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ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 547 By: Pugh of the Senate
and
West (Josh) of the House
An Act relating to veterans; requiring Oklahoma
Department of Veterans Affairs to represent certain
interests; authorizing Department to request
engagement of Attorney General upon certain
determination; requiring review of certain
complaints; authorizing intervention of Attorney
General upon request by Department; providing for
codification; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOP LE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 63.23 of Title 72, unless there
is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows:
A. The Oklahoma Depart ment of Veterans Affairs shall represent
and protect the collective interest s of military veterans in this
state. The Department may request the engagement of the At torney
General on behalf of an individual veteran or a collective group of
veterans upon:
1. Receiving a complaint of improperly w ithheld or revoked
benefits or breaches of trust in the administration of funds by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
2. Conducting a thorough review of the complaint ; and
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3. Determining that the De partment has exhausted its ability to
intervene on behalf of the veteran or veterans.
B. Upon request from the Department pursuant to subsect ion A of
this section, the Attorney General m ay, at his or her discretion,
intervene on behalf of the veteran or veterans.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, he alth 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 p assage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 21st day of March, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________,
2023.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives