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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 976 By: Murdock and Bullard of the
Senate
and
Newton of the House
An Act relating to fish and wildlife; creating the
Invasive Species Task Force; stating purpose;
providing for membership; establishing leadership for
Task Force; providing for reimbursement; allowing for
additional administration if necessary; directing
Task Force to provide report to the Legislature by
certain time; 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 to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3-316 of Title 29, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fo llows:
A. There is hereby created the “Invasive Species Task Force”.
The purpose of the Task Force is to study and make recommendations
of appropriate measures to combat and slow the spread of invasive
species in this state in order to protect Oklahoma’s wildlife
habitats.
B. The Task Force shall consist of ten (10) members:
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1. Two members representing the Department of Wildlife
Conservation;
2. Two members representing the Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry;
3. Two members representing the Oklahoma Conservation
Commission;
4. Two members representing Oklahoma State University Extension
Service; and
5. Two members represent ing Murray State College.
C. The appointed members from the Department of Wildlife
Conservation shall serve as co-chairs of the Task Force. The co-
chairs shall convene the first meeting of the Task Force. The Task
Force shall meet as often as necessary.
D. Appointments to the Task Forc e shall be made by January 1,
2024.
E. If applicable, members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed
by their respective entities for necessary travel expenses incurred
in the performance of duties pursuant to the provisions of the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
F. Administrative support for the Task Force including, but not
limited to, personnel necessary to ensure the proper performance of
the duties and responsibilities of the Task Force shall be provided ,
if necessary, by the representative entities involved in the Task
Force.
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G. The Task Force shall publish a report of fin dings and
recommendations to the Legislature by September 1, 2024, including
recommendations for any resulting legislation.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effecti ve November 1, 2023.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON WILDLIFE, dated 04/13/2023 - DO
PASS.