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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 983 By: Standridge
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to turnpikes; amending 69 O.S. 2021,
Section 1705, which relates to the powers and duties
of the Oklahoma Turnpike Au thority; requiring audit
prior to the issuance of certain bonds; defining
scope of certain audit; requiring certain evaluation
of toll increases; updating statutory language;
updating statutory references; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emer gency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 69 O.S. 2021, Section 1705, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1705. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is hereby
authorized and empowered:
(a) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and
conduct of its business.
(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure.
(c) To maintain an office at such place or places within the
state as it may designate.
(d) To sue and be sued in contract, reverse condemnation,
equity, mandamus, and similar actions in its own name, plead and be
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impleaded; provided, that any and all actions at law or in equity
against the Authority shall be brought in the county in which the
principal office of the Authority shall be located, or in the county
of the residence of the plaintiff, or the county where the cause of
action arose. All privileges granted to the Authority and duties
enjoined upon the Authority by the provisions of Sections 1701
through 1734 1736 of this title may be enforced in a court of
competent jurisdiction in an action in mandamus.
(e) To construct, maintain, repair , and operate turnpike
projects and highways, with their access and connecting roads, at
such locations and on such routes as it shall determine to be
feasible and economically sound; provided, that until specifically
authorized by the Legislature, the Authority shall be authorized to
construct and operate toll turnpikes only at the following
locations:
(1) The Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
(2) The Southwestern (H.E. Ba iley) Turnpike between Oklahoma
City and Wichita Falls, Texas.
(3) The Northeastern (Will Rogers) Turnpike between Tulsa and
Joplin, Missouri.
(4) The Eastern (Indian Nation) T urnpike between Tulsa and
Paris, Texas, including all or any part thereof between McAlester
and the Red River south of Hugo.
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(5) The Cimarron Turnpike between Tulsa and Interstate Highway
35 north of Perry, including a connection to Stillwater.
(6) The Muskogee Turnpike between Broken Arrow and Interstate
Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls.
(7) All or any part of an extension of the Muskogee Turnpike,
beginning at a point on Interstate Highway 40 near the present south
terminus of the Muskogee Turnpike, an d extending in a southeasterly
direction on an alignment near Stigler, Poteau , and Heavener to the
vicinity of the Arkansas State Line state line to furnish access to
Hot Springs, Texarkana, Shreveport , and New Orleans.
(8) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpi ke in the vicinity of
Luther, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of the intersectio n of State
Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike in Creek County, Oklahoma, or in the
vicinity of the intersection of State Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike
or U.S. Highway 66 in Creek Co unty, Oklahoma, from any monies
available to the Authority.
(9) Add on the Will Rogers Turnpike a northbound automatic
tollgate onto State Highway 28 and a southbound on -ramp from State
Highway 28.
(10) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning i n the
vicinity of Duncan extending east to the vicinity of the City of
Davis, and extending in a northeasterly direction, by way of the
vicinity of the City of Ada, to a connection in the vicinity of
Henryetta or in the vicinity of the intersection of Stat e Highway 48
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and Interstate 40; and a turnpike or any part or parts thereof from
the vicinity of Snyder extending north to the vicinity of Woodward.
(11) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a
point in the vicinity of Ponca City, or at a p oint on the Kansas-
Oklahoma state boundary line east of the Arkansas River and west of
the point where Oklahoma State Highway No. 18 intersects said such
state boundary line, and extending in a southeasterly direction to a
connection with the Tulsa Urban E xpressway System in the general
area of the Port of Catoosa.
(12) All or any part of an Oklahoma City toll expressway system
connecting the residential, industrial , and State Capitol Complex in
the north part of Oklahoma City with the residential, industr ial,
and Will Rogers World Airport Complex in the south and southwest
parts of Oklahoma City.
(13) A turnpike (The Industrial Parkway) or any part or parts
thereof beginning at a point on the Oklahoma -Kansas state boundary
line between the point where U.S . Highway 66 intersects the boundary
line and the northeast corner of Oklahoma and ending by means of a
connection or connections with Shreveport, Louisiana, and Houston,
Texas, in southeastern Oklahoma and at no point to exceed thirty
(30) miles west of t he Missouri or Arkansas border.
(14) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the
vicinity of Velma or County Line Countyline to a point intersecting
with Interstate 35 in the area south of Davis.
