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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
HOUSE BILL 1776 By: Hilbert
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Oklahoma U.S.A.
Semiquincentennial Commission; providing for
membership; authorizing meetings; prescribing quorum
requirement; authorizing travel reimbursement;
prescribing duties; providing for transfer of certain
assets; providing for termination of entit y;
requiring final report; prescribing content of
report; providing for codificat ion; and 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 7601 of Title 74, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, r eads as follows:
A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma U.S.A.
Semiquincentennial Commission. The Oklahoma U.S.A.
Semiquincentennial Commission shall be composed of twenty-two (22)
members. The members are appointed as follows:
1. Five members shall b e appointed by the Governor , one
appointee from each of t he five congressional distric ts;
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2. Five members shall be appointed b y the Speaker of the
Oklahoma House of Representatives , one appointee from each of the
five congressional districts ;
3. Five members shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore
of the Oklahoma State Senate, one appointee from each of the five
congressional districts; and
4. Seven ex officio members shall be appointed as follows:
a. the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as
chairperson, or a designee,
b. the Executive Director of t he Oklahoma Historical
Society, who shall serve as vice -chair, or a designee,
c. the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or
designee who is an employee of the agency,
d. the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or a
designee,
e. the Chancellor of the State Regents for Higher
Education or a designee,
f. the Executive Director of the Oklah oma Arts Council or
a designee, and
g. the Executive Director of the O klahoma Tourism and
Recreation Department or a designee.
An ex officio member of the Commission vacates the person 's
position on the Commission if the person ceases to hold the position
that qualifies the person for service on the Commission.
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B. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly at the times
and places in this state that the Co mmission designates. A majority
of the members of the Commission constitutes a quoru m for
transacting Commission business. Subject to appropriation, the
Oklahoma Historical Society shal l provide administrative and other
support to the Commission.
C. The Commission shall:
1. Plan and sponsor official Semiquincentennial events,
programs and activities appropriate to commemorate the United States
Semiquincentennial;
2. Encourage the development of programs designed to involve
all citizens in activities th at commemorate the Semiquincentennial
events; and
3. Make available to the public, to the be st of the
Commission's ability, information on Semiquincentennial events
happening throughout the State of Oklahoma.
D. The Commission may accept monetary gifts, grants or
appropriations from any public or private source to be held in a
nonappropriated revo lving fund authorized for the Oklahoma
Historical Society and expended solely for the use of the Commission
in performing the Commission's powers and duties unde r this act.
The Commission may also accept in -kind gifts.
E. Each member of the Commission shal l serve without
compensation related to Commission duties, asi de from the
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compensation he or she might otherwise receive as authorized by law.
Members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel expenses
pursuant to the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
F. The Commission shall be dissolved on June 30, 2027, and any
assets remaining in the Commission's trust fund shall be deposited
into the state's General Revenue Fund.
G. A final report on the activities of the Oklahoma U.S.A.
Semiquincentennial Commission shall be delivered to the Governor no
later than March 1, 2024.
H. The report shall include a mission statement for the
Commission, the goals of the Commission, a list of proposed
activities in connection with observation of the U.S.A.
Semiquincentennial event , a list of milestones together with
applicable dates for executing propo sed activities and a projected
budget from planned activities and private fundraising goals.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency i s hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage an d approval.
59-1-5465 MAH 01/17/23