STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE BILL 1497	By:	Shelton

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to higher education; creating the Higher Education Employee Merit System 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 “Higher Education Employee Merit System Task Force”.  The purpose of the Task Force shall be to study the establishment of a merit system for employees of institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and how a merit system would promote equity and accountability in higher education.
B.  The Task Force shall consist of five (5) 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 Secretary of Human Resources and Administration, or a designee; 
4.  One member who represents The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education with knowledge of labor and employment law, appointed by the Chancellor of Higher Education; and 
5.  One member appointed by the Governor who represents the largest organization in the state that represents state employees. 
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.  A process for hiring and terminating higher education faculty positions at institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; 
2.  A system of classification and compensation of nonfaculty positions at institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; and
3.  A proposal to implement a merit system for nonfaculty employees at institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
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 Office of Personnel Management in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
G.  Staff assistance for the Task Force shall be provided by the Office of Personnel Management.
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.

53-1-5843	KB	01/12/11