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(15) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the
vicinity of Watonga and extending south and/or or east to the
vicinity of north and/or or west Oklahoma City.
(16) A tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike near the
intersection of State Highway 137 and the Will Rogers Turnpike,
located south of Quapaw.
(17) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike in the vicinity of
Porter, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike in the
vicinity of Adair, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in
the vicinity of Luther, Oklahoma, and a tollgate on the H.E. Bailey
Turnpike at Elgin, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the
Authority.
(18) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in the vicinity of
Wellston, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.
(19) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike i n the vicinity of
Brushy Mountain, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of Elm Grove,
Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.
(20) All or any part of an Oklahoma City Outer Loop expressway
system beginning in the vicinity of I-35 Interstate 35 and the
Turner Turnpike and extending west into Canadian County and then
south to I-40 Interstate 40; and then south and east to I-35
Interstate 35 in the vicinity of Moore and Norman; and then
extending east and north to I-40 Interstate 40 east of Tinker Field;
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and then extending north to the Turner Turnpike to complete the
Outer Loop.
(21) All or any part of the Tulsa south bypass expressway
system beginning in the vicinity of the Turner Turnpike near Sapulpa
and extending south and east to U.S. Highway 75 in the vicinity of
96th Street to 121st Street; and then east across the Arkansas River
to a connection with the Mingo Valley Expressway; and then south
and/or or east to a point on the Tulsa -Wagoner County Line county
line near 131st street Street south in the city City of Broken
Arrow.
(22) A new turnpike or any part thereof from near the west gate
of the Will Rogers Turnpike south to the west end of south Tulsa
Turnpike at the Tulsa -Wagoner County Line county line.
(23) A new turnpike or any parts there of from the vicinity of
the connection between State Highway 33 and U.S. Highway 69 easterly
to the Arkansas State Line state line.
(24) A four-lane extension of the Muskogee Turnpike from
Interstate Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls to the Poteau vicinity .
(25) A new turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a
point in the vicinity of northwest Tulsa, and extending in a
northwesterly direction, by means of a connection or connections
with the cities of Pawhuska and Newkirk, to a point intersectin g in
the vicinity of US U.S. Highway No. 77 and the Kansas State Line
state line.
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(26) A full access interchange on the Indian Nation Turnpike
south of Interstate 40, in the vicinity of Henryetta, Oklahoma, and
in the vicinity of the proposed theme park, museum, or an industrial
facility which qualifies for the Oklahoma Quality Job s Program Act,
from any monies available to the Authority.
(27) A new turnpike beginning at a point directly west of the
Arkansas line and four -laning U.S. Highway 70 from that point to the
farthest western reach within the bounds of Oklahoma of U.S. Highway
70 creating a southern route through Oklahoma.
(28) A new turnpike and bridge or any parts thereof from a
point in the vicinity of the city City of Mustang southerly across
the South Canadian River to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike in the vicinity
of the city City of Tuttle; and then easterly across the South
Canadian River to a point in the vicinity of the city City of
Norman.
(29) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point
in the vicinity of the city City of Altus and extending in a
northwesterly direction to a point in the vicinity of the city City
of Sayre.
(30) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point
in the vicinity of the city City of Enid and extending in a westerly
direction to a point in the vicinity of the city City of Woodward.
(31) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof at Fletcher,
Oklahoma, in the vicinity of the Interstate 44 and State Highway 277
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intersection. Any existing on - or off-ramp or any parts thereof in
the vicinity of Fletcher, Oklahoma, shall not be removed and shall
be maintained pursuant to Section 1701 et seq. of this title.
(32) A new bridge crossing the Arkansas River between South
Delaware Avenue and Memorial Drive in Tulsa County. This project
shall commence upon a determination by the Okl ahoma Transportation
Turnpike Authority that such bridge shall be self -sufficient at some
point over a thirty-year time period from the toll charges
associated with the bridge pr oject.
(33) An exit ramp or any parts thereof from the eastbound lane
of the Turner Turnpike at 96th Street in Tulsa.
(34) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof on the Cimarron
Turnpike in the vicinity of the northside of the Glencoe, Oklahoma,
municipal limits.
