the
Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, provisions of Sections 500.1
through 500.18 of this title shall be mandatory for all officials
and employees of all depart ments, boards, commissions and
institutions of the state, rega rdless of the provisions of any other
act of the Legislature, except as provided by this section . The
enactment of any measure in the future providing for travel
reimbursement of state officers and employees on the basis of
"actual and necessary" expenses or in any other manner inconsistent
with Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this title shall be deemed to
provide for reimbursement in accordance with Sections 500.1 through
500.18 of this title unless a contrary intent is explicitly
expressed in this secti on. Sections 500.1 through 500.18 of this
title shall not apply, however, to travel reimbursements made by
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political subdivisions of this state, except as otherwise provided
by law.
B. The agencies listed below are authorized certain exceptions
and/or exemptions to the pro visions of Sections 500.1 through 500.18
of this title to the extent specified:
1. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry:
a. The actual and reasonable expens es of travel and
subsistence in pursuing and developing mar kets for
Oklahoma agricultural products incurred by the
Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and such employees
designated by the State Board of Agriculture within
the marketing development programs o f the Oklahoma
Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestr y shall be
reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.
Reimbursement of such expenses shall be in acc ordance
with rules adopted by the Board . Expenses claimed
shall, prior to reimbursemen t, be reviewed by the
Board at a regular meeting and indivi dually approved
or disapproved.
b. The actual and necessary expenses of out-of-state
travel and subsistence in curred by employees of the
Forestry Division authorized to evaluate and acquire
federal excess property or surplus property in other
states for use in its fire protecti on program shall be
reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.
2. Department of Public Safety:
When traveling with the Governor or at the Governor 's request,
personnel assigned by the Commissioner for executive security a nd
pilots on executive a ssignment shall be allowed their actual and
necessary traveling expenses, upon claims ap proved by the
Commissioner.
3. Department of Corrections:
The Department of Correction s shall be exempt from limitations
of reimbursement for rented automobiles, as se t forth in Section
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500.5 of this title, when the rental is by a Correctional Officer or
Transportation Officer for the limited purpose of transporting
inmates. Reimbursement for the expense shall be on the basis of
actual cost.
4. Oklahoma Tourism and Re creation Department:
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission and Department
staff who promote in-state and out-of-state business for Oklahoma 's
state-operated or state-owned parks, lodges, and golf courses and
the tourism and recreation industry may be reimbursed for the actual
and necessary expense of travel, subsistence and entertai nment for
this purpose. The Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
Department may reimburse the Publisher of Oklahoma Today magazin e
and its staff for expense s for meals and other en tertainment in
order to gain advertising and promotion for Oklah oma Today magazine.
5. Oklahoma Department of Commerce:
a. The actual and necessary ex penses incurred by the
Director and other employees of the Department
authorized by the Director for the purpose of business
recruitment shall be reimbursed. Reimbursement of
expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by
the Director of the Oklaho ma Department of Commerce.
Expenses claimed shall, prior to reimbursement, be
reviewed by the Director a nd individually approved or
disapproved.
b. The Department, at t he discretion of the Director, may
charter aircraft for the purposes of carrying out it s
duties and responsibilities related to business
recruitment and performing the duties of the Director .
The cost of such charter shall be exempt from the
provisions of Section 500.6 of this title . Claims
filed with the Office of Management and Enterpris e
Services shall bear the following certification:
The best interests of the ci tizens of Oklahoma were
better served in that conventional ground
transportation was not p ractical or feasible for this
trip, aircraft from the Department of Public Safety
ENR. S. B. NO. 856 Page 4
were not available for this trip, and no other claim
has been or will be filed as a payment for the cost of
transportation in connection with this trip.
c. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce may reimburse the
Oklahoma Film and Music Office staff for the actual
and necessary expenses for meals and other
entertainment in order to promote the film and music
industries in this state. Reimbursement of all actual
and necessary expenses shall be in accordance with
rules adopted by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
6. Office of Management and Enterprise Service s:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel and subsis tence
incurred by the Director, any state employee approved by h is or her
appointing authority, or state officials, for travel outside the
state in performance of duties related to bond financing sh all be
reimbursed to the empl oyee or state official incurr ing such
expenses. Reimbursement for lodging expenses shall be supported by
three telephone bids from hotels within a reasonable distance of the
activity for which the travel was approved.
7. Oklahoma Futures:
The actual and necessary expenses incurred b y the members of
Oklahoma Futures in the performance of their du ties shall be
reimbursed to the members incurring such expenses . Reimbursement of
all actual and necessary expenses shall be in acc ordance with rules
adopted by Oklahoma Futures.
