Req. No. 10918 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 729 By: Rosino of the Senate and McBride and Echols of the House COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission; providing for legislative intent; providing for membership; prescribing terms; prescribing qualifications for certain members; providing for filling of vacancies; providing for removal of members; providing for frequency of meetings; prescribing quorum requirement; providing for creation of subcommittees; providing for retention of records; providing for staff assistance; imposing duties on Commis sion; requiring report; requiring recommendation s; authorizing receipt of various revenues; providing for noncodification; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law not to b e codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows: Req. No. 10918 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission foster cooperation between the people of Isr ael and the people of Oklahoma on projects of mutual benefit, including agriculture, industry, trade and commerce, energy research, and education and cultural differences . B. The Oklahoma State Legislature supports the reestablishment of the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission with the hope that this economic initiative can a chieve the greatest possible benefit for the interest of the people of Israel and Oklahoma. SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 583 of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. There is hereby reestablished the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission, which shall be located in Jer usalem. The Commission shall consist of nine (9) members, to be appointed as follows: 1. Two persons to be appointed by the Governor; 2. Two persons to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives; 3. Two persons to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate; 4. A person to be appointed by the minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives; Req. No. 10918 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. A person to be appointed by the minority leader of the Oklahoma State Senate; and 6. A person to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. B. The two members selected by the Governor, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, respectively, shall each be a representative of either: 1. An Oklahoma public institution of higher lear ning; 2. The Israeli-American community in Oklahoma who is interested in furthering trade between Oklahoma and Israel; 3. An Oklahoma industry engaged in or seeking to engage in trade with Israel; or 4. An Oklahoma business association, trade organizati on, economic development organization or chamber of commerce currently engaged in or interested in engaging in the furtherance of trade with Israel. C. Legislative members shall serve for the two-year legislative session in which they are appointed to the Commission and shall remain members of the Legislature in order to retai n membership on the Commission. Vacancies of legislative members during a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment onl y for the unexpired part of the term. The appointing authority for a Req. No. 10918 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 legislative member may remove the memb er and substitute another appointee for the member at any time. Members may be reappointed. D. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment only for the unexpired part of the term. E. The appointing authority for the member m ay remove the member and substitute another appointee for the member at any time. F. The Commission shall hold meetings at least once each quarter. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair. G. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the Commission. H. The chair may appoint from among the Commission members subcommittees and subcommittee chairs. I. The Commission shall keep records of all proceedings, which shall be public and op en to inspection. J. Staff assistance shall be provided by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate . SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 583.1 of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. The purpose of the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission shall be to advance, promote, and encourage business and other mutually beneficial activities between Oklahoma and Israel, including: 1. Bilateral trade and investment; 2. Joint action on policy issues of mutual interest; Req. No. 10918 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. Business and academic exchanges; 4. Mutual economic support; 5. Mutual investment in the respective infrastructure; and 6. Other opportunities for mutual benefit and economic growth as identified by the Commission. B. The Commission shall report its findings, activities, results, and recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate within one (1) year of its initial meeting and by February 1 of each succeeding year for the activities of the preceding calendar year. The report shall be in writing and may include recommendations or proposed legislation as deemed appropriate by the Commission to effectuate its purposes. C. The Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission shall be authorized to raise funds, through direct solicitation or other fundraising events, alone, or with other groups, and accept gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, foundations, governmental agencies, and public and private organizations and institutions, to carry out its purposes. SECTION 4. This act shall becom e effective November 1, 2024. 59-2-10918 LRB 04/09/24