(35) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at
Interstate 44 at or near its intersection with 49th West Avenue,
past State U.S. Highway 64/412, turning northeasterly, crossing 41st
West Avenue, and continuing eastward to the L.L. Tisdal e Expressway
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
All access roads, interchanges, or lead roads connecting such
turnpikes with existing highways must be built by funds furnished by
the Authority.
The minimum and maximum wages for the construction of the roads,
highways and projects provided for in Sections 1701 through 1734
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1736 of this title shall be in accordance with the schedules of
wages used or adopted by the Commission in construction of state
highways.
The Authority is hereby authorized to enter into contracts or
agreements with agencies and instrumentalities of other states or
the national government for construction, maintenance , and operation
of interstate turnpikes or highways.
The Authority is hereby required to construct and install
automatic tollgates on the W ill Rogers Turnpike at State Highway No.
28 near Adair.
(f) To issue turnpike revenue bonds of the Authority, payable
solely from revenues, including the revenues accruing to the trust
fund created by Sections 1701 through 1734 1736 of this title, for
the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more
turnpike projects. Provided that any further:
(1) Any bonds issued for the construction of the proposed
turnpike referred to in subparagraphs (10), (20), (21) , and (22) of
paragraph (e) of this section shall be issued as one issue for all
four of the proposed turnpi kes and shall be financed, constructed ,
and operated under one bond indenture ;
(2) Prior to the approval of any turnpike revenue bond sale by
the Council of Bond Oversight, the Authority shall:
(i) submit to the State Auditor and Inspector for review,
accuracy, reliability, and reasonableness, all
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information contained in feasibility studies,
schedules, and documentation compiled by the
Authority, consultants of the Authority, or
contractors of the Authority, and any other
documentation as may be requested by the State Auditor
and Inspector necessary for the determination of the
feasibility and economic soundness of any turnpike
project or parts thereof listed in paragraph (e) of
this section which are to be financed with such
revenue bonds. The State Auditor and Inspector shall
prepare a report and make recommendations, if any, to
be submitted to the Authority, the Council of Bond
Oversight, and the Attorney General as to the res ults
of such review, and
(ii) submit to the State Auditor and Inspector and th e
Attorney General a complete financial plan for any
turnpike capital program which anticipates the
issuance of revenue bonds in one or more issues in
order to provide bond proce eds for the cost of
financing and constructing one or more turnpike
projects of which the construction period is estimated
to exceed three (3) years from the date of the initial
bond issue to the estimated time of completion of such
turnpike capital progra m. The financial plan for such
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turnpike capital program shall present estimat ed debt
service requirements schedules for each anticipated
bond issue, debt coverage schedules for all future
years until the final maturity of all revenue bonds
anticipated to be issued related to such turnpike
capital program, and projected toll increases,
identifying dates and rates of each toll increase
until final maturity of all such revenue bonds issued
for such turnpike capital program. For each
subsequent revenue bond i ssue related to such turnpike
capital program, the information required in thi s
subparagraph shall be updated to reflect the remaining
term of such turnpike capital program .
(3) Prior to implementation of toll increases by the Authority
and during the time period that the turnpike capital program is in
progress, the State Auditor and Inspector shall evaluate such toll
increases to ascertain and confirm to the Authority and the Attorney
General that such toll increases comply with Section 1711 of Title
69 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the toll covenants of applicable
trust agreements under which such turnpike revenue bonds are issued.
Any compliance issues are to be resolved by the Attorney General,
the Authority, and the State Auditor and Inspector.
(g) To fix and revise from time to time tolls for the use of
any turnpike projects.
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Any common carrier having authority at the time of opening any
turnpike project to operate upon a highway approximately paralleling
the turnpike project shall be granted without further showing
authority to operate over the turnpike project to all municipa lities
which such carrier is serving at the time the turnpike project is
opened to traffic. But nothing herein shall be construed as
granting any new operation rights to any com mon carriers.
(h) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property
in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties.
(i) To acquire in the name of the Authority by purchase or
otherwise on such terms and conditions and in such m anner as it may
deem proper, or by exercise of the right of condemnation in ma nner
hereinafter provided, such public or private lands, including public
parks, playgrounds, or reservations, or parts thereof or rights
therein, rights-of-way, property, rights , easements, and interests,
as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of Sections
1701 through 1734 1736 of this title; provided, that all public
property damaged in carrying out the powers granted by Sections 1701
through 1734 1736 of this title shall be restored or repaired and
placed in its original condition as ne arly as practicable.
