Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB1707 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
	3	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 1
	4	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	5	+	2
	6	+	3
	7	+	4
	8	+	5
	9	+	6
	10	+	7
	11	+	8
	12	+	9
	13	+	10
	14	+	11
	15	+	12
	16	+	13
	17	+	14
	18	+	15
	19	+	16
	20	+	17
	21	+	18
	22	+	19
	23	+	20
	24	+	21
	25	+	22
	26	+	23
	27	+	24
3	28
4		-	An Act
5		-	ENROLLED SENATE
	29	+	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
	30	+
	31	+	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
	32	+
	33	+	2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
	34	+
	35	+	ENGROSSED SENATE
6	36		BILL NO. 1707 By: Hamilton and Gollihare of
7	37		the Senate
8	38
9	39		and
10	40
11		-	Kannady and McDugle of the
12		-	House
	41	+	Kannady of the House
13	42
14	43
15	44
16	45		An Act relating to State Veterans Homes; est ablishing
17	46		State Veterans Home at Sallisaw; directing assumption
18	47		of certain operations; amending 72 O.S. 2 021, Section
19	48		222, which relates to the Oklahoma Department of
20	49		Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund; conforming and
21	50		updating language; amending 72 O.S. 2021, Section
22	51		229, as amended by Section 16, Chapter 83, O.S.L.
23	52		2022 (72 O.S. Supp. 2023 , Section 229), which relates
24	53		to State Veterans Home at Talihina; directing
25	54		transfer of operations upon certain date; removing
26	55		obsolete language; modifying statutory referen ce;
27	56		amending 72 O.S. 2021, Section 229.1, as amended by
28	57		Section 17, Chapter 83, O.S.L. 2022 (72 O.S. Supp .
29	58		2023, Section 229.1), which relates to authority to
30	59		plan, develop, and construct Oklahoma veterans
31	60		facilities; specifying facility to assume certain
32	61		operations; modifying requirements for location of
33	62		facilities; broadening allowed uses of certain
34	63		proceeds; amending 72 O.S. 2021, Section 240 , as
35	64		amended by Section 18, Chapter 83, O.S.L. 2022 (72
36	65		O.S. Supp. 2023, Section 240), which relates to petty
37	66		cash funds; conforming language; providing for
38	67		codification; and declaring an emergency .
39	68
40	69
41	70
42	71
43	72
44		-	SUBJECT: State Veterans Homes
45		-
46	73		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
47	74
48		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 2
	75	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 2
	76	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	77	+	2
	78	+	3
	79	+	4
	80	+	5
	81	+	6
	82	+	7
	83	+	8
	84	+	9
	85	+	10
	86	+	11
	87	+	12
	88	+	13
	89	+	14
	90	+	15
	91	+	16
	92	+	17
	93	+	18
	94	+	19
	95	+	20
	96	+	21
	97	+	22
	98	+	23
	99	+	24
49	100
50	101		SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
51	102		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Secti on 229.2 of Title 72, unless there
52	103		is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
53		-
54	104		A. There is hereby established, in addition to the other State
55	105		Veterans Homes established under this title, the State Veterans Home
56	106		at Sallisaw, Oklahoma, on the s ite determined by the Oklahoma
57	107		Veterans Commission under subsections C and D of Sect ion 229.1 of
58	108		Title 72 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
59		-
60	109		B. The State Veterans Home at Sallisaw shall assume operations
61	110		of the State Veterans Home at Talihina, Oklahoma, establishe d under
62	111		Section 229 of Title 72 of the Oklahoma Statutes, upon the date
63	112		determined by the Commission unde r such section.
