ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 3230	By:	Jackson of the House

			     and

		Marlatt of the Senate

An Act relating to statutory references; making statements regarding legislative intent; providing for construction of statutes containing references to the census; providing exceptions for statutes relying for operative effect on certain population count; providing certain statutory provisions not to be considered modified; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 51 of Title 25, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A.  The Legislature finds that the United States Census Bureau  has initiated a number of reform efforts related to the means by which information is compiled, analyzed and reported by the Bureau, including changes in the terminology used by the Bureau to describe the methods by which data is compiled, analyzed and reported.  The Legislature finds that numerous statutory provisions make direct or indirect reference to the United States Census or to the United States Census Bureau and to the information which is compiled and reported by the Bureau.  The Legislature finds that there is a need to allow for flexible interpretation of statutory provisions based upon changes in terminology used by the United States Census Bureau. Periodic changes in terminology or methodology with respect to demographic and economic data gathered by the federal government should not require frequent amendments to state statutory provisions.  The Legislature finds that it is desirable public policy and in the interest of established principles of statutory construction to enact the provisions of this section due to the need for consistent interpretation of statutory provisions which rely for operative effect upon specific information, such as population.

B.  Unless a statutory provision relies for its operative effect on a population count contained in a Federal Decennial Census or a population count determined by using data from the United States Census Bureau, a reference in the Oklahoma Statutes to the “census”,  the “Federal Decennial Census” or other similar reference shall include any applicable means or method used by the United States Census Bureau to report demographic or economic information.

C.  Statutory provisions which contain a reference to a specific population count or population range shall not be considered to have been modified because of a change in terminology by the United States Census Bureau or as a result of the provisions of this section.

SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2010.

SECTION 3.  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.

Passed the House of Representatives the 10th day of March, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Passed the Senate the 13th day of April, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate