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ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1776 By: Hilbert of the House
and
Pugh of the Senate
[ Semiquincentennial of the United States - Oklahoma
Semiquincentennial Commission – report -
Semiquincentennial Revolving Fund – codification -
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 numberi ng, 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 States;
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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 s ubdivisions in order to execute
commemorative events and to implement educational activities,
events, and celebrations related to the Semiquincentennial of the
United States.
C. The Commission shall be composed of twenty -five (25)
members. The members shall serve as follows:
1. Five members appointed by the Governor as follows:
a. one who shall be a member with experience in the st udy
and documentation of the history of Latino communities
in Oklahoma,
b. one who shall be a member with experience i n the study
and documentation of the history of the Black
community in Oklahoma ,
c. one who shall be a member with experience in the study
and documentation of the history of American Indian
communities in Oklahoma ,
d. one who shall be a current fift h-grade teacher
currently certified to teach in Oklahoma with
experience teaching United States history ,
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e. one who shall be a secondary teacher currently
certified to teach United States history in Oklahoma;
2. Five members shall be appointed by the S peaker of the
Oklahoma House of Representatives, one appointee from each of the
five congressional districts;
3. Five members shall be appointed b y the President Pro Tempore
of the Oklahoma State Senate, one appointee fro m each of the five
congressional distric ts;
4. Ten voting ex officio members shall be appointed as follows:
a. the Lieutenant Governor, who shall serve as
chairperson, or a design ee,
b. the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Historical
Society, who shall serve as vice -chair, or designee,
c. the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce,
or designee,
d. the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, or
designee,
e. the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for
Higher Education, or designee ,
f. the Executive Director of the Ok lahoma Arts Council,
or designee,
g. the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and
Recreation Department, or designee ,
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h. the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, or
designee,
i. the Regent of the Oklahoma Society of the Daughters of
the American Revolution, and
j. the President of the Oklahoma Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution.
D. Commission members may be removed for cause. Whenever a
vacancy on the Commission occurs by death, resignation, or
otherwise, the appointi ng authority shall fill the same by
appointment, and the appointee shall hold office during the
unexpired term. Each member shall hold office until a successor ha s
been appointed.
E. All appointments to the Commission shall be made no later
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 Society. 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 Commission may establish
subcommittees to effectuate the purpose of the Commission. The
Commission shall meet as often as necessary to per form its duties.
G. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for
serving on the Commission but shall receive travel reimbursement for
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necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties by their respective agencies in acc ordance with the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
H. The Commission shall be authorized to:
1. Employ personnel;
2. Contract for services ; and
3. 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 transfer to the Oklahoma Histo rical
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 Commission;
3. List of proposed activities;
4. List of milestones along with applicable dates for executing
the proposed activities; and
5. Projected budget for planned activities and private
fundraising goals.
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SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 501 of Title 53, unless there is
created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving 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
all monies received from legislative appropriat ions, private
donations, gifts, and grants. All monies accruing to the credit of
the fund are hereby appropriated an d may be budgeted and expended by
the Oklahoma Semiquincentennial Commission for the purposes of the
Commission. Expenditures from the fun d shall be made upon warrants
issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by
law with the Directo r of the Office of Management and Enterprise
Services for approval and payment. The Semiquincentennial Revolving
Fund shall sunset on Jun e 30, 2027. Any remaining monies in 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 an d approval.
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Passed the House of Representatives the 8th day of March, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the Senate