64		-
65	113		SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 72 O.S. 2021, Section 222, is
66	114		amended to read as follows:
67		-
68	115		Section 222. A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury
69	116		a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Department of V eterans Affairs to
70	117		be known as the Oklahoma “Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
71	118		Revolving Fund Fund”. The revolving fund shall consist of all funds
72	119		and monies received by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs,
73	120		its constituent institutions, and/or , the Oklahoma Veterans
74	121		Commission, from any gifts, contributions, bequests, individual
75	122		reimbursements except as otherwise provided by law, and other
76	123		sources of revenue, for the care or support of war veterans
77	124		discharged other than under dishonorable con ditions, who have bee n
	125	+
	126	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 3
	127	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	128	+	2
	129	+	3
	130	+	4
	131	+	5
	132	+	6
	133	+	7
	134	+	8
	135	+	9
	136	+	10
	137	+	11
	138	+	12
	139	+	13
	140	+	14
	141	+	15
	142	+	16
	143	+	17
	144	+	18
	145	+	19
	146	+	20
	147	+	21
	148	+	22
	149	+	23
	150	+	24
	151	+
78	152		admitted and cared for at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
79	153		Affairs Centers, at Ardmore, Claremore, Clinton, Lawton/Ft. Sill,
80	154		Norman, Sulphur or Talihina Sallisaw. Provided, no grants-in-aid,
81	155		reimbursements, or other revenue from the United States gov ernment
82	156		or any instrumentality of the United States government shall be
83	157		deposited in the fund. Provided further, nothing contained herein
84	158		prohibits the establishment and utilization of special agency
85	159		accounts by the Oklahoma Departmen t of Veterans Affairs and its
86	160		constituent institutions, as may be approved by the Special Agency
87	161		Account Board Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
88	162		Services, for receipt and disbursement of the personal funds of
89	163		Veteran Center patients and members and/or for rec eipt and
90		-
91		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 3
92	164		disbursement of charitable contributions and donations for use by
93	165		and for patients and members.
94		-
95	166		B. The revolving fund herein created shall be used by the
96	167		Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the care of war
97	168		veterans discharged other than under dishonorable conditions, in
98	169		Veterans Centers, to pay the general operating expenses of the
99	170		Veterans Centers, including the payment of salar ies and wages of
100	171		officials and employees, to pay for the employee safety programs and
101	172		incentive awards provided for in Section 63.10a of this title, and
102	173		to remodel, repair, construct, build additions, modernize, or add
103	174		improvements of domiciliary or hospit al buildings necessary for the
104	175		care of veterans, including tuberculosis, mentally il l or
	176	+
	177	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 4
	178	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	179	+	2
	180	+	3
	181	+	4
	182	+	5
	183	+	6
	184	+	7
	185	+	8
	186	+	9
	187	+	10
	188	+	11
	189	+	12
	190	+	13
	191	+	14
	192	+	15
	193	+	16
	194	+	17
	195	+	18
	196	+	19
	197	+	20
	198	+	21
	199	+	22
	200	+	23
	201	+	24
	202	+
105	203		neuropsychiatric patients, but not excluding others; and
106	204		architectural plans, specifications, or other costs pertinent
107	205		thereto.
108		-
109	206		C. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs may transfer
110	207		monies from the revolving fund created in this section to the W.V.C.
111	208		Revolving Fund in the State Treasury.
112		-
113	209		D. All expenditures from the revolving fund shall be made upon
114	210		warrants issued by the State Treasurer based upon claims approv ed by
115	211		the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, as provided by law, and
116	212		filed with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
117	213		Services for approval and payment.
