SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB976 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SENATE FLOOR VERSION February 13, 2023 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 976 By: Murdock and Bullard 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: 1. Two members representing the Department of Wildlife Conservation; SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB976 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 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 member s 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 Force 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. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB976 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 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 effective November 1, 2023. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND WILDLIFE February 13, 2023 - DO PASS AS AMENDED BY CS