Title: STATE OF OKLAHOMA
Author: Craig Thompson
Last saved by: Shriley Harrison
Company: Senate

ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 1137	By:  Coffee of the Senate

			and

		Banz and McMullen of the House

An Act relating to state government; creating the Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission; providing purpose of Commission; specifying powers and duties of the Commission; creating an advisory council; providing for membership, transaction of business, travel reimbursement, and staffing for the Commission; requiring Commission to submit report by certain date; specifying contents of report; creating the Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Revolving Fund; specifying purpose of fund; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

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 400 of Title 53, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

The Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission is hereby created to assist the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma History Center in preparing for and commemorating the sesquicentennial of Oklahoma’s participation in the American Civil War.

SECTION 2.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 401 of Title 53, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

The Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

1.  Promote a suitable statewide observance of the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War which is also referred to as the War Between the States;

2.  Cooperate and assist national, state, and local organizations with programs and activities suitable for the sesquicentennial observance;

3.  Assist in ensuring that any observance of the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War is inclusive and appropriately recognizes the experiences and points of views of all people affected by the American Civil War; and

4.  Provide assistance for the development of programs, projects, and activities on the American Civil War that have lasting educational value.

SECTION 3.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 402 of Title 53, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

A.  The Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission shall consist of twelve (12) members as follows:

1.  Four members appointed by the Governor;

2.  Four members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and

3.  Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

B.  There is hereby created an advisory council to the Commission to be composed of:

a.	the Director of the Oklahoma History Center or designee,

b.	the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department or designee,

c.	the President of the Oklahoma Historical Society or designee,

d.	the Director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority of Oklahoma or designee,

e.	the President of the Oklahoma County Civil War Roundtable or designee,

f.	the President of the Tulsa County Civil War Roundtable or designee,

g.	the Superintendent of the Honey Springs Battlefield or designee,

h.	the Curator of the Confederate Memorial Hall or designee, and

i.	the Curator of the Union Memorial Hall, or designee.

C.  The members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

D.  The Commission shall elect a chair and vice-chair from among its membership.

E.  A quorum of the Commission shall be required in order for any final action of the Commission.

F.  Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their service, but shall receive travel reimbursement as follows:

1.  Legislative members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

2.  Nonlegislative members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

G.  The Oklahoma Historical Society shall provide staff support to the Commission.

H.  The Commission shall submit to the Legislature an annual report, including any legislative findings to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor by January 1 of each year.

SECTION 4.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 403 of Title 53, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to be designated the “Oklahoma American Civil War Sesquicentennial Revolving Fund”.  The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the Commission from appropriated funds from the Legislature.  All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Commission for the purpose of any expense relating to any authorized activity of the Commission.  Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of State Finance for approval and payment.

SECTION 5.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2009.

Passed the Senate the 11th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer 	of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the 20th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer	of the House
	of Representatives

ENR. S. B. NO. 1137	Page