An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 729 By: Weaver, Bullard, and Burns
of the Senate
and
McBride, Lepak, Lowe
(Dick), Caldwell (Trey),
Cantrell, Hill, Fetgatter,
Echols, West (Tammy),
Provenzano, Schreiber,
Maynard, Roberts, and
Waldron of the House
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; provid ing for frequency of
meetings; prescribing quorum requirement; providing
for creation of subcommittees; providing for
retention of records; providing for staff assistance;
imposing duties on Commission; requiring report;
requiring recommendations; authoriz ing receipt of
various revenues; providing for noncodification;
providing for codification; and providing an
effective date.
SUBJECT: Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law not to be
codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma -Israel
Exchange Commission foster cooperation between the people of Israel
ENR. S. B. NO. 729 Page 2
and the people of Okla homa 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 wi th the hope that this
economic initiative can achieve 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 5 83 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 Jerusalem. 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;
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 learning;
ENR. S. B. NO. 729 Page 3
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 organization,
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 retain membership on
the Commission. Vacancies of legislative members during a term
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment only
for the unexpired part of the term. The appointing authority for a
legislative member may remove the member 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 orig inal
appointment only for the unexpired part of the term.
E. The appointing authority for the member may 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 open to inspection.
J. Staff assistance shall be provided by the Oklahoma House of
Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate.
ENR. S. B. NO. 729 Page 4
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;
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 institution s, to
carry out its purposes.
SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
ENR. S. B. NO. 729 Page 5
Passed the Senate the 30th day of May, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 18th day of April, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this _______ _____________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _______ __
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
day of _________________ _, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________