8. Oklahoma Development Finance Authority:
The actual and necessary expense s incurred by the members and
employees of the Oklahoma Development Finance Authorit y in the
performance of their duties shall be reimbursed to the person
incurring such expenses. Reimbursement of all actual and necessary
expenses shall be in accordance w ith the bylaws of the Authority.
9. Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and
Technology:
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The actual and necessary exp enses incurred by the members and
employees of the Oklahoma Cent er for the Advancement of Science and
Technology in the performa nce of their duties shall be reimbursed to
the person incurring such expenses . Reimbursement of all actual and
necessary expenses shall be in accordance wit h the bylaws of the
Center.
10. Center for International Trade Development:
The actual and necessa ry expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by the Director and auth orized employees of the
Center for Internation al Trade Development for perf ormance of their
duties for the purpo se of business recruitment and assistance shall
be reimbursed to the person incurring such expenses . Reimbursement
of such expenses shall be in accordance with the rules adopted by
the Director of the Center for Intern ational Trade Development.
Expenses claimed shall be reviewed and individually approved or
disapproved, prior to reimbursement, first by the Director, and
finally by either the Vic e President, Business and Finance of
Oklahoma State University or the Presi dent of Oklahoma State
University.
11. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation:
The actual and necess ary expenses incurred by the Director and
other employees of the Bureau author ized by the Director as a result
of conducting investigations shall be reim bursed to each such
employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement of the expenses
shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investi gation. Prior to reimbursement,
expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Director and individually
approved or disapproved.
12. Department of Human Services:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the
performance of their duties for the purpose of r epresenting the
Department of Human Se rvices or any of its officials, employees,
institutions or hospi tals at any proceeding including depositions,
held before any court, adminis trative body or representative
thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee in curring such
ENR. S. B. NO. 856 Page 6
expenses. Expenses claimed shall be approved by the General Counsel
and the Director of Human Services prior to reimbursement.
13. Oklahoma Health Care Authority:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by employees of the Legal Division in the
performance of their dutie s for the purpose of representing the
Authority or any of its officials or employees, at any pr oceeding
including depositions, held before any court, administrative body or
representative thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee
incurring such expenses . Expenses claimed shall be approved by the
Administrator prior to reimbursement.
14. Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcot ics and Dangerous Drugs
Control:
The actual and necessary expens es incurred by the Director and
other employees of the Bureau authorize d by the Director as a result
of conducting investigations shall be reimbursed to each employee
incurring the expenses . Reimbursement of the expenses shall be in
accordance with rules adopted by the Director of the Oklahoma State
Bureau of Narcotics and D angerous Drugs Control. Prior to
reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the Direct or
and individually appr oved or disapproved.
15. University Hospitals:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by empl oyees of the Legal Office in the
performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the
University Hospitals or an y of its officials, employees,
institutions or hospitals at any proceeding including depositions,
held before any court, administrati ve body or representative
thereof, shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such
expenses. Expenses shall be approved by the Chief Executive Officer
of the University Hospitals or by the University Hospitals
Authority.
16. Oklahoma Historical Socie ty:
ENR. S. B. NO. 856 Page 7
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, subsistence and
entertainment incurred by the Execu tive Director, Deputy Di rector
and any employees designated by the Executive Committe e of the
Oklahoma Historical Society Board of Directors in pursuing an d
developing programs and projects for the preservation and marketing
of Oklahoma history shall be re imbursed to the person i ncurring the
expenses. Reimbursement of expenses shall be in accordance with
rules adopted by the Oklahoma Historical Society Boar d of Directors.
Prior to reimbursement, expenses claimed shall be reviewed by the
Executive Committee at a regularly schedul ed meeting and each claim
shall be individually approved or d isapproved.
17. The Oklahoma Department of Mines:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by employees of the Department in the
performance of their duties for the purpose of representing the
Department or any of it s officials or employees, at any proceeding,
hearing or meeting with f ederal agencies, boards, commissions,
congressional representatives, congressional committees or staff,
shall be reimbursed to the employee incurring such expenses.
Expenses claimed sha ll be approved by the Executive Director prior
to reimbursement.
18. The Office of Attorney General:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by its employees in the performance of their
duties for the purpose of rep resenting the state, the Legislature,
any state board, agency or commi ssion, or any employee o r official
of the state entitled to representation, at any proceeding including
depositions, held before any court, administrative body or any
representative thereof, and the actual and necessary expenses
incurred by employees as a result of conducting inv estigations shall
be reimbursed to the employee incurring the expenses . The expenses
shall be approved by the Attorney General prior to reimbursement.
