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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE BILL 944 By: Pugh
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Semiquincentennial of the
United States; creating the Oklahoma
Semiquincentennial Commissi on; providing sunset date;
providing for duties of the Commission; pro viding for
membership; providing deadline for appointments and
first meeting; providing for staffing; decla ring
quorum; allowing travel expense reimbursement;
declaring certain authorization; requiring report;
creating the Semiquincentennial Revolving Fu nd;
providing sunset date; transferring remaining mon ies
after sunset date; providing for codification; a nd
declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 500 of Title 53, unless there is
created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma Semiquincentennial
Commission until June 30, 2027.
B. The duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
1. Be the point of contact for state and national organizations
and events related to the Semiquincentennial of the United State s;
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2. Develop programs and plans for the official observance of
the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026,
as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 1776 ; and
3. Cooperate with the United States Semiquincentennial
Commission and various state agencies , boards, commissions,
departments, and political subdivisions in order to execute
commemorative events and to implement educational activities ,
events, and celebrations related to the Semi quincentennial of the
United States.
C. The Commission shall be composed of twenty-five (25)
members. The members shall serve as follows:
1. The Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as chairperson of
the Commission;
2. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society ,
or designee, who shall serve as vice chairperson of the C ommission;
3. The Executive Director of Oklahoma Department of Commerce,
or designee, who shall be an employee of t he agency;
4. The Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State
Department of Education, or designee, who shall be an employee of
the agency;
5. The Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education, or designee, who shall be an employee of the agency;
6. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council, or
designee, who is an employee of the agency;
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7. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism
and Recreation, or designee, who shall be an employee of the agency;
8. The Regent of the Oklahoma Society Daughters of the American
Revolution;
9. The President of the Oklahoma Society of the Sons of the
American Revolution;
10. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Museums Association;
11. The Executive Director of the Gilcrease Museum;
12. The Executive Director of the First Americans Museum;
13. The President of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage
Museum;
14. The Executive Director of Oklahoma Humanities;
15. The President of the Oklahoma City National Mem orial and
Museum;
16. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or a designee , who
shall be an employee of the court;
17. One member, appointed by the Governor, who shall be a
member with experience in the study and documentation of the history
of Black communities in Oklahoma;
18. One member, appointed by the Governor, who shall be a
member with experience in the study and documentation o f the history
of Latino communities in Oklahoma;
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19. One member, appointed by the Governor, who shall be a
member with experience in the study and documentation of the history
of American Indian communities in Oklahoma;
20. One member, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate, who shall be a current member of the Senate from the
majority party;
21. One member, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate, who shall be a current member of the Senate from the
minority party;
22. One member, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate, who shall be a secondary teacher currently certified to
teach United States history in Oklahoma;
23. One member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, who shall be a current member of the House of
Representatives from the majority party;
24. One member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, who shall be a current member of the House of
Representatives from the minority party; and
25. One member, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, who shall be a current fifth grade teacher
currently certified to teach in Oklahoma with experience teachin g
United States history.
D. Commission members may be removed for cause. Whenever a
vacancy on the Commission occ urs by death, resignation, or
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otherwise, the appointing authority shall fill the same by
appointment, and the appointee shall hold office during the
unexpired term. Each member shall hold office u ntil a successor has
been appointed.
E. All appointments to the Commission shall be made no l ater
than August 1, 2023. The Commission shall hold its first meeting no
later than September 1, 2023. The Commission shall be staffed by
the Oklahoma Historical Societ y. All appropriate agencies of state
government shall provide assistance to the Commission upon request
of the Commission.
F. A quorum of thirteen members shall be required to conduct
official business of the Commission. The Commissio n may establish
subcommittees to effectuate the purpose the Commission . The
Commission shall meet as often as necessary to perform its duties.
G. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for
serving on the Commission but shall receive travel reimbursement for
necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties by their respective agencies in accordance with the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
H. The Commission shall be authorized to :
a. employ personnel,
b. contract for services, and
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c. accept gifts, grants, and donations which shall be
deposited into the Semiquincentennial Revolving Fund,
created in Section 2 of this act.
I. On or after June 30, 2027, any remaining supplies or
property of the Commission shall tran sfer to the Oklahoma Historical
Society.
J. No later than March 1, 2024, the Commission shall
electronically submit a report to the Governor, President Pro
Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives to include the following information:
1. Mission statement of the Commission;
2. Goals of the Commissio n;
3. List of proposed activi ties;
4. List of milestones along with applicable dates for executing
the proposed activities; and
5. Projected budget for planned activities and private
fundraising goals.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new se ction of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 501 of Title 53, unless there is
created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows:
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolv ing fund
for the Oklahoma Historical Society to be designated the
“Semiquincentennial Revolving Fund”. The fund shall be a continuing
fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of
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all monies received from legislative appropriations, private
donations, gifts, and grants. All monies accruing to the credit of
the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by
the Oklahoma Semiquincentennial Commission for the purposes of the
Commission. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants
issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by
law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
Services for approval and payment. The Semiquincentennial Revolving
Fund shall sunset on June 30, 2 027. Any remaining monies i n the
fund shall transfer to the Historical Society Revolving Fund,
created in Section 1.10 of Title 53 of the Oklahoma Statutes .
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
59-1-6 BG 1/19/2023 11:11:54 AM