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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
February 11, 2025
AS AMENDED
SENATE BILL NO. 779 By: McIntosh
[ county officials - system - prioritization -
requirements - meeting - liability protection -
codification - effective date ]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE ST ATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 509 of Title 19, unless there is
created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. This act shall be known and may b e cited as the “Volunteer
County Emergency Response Corps Act”.
B. 1. The county sheriff , county commissioners , and emergency
management personnel of each county of this state shall work in
conjunction to establis h a system to engage county residents to
volunteer their time, expertise, or resources during an emergency.
2. Prioritization for selection in the Volunteer County
Emergency Response Corps shall be based on, but not limited to, the
following:
a. construction services to clear debris,
b. landscaping services to clear downed trees,
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c. entities to serve as temporary staging areas,
including churches, event centers, and businesses,
d. chaplain services,
e. first response services, including by medical
personnel and honorably discharged veterans,
f. transportation services to move people and supplies,
and
g. other specializations or resources provided by
individuals as deemed appropriate for an emergency
response.
C. At least two county employees designated by the county
sheriff, county commissioners, and emergency management personnel
shall create, maintain, operate, and update a system that allows
county residents to volunteer as members of the Volunteer County
Emergency Response Corps , list applicable special ties or available
supplies, and share preferred contact information .
D. At least once per year, the county sheriff and county
commissioners shall hold a public meeting to discuss and promote the
Volunteer County Emergency Response Corps. Such meeting may take
place in conjunction with any other regularly scheduled public
meeting.
E. Any volunteer or entity that offers services or supplies
pursuant to the Volunteer County Emergency Response Corps shall be
immune from liability in a civil action on the bas is of any act or
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omission of the voluntee r or entity resulting in damage or injury if
the damage or injury was not caused by gross negligence or willful
and wanton misconduct by the volunteer or entity.
F. The county shall not be liable for any injury to a volunteer
or entity that offers service s or supplies pursuant to the Volunteer
County Emergency Response Corps other than for acts of gross
negligence or deliberate actions.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
February 11, 2025 - DO PASS AS AMENDED