Oklahoma House Bill HB2728

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority; requiring certain notice; effective date.

Impact

One of the significant aspects of the bill is the introduction of mandatory public notice requirements. The bill mandates that any hearing regarding bond approval must be announced through a publication in a widely circulated newspaper and via certified mail to all property owners within a one-mile radius of the proposed project. This requirement ensures that local stakeholders are adequately informed and can contest the legality of any bond issuance affecting their properties, therefore enhancing civic engagement and due process in public finance matters.

Summary

House Bill 2728 amends the existing statutes related to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, specifically focusing on the judicial determination of the validity of bonds issued by the Authority. The bill accommodates the process by which the Authority can seek approval from the Supreme Court of Oklahoma for the bonds it intends to issue, ensuring a judicial review process that prioritizes these applications over other court business. This aims to facilitate a quicker determination of bond validity and streamline the funding mechanisms necessary for infrastructure projects associated with the Turnpike Authority.

Contention

While the bill is primarily procedural, there may be points of contention related to the sufficiency and efficacy of the notice provisions. Stakeholders may voice concerns regarding whether the notification reaches all potentially impacted individuals, as well as the adequacy of the time frame provided for lodging protests. Ensuring transparency and community involvement in the bond approval process will likely be a topic of discussion among legislators, as balancing the efficient operation of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority with public accountability is crucial.