ENGR. S. B. NO. 770 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 ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 770 By: Hines of the Senate and Eaves of the House An Act relating to rehabilitation services; amending 74 O.S. 2021, Section 166.2, which relates to the Commission for Rehabilitation Services; expanding membership of the Commission; removing obsolete language; specifying duration and dates of terms; stipulating process for appointment of additional members; updating statutory language; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 74 O.S. 2021, Section 166.2, is amended to read as follows: Section 166.2. A. Effective July 1, 1993, there is hereby created the Commission for Rehabilitation Services, an agency of the State of Oklahoma this state, a body corporate and politic, with powers of government and with the authority to exercise the rights, privileges and functions as herein specified, with its lawful operations deemed to be an essential governmental function of the State of Oklahoma this state with all the attributes thereof. B. The Commission shall appoint and remove the Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services, approve programs, ENGR. S. B. NO. 770 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 policy and budget, and perform the necessary functions of a governing board for the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. C. l. The Commission shall consist of three (3) seven (7) members, to be appointed by June 15, 1993, as follows: a. one member two members shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate for a three-year term, b. one member two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for a three-year term, and c. one member three members shall be appointed by the Governor for a three-year term. 2. Thereafter, beginning with the expiration of the terms of the three members initially appointed, the Commission shall consist of three (3) members, appointed as follows: a. one member shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate and shall serve a term of one (1) year, b. one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and shall serve a term of two (2) years, and c. one member shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve a term of three (3) years. ENGR. S. B. NO. 770 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 3. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, members shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years. Each term shall begin on July 1 of the respective year and end on June 30 three (3) years later. 3. The current appointee of the Spea ker of the House of Representatives shall serve until June 30, 2025. The current appointee of the Governor shall serve until June 30, 2026. The current appointee of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall serve until June 30, 2027. 4. For the purpose of expanding the Commission to seven (7) members, the following additional members shall be appointed: a. one member shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate for a term begi nning on July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2027, b. two members shall be appointed by the Governor, each for a term beginning on July 1, 2025 , and ending on June 30, 2026, and c. one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending on June 30, 2028, in addition to the member the Speaker shall appoint to fill the seat of the current member whose term expires on June 30, 2025. ENGR. S. B. NO. 770 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 5. Thereafter, at the expiration of the term, or terminat ion of the member’s service for any reason, the original a ppointing authority shall appoint a successor for a term of three (3) years, or for the remainder of an unexpired term. D. Members of the Commission shall be knowledgeable of and have concern for rehabilitation issues and disability issues; provided, that such requirement shall not exclude participation of lay persons as Commission members. All members shall be residents of the state and qualified electors at the time of their appointment. Before entering upon the duties of their office, members of the C ommission shall take the Constitutional oath of office and the same shall be filed with the Secretary of State. A member of the Commission may be reappointed to succeed himself or herself. Commission members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurr ed in the performance of their duties as provided in the State Travel Reimbursement Act. E. The original appointing authority may remove any commissioner for misconduct, incompetency or neglect of duty, after giving such commissioner a written statement o f charges, and opportunity for a hearing. SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health 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 passage and approval. ENGR. S. B. NO. 770 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 Passed the Senate the 26th day of March, 2025. Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of ______ ____, 2025. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives