STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1241	By:	McCullough

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to environment and natural resources; creating the Oklahoma Beverage Container Recycling Task Force; providing termination date; stating purpose of the Task Force; providing for membership; providing date for appointments and organizational meeting; providing for selection of officers; stating duties; exempting the Task Force from certain acts; providing for meetings; providing for travel reimbursement and staff assistance; requiring completion of the study by a certain date; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created until December 31, 2011, the “Oklahoma Beverage Container Recycling Task Force”.  The purpose of the Task Force shall be to study the impact of a beverage container recycling program in Oklahoma.
B.  The Task Force shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:
1.  One member appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the membership of the House; 
2.  One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate from the membership of the Senate;
3.  The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or a designee; 
4.  The Administrator of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, or a designee;
5.  The Secretary of the Environment, or a designee; 
6.  One member who represents a statewide environmental organization, appointed by the Secretary of the Environment; and 
7.  Three members appointed by the Governor as follows:
a.	one who represents facilities that process recycled beverage containers, 
b.	one who represents retail dealers who engage in the sale of beverages in containers to consumers, and 
c.	one who represents distributors who manufacture beverages in beverage containers. 
C.  Appointment to the Task Force shall be made by August 1, 2011.  The members of the Task Force shall select a chair and vice-chair at the first meeting of the Task Force.  The Task Force shall conduct an organizational meeting not later than August 31, 2011.
D.  The Task Force shall investigate and make recommendations regarding:
1.  The effect a beverage container recycling program would have on increasing recycling rates for beverage containers, including the impact on natural resources, conservation of energy, and reduced economic costs;
2.  The effect a beverage container recycling program would have on reducing litter and enhancing the quality of life for residents; and 
3.  How a beverage container recycling program could provide a connection between manufacturing decisions and the recycling program management.
E.  The Task Force shall not be subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act or to the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
F.  The Task Force shall be authorized to meet at such times as may be required in order to fulfill the duties imposed upon the Task Force by law.  Members of the Task Force shall be reimbursed for their necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as follows:
1.  State employees who are members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act; 
2.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and 
3.  All other members shall be reimbursed by the Department of Environmental Quality in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
G.  Staff assistance for the Task Force shall be provided by the Department of Environmental Quality.
H.  The Task Force shall complete its study not later than December 31, 2011.
SECTION 2.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and 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.

53-1-6439	KB	01/18/11