(j) To designate, except as is provided for herein, the
location, and establish, limit , and control such points of ingress
to and egress from each turnpike project as may be necessary or
desirable in the judgment of the Authority to insure the proper
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operation and maintenance of such project, and to prohibit entrance
to such project from any point or points not so designated.
(k) To make and enter into all c ontracts and agreements
necessary or incidental to the performance of its duti es and the
execution of its powers, and to employ consulting engineers,
attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts,
superintendents, managers, and such other empl oyees and agents as
may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation;
provided, that all such expenses shall be payable solely from the
proceeds of turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of
Sections 1701 through 1734 of this titl e or from revenues; provided,
further, no attorney employed by the Authority, nor any member of
any law firm of which the attorney may be connected, shall ever be
paid any fee or compensation for any special or extraordinary
services.
(l) To receive and a ccept from any federal agency grants for or
in aid of the construction of any turnpike project, provided, the
acceptance of such grants will not reduce the amount of federal aid
for the construction, repair, or maintenance of farm -to-market roads
and other highways and bridges in this state; and to receive and
accept aid or contribu tions from any source of either money,
property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and
applied only for the purposes for which such grants and
contributions may be made.
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(m) To adopt such rules, and to do any and all things necessary
to comply with rules, regulations, or requirements of the Bureau of
Public Roads, Multistate Economic Development Regional Commission,
as defined in Sections 1151 through 1153, inclu sive, of Title 74 of
the Oklahoma Statutes, Ozarka Region Commission Federal Highway
Administration or any other federal agency administering any law
enacted by the Congress of the United States to aid or encourage the
construction of highways.
(n) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the
powers expressly granted in Sections 1701 through 1734 1736 of this
title. The design standards for all paving shall comply with the
design standards of the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials as modified by the Oklahoma Department of
Transportation. All contracts for construction work on turnpike
projects shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, or bidders,
after notice by publication in a newspaper published in the county
where the work is to be done in two consecutive weekly issues of the
newspaper. In all cases where more than eight (8) miles of
construction is let at the same time and is not an advertisement for
a surface-treatment-only project, such advertisemen t shall provide
for bids on sections of the turnpike not to exceed eight (8) m iles.
If the project advertised is a surface -treatment-only project of
more than twenty (20) miles of road, the advertisement shall provide
for bids on sections of the road no l onger than twenty (20) miles,
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as well as bids on the project as a whole. Subject to the following
restrictions and limitations, the Authority shall, when contracting
for construction work, divide such work into paving projects, bridge
projects, including underpasses and overpasses, and earthmoving or
miscellaneous projects, accordi ng to the type of work to be done.
Each project shall be let under a separate contract or contracts and
no contract or project shall include more than one of such types of
construction work. Each contract for construction work shall
contain a provision that ninety percent (90%) of all labor employed
on the project shall be residents of Oklahoma. However, contracts
for bridges may include earthwork and structures for the approac hes
thereto.
(o) It shall be unlawful for any member, officer or employee of
the Authority to transact with the Authority, either directly or
indirectly, any business for profit of such member, officer, or
employee; and any person, firm, or corporation kn owingly
participating therein shall be equally liable for violation of this
provision.
The term “business for profit” shall include, but not be limited
to, the acceptance or payment of any fee, commission, gift, or
consideration to such member, officer, or employee.
Violation of this provision shall constitute a felony punishable
by incarceration in the State Penitentiary custody of the Department
of Corrections for a term not to exceed five (5) years or a fine of
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not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00 ) and not more than Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such imprisonment and fine.
(p) In the event of a national emergency, the Authority,
subject to any vested rights or claims, may enter into contracts
with the federal government or any authori zed agency thereof to
allow the federal government or agency thereof to use su ch turnpikes
partly or exclusively during the existence of such emergency,
provided, that the federal government agrees in such contract to
pay, during the term of such contract, an amount sufficient, when
added to any tolls collected, to meet all operating and maintenance
expenses, interest payments, and the minimum sinking fund and
reserve requirements of the trust agreement for the turnpike covered
by the contract.
(q) All meetings of the Authority shall be open public
meetings, and all records shall be public records, except when
considering personnel or litigation.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. 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.
60-1-1342 MSBB 1/16/2025 1:45:32 PM