19. District Attorneys Council:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by each district attorney and other employees
of the district attorney aut horized by the distric t attorney in the
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performance of their duties for any dis trict other than the district
for which they are employed for the purp ose of representing the
state, any county, or any employee or official of the state entitled
to representation at any proceeding including depositions held
before any court, administrati ve body or any representative of a
court or administrative body, and t he actual and necessary ex penses
incurred as a result of conducting investigations shall be
reimbursed to each employee incurring the expenses. Reimbursement
of the expenses shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the
District Attorneys Council . Prior to reimbursement, expen ses
claimed shall be reviewed by the Council and individually approved
or disapproved.
20. The Department of Securities:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging and
subsistence incurred by the Administrator and oth er employees of the
Department of Securities in the performance of their duties for the
purpose of representi ng the Department of Securities, at any
proceeding including depositions, hel d before any court,
administrative body or any representative thereof, conducting on-
site examinations, or conducting investigations, shall be reimbursed
to each employee incurrin g the expenses. The expenses shall be
approved by the Administrator of the D epartment of Securities prior
to reimbursement.
21. Corporation Commission:
The actual and necess ary travel expenses incurred by the staff
of the Public Utility Division as a res ult of conducting audits
and/or reviews of utility service providers shall be reimbursed to
each employee incurring the expense . Reimbursement of the expenses
shall be as set forth in procedures established by the appointing
authority.
22. The Department of Human Service s:
Employees of the Department of Human Services may be reimbursed
for their actual and necessary expenses of trave l, lodging and meals
and incidentals incurred in the performance of their duties for the
purpose of escorting and transportin g children or adults in the care
or custody of the Department, subject to approval by the Department :
ENR. S. B. NO. 856 Page 9
a. for out-of-state visitation, care, treatment and
placement of a child welfare client,
b. for out-of-state treatment for or placement of an
adult protective services client,
c. for out-of-state treatment for or place ment of a
resident of a state resource center,
d. for out-of-state treatment for or placemen t of an
individual with a developmental disability who is
living in the community in community re sidential
services, or
e. for meals and incidental expenses nece ssary for the
care of children or adults in the ca re or custody of
the Department.
Expenses claimed shall be approved by the appropriate Divisio n
Director or Deputy prior to reimbursement.
23. The Banking Department:
The actual and necessary expenses of tra vel and lodging incurred
by the Commissioner and other employees o f the Banking Department in
the performance of their duties for the Banki ng Department shall be
paid or reimbursed by the Banking Department to each employee
incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the
Banking Commissioner prior to payme nt or reimbursement.
24. Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel, lodging, and
subsistence incurred by the Oklahoma Homeland Security Director, a s
a result of the duties and responsibilities of the Director, shall
be paid or reimbursed by the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security.
25. The Grand River Dam Auth ority:
The actual and necessary expenses of travel and lodgi ng incurred
by the Board of Directors and other employees of the district in the
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performance of their duties for the Grand River Dam Authority shall
be paid or reimbursed b y the district to each D irector or employee
incurring the expenses. The expenses shall be approved by the
General Manager of the Grand River Dam Authority prior to payment or
reimbursement.
26. The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority:
The actual and necessary exp enses incurred by the Directors and
employees of the Nativ e American Cultural and Educa tional Authority
in performances of duties . The expenses shall be appro ved by the
Director prior to payment or reimbursement.
27. Oklahoma Department of Career and Tec hnology Education:
The actual and necessary expenses inc urred by the Director and
other employees of the Department, authorized by the Director, for
the purpose of business recruitment, training, and the provision of
technical assistance shall be reimburse d. Reimbursement of expenses
shall be in accordance wit h rules adopted by the State Board of
Career and Technology Education. Expenses claimed, prior to the
reimbursement, will be reviewed by the Board and individually
approved or disapproved.
28. Oklahoma Military Depa rtment:
The actual and necessary trav el expenses incurred by the
Director, other employees of the Department and persons performing
substantial and necessary services to the state in support of the
Oklahoma National Guard shall be reimbur sed to the individual
incurring such expenses. The exp enses claimed shall be approv ed by
the Director or Chief Financial Officer prior to reimbursement.
C. The agencies listed in subsection B of this section shall be
required to report annually the actual exp enses excepted or exempted
from Sections 500.1 th rough 500.18 of this title to the Governor,
the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, a nd the Speaker of the
House of Representatives. The report shall be submitted no later
than the first day of September f ollowing the end of each fiscal
year.
ENR. S. B. NO. 856 Page 11
Passed the Senate the 19th day of May, 2022.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 19th day of May, 2022.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: ______________________________ ___