118		-
119	214		SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 72 O.S. 2021, Section 229, as
120	215		amended by Section 16, Chapter 83, O.S.L. 2022 (72 O.S. Supp. 2023,
121	216		Section 229), is amended to read as fo llows:
122		-
123	217		Section 229. A. Until operations are transferred pursuant to
124	218		subsection B of this section, there is hereby established, in
125	219		addition to the other State Veterans Homes established by Sections
126	220		221 and 226 of this title, the State Veterans Home at Tal ihina,
127	221		Oklahoma, on the site of the Oklahoma State Sanatorium, Talihina,
128	222		Oklahoma. All persons serving as employees of the Oklahoma State
129	223		Sanatorium under the provisions of the State Merit System of
130	224		Personnel Administration shall continue to serve as empl oyees of the
131	225		State Veterans Home at Talihina, provided that such employees remain
132	226		in the classified service. All employees hired by the State
	227	+
	228	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 5
	229	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	230	+	2
	231	+	3
	232	+	4
	233	+	5
	234	+	6
	235	+	7
	236	+	8
	237	+	9
	238	+	10
	239	+	11
	240	+	12
	241	+	13
	242	+	14
	243	+	15
	244	+	16
	245	+	17
	246	+	18
	247	+	19
	248	+	20
	249	+	21
	250	+	22
	251	+	23
	252	+	24
	253	+
133	254		Veterans Home at Talihina on or after July 1, 1975, shall be under
134		-
135		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 4
136	255		the Oklahoma Merit System of Personnel Adminis tration, except one
137	256		manager, one principal assistant or deputy, one private secretary,
138	257		part-time physicians and other professional personnel engaged in
139	258		clinical and consultant services. The average number of full -time-
140	259		equivalent employees utilized in the total operation of the State
141	260		Veterans Home, Talihina, shall not exceed one hundred fifty -three
142	261		(153) during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976. The buildings,
143	262		equipment and land under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma State
144	263		Sanatorium, Talihina, are here by transferred to the State Veterans
145	264		Home, Talihina.
146		-
147	265		B. Upon a date to be determined by the Oklahoma Veterans
148	266		Commission, operations of the State Vete rans Home at Talihina
149	267		established under this section shall be transferred to the State
150	268		Veterans Home at Sallisaw, Oklahoma, established under Section 1 of
151	269		this act.
152		-
153	270		SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 72 O.S. 2021, Section 229.1, as
154	271		amended by Section 17, Chapter 83, O.S.L. 2022 (72 O.S. Supp. 2023,
155	272		Section 229.1), is amended to read as follows:
156		-
157	273		Section 229.1. A. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
158	274		is authorized to plan, develop and construct two long -term care
159	275		facilities for the follo wing purposes:
160		-
161	276		1. To assume the operations of the State Veterans Home
162	277		established in Talihina pursuant t o Section 229 of this title . In
	278	+
	279	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 6
	280	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	281	+	2
	282	+	3
	283	+	4
	284	+	5
	285	+	6
	286	+	7
	287	+	8
	288	+	9
	289	+	10
	290	+	11
	291	+	12
	292	+	13
	293	+	14
	294	+	15
	295	+	16
	296	+	17
	297	+	18
	298	+	19
	299	+	20
	300	+	21
	301	+	22
	302	+	23
	303	+	24
	304	+
163	305		accordance with Section 229 of this title and Section 1 of this act,
164	306		the facility to assume operations of the State Ve terans Home at
165	307		Talihina shall be the State Veterans Home at Sallisaw, Oklahoma,
166	308		established under Section 1 of this act; and
167		-
168	309		2. To replace the State Veterans Home established in Ardmore
169	310		pursuant to Section 221 of this title.
170		-
171	311		B. For the two long -term care facilities authorized in
172	312		subsection A of this section, the Department may construct new
173	313		facilities or refurbish any existing facilities on property
174	314		currently owned by this state or on property purchased or donated
175	315		from other sources including but not limi ted to private owners,
176	316		tribal entities or other governmental or municipal entities.
177		-
178		-
179		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 5
180	317		C. 1. The location of the facility referenced in paragraph 1
181	318		of subsection A of this section shall be subject only to such
182	319		geographical constraints as are imposed by the United States
183	320		Department of Veterans Affairs to preserve and continue recognition
184	321		and certification of th e facility as a State Veterans Home located
185	322		within or near the corporate limits of the City of Sallisaw .
186		-
187	323		2. The facility referenced in paragraph 2 of subsection A of
188	324		this section shall be located within the corporate limits of the
189	325		city City of Ardmore or within five (5) miles of the corporate
190	326		limits of the city City of Ardmore.
