STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE BILL 1356	By:	Cooksey

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to public health and safety; amending 63 O.S. 2011, Section 1-1515, which relates to the Clean Air in Restaurants Act; extending dates for rebate program for restaurants converting to smoke-free environment; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     63 O.S. 2011, Section 1-1515, is amended to read as follows:
Section 1-1515.  A.  This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Clean Air in Restaurants Act”.
B.  The Legislature hereby finds:
1.  Numerous studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution;
2.  Reliable studies have shown that breathing secondhand smoke is a cause of disease, including lung cancer, in healthy nonsmokers.  At special risk are elderly people, children, people with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function, including asthmatics and those with obstructive airway disease; and
3.  Health hazards induced by breathing secondhand smoke include lung cancer, respiratory infection, decreased exercise tolerance, decreased respiratory function, bronchoconstriction, and bronchospasm.
C.  1.  The State Department of Health is hereby authorized to implement a rebate program for the purpose of reimbursing persons or entities that own restaurants located in this state for expenses incurred prior to November 1, 2010 2013, in complying with the requirements imposed by subsection J of Section 1247 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  The rebate shall be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the original expenditure, minus depreciation costs, and shall only be disbursed if the restaurant converts to a completely smoke-free environment no later than January 1, 2013 2016.
2.  The Department shall be required to utilize the proceeds generated by the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Revolving Fund in funding the rebate program and shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of the program.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.

54-1-5726	AM	01/02/13