191		-
192	327		D. The locations and sites of the two facilities referenced in
193	328		subsection A of this section shall be determined by the Oklahoma
	329	+
	330	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 7
	331	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	332	+	2
	333	+	3
	334	+	4
	335	+	5
	336	+	6
	337	+	7
	338	+	8
	339	+	9
	340	+	10
	341	+	11
	342	+	12
	343	+	13
	344	+	14
	345	+	15
	346	+	16
	347	+	17
	348	+	18
	349	+	19
	350	+	20
	351	+	21
	352	+	22
	353	+	23
	354	+	24
	355	+
194	356		Veterans Commission, subject to such geographical co nstraints as are
195	357		imposed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for
196	358		certification as a State Veterans Home . The Oklahoma Veterans
197	359		Commission may consider any and all criteria which, in its sole
198	360		discretion, further the int erests of Oklahoma ve terans.
199		-
200	361		E. The project constituting the construction of the
201	362		replacement, long-term care facility for the Ardmore Veterans Home
202	363		shall be exempt from th e requirements of Sections 9030 through
203	364		9030.8 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
204		-
205	365		F. The proceeds rec eived from the sale of the State Veterans
206	366		Home in Talihina, along with all associated real and personal
207	367		property, shall belong to the Oklahoma Departme nt of Veterans
208	368		Affairs and shall be used for any one or more of the following
209	369		purposes:
210		-
211	370		1. To purchase land upon which the replacement, long -term care
212	371		facility for the Ardmore Veterans Home will be located;
213		-
214	372		2. To purchase any other personal property need ed for the
215	373		construction and furnishing of the replacement, long -term care
216	374		facility for the Ardmore Vetera ns Home; and
217		-
218	375		3. To fund operations of the State Veterans Home at Sallisaw;
219	376		and
220		-
221		-
222		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 6
223	377		4. To complete the state match for a grant offered under the
224	378		State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program of the United States
225	379		Department of Veterans Af fairs.
226	380
	381	+	SB1707 HFLR Page 8
	382	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
	383	+	2
	384	+	3
	385	+	4
	386	+	5
	387	+	6
	388	+	7
	389	+	8
	390	+	9
	391	+	10
	392	+	11
	393	+	12
	394	+	13
	395	+	14
	396	+	15
	397	+	16
	398	+	17
	399	+	18
	400	+	19
	401	+	20
	402	+	21
	403	+	22
	404	+	23
	405	+	24
	406	+
227	407		SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 72 O.S. 2021, Section 240, as
228	408		amended by Section 18, Chapter 83, O.S.L. 2022 (72 O.S. Supp. 2023,
229	409		Section 240), is amended to read as follows:
230		-
231	410		Section 240. There is hereby created a petty cash fund at the
232	411		Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, at the State Veterans Home,
233	412		Ardmore, Oklahoma, at the State Veterans Home, Clinton, Oklahoma, at
234	413		the State Veterans Home, Sulp hur, Oklahoma, at the State Veterans
235	414		Home, Talihina Sallisaw, Oklahoma, at the State Veterans Home,
236	415		Norman, Oklahoma, at the State Veterans Home, Claremore, Oklahoma,
237	416		and at the State Veterans Home, Lawton/Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. The
238	417		Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the
239	418		Director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs are
240	419		authorized to fix the maximum amount of these petty cash funds and
241	420		the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services
242	421		shall prescribe the rules and procedures for the administration of
243	422		these petty cash funds.
244		-
245	423		SECTION 6. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
246	424		of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
247	425		declared to exist, by reason whereof this a ct shall take effect and
248	426		be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
249	427
250		-
251		-	ENR. S. B. NO. 1707 Page 7
252		-	Passed the Senate the 1 4th day of March, 2024.
253		-
254		-
255		-
256		-	Presiding Officer of the Senate
257		-
258		-
259		-	Passed the House of Representatives the 16th day of April, 2024.
260		-
261		-
262		-
263		-	Presiding Officer of the House
264		-	of Representatives
265		-
266		-	OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
267		-	Received by the Office of the Governor this _______ _____________
268		-	day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
269		-	By: _________________________________
270		-	Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this ____ _____
271		-	day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
272		-
273		-	_________________________________
274		-	Governor of the State of Oklahoma
275		-
276		-
277		-	OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
278		-	Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
279		-	day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
280		-	By: _________________________________
	428	+	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS,
	429	+	dated 04/02/2024 - DO PASS.